 | Team USA a Dark Horse at the Olympics |
 mojo19 writes "With all the discussions about the type of star power Canada and Russia will bring to the olympics, I wanted to acknowledge the possibility of the Americans being a very dangerous team, and potential gold medal winner.
I'm not saying they're my pick, but they are defnitely going to put together a great team, and a very different team USA then we're used to. With the torch being passed on from the likes of Leetch, Modanno, and Doug Weight, and other players that we're used to from the previous olympics', the last 4 or 5 years there has been a surge of talented American players.
Here are some potential guys that Brian Burke will certainly be considering for the United States roster, including a number of young guns, and some veterans:
Forwards -
LOCKS:
Zach Parise, NJ, LW - This guy was given some Hart Trophy consideration last year and is right near the top of the league in scoring again this year. He's a franchise player, and has 15 goals and 15 assists in 24 games and +19 rating this season, so far. He's obviously an unbelievable talent, and is not far off from the likes of Crosby and Ovechkin that the powerhouse teams can bring.
Patrick Kane, Chi, RW - Another dynamic player, 1st overall pick from a couple years ago. When he's on his game he can go toe to toe with the best of them, if he has a hot tournament he could be a difference maker in a big game.
Ryan Kesler, Van, C - Gritty two-way centre is enjoying his best offensive season of his young career. He's been a point per game, and is the American version of a Mike Richards or Brendan Morrow type player.
Phil Kessel, Tor, RW - Pure sniper will obviously be on the team. Beside having undeniable talent and being one of the games elite snipers, he is clearly a favourite of USA GM Brian Burke. He'll give USA a scoring threat whenever he's out there because of his lethal shot and he'll keep opposing goaltenders on their toes.
Dustin Brown, LA, LW - Gritty captain of LA brings so much energy to every game and makes a real impact on hockey games with his hitting, and scoring ability. When you watch a King's game you can't take your eyes off this guy, he's just a force out there. TJ Oshie is similar, but not quite at Brown's level on a consistant basis, yet.
Other considerations (pick 10 of these guys)
LW:
Ryan Malone, TB - rugged power forward enjoying hot start
James VanRiemsdyk - the guy picked right after Kane has finally arrived and he's been chipping in at almost a point per game for the Flyers
Jason Blake, Tor - I don't really like his chances, but if he gets hot soon, you know Burke will be watching him closely. I can't rule him out yet, but again, not likely.
RW:
Jamie Langenbrunner, NJ - Devils captain is a class act and is known for the way he plays in clutch games. Don't believe me? Look at his respectable regular season numbers, and unreal playoff numbers.
Bobby Ryan, Ana - Young gun for the Ducks got off to a bit of a slow start but has recently started producing. Here's another one of those young American talents, and I expect he'll be on the team.
Bill Guerin, Pit - Old dog can still play. He's a net presence, and physical guy.
Blake Wheeler, Bos - Talented guy hasn't scored up to his full potential so far this season with just 14 points on the year. If he can heat up and play to his full ability he will be another weapon for team USA.
Kyle Okposo, NYI - could get some consideration
David Backes, St.l - This guy is a big beast. I love the way he plays, although his ability to score goals this season the way he did last year has hurt his chances. I still think they'll keep an eye on him.
Lee Stempniak, Tor - Played amazing in the first month of the season but has started to really slip. I don't think he'll make it, but again, Wilson and Burrke being so close to him could be an advantage if he picks it up.
C:
RJ Umberger, CBJ
Tim Connolly, Buf
Matt Cullen, Car
David Legwand, Nsh
Keith Tkachuck, St.L
TJ Oshie, St.L
Scott Gomez, Mtl
This group is where I really believe the Americans could be at a disadvantage compared to Canada and Russia who boast the likes of Crosby, Thornton, Getzlaf, Malkin, Datsyuk. Burke will really have to pick the right mix that will work with his strong wingers to be able to keep up with the powerhouse teams.
Defense -
LOCKS:
Erik Johnson, St.l - Living up to his hype after being picked 1st overall. Ejo missed all of last year with a fluke injury, but has returned as an all out force, both physically and offensively.
Ryan Suter, Nsh - Great player. Can play on the PP, kill penalties, plays physical, offensive, defensive. Just a great player.
Pick 5 of these guys:
Alex Goligoski, Pit - I think he will come in and work the PP.
Tyler Myers, Buf - enjoying a solid rookie season
Zach Bogosian, Atl - 8 goals already this year, this guy is the real deal. Logs big minutes and knows when to pinch.
Ryan Whitney, Ana
James Wizniewski, Ana
Brian Rafalski, Det - the old vet has not been posting Rafalski-esk numbers this year, still he's on pace for about 40-45 points, and could bring a veteran presense to an otherwise very young blueline.
John Michael Liles, Col
Brooks Orpik, Pit - big shutdown guy, should make the team.
Tom Gilbert, Edm - not enjoying the offense he had last year, but still a very strong player
Mike Komisarek, Tor - He'll make it. His play started to pick up a few games before suffering an injury that put him out for 8 games, and he has looked strong since coming back.
Goaltending -
Rick Dipietro could be returning soon, but I don't believe he got himself healthy soon enough to get into consideration.
The general consensus seems to be Ryan Miller as the starter, with Timmy Thomas as the 2nd option. Craig Anderson should be the insurance goalie based on his strong play so far this season, and the only other options could be maybe Jonathan Quick, or Ty Conklin, but they are long shots at best.
Here is a look at a potential Team USA line up:
Parise - Kesler - Kane
Brown - Connolly - Kessel
Malone - Tkachuck - Ryan
JVR - Umberger - Langenbrunner
x - TJ Oshie, Backes
E.Johnson - Rafalski
Goligoski - Suter
Komisarek - Orpik
x - Bogosian
Miller
Thomas
x - Anderson
They don't have as much depth, in terms of star power as Canada. They don't have as many dynamic superstars as the Russians. But they do have a gritty group of forwards and defensman, some really talented guys, and great goaltending. They could be a dark horse at the olympics. Do not take this team lightly. "
|
|
|
|
| "Team USA a Dark Horse at the Olympics" | Login/Create an Account | 59 comments |
|
| | The comments are owned by the poster. We aren't responsible for their content. |
|
|
|
No Comments Allowed for Anonymous, please register |
|
Re: Team USA a Dark Horse at the Olympics (Score: 1)
by reinjosh on Wednesday, December 02
(User Info | Send a Message) | Tyler Myers is not eligible to play for the US anymore.
Because the WJHC is an IIHF sponsored tournament and because Myers played for Canada last year at it, he cannot be eligible for the US team.
But I do agree that you cannot take this team lightly. It has some players with serious talent as well as a few with game breaking ability. Parise, Kane, Kessel and even Ryan have the ability to just take the game and shift the emotional tide into their teams favor. That along with the great amount of grit and heart this team has (as well as the very strong goaltending) truly make this team a very dangerous darkhorse. To take this team lightly would be to pick up a hot coal in your hand and squeeze on it because you think you can just hold it and cool it off. Both stupid ideas.
|
|
|
Re: Team USA a Dark Horse at the Olympics (Score: 1)
by lafleur10 on Wednesday, December 02
(User Info | Send a Message) | nice article mojo.....it was an excellent read! but the americans will stay darkhorses they have little to no chance at the gold ,or for that matter beating canada or the russians they will be very lucky to beat sweden,and finland! they will obviously dominate latvia,germany etc...! they do have a nice looking team but they are no where near canada or the russian. in fact i wouldn't give them an advantage over canada or russia in any category!
|
|
|
Re: Team USA a Dark Horse at the Olympics (Score: 1)
by reinjosh on Wednesday, December 02
(User Info | Send a Message) | I know this is random and all
but does anyone think the Leafs will claim Valiquette off waivers?
it might be smart to get another goalie
it couldn't possibly hurt?
|
|
|
Re: Team USA a Dark Horse at the Olympics (Score: 1)
by bbruins37 (qwerty@hotmail.com) on Thursday, December 03
(User Info | Send a Message) | id move kane over to center as i think a kessel-kane combo is a must.
parise-kane-kessel (small, quick, offensive)
malone-connolly-ryan (a couple power forwards with a crafty playmaker)
brown-kesler-langenbrunner (checking/energy)
van riemsdyk-tkachuk-wheeler(huge line, all can score)
backes (big, solid overall, gives you some energy, can play any position)
e. johnson-rafalski (all around)
orpik-suter (kind of a mismatch but at least you get the best of both worlds offensively and defensively)
m.stuart-komisarek (shutdown)
bogosian(PP quarterback)
miller
thomas
anderson
Youd have to start miller right now as hes playing out of his mind, but by the time the olympics roll around im expecting thomas to get the nod as he should be over his "slow start" by then.
i dont see the need for goligoski as it would be an overload of offense. you already have johnson, rafalski, suter and bogosian there for offense. they need to balance that out with more guys that are great defensively.
matt carle deserves a mention.
|
|
|
Re: Team USA a Dark Horse at the Olympics (Score: 1)
by jpmac on Thursday, December 03
(User Info | Send a Message) | | On an off note, what is the consensus among people on here of Richards making the Olympic team and Gormley making the world junior team. Being from PEI, it would be great to see these two guys make both teams. I think Richards is living up to some of, it not all of the contract that he signed. Tied for 7th in league scoring is pretty good on a team tied for 7th in the west.
|
|
|
Re: Team USA a Dark Horse at the Olympics (Score: 1)
by bbruins37 (qwerty@hotmail.com) on Thursday, December 03
(User Info | Send a Message) | who is going to be canada's third goalie now? i dont think you can really justify putting any one of fleury, ward, or steve mason on the team right now. they are all playing pretty poorly right now.
chris mason and marty turco deserve some consideration. i think id give it to price though. he's been pretty good this year and it would be a good thing to build up his confidence to play for canada in the future |
|
|
Re: Team USA a Dark Horse at the Olympics (Score: 1)
by pezzz123 on Thursday, December 03
(User Info | Send a Message) | Nice article.
Paul Stastny!! Where is he lol? He's a lock for 1rst line center.
I think Chris Drury will be there too, probably centering the 3rd or 4th line. He'll be picked for his leadership and defensive abilities.
Also, where's the love for Joe Pavelski? He has 12 points in 14 games, skates like wind, checks like a grinder, and pass the puck like Crosby (ok, I'm exagerating a bit lol).
Here's my USA roster
Parise - Stastny - Kane
Ryan - Pavelski - Kessel
Malone - Kesler - Brown (energy line)
Umberger - Drury - Langenbrunner (leadership, veterans)
Taxi : Van Remsdyk, Oshie, Backes
E. Johnson - Rafalski
Martin - Suter
Orpik - Komisarek (shutdown duo)
Taxi : Whitney, Hainsey
Miller
Thomas
Taxi : DiPietro (if healthy) or Anderson
|
|
|
Re: Team USA a Dark Horse at the Olympics (Score: 1)
by simplyhabby on Thursday, December 03
(User Info | Send a Message) | The US developmental system is producing a fantastic product. The US will only become better as the years go by. Dark horse is a pefect label for this young team.
The only knock is the obvious inexperience but in a tourney, its not about the best team, its the team that gels the quickest.
As a Candian, I would certianly enjoy a rematch of Salt Like even though the media here is really playing the whole Sid vs. Ovie scenario. |
|
|
Re: Team USA a Dark Horse at the Olympics (Score: 1)
by bbruins37 (qwerty@hotmail.com) on Thursday, December 03
(User Info | Send a Message) | | the finns could be a darkhorse to a lesser extent. they have like 50 goalies they could turn to right now. just go with the hottest 3 at the time. |
|
|
Re: Team USA a Dark Horse at the Olympics (Score: 1)
by pezzz123 on Thursday, December 03
(User Info | Send a Message) | | I forgot Keith Ballard in my team! This guy is a stud. |
|
|
Re: Team USA a Dark Horse at the Olympics (Score: 1)
by Kramer on Thursday, December 03
(User Info | Send a Message) | Obama is gonna pay off the refs. There's always a conspiracy in the olympics and this time it's deja vu all over again.
In Salt lake city, the ref in the women's hockey final was bribed big bucks $$$. 15 straight penalities against the Canadian chicks! The video replay people also got money under the table.
The olympics are a big conspiracy.
|
|
|
Re: Team USA a Dark Horse at the Olympics (Score: 1)
by broc on Friday, December 04
(User Info | Send a Message) | If I were you I would put Bogosian in ahead of Goligoski, and have Backes in and one of those 4th liners out.
Team USA is a contender. Maybe not written about with the consideration of teams like Russia or Canada, but USA is a team with good enough players who could give any team trouble.
They have the hottest goalie in the league with Miller.
They have 3 game breaking forwards in Parise, Kane and Kessel.
Competent, if unspectacular defence.
A lot of youth
|
|
|
Re: Team USA a Dark Horse at the Olympics (Score: 1)
by TmLeafan on Friday, December 04
(User Info | Send a Message) | Okay so all this talk about other teams might as well talk about team Canada. This is how I would have the lineup:
Nash-Crosby (C)-Iginla(A)
St.Louis-Getzlaf-Heatley
Morrow-M. Richards-Doan
Carter-E. Staal-Sharp
extra- Thornton
Defence
Pronger(A)-Niedermayer(A)
Keith-Weber
Bouwmeester-Seabrook
extra- Green
I have Thornton as the 13th forward because hes a magician on the pp and can be relied upon if called to make something happen with his passing. Added Green as the 7th defenceman as PP specialist similar to Ryan Ellis in last years WJCm not a lot of 5-on 5 time.
So what do you guys think?
|
|
|
| |
|
