Team USA Olympic Summer Camp

[Da_Chief]

Parise-Stepan-Kessel
Ryan-Kesler-Kane
JVR-Backes-Callahan
Wheeler-Pavelski-Brown
Stasnty/Pacioretty/Oshie on the taxi squad

Suter-Shattenkirk
Yandle-Bogosian
McDonagh-Byufglien
J. Johnson

Quick
Miller
Schneider

[East Coast Flame]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

I'm thinking it'll probably be another Canada/US Final again. I can't see how it won't with the two rosters they have.

Any word on what the Russian team looks like?

Sweden's team is going to be stacked. They will probably be Canada's biggest threat.

Russia's looks pretty good, but their D is a mess.

[tempz]

The US team defense list isn't nearly as sexy as ours I agree. But I feel like they are a more well rounded group. If you evaluate the 2010 defense that came very close to besting us it doesn't look that good on paper either:

Brian Rafalski, 36 (Detroit Red Wings)
Ryan Suter, 25 (Nashville Predators)
Erik Johnson, 21 (St. Louis Blues)
Brooks Orpik, 29 (Pittsburgh Pittsburgh)
Jack Johnson, 23 (Los Angeles Kings)
Ryan Whitney, 26 (Anaheim Ducks)
Tim Gleason, 27 (Carolina Hurricanes)

Take away the guys from that list who wouldn't make it this time around. Insert young guys like John Carlson, Ryan Mcdonagh, Keith Yandle who have evolved into elite top pairing defensemen and are all excellent skaters, great for the big ice. Then you got bubble guys that can hold their own like Paul Martin, Nick Leddy, Kevin Shattenkirk. They also have Trouba and Jones who may get a decent look depending on how they start the season.

Again, this is all just my opinion. But I feel like our defense is too offensive minded. I'd be happier if we had more big mean spirited Pronger types, instead of Jay Bouwmeester.

[Dienasty]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

who, other than Suter, from that list of D could make Team Canada?

I would take McDonough. But that is it, and I would have him on the depth chart behind:

Weber
Doughty
Keith
Pietroangelo

Then he would fall in with Seabrook/Subban/Letang/Staal grouping.

[moon]

Originally Posted by tempz

Again, this is all just my opinion. But I feel like our defense is too offensive minded.

I would say outside of Suter the top 5 guys (Keith, Seabrook, Doughty, Weber, Pietrangelo) are all better defensively then anyone the States will add. Throw in Staal or Girardi who are also better and at best you have 2 of the top 7, 1 who likely doesn't play that is offensively focused and worse defensively than the top US guys.

The States almost beat us last time because Miller played great not because of their defense.

[tempz]

Originally Posted by moon

I would say outside of Suter the top 5 guys (Keith, Seabrook, Doughty, Weber, Pietrangelo) are all better defensively then anyone the States will add. Throw in Staal or Girardi who are also better and at best you have 2 of the top 7, 1 who likely doesn't play that is offensively focused and worse defensively than the top US guys.

The States almost beat us last time because Miller played great not because of their defense.

Is Girardi invited? I didn't see him on the list but he's exactly the kind of player I'd want us to add.

[Canada 02]

Team USA Preview

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=678655

[Dienasty]

Originally Posted by tempz

But I feel like our defense is too offensive minded.

Weber/Keith/Petroangelo/Doughty are all elite on both ends of the rink I would honestly just play those four all game.

If you add Seabrook there is a 5th D man who is more of a shut down D man then offensively gifted, but can do a bit of both.

Subban/Letang- I agree with you are more offensively gifted and one of them should make the squad, if only to Qb the PP and play 10-12 minutes a game.

But of all the American D men the only one who is in the same class as the big 4 mentioned above is Suter. That is a huge advantage for Canada.

Slovakia has one in that class (Chara), Sweden (Maybe Karllsson but I don't think he is much better all around than Letang + Subban) and they have Kronwall but he isn't in that tier.

[moon]

Originally Posted by tempz

Is Girardi invited? I didn't see him on the list but he's exactly the kind of player I'd want us to add.

Guess he isn't but still likely on the radar.

Weber is there and every bit as big and mean as Pronger. Seabrook, Pietrangelo, Doughty aren't really soft guys.

And it isn't like the States have any big bad Pronger types either. At least Canada has one like it and more of the physical types.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Dienasty

I would take McDonough. But that is it, and I would have him on the depth chart behind:

Weber
Doughty
Keith
Pietroangelo

Then he would fall in with Seabrook/Subban/Letang/Staal grouping.

Yeah, that's fair - I would agree with that

[Oil Stain]

The Americans sure don't have the offensive fire power up front like the Canadians and Russians do, but almost all of their top players seem to be full of two-way play and grit.

That's all you need to win playing goalie ball if you have the horses in net. Which they do.

[PeteLFan]

It seems they have a lot more crash and bang players then pure offensive skill. Those are the hardest teams to beat if they get goaltending.

[vilzeh]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

I'm thinking it'll probably be another Canada/US Final again. I can't see how it won't with the two rosters they have.

Any word on what the Russian team looks like?

Sweden, unfortunately, will probably, unfortunately win Gold.

I just see that happen.

4 team tourney

It's funny everyone in the history of hockey when Olympics are due, they don't give Finland any credit, whatsoever. Since 98' when NHL players joined the Olympics, Finland has won most Olympic medals. 3 out of 4.

[TurdFerguson]

I'm interested to see how Sweden rolls there D. Couple big minute eating, horses back there...expect them to just roll Karlsson, OEL and Brodin.

[Owen15]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

No Gaudreau!? This is bullsh...

No Butler?

[vilzeh]

Kronwall - Karlsson
Ekman-Larsson - Oduya (?)
Brodin(?) - Hjalmarsson
Enstrom

Switch places with some of them and I think that could be the D. I'm just glad they don't have Lidstrom anymore.

[tempz]

Originally Posted by vilzeh

Kronwall - Karlsson
Ekman-Larsson - Oduya (?)
Brodin(?) - Hjalmarsson
Enstrom

Switch places with some of them and I think that could be the team. I'm just glad they don't have Lidstrom anymore.

Other Options:

Alex Edler, Victor Hedman, Douglas Murray, Adam Larsson

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by PeteLFan

It seems they have a lot more crash and bang players then pure offensive skill. Those are the hardest teams to beat if they get goaltending.

Not sure how well that will translate on the larger ice surface. Both Canada and US has struggled on the big ice and I don't expect that to change as it's too short a time frame for the NHL players to adjust IMO against other teams that are at home playing the big ice game.

[vilzeh]

Yeah, true, they are pretty stacked on D also, frightening. Though, it's my humble opinion: Hedman is overrated.

But yes, true: Edler probably will make the team, totally forgot him, maybe because of the Vancouver factor. Adam Larsson needs to be VERY solid the first half of the season if he wants in. Murray? I don't think they will need him with that core.

but then again, I'm not the one making the decisions. Hedman will probably be in also, because it seems like everyone loves him for no apparent reason. :P

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by vilzeh

It's funny everyone in the history of hockey when Olympics are due, they don't give Finland any credit, whatsoever. Since 98' when NHL players joined the Olympics, Finland has won most Olympic medals. 3 out of 4.

How many gold?

Have always liked and respected Finnish hockey (Selanne is one of my all-time favorite players). But their depth, as well as their high-end talent, just isn't there right now to close the deal, IMO.