[News] USA Olympic Roster announced

[sureLoss]

Spoiler tags for the original post:

Spoiler!

Will be officially announce after the Winter Classic today.

But as usual word is leaking out about who made the team and who didn't

According to Gary Lawless: Blake Wheeler will make the team.

There are rumblings that Bobby Ryan didn't make the team.

Kevin Allen projects the team as follows (not official but Allen apparently has sources with USA Hockey):
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...oices/4257385/

Parise Kesler Kane
van Riemsdyk Pavelski Kessel
Brown Backes Callahan
Pacioretty Stastny Oshie
Wheeler Stepan

Suter Martin
McDonagh Fowler
Orpik Shattenkirk
Faulk Johnson

Miller
Quick
Howard

The final blue-line picks were challenging because there were several quality options. It's not easy leaving off Keith Yandle (Phoenix Coyotes), who probably is America's best power-play point man. Dustin Byfuglien (Winnipeg) has the USA's best shot from the point. But both players are not as strong defensively as a coach needs them to be in a tournament featuring the world's best players. Erik Johnson (Colorado) is having a strong season, but there were other players whose skating was a better fit for the wider European ice or had expanded dimensions to their game.

The most difficult decision was leaving off Bobby Ryan (Ottawa Senators). He might be en route to his fifth 30-goal season. His hands are exceptional. But the Americans are deep on the wing, and other players have more to offer. Ryan is not a skater, nor a defensive zealot. Wheeler was my pick over Ryan because of his speed, size and reach. All are important on the wider surface.

Ultimately, I took Stepan over Brandon Saad (Chicago) because it would be irresponsible to go to Sochi with only four proven NHL centers. Saad is playing better than Stepan, but wing is his best position. Oshie is a strong penalty killer and has chemistry with Backes. Plus, he is exceptional in the shootout. If a scoring winger is hurt, Saad is my next pick.

Update Offical roster named here:
http://olympics.usahockey.com/page/show/1067902-roster

Forwards (14): David Backes, Dustin Brown, Ryan Callahan, Patrick Kane, Ryan Kesler, Phil Kessel, T.J. Oshie, Max Pacioretty, Zach Parise, Joe Pavelski, Paul Stastny, Derek Stepan, James van Riemsdyk, Blake Wheeler

Defensemen (8): John Carlson, Justin Faulk, Cam Fowler, Paul Martin, Ryan McDonagh, Brooks Orpik, Kevin Shattenkirk, Ryan Suter

Goalies (3): Jimmy Howard, Ryan Miller, Jonathan Quick

Biggest names not on the roster: Bobby Ryan, Yandle, Byfuglien, Okposo, Jack and Eric Johnson

[Poe969]

I think they'll do better than team Canada

[Oling_Roachinen]

No Okposo or Ryan? That's 2 of their top 5 point leaders.

[Canada 02]

Okposo, Yandle, Bufuglien

[TKB]

Originally Posted by Poe969

I think they'll do better than team Canada

If you go by paper Canada should blow them out, but paper usually means jack when the game is being played.

[Table 5]

Maybe its because I just watched a fresh set of hilights of him destroying the Oilers last night, but keeping Yandle off there would be a mistake to me.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Poe969

I think they'll do better than team Canada

Based on what?

That is a very weak centre group and mediocre at best defence.

Their depth in goal doesn't mean a ton since only one can play.

[TKB]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Maybe its because I just watched a fresh set of hilights of him destroying the Oilers last night, but keeping Yandle off there would be a mistake to me.

It would be a huge mistake and make zero sense. If that is actually there defence then he would be a better pick then half of them.

[indes]

Other than their goaltending thats a pretty weak line up

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by TKB

If you go by paper Canada should blow them out, but paper usually means jack when the game is being played.

I was going to point out that the game is played on the ice not on paper.....

[SuperMatt18]

No Ryan, or Yandle would be terrible moves.

[Cheerio]

Taking Pacioretty, Stastny, Wheeler, van Reimsdyk or Stepan over Bobby Ryan is a huge mistake.

[killer_carlson]

I really hope Burke pulls a Lowe and writes Butler onto the squad, both for Canada's medal hopes and Butler'S trade value.

[Magnum PEI]

That third line is epic. The first line dominated the tournament four years ago. Defence is weak though. If they ride Suter and get good goaltending they will be tough to beat.

[strombad]

Just by looking at that team and keeping in the mind the Canadian players that exist, we at least have a much better team talent-wise.

Our last center is going to be better than Kelser, and our 4th or 5th defenceman is going to better than Martin.

You can't argue with the USA goaltending though. Miller and Quick are both fantastic, and we'll be lucky to get guys that are just as good.

That, along with the fact that the USA has a few game breakers of their own should make for some pretty exciting games. I personally can't wait, I love Olympic hockey.

[CedarMeter]

When's Canada announcing their final roster?

[automaton 3]

I can't see them leaving Okposo, Ryan and Yandle at home.

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by CedarMeter

When's Canada announcing their final roster?

most likely at the deadline, which is the 7th

[Textcritic]

Any team in an elite, best-on-best tournament that has Ryan Kesler positioned as their top-line centre is not going far. Especially not on larger European ice.

[Coach]

I think that group looks pretty good. Although I agree that Yandle and Ryan should be on the team.