Team USA: Take two

...stasny is a born quebecois...he's playing for canada..sorry..lol lol

The transition from the days of Amonte-Tkachuk-Chelios-Roenick-Weight is certainly complete.

Guys who played at the 2008 World Championships that aren't in Fluto's lines:
Goalies: Craig Anderson, Esche
Defensemen: Ballard, Gilbert, Gleason, Greene, Leopold, Stuart, Wisniewski
Forwards: Backes, Burish, Dubinksy, Halpern, Mueller, O'Sullivan, Stafford, Stempniak

http://www.usahockey.com/uploadedFiles/USAHockey/Menu_Team_USA/Menu_Mens_National_Team/Menu_World_Champ/roster9.doc

AD - Paul Stastny was born in Quebec, but is a dual citizen. He played for TEAM in the World Championships last year. Under IIHF rules, once you represent 1 country in International play, you can't represent a different one.

Fluto,
I hope 2010 is the last year that they use NHL or pro players. The World Junior Championships that I watched last week on the NHL Network was awesome and I got to watch alot of great young players from all the countries and that is what the olympics should be. I shouldn't be watching the same guys we see all the time in the NHL, it get's old. But if it needs to be I would like to see some younger NHL guys on the team including our own Blake Wheeler, Anahiem's Bobby Ryan and Phoenix's Peter Mueller as Forwards. On Defense we should give Eric Johnson from St. Louis and Alex Golikoski from Pittsburg a chance. I'm just sick of Gionta, Gomez, Drury and Rafalski. Let's get some new blood and maybe we will win something. Go USA!

this defense is inaccurate. they will go with youth with jack and erik johnson...

AD... are you really laughing out loud, or do you just type those by force of habit?

Anyways, doesn't matter.... This lineup probably doesn't have what it takes to win a medal. That Canadian roster is, of course, stacked. This barely passes as an All-Star roster.

I'd throw in a vote for Bobby Ryan also. Starting to look like a number 2 pick(right behind Sid the Kid).

Craig I agree, the WJC in Ottawa last week was great, there was so much passion. I completely believe 2010 will be the last year NHL players will participate, the league and players have already stated that they don't like the break because for the players who play, it leaves them tired when the playoffs come around.

Clearly not as talented as Canada, but our first line is right up there, and the checking line looks about as good as you can get too. Hopefully one of the younger kids like Ryan or Mueller can step things up in the next year so we can get younger. Also would like to see Keith Ballard's snarl on the blueline.

20% New Jersey Devils (and 2 ex-devils). Gold Medal contender.

I've heard Burke is interested in Gaustad from the Sabres and he was supposed to play at the World Champs this summer but had to have surgery.

Where's Ryan Kesler?

Fluto,
While I would be thrilled to see 4 Devils on the US team, you clearly have not paid enough attention to Jamie Langenbrunner this season. The only way that he gets to the Olympics in Vancouver is if he buys a ticket.

How about Liles, Corvo, Niskanen, either Johnson on D, Carle or Hunwick instead of Rafalski and Hainsey. And ditch Gionta, Gomez, and Langenbrunner. Replace them with Umberger, O'Sullivan, Dubinsky, or Ryan. In goal Miller, Schnieder, Anderson, or Thomas if his age doesn't affect his play. Youth will be better served than having half a team with aging vets.
Most teams will be young. And speed is the name of game in Olympic play.

And also, i know we all love tim thomas, and even though he is an all star this year, playing very good hockey, there is no way he starts over miller in next years games. He will most likely make the team, and be a very capable back up in case of injury, But Miller is the starter here.

AD, Stastny is definitely not playing for Canada. He’s Dad is Czech, but he’ll probably play for the US. He grew up here mostly, played juniors here, played college here, and lives in Denver.

I’m not sure about Pavelski as the fourth center. I’d rather see Rolston, O’Sullivan or Kesler. Bobby Ryan, Stafford, and Stempniak also pop out as guys who you could swap in there.

Another thing is that this team looks awfully soft physically. I know there isn’t fighting in the international game, but a power forward like Tkachuk or Gaustad might go a long way, and Mark Stuart/Ballard/Gleason on defense might be a bit tougher for the finesse-fest Euro teams out there.

No chance for Dipietro in net?

Bobby Ryan of the Ducks is a lock, you'll see. He's averaging around a point per game as a rookie and is only just starting to get his game; he may very well end up with the Calder (if Mason ever comes back to earth). And anyone who watches the Sharks with any regularity will tell you that Joe Pavelski is a supersmart player and highly underrated; good pick there.

I'd rather send Gill than Komisarek. Yes really, look at their stats, and while Rafalski's good, he's already 35. Is he going to want to play in Olympics and the NHL b the time things get rolling?

Other candidates
Forwards: Bobby Ryan, Patrick O'Sullivan, Ryan Kesler, Peter Mueller, Lee Stepniak, Drew Stafford

Defencemen: Tim Gleason, Jack Johnson, Erik Johnson, Zach Bogosian, Matt Greene, Matt Niskanen

Goal: Jon Quick

I love WJC and have watched the last few, but the Olympics should have all the best players representing their countries. I can't understand how someone can be against seeing what are basically 6 All-Star teams playing competitive hockey.

Growing up national team games were by far the most fun I had watching the game. It's one thing to cheer for your club, but it's an entirely different level of emotion to cheer for your country. Not to mention that from the pure hockey perspective this is the highest level of skill you'll ever see as no NHL team will ever be as good as the top 6 national teams.

As for the team itself, objectively speaking I don't see the US as a contender for the gold. Anything can happen in a one off tournament like the Olympics, but aside from Canada Russia, Sweden, Czech Republic and possibly even Finland have better talent. I would also throw Slovakia into the mix. The top contenders for the gold will be Canada, Russia and Sweden. If the US gets a medal of any kind I would consider that a success.

Amazing. Only Kane, Parise, and maybe Komisarek could even have a sniff of making the Canadian Olympic team.