| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Leafs81
PickupHockey Pro
735 Posts |
 Posted - 01/01/2010 : 15:31:29
|
Well to me they have a well rounded team with a lot of grit. This team could surprise a lot of people. They have the players in their right roles third or fourth line, great goaltending (the best in the NHL this year and the best in the NHL last year), the only weekness could be defense but they have good pp specialists and solid defensive defenseman and then some toughness. Lets see some line. It's interresting to see that they left off all the older guys, Modano, Tkachuk, Weight, Gomez, Gionta
Goalies : Miller, Thomas, Quick (why him over Anderson??? but doesn't matter since he wont see any action)
Defense
Rafalski, E. Johnson
J. Johnson, Suter
Orpik, Komisarek
Martin
Offence
Parise, Stastny, Kane
Malone, Pavelski, Kessel
Brown, Kesler, Ryan
Callahan, Drury, Langenbrunner
Backes
|
|
|
Guest2676
( )
|
Posted - 01/01/2010 : 15:49:22
|
They obviously don't have as much top end talent as a team like Canada or Russia, but the US has a pretty solid line-up.
I was a little surprised they didn't take Gomez, but looking at the roster again now, it'd be tough to drop any of those guys to make room for Gomez. I thought Kyle Okposo had a chance, and i'm guessing David Booth is still injured seeing as he wasn't named?
As a Rangers fan i was hoping Brandon Dubinsky would make the team, but am happy both Callahan & Drury did. |
 |
|
|
polishexpress
PickupHockey Pro
525 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2010 : 15:51:52
|
| It doesn't seem that this Team USA has as much firepower (ie Russia: Malkin, Kovalchuck, Datsyuk, Ovechkin, Semin)as other teams...if they use that to their advantage and work as team, they might be a big surprise. |
|
|
|
irvine
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1315 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2010 : 15:52:16
|
I'm not overly thrilled with this team. They have some physical defencemen, of the shutdown style. They lack offensive d-man depth.
Goaltending is great, no doubts thee.
Up front they may be lacking some experience. They have a little in guys like Malone & Drury. They will need their young guns to really step up on the big international stage and really take charge. They just don't seem to have the offensive depth that other teams have.
Do they have a chance at Gold? Maybe. But very unlikely in my opinion.
Irvine/prez. |
|
|
|
Guest2663
( )
|
Posted - 01/01/2010 : 16:17:18
|
| Although it was pretty much a given that he was on the team, it still made for a nice moment today when Tim Thomas was picked at the Winter Classic in front of his hometown fans. |
|
|
|
Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2010 : 16:22:44
|
Komisarek??? I just don't see this guy as that good. After watching him in Montreal and now every Saturday night in TO, I see him as good. Solid. But not great. Way, way, way to many penalties that are just stupid and he's not the fleetest of foot.
Where's Matt Carle?? Where's Alex Goligolski?? Where is Ryan Whitney?? Where is Tom Poti??
Orpik, Komisarek, and Martin are surprises to me.
The forward group is not a huge surprise other than I kind of expected to see a Guerin or a Tkachuk there for leadership up from.
And I am completely baffled by the Quick over Anderson selection. Although it's really irrelevant as Miller will see every minute in the tourney.
Honestly, this is not a very good team in perspective of the other "Big 6" Hockey nations. They are in a pool with Canada, Switzerland, and Norway and they are very lucky for that!! If they were in any other pool, I would suggest they don't make the medal round.
|
|
|
|
Guest0482
( )
|
Posted - 01/01/2010 : 16:42:23
|
| this team is looking good ill give props to picking proper role players I definity see them doing better than Canada. Miller is a wall and can win any game prediction silver medal |
|
|
|
Alex116
PickupHockey Legend
6113 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2010 : 17:18:17
|
A few mild surprises but all in all a very unimpressive team as far as i'm concerned. I think they're in tough for a medal.
Beans, i too would see them missing the medal round if not for a favourable draw. |
|
|
|
n/a
deleted
4809 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2010 : 18:03:01
|
Very surprised there is no Ryan Whitney and Carle . . . ESPECIALLY Whitney! In fact, I find his exclusion as ridiculous as the exclusion of Green or Bouwmeester for Canada.
Ryan Whitney
This year: 40gp, 3g, 19a, 22pts, +1 on a struggling Anaheim team
Big strong defenceman known more for his offence, former 50 point guy who seems to be over the injury bug of last two years
Why would team USA leave this dynamic defenceman off their squad? Again, I would have paired him with a defensive guy, then sit back and watch the offence! Probably more of this "defensive toughness first" mentality . . . but it's weird, considering the US has toughness up the wazoo, and what they need more of is some high level passing and scoring from their D. To leave this guy off makes me scratch my head . . . again, I think its over-managing, trying too hard to make a big strong tough D looking at the Canucks and Russkies, instead of just picking out the best players.
A lot of people picked the US as the darkhorse, but I don't - too many young and inexperienced players at the forward position, many of whom only have 1 or two years of playoff experience, never mind playing against the best in the world at this level. Miller can't score, and I predict the US forwards will have trouble doing so as well.
A second tier team with a top goalie.
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug |
|
|
|
irvine
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1315 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2010 : 19:55:09
|
Yup. I agree Slozo. Completely.
The US certainly are not the 'dark horse' of the Olympics. They left of some key vets, and Whitney should have been there. As I said in a previous post, one thing they are lacking is offensive d-men. And Whitney would fit that role.
And also as I said, too inexperienced. This team is has some players who can score up front, but they are all young. They have not yet experienced international hockey of this caliber. Most, did not even play International Juniors.
If the young guys can step it up and perform how they do in the NHL, more consistently in these few games. They may have a chance at Bronze. But, I just don't see it.
Irvine/prez. |
|
|
|
Porkchop73
PickupHockey Pro
640 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2010 : 04:58:09
|
Completely agree with almost every post on here. Although there is some talent on this young squad there does not seem to be enough talent.
The D will be the weekest point of the US squad.
There are omissions to be questioned on this team like the ones already pointed out.
But, they have two of the hottest goalies in the game. Can that be enough to carry a weak team to the medal round. We have seen hot goalies get a team to the Stanley Cup and the Olympics is not even as grueling as the NHL playoffs.
Weak team but Miller and Thomas get them further then expected, thats my prediction. |
|
|
|
Guest2664
( )
|
Posted - 01/02/2010 : 05:56:21
|
| I was watching the Buffalo/Atlanta highlights last night...i never even thought of Tim Connolly when the team was announced yesterday, VERY surprised he isn't on the team. |
|
|
|
Alex116
PickupHockey Legend
6113 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2010 : 09:49:02
|
Whitney def is a shocking omission. A little surprised with Connolly as well. Forgot about him.
Can't wait to hear the boos that Jack Johnson will recieve. For those who aren't up to speed on his reception here in Vancouver, it dates back to a cheap shot at the World Juniors here a few years ago. Ironically, it was Steve Downie of all people, who he nailed. Well, the fans here in Vancouver haven't forgotten and he gets booed everytime he's on the ice! Can't wait for that Canada/USA game! |
|
|
|
HawkinOilCountry
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
318 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2010 : 10:51:48
|
If the USA does medal it will be a big surprise to me. This team is un-impressive. Miller is a great goalie, but I see no goal scoring ability on this team.
I think the Slovaks have a better team than the USA as it stands.
The arena wall in chicago should be credited with a goal. |
|
|
|
Leafs81
PickupHockey Pro
735 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2010 : 12:23:40
|
quote:
Originally posted by HawkinOilCountry
If the USA does medal it will be a big surprise to me. This team is un-impressive. Miller is a great goalie, but I see no goal scoring ability on this team.
I think the Slovaks have a better team than the USA as it stands.
The arena wall in chicago should be credited with a goal.
No goal abilities?
How about Kane, Parise, Stastny, Kessel and Ryan. Those guys can all score or set up.
And then you have the grinders, Malone, Brown, Kesler, Langenbrunner.
I am also surprise that Whitney didn't make it. As for Komisarek you have to think that Burke and Wilson had something to say about that.
And they might not be as deep as Canada, as complete as Sweden or as much fire power as Russia but I think they can compete for a medal. They will be a very pesty team to play against. I hope I'm wrong anyway. |
|
|
|
leafsfan_101
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1530 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2010 : 12:28:54
|
quote:
Originally posted by HawkinOilCountry
Miller is a great goalie, but I see no goal scoring ability on this team.
I would have to think Kessel, Parise and Kane would have to disagree. A good Olympic team isn't one that has scoring prowess from all four lines, but gets timely scoring. I think that the USA's first two lines will be able to score, and they have good two-way forwards on this squad (Callahan, Kesler, Langenbrunner). Plus, guys like Chris Drury, Bobby Ryan and David Backes aren't exactly guys who like to defend more goals then they put in.
On to the Ryan Whitney discussion at hand, the US have enough offensive defenseman as it stands. Not to mention that Whitney missed almost half of last season with an injury. Guys like Rafalski, Eric Johnson and Jack Johnson will definitely be able to gove them offensive dynamic from the backend. If it were me personally, I'd rather have a more versatile defenseman like Brooks Orpik then Ryan Whitney, especially in a tourny like the Olympics. Not to mention that Orpik is older and has the experience of winning a Cup. |
|
|
|
Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2010 : 18:55:12
|
Sure, one can look at the top 4 or 5 players and say they are gamers, but speaking comparitively to the other Big 6 Olympic Hockey Powerhouse teams, it's pretty hard to argue that the US is better offensively than any of the other groups. Further to that, their defense is better than maybe the Czech's and that's it! Goalie wise, they are also not head and shoulders above. Speaking about staring goalies, I would suggest this is what you will see in Feb.
Canada - Brodeur
Czech's - Vokoun
Russia - Nabokov
Finland - Kipprusoff
Sweden - Lundqvist
US - Miller
I put Miller at #4 or #5 on that list. I know he has played well this season, but let's not think these other guys are Shooter Tudors.
Frankly the US just don't match up on the ice with the other big hockey powers and in 6 weeks, it will be loud and clear.
|
|
|
|
HawkinOilCountry
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
318 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2010 : 21:55:48
|
I definitely didn't mean to say the USA won't score goals, although I definitely worded it like that earlier. But like Beans just said I just don't think the USA measures up offensively or defensively against Canada, Russia, Sweden, or Finland. Even the Slovaks have better looking offense in my eyes. They will score, but beyond Kane and Parise the offense is nothing remarkable.
And Miller is a great goalie, but Brodeur is better. And I'm not going to say Miller is better than Kipper, Lundqvist, or Nabby either. They're all great.
One thing that there will be no shortage of in this tourney is amazing goalies.
The arena wall in chicago should be credited with a goal. |
|
|
|
Axey
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
877 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2010 : 16:59:25
|
| Bad call with picking Komisarek for sure, look for him to cause a penalty in a 2-2 tied game with less then 5 minutes to go in the period and the US to lose. I do like this team although I do think a couple forwards are questionable. Goligoski should have been picked for this team 100%. |
|
|
|
irvine
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1315 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2010 : 17:24:57
|
Goaligoski is a nice young, offensive defensemen. In the making!
This guy still needs time to develop. He reminds me of Sergei Gonchar, and having Gonchar as a teammate, is likely why.
I believe he will one day resemble Gonchar quite a bit. Unfortunatly, right now, I don't think he's Olympic material. Even on a young USA team.
Irvine/prez. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Evaluating Team USA 2010 
