After months of anticipation, the US finally announced their Olympic men's hockey team at the conclusion of the Winter Classic yesterday. For those who didn't see the announcement, the roster can be found here.
The team isn't necessarily full of big name stars but all the same it's a relatively solid group of guys with a good chance in Sochi. But there were some decisions made roster-wise that have caused fans and analysts alike to scratch their heads. So here's my breakdown on it all.
The team isn't necessarily full of big name stars but all the same it's a relatively solid group of guys with a good chance in Sochi. But there were some decisions made roster-wise that have caused fans and analysts alike to scratch their heads. So here's my breakdown on it all.
Positives of Team USA
1. There's a good mix of veterans players and young talent. It's always a good idea to have a solid veteran core with younger peripheral players to create a well balanced, flexible team. Younger players like Kessel and Kane are going to provide new energy, a bit more speed and versatile playing styles while the veterans are going to act as anchors, playing good, solid two way hockey while helping to keep the younger players grounded (although, thy do theat pretty well themselves anyways). Good choices made here.
2. The team chose players who provide up front size which will be helpful in the long run. Just like in the NHL, it's important to be tough on the puck and in the corners on larger rinks. Physicality no matter where you play is also a crucial part of the game and Team USA has found that in players like van Riemsdyk, Paccioretty and Backes, who are big forwards capable of skating hard, making those difficult plays and creating a net front presence.
3. The US team has a lot of speed, which is going to be beneficial on the larger rinks in Sochi for obvious reasons. The US is going to be one of the fastest teams at the Olympics on all four lines. This speed paired with the size up front that team USA has is going to be very helpful in penetrating the neutral zone and creating a net front presence.
2. The team chose players who provide up front size which will be helpful in the long run. Just like in the NHL, it's important to be tough on the puck and in the corners on larger rinks. Physicality no matter where you play is also a crucial part of the game and Team USA has found that in players like van Riemsdyk, Paccioretty and Backes, who are big forwards capable of skating hard, making those difficult plays and creating a net front presence.
3. The US team has a lot of speed, which is going to be beneficial on the larger rinks in Sochi for obvious reasons. The US is going to be one of the fastest teams at the Olympics on all four lines. This speed paired with the size up front that team USA has is going to be very helpful in penetrating the neutral zone and creating a net front presence.
4. The US chose some heavy hitting offensive forces for this team. Phil Kessel, Patrick Kane and Zach Parise are ranked as some of the top offensive players right now, combining for 58 goals this season. Paccioretty, Kessler and van Riemsdyk have also been big offensive forces on their respective teams. Another wise choice because, as we all know, you can't win a hockey game without scoring goals.
5. Team USA's defense is a speedy group of guys who have all proven themselves capable of moving the puck quickly and effectively. A lot of the guys, especially McDonagh and Suter, have also proven themselves capable of playing those big minutes for the team. We have a lot of great, versatile players like Martin, Fowler and Carlson on defense also which will keep play moving and keep opponents on their toes.
5. Team USA's defense is a speedy group of guys who have all proven themselves capable of moving the puck quickly and effectively. A lot of the guys, especially McDonagh and Suter, have also proven themselves capable of playing those big minutes for the team. We have a lot of great, versatile players like Martin, Fowler and Carlson on defense also which will keep play moving and keep opponents on their toes.
Negatives of Team USA
1. What possessed them to pick up Blake Wheeler instead of Bobby Ryan is beyond my comprehension. Bobby Ryan was on the 2010 Olympic silver medal team and is an extremely talented, very consistent goal scorer. He may not be as intense as some of the other players the US chose but he scores goals and in the end, that's what counts. He's also stellar on the power play but for some reasons the coaches of team USA decided they didn't need any other scorers and that they had a strong enough power play. In my opinion, you can never have enough scorers and with the number of other offensively talented guys on that team Ryan's small short comings would be of no large consequence. It was an interesting choice that may or may not come back to bite them.
2. They also left off Yandle, which is also baffling to me. He is an offensive defenseman that has been quite productive recently and brings that crucial speed to the game. The US is losing all of this by not taking him on. Yandle would have only bolstered the defense which is never a bad thing considering the kinds of teams we're going to be facing.
2. They also left off Yandle, which is also baffling to me. He is an offensive defenseman that has been quite productive recently and brings that crucial speed to the game. The US is losing all of this by not taking him on. Yandle would have only bolstered the defense which is never a bad thing considering the kinds of teams we're going to be facing.
3. Outside of Miller our goalie situation is struggling a little bit. Miller has Olympic experience, international playing experience and isn't doing too horribly this NHL season. Jonathan Quick on the other hand, despite his stellar playoff record, has been underperforming this season and like Howard, has been injury ridden for a time. Howard has international playing experience but he's been so-so this season, probably why they're going to put him as number three. But the issue remains we don't have much depth goalie wise and that's kind of concerning.
4. My question with the goalies then becomes: Why did we pick up Howard? Like I said, Howard has been medicore at best this season and has been injury prone. Although he's third string, he's not providing very much depth for this team if anything happens to Miller. This being the case, I wonder why they didn't pick up Ben Bishop instead. Ben Bishop may be in his first year but he is statistically the best American goalie in the league right now. The only thing Howard has on him right now is international experience. However, if they chose him over Howard he'd still be playing behind Quick and Miller but he'd be providing a more solid level of depth and in the event he had to play, he'd probably do better than Howard would. Again, another interesting choice but of less consequence than the other two.
But alas, only time will tell how all of these positives and negatives will come together and the games are still 45 days away. But I can guarantee most people have faith in the good old red, white and blue and come Sochi, I'm sure we will do just fine.
Until next time,
Keep Calm and Bergeron!
4. My question with the goalies then becomes: Why did we pick up Howard? Like I said, Howard has been medicore at best this season and has been injury prone. Although he's third string, he's not providing very much depth for this team if anything happens to Miller. This being the case, I wonder why they didn't pick up Ben Bishop instead. Ben Bishop may be in his first year but he is statistically the best American goalie in the league right now. The only thing Howard has on him right now is international experience. However, if they chose him over Howard he'd still be playing behind Quick and Miller but he'd be providing a more solid level of depth and in the event he had to play, he'd probably do better than Howard would. Again, another interesting choice but of less consequence than the other two.
But alas, only time will tell how all of these positives and negatives will come together and the games are still 45 days away. But I can guarantee most people have faith in the good old red, white and blue and come Sochi, I'm sure we will do just fine.
Until next time,
Keep Calm and Bergeron!