Your American Olympic Roster

Well, the Canadian roster has been announced and already the topic has been beaten to death. So let's start killing another one!

I truly believe the American roster was harder for me to predict than the Canadian one. There are so many decent options, especially for the bottom two lines and last defensive pairing. Even the goaltending isn't a sure-fire thing beyond Miller.

Here's my roster:

Parise - Stastny - Kessel
Ryan - Pavelski - Kane
Malone (A) - Kesler - Brown
Umberger - Modano (C) - Langenbrunner (A)
Backes

Whitney - Rafalski (A)
Suter - Orpik
Martin - E Johnson
Komisarek

Miller - Thomas
Anderson

It was frigging tough for me to leave a few guys off - particularly Callahan, Guerin, Connolly, Ballard, Gleason, and Howard. But I went with the roster I think Burke will pick based on what he's said. He seems to develop man-crushes much in the same way Pierre McGuire does.

Anyway, the first two lines are pure skill, and there are a few game-breakers up there. Pavelski is easily inter-changeable with Connolly, and frankly, none of these lines matter a whole lot.

Third and fourth lines are filled with grit, heart, two-way play, and even some scoring. Burke seems to have some love affair with Modano, so I'm giving him the C (he is one of the best Americans ever).

Defence looks pretty weak, to be honest. It's not bad at all, and in the future, with guys like E Johnson, J Johnson, Bogosian, Suter, and the rest of them, they could be quite good. But for now.... bleh. They don't really have a stud defenseman the way Canada, Russia, and Sweden do. Their guys are all primarily one-dimensional players.

And finally, the brightest spot of the roster - goaltending. Miller has been, IMO, the best goalie in the league this year. Thomas is still very good, at least in my eyes, and Anderson has stolen the show in Colorado.

the americans are going to have to hope that their youthful exuberance makes up for their lack of experience, but they do have a lot of talent. not as much as the big three. good thing hockey isn't soley about talent.

I went 19-for-23.

Downright shocked that Ryan Whitney and Craig Anderson were left off the list.

Not at all surprised by Callahan's inclusion, though Drury's is a slight surprise, as is J Johnson's.

im a little surprised at the omission of anderson myself. jack johnson at -11 is also maybe a little bit of a surprise, but despite the poor +/- he is much improved this season.

Just a nit-pick, but Chris Chelios is the greatest American player ever :-)

Like Joe said, there's some nice skill, and some great goaltending, but not a lot of experience. It's going to be interesting to see how they handle some of the more high octane teams, like Russia and Canada.

Overall, though, I'm happy with the team. Plus "Norris winning goaltender" Tim Thomas is on the team, per NBC... good representation of my home state in net.

Miller will be the key to this american team. He has the ability to put the team on his back and carry them through some big games. If he doesn't this team will be hard pressed to win a medal.

stlblues wrote:

Just a nit-pick, but Chris Chelios is the greatest American player ever :-)

You got something against Joey Mullen?

Quote :

Overall, though, I'm happy with the team. Plus "Norris winning goaltender" Tim Thomas is on the team, per NBC... good representation of my home state in net.

Tim Thomas was that good last season. He snuck the Norris right out from underneath Chara...those crafty Bruins, I tell ya!

Yeah, I don't remember if it was Milbury or Pang that said that, I wasn't really paying that close attention... but I about spit my drink up when I heard it.

How ridiculous, everyone knows goalies can only win the Selke.