US Olympic Team

[Shakes]

Faceoffs. Maybe flip Backes with Kessel/Parise then?

[mikey287]

Perhaps. But then you would need a center on the second unit. The point man (Pavelski) won't take the faceoff and play the point. Maybe get Kesler some power play time...? Good net-front presence...

Maybe Parise on the second unit, JVR on the first. Both are good side of the net guys, puck collectors. JVR sits off to the side of the net and does whatever he wants there for some reason...I never see anyone hit him there (he is a big dude)...JVR with Kesler down low would really be tough to move (until Kesler dives all over the rink) and then distribution skills of Patrick Kane could take over...

[meow]

I'm not worried about the PK because just about every guy can kill, except Kessel and Kane.

[Pitts]

Brooks!.

Maybe I'm missing something, but I just don't get this. Not sure he can keep up with the speed and larger ice. Oh well, I'm sure Brooks will give it all he's got.

Sometimes, actually, often-times, I wonder if people actually watch Orpik play the game. Or, do they just jump on the Orpik hate train because it's the thing to do. Apparently, very few individuals ever listen to the real hockey experts out in the field.

[columbia]

Any word on the captain?

[meow]

Any word on the captain?

That's a tough decision. I can think of at least 8 guys that are deserving.

[MRandall25]

Dustin Brown was the captain last time, no?

[mikey287]

Whether or not Orpik deserves to be on the team is debatable...but he can skate well. Played on big ice at the 2006 World Championships and 2000 World Juniors...I know that was some time ago, but he can still skate. I think, ultimately, he's an extra for us...but he can play on big ice. And here's the thing too...people worry about the big ice and everything and there's 6 or 7 more feet on your side, sure, but the net isn't any bigger, the scoring zone isn't any bigger...the only thing added to the rink is a gutter...so, ok, you can't ring any one up along the boards on the rush like Orpik likes to do, at least not without adjusting your timing and even then, only in out-numbered situations, but you're still defending the same area...

[Shakes]

Dustin Brown was the captain last time, no?

Alternate.

Langenbrunner or Suter?

[Gaucho]

Yes, Langenbrunner.

[meow]

Lagenbrunner makes me throw up in my mouth. What a waste he was last time.

[pfim]

I like the blue line. Would have preferred to see Saad and Okposo amongst the forwards, though I don't know who you cut from that list.

[meow]

Bobby Ryan speaks:
http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2 ... um=twitter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Really classy comments from him. You know he was seething inside, but he put on a happy face and answered some tough questions.

[Mr. Colby]

Lagenbrunner makes me throw up in my mouth. What a waste he was last time.

I take it you didn't watch. Hopefully you get to see some of the games this time around

[Mr. Colby]

Btw you can dress 20 skaters and 2 goalies. For whoever asks. That means 2 healthy scratch players and one G.

[meow]

Lagenbrunner makes me throw up in my mouth. What a waste he was last time.

I take it you didn't watch. Hopefully you get to see some of the games this time around

I saw his two linemates drag him through every single game.

[Mr. Colby]

Man he played on the top line, was a force in front of the net, and scored a couple big goals. He far and away outplayed expectations

[KG]

Burke's got a big mouth. Never been a fan...

[Shakes]

Yeah, he didn't need to go over-the-top like that when he knew he was on the record. But that's Burke. I'm not gonna pretend I didn't laugh either.

Re: Langenbrunner, he played well in 2010.

[Pitts]

Bobby Ryan speaks:
http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2 ... um=twitter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Really classy comments from him. You know he was seething inside, but he put on a happy face and answered some tough questions.

He should have made the team. I think, as it is constructed, they are light on goals. One more fast wing who can score would be welcome IMO.

[meow]

Bobby Ryan speaks:
http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2 ... um=twitter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Really classy comments from him. You know he was seething inside, but he put on a happy face and answered some tough questions.

He should have made the team. I think, as it is constructed, they are light on goals. One more fast wing who can score would be welcome IMO.

I agree, but the US brass made a hell of an argument to leave him home. He is one-dimensional. He doesn't make his linemates better. He isn't a constant impact player. He is non-existent at ES.

[Beveridge]

I realize that Canada has wayyyyyyyyyyyy more talent to pull from, but I read about reasons Ryan didn't make the team and think that Canada could use all those reasons and plug in James Neal's name (right or wrong).

[meow]

I realize that Canada has wayyyyyyyyyyyy more talent to pull from, but I read about reasons Ryan didn't make the team and think that Canada could use all those reasons and plug in James Neal's name (right or wrong).

Very true. About the only thing I can think that Neal has going for him over Ryan is Neal has shown some decent chemistry with Crosby. Kunitz might make the team on that merit, but I highly doubt Neal does.

Edit: That being said, the US obviously tried to build a complete team with some defined roles. Who's to say the Canadians don't just trot out the 20 best players and say "screw chemistry and line combos."

[meecrofilm]

Bobby Ryan speaks:
http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2 ... um=twitter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Really classy comments from him. You know he was seething inside, but he put on a happy face and answered some tough questions.

He should have made the team. I think, as it is constructed, they are light on goals. One more fast wing who can score would be welcome IMO.

I agree, but the US brass made a hell of an argument to leave him home. He is one-dimensional. He doesn't make his linemates better. He isn't a constant impact player. He is non-existent at ES.

Huh?? The majority of his points are at ES. 28 of 36. In fact, one of the arguments against him was a lack of production on the PP.

[meow]

Bobby Ryan speaks:
http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2 ... um=twitter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Really classy comments from him. You know he was seething inside, but he put on a happy face and answered some tough questions.

He should have made the team. I think, as it is constructed, they are light on goals. One more fast wing who can score would be welcome IMO.

I agree, but the US brass made a hell of an argument to leave him home. He is one-dimensional. He doesn't make his linemates better. He isn't a constant impact player. He is non-existent at ES.

Huh?? The majority of his points are at ES. 28 of 36. In fact, one of the arguments against him was a lack of production on the PP.

You're right, I got my facts bass-ackwards.