As has become custom, the U.S. Olympic hockey team was announced following the Winter Classic on Wednesday afternoon. Frankly, there weren't that many surprises, and, considering the number of returners from the silver medal-winning Vancouver team, there weren't that many spots available. But that doesn't mean there weren't deserving guys left off the roster. That's what happens when you've got such a large talent pool and only 25 places on the team.
The silver in Vancouver was considered a surprise, and it was won almost single-handedly by Ryan Miller. As a result of that finish, expectations for the U.S. are unreasonably high heading into Sochi. I'm not saying they'll fail as spectacularly as the 2006 squad, but they aren't (and shouldn't be among the favorites). The U.S. is seeded seventh and in the same pool as the top-seeded, gold medal-favored, Russian hosts. Throw in teams like Canada, Sweden, the Czech Republic and the larger ice surface, and it's not going to be smooth sailing for the Americans.
With that being said, however, it's not at all unreasonable to think they're capable of repeating what they did in Vancouver. This is a talented bunch that's Olympic and playoff tested. Plus, the U.S. team might boast the strongest goaltending corps in the tournament with Ryan Miller and Jonathan Quick as 1 and 1A in whatever order. Since the goalies are once again going to be the stars of the team, that's as good a place as any to start breaking down the roster:
Goalies: Jimmy Howard, Ryan Miller, Jonathan Quick
When NBC kept putting up that poll question asking who should be the Team USA goalie during the Winter Classic, it was driving me crazy. Why were Ryan Miller and Jonathan Quick included? There was absolutely no possible way either one wasn't making the team. The question should've been "Who'll be the third goalie?" I'm fine with the selection on Jimmy Howard there. Howard hasn't put up great numbers this season, but he has the name recognition and the pedigree to have earned the spot. (Besides, they were announcing the team in Detroit.) After all, the third goalie on this team is merely decoration. The real question is whether you start Miller or Quick.
Heading into the season, I thought it was a no-brainer that Jonathan Quick deserved to be the Olympic starter. He's won a Stanley Cup and a Conn Smythe Trophy and been a Vezina finalist. Without question, Quick has had the best past couple seasons of any American goalie. But it was Ryan Miller, of course, who was MVP of the Vancouver Olympics. While his NHL numbers haven't been great (mainly due to being on a terrible Buffalo team), that alone was almost enough to guarantee his place in net, even after Quick's emergence. Quick has been injured this season, so I'd start Miller in the opener against Slovakia. I'd then go with Quick in the second game against Slovenia, and then decide who the No. 1 goalie is after that game. That's who starts against Russia.
Defensemen: John Carlson, Justin Faulk, Cam Fowler, Paul Martin, Ryan McDonagh, Brooks Orpik, Kevin Shattenkirk, Ryan Suter
People were discussing Predators rookie Seth Jones as a potential selection, but I really would've been surprised had he made it. Jones will likely be among the defensive stalwarts for the 2018 team, but he's not among the top-eight American-born defensemen in the NHL, and he's got plenty of time to gain international experience. Taking up an Olympic roster spot that had been earned by others wasn't the place to do that.
After all, Jack and Erik Johnson both didn't make the team, either. I'm somewhat surprised Jack didn't. His play was solid in Vancouver, and he stacks up favorably with the group of defensemen that made it. I maybe would've taken him over Shattenkirk or Faulk. Although, I think it's likely Jack Johnson is the first guy to get a call as an injury replacement. That same argument could be made for Erik Johnson, as well. They're the only 2010 Olympians who were invited to the Team USA training camp that won't be going to Sochi.
As for the defensemen actually headed to Russia, the USA's very strong at the top. Brooks Orpik and Ryan Suter were both on the team in Vancouver, and they'll likely be the defensive anchors this time. Some might question Orpik's selection, but he plays for Team USA Coach Dan Bylsma in Pittsburgh. I don't think there was ever any doubt Orpik would be on the team. The other two guys that were considered virtual locks were Ryan McDonagh of the Rangers and the ubertalented John Carlson of the Capitals. Paul Martin also seemed like a lock, which is well-deserved after injury kept him out of Vancouver. Overall, this is a strong defensive corps that should help keep the pressure off Miller/Quick. If I were Bylsma, I'd set up my pairings this way: McDonagh/Suter, Orpik/Carlson, Martin/Fowler.
Forwards: David Backes, Dustin Brown, Ryan Callahan, Patrick Kane, Ryan Kesler, Phil Kessel, T.J. Oshie, Max Pacioretty, Zach Parise, Joe Pavelski, Paul Stastny, Derek Stepan, James van Riemsdyk, Blake Wheeler
With nine of the 14 forward spots being taken by returning Olympians, there's not really much arguing you can do with these selections. Sure, convincing arguments could've been made for the inclusion of a Kyle Okposo or a Brandon Dubinsky or a Jason Pominville, there are really only two omissions that surprised me. One is 2010 Olympian Bobby Ryan, who leads Ottawa in goals. I thought Ryan was a virtual lock. Likewise, I'm surprised Brandon Saad of the Blackhawks isn't on the team. Sure he's young, but he was also a major part of a Stanley Cup winner as a rookie last season, and it would've made sense for him to play on the same line as Kane in Vancouver. However, like Jones, Saad will have plenty of Olympic teams in his future, starting in Korea in 2018.
Among the five newcomers to the Olympic roster, I can't argue with any of them. James Van Riemsdyk has been clutch in both Philadelphia and Toronto over the past couple seasons. He was an easy one. Montreal's Max Pacioretty is perhaps best known as the recipient of that nasty open-ice hit against Boston a couple years ago, but he's a solid fourth-line forward for this team. I'm not sure how much he'll play, but I'm glad Derek Stepan made it. That shows the power (and importance) of having NHL teammates as Olympic teammates. Stepan and Ryan Callahan play on the same line a lot of the time. That had to have been taken into consideration. In my opinion, T.J. Oshie and Blake Wheeler were probably the last two guys to make the cut, and Oshie's being a teammate of David Backes had to help.
Injury concerns are the real issue among the Team USA forwards. Ryan Callahan has been out for a while, so whether or not he'll be able to play is up in the air. Same thing about Zach Parise, although he's back now for Minnesota and looks good to go for Sochi. Not having Parise available would be a big loss. Along with Kane and Kessel, he's the most dynamic scorer of the bunch.
There's plenty of leadership on this roster, as well. Backes, Brown and Callahan are all captains of their NHL teams, and there are more assistant captains than I can count. The biggest problem Bylsma's going to have with this group of forwards will be figuring out lines and how to divide ice time. As for the lines, I'm willing to help him out. Here are my suggestions: Kane/Kesler/Parise, Backes/Brown/Pavelski, Kessel/van Riemsdyk/Stastny, Callahan/Stepan/Pacioretty.
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