frankgrimes

Dean Lombardi and Shero managed to do their job without insulting other players, so Burke only has himself to blame for this.

Wouldn't the Russians have taunted the bench, USA wouldn't have reacted like that. Do I agree with it? No, but I understand it and it's not the first time team Russia hasn't shown any class in this tournament. I probably would have thrown a water bottle or spit at them. btw. Go Sweden Go cheering hard for a Sweden - Canada final the crowd would be amazing.

Leiweke is just a big loud mouth thinking he needs to sell the game in Canada, which simple isn't true. All he needs to do is provide Nonis with enough resources and not interfere with his decisions. I really hope Bower knocked some sense and respect for tradition into him. You simply can't run and original 6 franchise like one in LA. If I were Canadian I would have been pissed with this hiring from the getgo, Canada has a population of 30 million people, there should have been someone from their own country, sharing the same passion for hockey. Leiweke seems to be a guy who loves to talk more than let his actions speak...

It's against the Dallas Stars so I expect a win, shutdown Seguin and Benn = + 2 much needed points

Not surprised this league doesn't show any consistency in their decisions. Counting on them to police the on ice stuff doesn't work and never will.

damage control but none the less good for Poile to do it.

Would have prefered Sproul Sent from my BlackBerry

Looking at the pictures, stories and the rewatching the game itself to me is just amazing. Wish we could've been there if somebody ever mentions again, that nobody cares about hockey just link them this picture The only WC that will come close to this will be Toronto Montreal. It's amazing to have such a great owner making all of this possible another reason why the new arena should be called Ilitch Placa.

McDavid is freaking 16 years old for a 16 old he has been amazing, the hype surrounding this kid is already through the roof. This kid is something special and whoever drafts him, will have a future franchise center.

That's a pretty good roster and more looking like the one I would have chosen, just: Jones, Galchenuk are too young, the olympics are too much pressure for such young players. I remember the time when I was 19, being the last at a party was enough pressure and now imagine 19 olds representing their country in Russia for the olympics unreal. I also would have left off Byuglien guy is just too much of a risky pick and take Jack Johnson instead, just a very good shutdown defenseman. 13/14 Forward would have been Statsny + Wheeler. I fully agree with your assessment of Ryan the only two better guys are Parise and obviously Kaner, Kessel and the other wingers are at best equally as good. as for the goaltending: I think this is probably the biggest strength of team USA, so it doesn't really matter who they are picking as the third one, because if a team has to go with their 3 string goalie something already went really wrong. This is a guy who will not see the ice. It's a nice honor for Howard sure but he should be prepared to watch the games from the press box in Sochi. I honestly don't know if it would have helped Bishop, the guy needs experience so playing in the NHL was the better choice for him.

I think there are obviously worse GMs than him, but the guy has a massive ego and needs to learn how to be a professional instead of microphone machine. Even the so so called hockeyuniverse in Toronto prefered a lowkey guy like Nonis. If he learns how to keep his mouth shut or how to choose his words in a more polite way, he will become a better GM or VP whatever his role in Calgary will be at the end. but after the reading this article the only two guys who came off very professional were Dean Lombardi and Ray Shero, non sursprisingly two of the best in the business.

Ryan reacts to some of the quotes of hockey USA: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=440211 going to cheer hard for him guy is a great goalscorer and never gets appreciated be it in Anaheim or now by hockey USA sucks, disgusting.

To me it is really simple: bigger ice more space = clutch goalscorers are coming in handy same goes for one of the best american defenders. If I were the GM and someone would approach me with a straight up Pacioretty or Wheeler for Ryan deal the first thing I would be asking "starting point go from there..." the top pairing is great but other than that, I'm not impressed. Suter McDonagh will have to play a lot in order to make up for that. Also *lol* at the Oshie selection yes he has chemistry with Backes but other than that? .. will be interesting to see Canadas roster soon

Agreed but I thought Burke would be picking the team? Going to read through the article but so far not impressed with this roster. Wow I'm really surprised how can ESPN feature such a great article? Easily one of the best and longest *g* articles I've read in years. One thing that's clear is, that Burke really comes off as a "know it all" guy Keith Yandle a disaster waiting to happen? *lol* pair the guy with Ryan Suter on the PP and wow. Yandle may not provide the best defensive play but he certainly is levels ahead of guys like Karlson when it comes down to defensive responsibilites. I think this decision is going to hurt team USA big time. Jack Johnson given his poor play I can somewhat understand, as for Ryan again *lol* for taking Pacioretty over him. The guy has 18 goals on a very average this season and has scored 30 ever since joining the league, what more can you ask from a young player? As for Poile man was this guy pushing a 19 old defender, while completely ignoring some no brainers. Sure this is still a strong roster but I think it could have been much better. In terms of picking some shutdown defenderes I agree with Burke, despite the poor play I'd rather have JJ than Orpik who is only on this team because Bylsma is the coach.

I feel terrible for him such a talented player

Thought this was the best thread for it, but I'm really shocked that Keith Yandle and Ryan have been snapped wow.

I'm not saying I'm not pleased with the game, I'm just saying overall Holland is getting more and more answers which is a good thing. The shootout is and always was a skills competition so it can go either way, Conditions like this are just another statement on how good these guys are, I think I would have had a hard time seeing the puck.

Sweden for sure has a tough road but they are a very good team, so is Canada. Compared to last year I don't think team USA has the same level of goaltending and don't forget Canada got Reinhard back, huge improvement to their defense. Sweden - Canada Canada - USA would both absolute fantastic finals

Let's keep in mind this is about the 3rd string goalie. So basically someone who will sit on the bench if even that for most of the games. Going with an experienced one is way better than going with someone, who has been hot for a few months because the guy needs to come in super cold and be at least servicable not an easy job far from it.

Sucking in a askills competition is what it is, anyway Holland wanted answers so far he has gotten a lot of them so hopefuly the off-season marks a huge turnaround for this roster. It is needed. The arena and crowd was absolutely spectacular and for mer personally the Winterclassic this year is done, it will be extremely hard to top this next year.

Female figure skaters Mega mmmmmm *g*

This is so epic and now Don Cherry yes!

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=440038 for a guy named Nemisz damn there goes a guy I wanted bad on this roster. McGrattan + Westgarth the west should better not be thinking twice about Monahan, Bärtschi now.

I just told mine, I'm going to pay for her new clothes if she doesn't disturb me during the game. Well worth the "investment" *gg*

How about taking care of a certain spotpicker #6? Finishing every check .. Would either one have changed the outcome of the game? Probably not, but fo sure it would have been more entertaining *g*