2010 Team USA

[Guest blueadams]

there's nothing i love more than olympic hockey...and though the canucks, sweedes and russians are all going to have sick teams this go around, the us isn't looking too bad (and better yet, young!).

the invitation lists are already out, so we've got our base to chose from. here are the lines i've been rolling in nhl09, lol. how accurate do you think this is?

d. brown-c. drury-s. gomez (a)

p. kessel-p. stastny-z. parise

j. pavelski-r. kesler-p. kane

j. langenbrunner-m. modano ©-r. malone

x-d. backes, d. booth, d. byfuglien, k. okposo, b. ryan, r. callahan (not in game), t. oshie (not in game)

r. whitney-e. johnson

j. johnson-t. gilbert

r. suter-b. rafalski (a)

x-t. gleason, r. hainsey, m. komisarek, p. martin, b. orpik, r. scuderi

r. miller

t. thomas

x-j. quick

[BeeRYCE 2]

Nice roster, but I think Komisarek will make the team ahead of Gilbert.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

orpik instead of gilbert

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Can't imagine Kane and Rafalski not on the top line/pairing.

[The Mule 0]

Team Canada is going to tear the competition a new *******.

[kidish 0]

Brown on the top line? I doubt that. I see him playing a good third line though.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Team Canada is going to tear the competition a new *******.

Where have I heard that before?

Sweden and Russia also have very good teams, Finland's no slouch, and most importantly of all, anything can happen in a single-game elimination tournament.

[Vladifan 680]

orpik instead of gilbert

OK fine. But I still think he looks like a schizoid/paranoid deer in the headlights.

Hopefully, that won't affect his game.

[BeeRYCE 2]

Where have I heard that before?

Sweden and Russia also have very good teams, Finland's no slouch, and most importantly of all, anything can happen in a single-game elimination tournament.

When it comes to all out depth, Canada is the strongest team, by far... But if the top players play the most valuable, yeah, Russia can be deadly.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

Let's see what the dance pair of Burke & Wilson can do with a team of talent.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I honestly think the U.S. is the 7th best team in the tournament behind Canada, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic and Slovakia.

In 2002, they were competing for the Gold, but it seems like the state of American hockey has really gone down since then. Also, the other countries have gotten better, especially Finland and Slovakia.

I'm not expecting this team to win a medal. They have some talent, but nothing to brag about compared to other teams.

[Guest blueadams]

why no love for gilbert?

[Gordie Howe hat trick 110]

I think either the Czech Republic or Russia wins gold in Vancouver...no way will it be the good ole' U.S. of A.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

USA USA USA USA USA

[BeeRYCE 2]

I honestly think the U.S. is the 7th best team in the tournament behind Canada, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic and Slovakia.

In 2002, they were competing for the Gold, but it seems like the state of American hockey has really gone down since then. Also, the other countries have gotten better, especially Finland and Slovakia.

I'm not expecting this team to win a medal. They have some talent, but nothing to brag about compared to other teams.

Czech Replubic? Nah... Their best players don't go anywhere beyond Havlat, Hemsky, or Jagr. All they have on D is Kaberle, and Vokoun in net. Slovakia has Gaborik, Hossa, and Chara, not much else. Finland on paper do not look better than USA, but they tend to do well as a team, so I won't argue them... But USA could very well be better than them too.

Point is, I don't see nothing worse than a 4th place finish from the Americans.

[sureWhyNot 19]

Nice, I love talks about anything Team USA hockey related. I actually had the chance to attend their open "mini camp" in Illinois back in late August. It was definitely an experience - really great stuff.

As far as the lineup goes I think their is still a ton of 'what ifs', but I will give it my best shot.

Forwards:

Zach Parise - Paul Stastny - Patrick Kane

Jason Pominville - Joe Pavelski - Phil Kessel

David Booth - Scott Gomez - Jamie Langenbrunner

Bobby Ryan - Ryan Kesler - Dustin Brown

Defense:

Brian Rafalski - Ryan Suter

Mike Komisarek - Ryan Whitney

Erik Johnson - Rob Scuderi

Goalies:

1) Ryan Miller

2) Tim Thomas

3) Craig Anderson

Reserves:

* David Backes

* Chris Drury

* Jack Johnson

[sureWhyNot 19]

Team Canada is going to tear the competition a new *******.

Sweet. Unfortunately though the thread is titled "2010 TEAM USA LINEUP", not "please make a statement about Canada tearing assholes."

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Czech Replubic? Nah... Their best players don't go anywhere beyond Havlat, Hemsky, or Jagr. All they have on D is Kaberle, and Vokoun in net. Slovakia has Gaborik, Hossa, and Chara, not much else. Finland on paper do not look better than USA, but they tend to do well as a team, so I won't argue them... But USA could very well be better than them too.

Point is, I don't see nothing worse than a 4th place finish from the Americans.

That's what I thought during the last Olympics, but the U.S. team looked overmatched then. I think those teams I mentioned adapt better to Olympic style hockey.

Then again, the U.S. had a really slow team during the last Olympics, so maybe this time it may be different.

[Carman 387]

I'm really liking the USA team, some good gritty young players, although Ron Wilson/Burke combo is scary. But if Miller can get hot they can definitely do some damage in the Olympics it's going to be a great tournament I can't wait.

[stactum 4]

Team USA looks pretty good to me, the only problem I see is RON WILSON.

I honestly think if USA was coached by Dan Bylsma they would have much better chance.

[sureWhyNot 19]

Team USA looks pretty good to me, the only problem I see is RON WILSON.

I honestly think if USA was coached by Dan Bylsma they would have much better chance.

I agree with you 100%.

[Finnish Wing 110]

Czech Replubic? Nah... Their best players don't go anywhere beyond Havlat, Hemsky, or Jagr. All they have on D is Kaberle, and Vokoun in net. Slovakia has Gaborik, Hossa, and Chara, not much else. Finland on paper do not look better than USA, but they tend to do well as a team, so I won't argue them... But USA could very well be better than them too.

Point is, I don't see nothing worse than a 4th place finish from the Americans.

Yeah and that's because the coaching has been world-class here in recent years. Raimo Summanen, Erkka Westerlund and now Jukka Jalonen. All top coaches in the world. Doug Shedden coached one year, but he should never have been chosen for the job. All he could do was yell at the players.

Jukka Jalonen's game style and tactics are a lightyear ahead of Ron Wilson's (also many other coaches in the NHL). Babcock, Gustaffson, Bykov and Jalonen are the top coaches in those Olympics (and in the world at the time too). I believe those four teams will be the top4 (in no specific order).

Czech and Slovakia are also in the tournament with only decent coaching. I would say that there is a lot of question marks over those two teams. If nothing unusual happens both of them will be outside of the top4.

[FinWing 26]

Don't forget Wilson always has some hanta yo up his sleeve.