USA Olympic Squad

[Finnish Wing 110]

I can see the US compete for a medal. Canada and Sweden are the only two teams that are significantly better. Russia's been getting too much love. Sure, Ovechkin and Malkin might be the two most talented players in hockey and Kovalchuck and Datsyuk are no slouches either, but beyond that, I'm not impressed. And Canada and Sweden are certainly not invincible (Switzerland and Belarus anyone?)

One word for you: coaching. Canada and Russia are both easily better teams than USA when you compare coaching and players. Sweden and Finland are both ahead of USA because their coaching is way ahead of USA even though players almost evenly good. It's just funny how everyone here talks about the players all the time but ignore the coaching and playing style.

1. Canada

2. Russia

3. Sweden

4. Finland

5. Czech Republic

6. USA

7. Slovakia

8. Switzerland

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

With the way the injuries are piling up in the NHL, none of these rosters are going to look the way we expect them too now. Also, some players will likely sit out even if they're not injured. It has happened before.

The Olympics would be a lot more fun if each country was represented by its most healthy and skilled players, but that's never really the case. For instance, I doubt Franzen will play for Sweden come Olympic time.

That's why I think the World Cup is the best event in terms of quality, although not as important on the international stage.

[eva unit zero 271]

Kane is the second best American player in the NHL only behind Parise.

Parise, Ryan, Kesler, Miller are all better. Rafalski is perhaps better as well; he's certainly far less of a liability. Connolly is not far off of Kane if at all, and the same for Stastny or Kessel. Carle is also up there in skill and performance. Kane is good, but he's right in there with a lot of other players at the same level and he is a one trick pony.

[Carman 387]

Parise, Ryan, Kesler, Miller are all better. Rafalski is perhaps better as well; he's certainly far less of a liability. Connolly is not far off of Kane if at all, and the same for Stastny or Kessel. Carle is also up there in skill and performance. Kane is good, but he's right in there with a lot of other players at the same level and he is a one trick pony.

I agree that Kane is not the best overall player. But the USA team has a good mix of defensive minded forwards and solid defense, that can easily cover whatever liabilities Kane might present. His benefits surely outweigh his lack of defensive game. The USA team needs all the scorers they can get.

[eva unit zero 271]

I agree that Kane is not the best overall player. But the USA team has a good mix of defensive minded forwards and solid defense, that can easily cover whatever liabilities Kane might present. His benefits surely outweigh his lack of defensive game. The USA team needs all the scorers they can get.

I still would not personally select Kane. He'll probably be on the team, but I wouldn't pick him and don't want him there.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

good thing you aren't brian burke then, huh

[eva unit zero 271]

good thing you aren't brian burke then, huh

I'm glad I'm not Burke, because I like not being a big fat ******* with a s***ty reputation and a s***tier team.

I still say the team could get along fine without Kane. On my roster he'd plug into Gionta's spot...we'd be changing out Gionta for a small, quick winger with a very good shot and 40-goal potential. Wow, big change there. Total difference from what was there before. Like...completely changes the shape of the team.

[Finnish Wing 110]

I'm glad I'm not Burke, because I like not being a big fat ******* with a s***ty reputation and a s***tier team.

Still makes more money than you. I think.

[Doggy 130]

True to form, eva shows a complete inability to be unbiased.

[ltgator333 3]

True to form, eva shows a complete inability to be unbiased.

Oh but being biased is easy fun, for example-

USA hockey is bringing home some precious metal from Canada this year, and pissing in Canada's wheaties, in their own backyard, just for s***s&giggles because they can.

I assure you I'm smiling right now. It's even more fun when you talk a little trash with your bias, as shown above.

I think they have an honest shot at it, like any other team that's going to be competing it boils down to how well they all gel as a team, the talent is there I believe to NOT come home empty handed. I just hope they respectably represent my country, that's the only thing that will really disappoint me.

[eva unit zero 271]

True to form, eva shows a complete inability to be unbiased.

How am I being biased? I picked a roster for the US Olympic team. I left Kane off because I don't want him there because of his personal attitude, and acknowledged that he will probably be on the actual team.

Where do you get bias in this?

[Doggy 130]

How am I being biased? I picked a roster for the US Olympic team. I left Kane off because I don't want him there because of his personal attitude, and acknowledged that he will probably be on the actual team.

Where do you get bias in this?

When something influences your ability to make an impartial decision - it's referred to as "bias".

Your opinion of him has affected your ability to make a roster that is the best team. The fact you acknowledged he will make the team shows that you're aware he is good enough to make the team. The fact you choose to leave him out demonstrates your inability to be impartial.

It's not like anyone didn't know. Pretty much everything you post is saturated in narrowmindedness. From you saying Obama isn't American to you saying Hudler was our 3rd best forward.

[sureWhyNot 19]

One word for you: coaching. Canada and Russia are both easily better teams than USA when you compare coaching and players. Sweden and Finland are both ahead of USA because their coaching is way ahead of USA even though players almost evenly good. It's just funny how everyone here talks about the players all the time but ignore the coaching and playing style.

1. Canada

2. Russia

3. Sweden

4. Finland

5. Czech Republic

6. USA

7. Slovakia

8. Switzerland

Wow - I have to say I disagree. I can see by your name why you would have Finland over the United States, but still don't agree with it.

For me swap the US and Finland and it looks about right.

Whoever is arguing against Kane being anything other then the third best winger on the roster is plain out foolish - Parise is the best, and I suppose you could make an argument that Kessel is better - but other then that Kane is as pure of a scorer as we have.

[revnic 0]

Parise, Ryan, Kesler, Miller are all better. Rafalski is perhaps better as well; he's certainly far less of a liability. Connolly is not far off of Kane if at all, and the same for Stastny or Kessel. Carle is also up there in skill and performance. Kane is good, but he's right in there with a lot of other players at the same level and he is a one trick pony.

lol...

Ryan and Rafalski are not "better", but your out of your god damn mind listing Kesler.

Edited November 26, 2009 by revnic

[Finnish Wing 110]

Wow - I have to say I disagree. I can see by your name why you would have Finland over the United States, but still don't agree with it.

For me swap the US and Finland and it looks about right.

Whoever is arguing against Kane being anything other then the third best winger on the roster is plain out foolish - Parise is the best, and I suppose you could make an argument that Kessel is better - but other then that Kane is as pure of a scorer as we have.

Then you obviously didn't read anything I said there.

Why would USA be any better than Finland now? Finland's team is pretty much the same than before, except with better coaching. USA has better team than before now, but the coaching and playing style is nowhere near the top countries (Gustafsson, Bykov, Babcok, Jalonen). You should understand that those are the top coaches in the world right now. They don't yell like normal big fat NHL coaches with large moustache.

Jalonen is tactically a lightyear ahead of Wilson. Period. Stop looking only at the player list. Finland's never had the top talent in any international tournament. Still have gotten some good results (won -95, dominated 06, and has been among the top teams consistently).

[eva unit zero 271]

When something influences your ability to make an impartial decision - it's referred to as "bias".

Your opinion of him has affected your ability to make a roster that is the best team. The fact you acknowledged he will make the team shows that you're aware he is good enough to make the team. The fact you choose to leave him out demonstrates your inability to be impartial.

It's not like anyone didn't know. Pretty much everything you post is saturated in narrowmindedness. From you saying Obama isn't American to you saying Hudler was our 3rd best forward.

I'd like you to please back up me having ever said this, or admit you are wrong, you little instigating s***.

[Doggy 130]

I'd like you to please back up me having ever said this, or admit you are wrong, you little instigating s***.

Well you said he needed to prove he was a citizen or something. I love how you ask me to admit I'm wrong when you've been PROVEN wrong literally uncountable times and have not once (that I've seen) admitted it. What a world you must live in.

[eva unit zero 271]

Well you said he needed to prove he was a citizen or something. I love how you ask me to admit I'm wrong when you've been PROVEN wrong literally uncountable times and have not once (that I've seen) admitted it. What a world you must live in.

"Well you said..."

Man, it must be comfy in your box of "This is how I want things to work."

[Doggy 130]

"Well you said..."

Man, it must be comfy in your box of "This is how I want things to work."

What?

[dragonballgtz 273]

Kane is the USA's 3rd, maybe 4th best winger. His only skill is his shot, and he hasn't shown that he is a good enough player to make use of that shot without a playmaker or some kind of additional threat on his line. Same kind of criticisms Kessel was slammed with in his negotiations this summer, except the only 'attitude problem' comments you ever hear about Kessel are about the fact that he wanted in the kind of money a 40 goal RFA gets paid, and Boston couldn't pay it. Kane, OTOH, beat up a cabbie over $0.20 despite the fact he's a god damn millionaire and should be giving the cabbie a $20 tip.

So no thanks to a selfish child who is a defensive liability and whose contributions can be replaced by players who fit better as part of a, get this, TEAM.

Kane can represent the "gangsta" side of US

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

From Toronto Star :

Brian Burke, at least from the perspective of Maple Leaf fans, will soon turn into the enemy.

And he knows it.

"Last week I was on the subway going to work and a guy came up to me," Burke said Monday night. "He said, `Mr. Burke I wish you all the luck in the Olympics. I can't wait until they hand you that silver medal.'"

...