Sochi is less than a year away; Team USA predictions

[Guest blueadams]

SI article (from yesterday): http://nhl.si.com/2013/02/07/sochi-olympics-team-usa-forecast/#

ESPN article (also from yesterday): http://espn.go.com/nhl/notebook/_/id/8927098/us-roster-predictions

Here's my prediction (below), what's yours?

Forwards:

Z. Parise-J. Pavelski-P. Kane
B. Ryan-R. Kesler-P. Kessel
D. Brown-D. Backes-R. Callahan
M. Pacioretty-A. Galchenyuk-T. Oshie

D. Stepan, J. Pominville

.....alternatives?: R. Malone, J. van Reimsdyk, B. Wheeler, B. Gionta

.

Defensemen:

R. Suter-K. Yandle
J. Johnson-K. Shattenkirk
R. McDonagh-J. Carlsson

D. Byfuglien, B. Orpik

.....alternatives?: J. Faulk, Z. Bogosian, M. Carle, T. Gilbert, P. Martin

Goalies:

J. Quick
R. Miller
C. Schneider

.....alternatives?: C. Anderson, J. Howard

Edited February 9, 2013 by blueadams

[kipwinger 8,495]

It really depends on who the GM is.

[Guest blueadams]

Isn't it Burke again?

[Guest irishock]

JVR will be up there imo

[Richdg 267]

Still to early. But how is it that the most successfull US NHL team, has so few US players........sad just sad.....

[St. Michael (the Red Wing) 422]

Still to early. But how is it that the most successfull US NHL team, has so few US players........sad just sad.....

It's like how does Manchester United have the most success with so few to little English players.

[Nev 1,085]

Not really - Jones, Smalling, Ferdinand, Carrick, Cleverly, Young, Welbeck, Rooney off the top of my head. Certainly more than most EPL teams.

[St. Michael (the Red Wing) 422]

Very true I stand corrected.

But looking at their past history they have had English players probably more so than any other Premier League team.

So I stand corrected again.

Edited February 9, 2013 by St. Michael (the Red Wing)

[St. Michael (the Red Wing) 422]

On regards to our D-men pairings thinking that Byfuglien and Orpik are in.

[Nev 1,085]

Very true I stand corrected.

But looking at their past history they have had English players probably more so than any other Premier League team.

So I stand corrected again.

You can always go back and edit your post to Man City or Chelsea to make me look stupid I would say Arsenal, but they haven't won anything for 8 years

[Echolalia 2,961]

I just hope to see inglorious Backes challenge the entire Canadian team to fights leading up to the Olympics again.

[Guest The Axe]

Not really - Jones, Smalling, Ferdinand, Carrick, Cleverly, Young, Welbeck, Rooney off the top of my head. Certainly more than most EPL teams.

Scholes

[Nev 1,085]

How could I forget the Ginger Ninja!

[T.Low 1,011]

Still to early. But how is it that the most successfull US NHL team, has so few US players........sad just sad.....

It seemed to work out ok when we were unable to draft hometown boy Pat Lafontaine...

[Richdg 267]

The biggest thing about the Olym. is those are still a year away. Who is going to be healthy? For example, kesler hasn't played yet-that I recall. Will he be back? Bogisan (spelling) is out for this year with a bad wrist/surgery.

On the plus side Fayne with the NJD is becoming a very good Dman. Plenty of other young stars that could still make an impact. Long way to go. This summers camp will be interesting to watch...

[Guest blueadams]

JVR will be up there imo

It'll be tough. Pacioretty, Oshie, etc. will be tough to beat out.

Still to early. But how is it that the most successfull US NHL team, has so few US players........sad just sad.....

Did fine with them last time around. Canada's got more talent. But they aren't going to have things like a Brown-Backes-Callahan shut-down line. Or a Quick (if he's hot?) in net.

**Soccer??

[Guest blueadams]

bump.

[Guest The Axe]

They are talking about Howard as the goalie. Interesting.

[Guest blueadams]

They are talking about Howard as the goalie. Interesting.

Who is?