I agree. I don't have a problem with Quick even though he's been injured. The hope is like you say if he gets hot he can steal the Gold. Not only has Bishop been healthy all year, he has outplayed Howard significantly.
- PLindbergh31

Exactly. Howard is the third string right? Have they announced who is first? ie Miller or Quick

Honestly this may sound pessimistic but I dont see this roster doing any better than Silver this year. I think the exlusion of Ryan and Yandle is something they will be regretting down the road.
- FrmRusiaWifGlov

If they get Silver, it means they will be playing in the gold medal game. Just getting to the game means they have a chance at gold.

Exactly. Howard is the third string right? Have they announced who is first? ie Miller or Quick
- FrmRusiaWifGlov

Not yet. I would assume Miller based on his performance in 2010 would get the chance to start.

I have a far, far bigger issue with the omission of Yandle, the goalie choices, the inclusions of Statsny and Orpik than the omission of Ryan.

I do get it, he's a one dimensional guy who doesn't skate well

They are worried about Bishop because of last summer's IIHF Tournament. They didn't like that he had to be pulled in favor of Gibson.
- PhillySportsGuy

Meh. He's played great in the NHL this year. That's more important than what he did in the IIHF Tournament,

I'm reading and apparently they like Martin and Orpik's shutdown ability. They both play very well together on the Pens.

They also plan on using Pavelski on the point in PP situations. Therefore, they don't believe Yandle is necessary.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/st...-sochi-olympics-was-named

Very long article but gives great insight into picking process.
- PhillySportsGuy

I hope they're right -- I watch a lot of games, but I'm certainly not a scout or professional evaluator, so I want to try to give them the benefit of the doubt. I can easily admit that I don't know how much foot speed and skill can be minimized by someone with average speed but more size and defensive instincts.

But man...I don't know. On the larger ice surface, guys who can "turn and go," to me...I just hope they're right. Because I honestly would've taken Yandle, without blinking.

I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't medal.
- PLindbergh31

Especially since other than Canada who is the clear favorite you also have the powerhouses of Russia and Sweden. Is the USA roster really that much better than Russia's or Sweden's? I dont think so. And out of those you also have potentially tough competition from the Finns and Czechs. The odds arent looking great.

I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't medal.
- PLindbergh31

Double Post

Meh. He's played great in the NHL this year. That's more important than what he did in the IIHF Tournament,
- PLindbergh31

Also worried about his inexperience. They don't know how well he'll perform under pressure. Their only experience with him under pressure was the IIHF tournament

happy new years everyone. some definite head scratchers on omissions for the us olympic team for sure.

Especially since other than Canada who is the clear favorite you also have the powerhouses of Russia and Sweden. Is the USA roster really that much better than Russia's or Sweden's? I dont think so. And out of those you also have potentially tough competition from the Finns and Czechs. The odds arent looking great.
- FrmRusiaWifGlov

I want to see what the other rosters look like. Obviously Canada is going to be an overwhelming favorite. Russia is going to have a lot of pressure on them. Not sure who they are going to come up with in goal. Sweden always puts together a solid team, and Finland, Czechs, and Slovaks will be strong as well.

Especially since other than Canada who is the clear favorite you also have the powerhouses of Russia and Sweden. Is the USA roster really that much better than Russia's or Sweden's? I dont think so. And out of those you also have potentially tough competition from the Finns and Czechs. The odds arent looking great.
- FrmRusiaWifGlov

in all honesty though, was the USA roster that much better than Russia's or Swedens last olympics though?

I hope they're right -- I watch a lot of games, but I'm certainly not a scout or professional evaluator, so I want to try to give them the benefit of the doubt. I can easily admit that I don't know how much foot speed and skill can be minimized by someone with average speed but more size and defensive instincts.

But man...I don't know. On the larger ice surface, guys who can "turn and go," to me...I just hope they're right. Because I honestly would've taken Yandle, without blinking.
- AllInForFlyers

From what I'm reading, it appears Yandle wasn't even the first defenseman left out. Jack Johnson is. They argued back and forth over Johnson and Fowler but felt Fowler was the better all around player.

Also worried about his inexperience. They don't know how well he'll perform under pressure. Their only experience with him under pressure was the IIHF tournament
- PhillySportsGuy

I guess that's the thinking. I don't think Howard is great. Odds are Bishop wouldn't have played if he made in anyway.

in all honesty though, was the USA roster that much better than Russia's or Swedens last olympics though?
- stayinthefnnet

No. In fact, this year's team is more talented than 4 years ago.

I guess that's the thinking. I don't think Howard is great. Odds are Bishop wouldn't have played if he made in anyway.
- PLindbergh31

If all goes well, Howard won't ever play.

From what I'm reading, it appears Yandle wasn't even the first defenseman left out. Jack Johnson is. They argued back and forth over Johnson and Fowler but felt Fowler was the better all around player.
- PhillySportsGuy

Huh. Wow. Well, OK. I guess we're going to find out how this works out!

in all honesty though, was the USA roster that much better than Russia's or Swedens last olympics though?
- stayinthefnnet

Not really. I think they got kinda lucky and hot at the right time and pulled through in that tournament. I just dont see that happening again.

Does anyone know when the other teams announce?

From what I'm reading, it appears Yandle wasn't even the first defenseman left out. Jack Johnson is. They argued back and forth over Johnson and Fowler but felt Fowler was the better all around player.
- PhillySportsGuy

wow really jack johnson? he's fallen a lost since he's left LA
i would have taken erik johnson over jack

I have a far, far bigger issue with the omission of Yandle, the goalie choices, the inclusions of Statsny and Orpik than the omission of Ryan.

I do get it, he's a one dimensional guy who doesn't skate well
- Jsaquella

See, that's the thing: You take the defenseman who doesn't skate well, but you leave off the forward who, next to Phil Kessel, is probably the single nastiest offensive player the Americans have...because of his skating?

See, I don't get that. No player is perfect, but damn. Bobby Ryan is an awesome offensive player -- at some point, don't you have to score goals? You're going to be on the power play, at some point -- just because Randy Carlyle's an a-hole and didn't want to use Ryan on PP1 doesn't mean the guy isn't good -- it just means that Randy Carlyle's an a-hole!

wow really jack johnson? he's fallen a lost since he's left LA
i would have taken erik johnson over jack
- 2Real

I think there was some personal connection for some of them. Bruke mentions that he wanted to draft Johnson instead of Ryan, but decided to trust his scouts and took Ryan while he was GM of the Ducks.

Huh. Wow. Well, OK. I guess we're going to find out how this works out!
- AllInForFlyers

Neither Ryan nor Yandle are the first off the list. Saad and Jack Johnson are.

Neither Ryan nor Yandle are the first off the list. Saad and Jack Johnson are.
- PhillySportsGuy

i really just think they are doing themselves a disservice leaving off bobby ryan

Neither Ryan nor Yandle are the first off the list. Saad and Jack Johnson are.
- PhillySportsGuy

I just saw that Brian Burke was quoted as saying that Bobby Ryan can't even spell the word intense, because it's not in his vocabulary.

Now granted, I've never met them, but Phil Kessel and JVR and Paul Martin and Paul Statsny are more intense than Bobby Ryan? Really?

Well, golly gee, Brian Burke! I guess Bobby Ryan is the biggest miracle in NHL history, because I would never have guessed scoring 30-plus goals every season is as easy as falling out of bed!

stanford is going to win