Okposo seems to be having a similar year that Brad Boyes had last year, hmmmmm, wonder why
- jimbro83

Brad Boyes was useless. Ko has been our best player. Yes even more productive on both sides of the ice than JT.

my point had nothing to do with KO vs Step anyway. Bottom line is KO is 2nd in points for USA and America needs someone like him to score goals. If he is a 1 year wonder so be it the Olympics are this year.
- mighty13duck

How about Ryan MAC Truck? That's what I want to talk about, can't wait to see on the big Olympic stage the kid excel & the rest of the world see what he is on both ends of the ice.

How about Ryan MAC Truck? That's what I want to talk about, can't wait to see on the big Olympic stage the kid excel & the rest of the world see what he is on both ends of the ice.
- B2B76

Hes probably our best defenseman this year

Brad Boyes was useless. Ko has been our best player. Yes even more productive on both sides of the ice than JT.
- mighty13duck

How much fun will it be to watch Islander fans squirm rooting against JT on Team Canada.

Brad Boyes was useless. Ko has been our best player. Yes even more productive on both sides of the ice than JT.
- mighty13duck

Boyes had 35 points, isn't that was makes someone a good player?

I think Stepan is considered one of the better defensive forwards on the team too, he is a great penalty killer and excellent passer, some great wingers on the team even without Ryan.
- jimbro83

Meh, ok.

How much fun will it be to watch Islander fans squirm rooting against JT on Team Canada.
- B2B76

He didn't make the team

Hes probably our best defenseman this year
- mighty13duck

Team Canada & all OLE nation will be quivering.

He didn't make the team
- mighty13duck

DOH, shows how locked in I am. WHoops.

Meh, ok.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

I don't think the coaches on Team USA are mad at Stepan for holding out like you are

How much fun will it be to watch Islander fans squirm rooting against JT on Team Canada.
- B2B76

lol

DOH, shows how locked in I am. WHoops.
- B2B76

Isles players are banned from the Olympics this year.

I don't think the coaches on Team USA are mad at Stepan for holding out like you are
- jimbro83

No, I'm mad at him cause he does nothing to improve his skating to go with his great skills.

No, I'm mad at him cause he does nothing to improve his skating to go with his great skills.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

I think it's great, as a Ranger fan you should be happy about Stepan being on the team because it may be the jumpstart he needs to get his game to where it should be.

Isles players are banned from the Olympics this year.
- mighty13duck

Even JT? That would be great news for USA?

http://www.usatoday.com/s...ked/4279829/?sf21215085=1

Another good read on the decision making process.

They had a vote between Stepan and Dubi that went 6-3 in favor of Stepan

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2014/01/01/how-olympic-hockey-team-was-picked/4279829/?sf21215085=1

Another good read on the decision making process.

They had a vote between Stepan and Dubi that went 6-3 in favor of Stepan
- TPC

I think Dubinsky would have been a good choice if that's how they want.

Plays wing and center, is a better faceoff man than Stepan, and kills penalties, hits anything that moves.

Kyle Okposo doesn't hit anything

I think Dubinsky would have been a good choice if that's how they want.

Plays wing and center, is a better faceoff man than Stepan, and kills penalties, hits anything that moves.

Kyle Okposo doesn't hit anything
- jimbro83

It's got to be tough being GM of a team like this. No matter who you pick, some great players have to be left off. Going to be debates no matter who is chosen.

I think it's great, as a Ranger fan you should be happy about Stepan being on the team because it may be the jumpstart he needs to get his game to where it should be.
- jimbro83

Of course I want him to succeed. But, it's not good when a player is rewarded when they seem unwilling to work to achieve their full potential.

I think Dubinsky would have been a good choice if that's how they want.

Plays wing and center, is a better faceoff man than Stepan, and kills penalties, hits anything that moves.

Kyle Okposo doesn't hit anything
- jimbro83

I really think making the team was weighing hard on Stepan. Really hope him making the team gets him going here this last month leading up.

Of course I want him to succeed. But, it's not good when a player is rewarded when they seem unwilling to work to achieve their full potential.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

more than anyone, he needs to keep playing, not doing anything for 2 and 1/2 weeks would have hurt him.

I realize you are never going to stop obsessing over his holdout, not going to try and get you to stop

more than anyone, he needs to keep playing, not doing anything for 2 and 1/2 weeks would have hurt him.

I realize you are never going to stop obsessing over his holdout, not going to try and get you to stop
- jimbro83

It was dumb, at least if he spent the time with Barbara Underhill it would have made sense. Be that as it may, he's a Ranger, and so I hope for the best.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/10195703/how-us-hockey-team-bound-sochi-olympics-was-named

Nice read on how team USA was built

Stepan was always a lock and Okposo wasn't even given much of a consideration despite his good season as they didn't feel he fit on the big ice according to the article.
- TPC

And it's pretty clear bylsma wanted his defenseman in Martin and orpik which is dumb

DOH, shows how locked in I am. WHoops.
- B2B76

Team Canada hasn't been announced yet...but JT is in tough to make the team regardless.

Brad Boyes was useless. Ko has been our best player. Yes even more productive on both sides of the ice than JT.
- mighty13duck

Thanks for Boyes, he's been good for us.