That post wasn't ment for you. It was ment for the two blowhards who think Stepan is the next Ron Francis

Bolded: Pretty important for a center right? I mean. A center should be able to win half his faceoffs.
- tomburton99

You're getting called an idiot for not being a homer

That about sums it up.
- mjh609

Really how bout the fact that Buff and Yandle rank 1st and 3rd in points from American defensemen.

Buff ranks 1st in PP goals, Yandle Ranks 7th. WE as ranger fans complain about our lack of PP qb's. USA has Suter. That's it.

Buff ranks 2nd in minutes in per game, Yandle 9th.

So both can eat up minutes, handle the puck skate and score. Now I know why they were left off.

You're getting called an idiot for not being a homer
- NYI44

Basically. I believe that Centers need to be excellent skaters and win an occasional faceoff. Obviously the definition of center has changed.

Basically. I believe that Centers need to be excellent skaters and win an occasional faceoff. Obviously the definition of center has changed.
- tomburton99

I'm not calling you an idiot. You're talking sensibly. We just have a difference of opinion. But if the team is comprised of 5 centers, who would you take over him?

Really how bout the fact that Buff and Yandle rank 1st and 3rd in points from American defensemen.

Buff ranks 1st in PP goals, Yandle Ranks 7th. WE as ranger fans complain about our lack of PP qb's. USA has Suter. That's it.

Buff ranks 2nd in minutes in per game, Yandle 9th.

So both can eat up minutes, handle the puck skate and score. Now I know why they were left off.
- tomburton99

Yes, on NHL ice, Buff can eat up minutes, and be a physical force. Yes, he and Yandle can be good offensive players. But, defensively, Buff and Yandle would get killed.

Why is points such a huge thing with you? Franz Nielsen has a lot of points this year, but does that make him Gretzky?

That post wasn't ment for you. It was ment for the two blowhards who think Stepan is the next Ron Francis

Bolded: Pretty important for a center right? I mean. A center should be able to win half his faceoffs.
- tomburton99

So he is having a tough time to start the year. That's your problem. Focusing on the negative. He has increased his point totals in each of his firs three season and had 44 points in 48 games last year. Not to mention he was a +47 in his first three years. He's also shooting at around 6% is year which is bound to correct itself.

I'm not calling you an idiot. You're talking sensibly. We just have a difference of opinion. But if the team is comprised of 5 centers, who would you take over him?
- BarryB1124

You're not an idiot either. I'm just frustrated that "people" are blinded by allegiance and not facts.

Yes, on NHL ice, Buff can eat up minutes, and be a physical force. Yes, he and Yandle can be good offensive players. But, defensively, Buff and Yandle would get killed.

Why is points such a huge thing with you? Franz Nielsen has a lot of points this year, but does that make him Gretzky?
- Blueshirt44

1st of all I din' compare Buff or Yandle to the likes of Leetch or Housley. Nice.

2nd of all, Paul Martin is made of glass and Faulk is undersized. How were they chosen ahead of Yandle and Buff.

3rd of all, Yandle and Buff are #1 guys are their NHL teams. they face the best talent and play well against it.

Really how bout the fact that Buff and Yandle rank 1st and 3rd in points from American defensemen.

Buff ranks 1st in PP goals, Yandle Ranks 7th. WE as ranger fans complain about our lack of PP qb's. USA has Suter. That's it.

Buff ranks 2nd in minutes in per game, Yandle 9th.

So both can eat up minutes, handle the puck skate and score. Now I know why they were left off.
- tomburton99

Shatte Kirk and fowler are both in stop 10 in points. Mcdonagh has one less point than suter.

Yes, on NHL ice, Buff can eat up minutes, and be a physical force. Yes, he and Yandle can be good offensive players. But, defensively, Buff and Yandle would get killed.

Why is points such a huge thing with you? Franz Nielsen has a lot of points this year, but does that make him Gretzky?
- Blueshirt44

IDK but STep had a decent amount of points last year and was considered a better player than Tavares by some of you. SOme still believe he will be the better player..

Really how bout the fact that Buff and Yandle rank 1st and 3rd in points from American defensemen.

Buff ranks 1st in PP goals, Yandle Ranks 7th. WE as ranger fans complain about our lack of PP qb's. USA has Suter. That's it.

Buff ranks 2nd in minutes in per game, Yandle 9th.

So both can eat up minutes, handle the puck skate and score. Now I know why they were left off.
- tomburton99

Fowler has the skills to play the point. Especially on the big ice. His skills might translate greater in this tournament compared to his NHL performance than any other player.

You're not an idiot either. I'm just frustrated that "people" are blinded by allegiance and not facts.
- tomburton99

Good for you, for giving an honest opinion. A shame that people are attacking you for calling it like it is.

So he is having a tough time to start the year. That's your problem. Focusing on the negative. He has increased his point totals in each of his firs three season and had 44 points in 48 games last year. Not to mention he was a +47 in his first three years. He's also shooting at around 6% is year which is bound to correct itself.
- mjh609

Stepan has never been better than 51% on draws in his career. As a center you should one thing well. Win a faceoff. Combine that with lack of speed and lack of strength how does that make him an Olympian?

IDK but STep had a decent amount of points last year and was considered a better player than Tavares by some of you. SOme still believe he will be the better player..
- mighty13duck

Stepan is a very good player, Tavares is elite.

This is not an All-Star team they are building, guys...it is an Olympic hockey team. Taking the top twelve Amercian scorers would result in disaster. They want a team that plays well defensively, like we did back in 2010. We won silver then, in one of the best games ever.
- Blueshirt44

Agreed. And just like with that team, everyone I even talked to said USA was going to get rocked with that lineup. I'm sure it was the same on blogs like this and others. I guess team USA staff should've have gone with what bloggers think is the right thing to do instead of hockey professionals that spend their time watching and evaluating these players. Its like all the other fans that think they know how to run a hockey team, yet we are all just sitting behind a keyboard and not actually even close. Point being, the staff picked who they picked because they believe its the best group of players to fill certain roles for this team.

How about everyone show some support for your country and the players that are going to represent it??? BC just like 4 years ago, those of you that are talking bad about this team will be cheering your asses off when they are in the gold medal game again. Have faith.

Fowler has the skills to play the point. Especially on the big ice. His skills might translate greater in this tournament compared to his NHL performance than any other player.
- BarryB1124

I don't have a problem with Fowler making the team. His lack of physicality can be made up wwith his great outlet pass, good shot and great skating ability. Faulk and Martin should not have made this team.

1st of all I din' compare Buff or Yandle to the likes of Leetch or Housley. Nice.

2nd of all, Paul Martin is made of glass and Faulk is undersized. How were they chosen ahead of Yandle and Buff.

3rd of all, Yandle and Buff are #1 guys are their NHL teams. they face the best talent and play well against it.
- tomburton99

1. I never said you did.

2. It is a twelve day tournament I am sure Martin will not shatter in twelve days. As for Faulk, Brian Rafalski was on the 2010 team. Did you complain about him being undersized then?

Martin is a great defensive player, who can ALSO bring some offense. Faulk is a good offensive player, that is responsible in his own zone.

3. Buff is a number one on his team because he plays for a bad team. It is like saying Hamonic is a number one for the Islanders...is he REALLY a number one, or does circumstances on his team dictate he MUST be a number one? Yandle is a fine player, but he is not good enough defensively to be there. He is a DEFENSEMAN...that would mean he has to play defense, and he does not do enough of that.

Buff is a minus 11. The lowest on the team.

1st of all I din' compare Buff or Yandle to the likes of Leetch or Housley. Nice.

2nd of all, Paul Martin is made of glass and Faulk is undersized. How were they chosen ahead of Yandle and Buff.

3rd of all, Yandle and Buff are #1 guys are their NHL teams. they face the best talent and play well against it.
- tomburton99

Its argueable that OEL is theyre #1. Yandle can eat all the minutes he wants in the NHL. We are talking about a bigger stage. Hes a liability.

Faulk isnt undersized. Ryan Murphy is undersized. Faulk is listed at 6ft 215 lbs of mobile 2way defense.

From what I have read, Team USA has soured on Ryan for whatever reason. Seems like he wasnt making this team regardless of his play. Whether it be attitude issues or lack of intensity, the powers that be for Team USA seem to be happy he is not part of the team.
- Leafs43

I came away with the same feeling after reading Lebrun today. There was no way Ryan was making this team, from day one.

Agreed. And just like with that team, everyone I even talked to said USA was going to get rocked with that lineup. I'm sure it was the same on blogs like this and others. I guess team USA staff should've have gone with what bloggers think is the right thing to do instead of hockey professionals that spend their time watching and evaluating these players. Its like all the other fans that think they know how to run a hockey team, yet we are all just sitting behind a keyboard and not actually even close. Point being, the staff picked who they picked because they believe its the best group of players to fill certain roles for this team.

How about everyone show some support for your country and the players that are going to represent it??? BC just like 4 years ago, those of you that are talking bad about this team will be cheering your asses off when they are in the gold medal game again. Have faith.
- bigjersey3

Exactly.

Stepan has never been better than 51% on draws in his career. As a center you should one thing well. Win a faceoff. Combine that with lack of speed and lack of strength how does that make him an Olympian?
- tomburton99

I agree he's bad in the faceoff circle. However, that's something he can work on and I don't think he'll be asked to take too many important draws in the tournament anyway. As for his skating, he actually skates quite well. You just happen to be spoiled watching hagelin, mcdonagh, Kreider, and Moore skate every night.

Its argueable that OEL is theyre #1. Yandle can eat all the minutes he wants in the NHL. We are talking about a bigger stage. Hes a liability.

Faulk isnt undersized. Ryan Murphy is undersized. Faulk is listed at 6ft 215 lbs of mobile 2way defense.
- poisondhearts37

More than arguable. OEL is the best d-man on Phoenix for sure.

I agree he's bad in the faceoff circle. However, that's something he can work on and I don't think he'll be asked to take too many important draws in the tournament anyway. As for his skating, he actually skates quite well. You just happen to be spoiled watching hagelin, mcdonagh, Kreider, and Moore skate every night.
- mjh609

4 years a pro. All at center. Here is % by year

10/11: 38.5%. Excused cause he's a rookie right of college.

11/12: 44.5%

12/13: 45.8%

13/14: 44.8%

He's a good 2nd line Center. He had a very good year last year. But he still has problems keeping up with the pace of the game, because he skates poorly.

Let's not even compare him to other Olympians. Let's compare him to a peer who played College hockey. Tyler Bozak.

Tyler Bozak is having his worst year at the dot this year at 47%. But since he and Stepan have been in the league, Bozak has never been under 50%.

Buff is a minus 11. The lowest on the team.
- dab44lb

Plays a ton of minutes and handles the puck a lot. Thats always going to affect giveaways and +/-. Hate +/-. Such a subjective stat.