More than arguable. OEL is the best d-man on Phoenix for sure.
- BarryB1124

Without a doubt. Just watch Phoenix p[lay a game sometime. OEL is butter.

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

19 out of the 29 Jets that qualify are a minus. "Plus/Minus is a team stat. Plus/Minus is overrated." I'ver heard it all, on this site.

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

Thank you.

Thank you.
- tomburton99

YAY! Someone agreed with me!

YAY! Someone agreed with me!
- Blueshirt44

Still annoyed that based on facts, Yandle and Buff should be Olympians. It's ok I know facts are out of the realm of this discussion. It's just about favorites and blind hatred.

19 out of the 29 Jets that qualify are a minus. "Plus/Minus is a team stat. Plus/Minus is overrated." I'ver heard it all, on this site.
- tomburton99

The thing that was missed is, the "Number 1" defenseman on the Winnipeg Jets has the worst +/- on his team.

I don't love the stat either...but worst is still worst.

YAY! Someone agreed with me!
- Blueshirt44

Its true though.

The thing that was missed is, the "Number 1" defenseman on the Winnipeg Jets has the worst +/- on his team.

I don't love the stat either...but worst is still worst.
- Blueshirt44

Is the Western conference not light years ahead of the East? Buff faces better teams night in and night out. And I doubt that he's the sole reason why he's the worst +/- on that team.

Still annoyed that based on facts, Yandle and Buff should be Olympians. It's ok I know facts are out of the realm of this discussion. It's just about favorites and blind hatred.
- tomburton99

What "FACTS" dictate that? Your facts, which are ignorant of the fact that, for defensemen, Buff and Yandle are really good bricklayers?

You still cannot come up with an American center that should be there instead of Stepan.

I don't hate anyone. I also am not blind, since I can see what you are writing very well. I also am not talking about favorites. I want the BEST TEAM for the USA at the Olympics...I believe in the guys that chose this team far more then I do some guys posting on a message board.

That isn't hate...it's common sense.

What "FACTS" dictate that? Your facts, which are ignorant of the fact that, for defensemen, Buff and Yandle are really good bricklayers?

You still cannot come up with an American center that should be there instead of Stepan.

I don't hate anyone. I also am not blind, since I can see what you are writing very well. I also am not talking about favorites. I want the BEST TEAM for the USA at the Olympics...I believe in the guys that chose this team far more then I do some guys posting on a message board.

That isn't hate...it's common sense.
- Blueshirt44

But plus/minus is the end all, be all stat. Right

American centers better suited for a 5th center role. Dubi and Cullen

But plus/minus is the end all, be all stat. Right

American centers better suited for a 5th center role. Dubi and Cullen
- tomburton99

I did not say that. I said that Buff and Yandle are just not good defensemen. Again, I LIKE them both as players, but I do not believe they fit with this team, and what they are trying to do. If we were choosing an All-Star team, then yes, they should be there. But, in a tournament where defense for the USA will be KEY...they don't fit.

I like Dubi...he could not sniff a spot on this team. Stepan is a better player by far. Dubi would also take far too many penalties. Cullen is 37 years old, and if you hadn't mentioned him, I would never in a million years think of him as a player on an Olympic team.

Numbers aside, I'm thinking Buff is simply a guy they didn't trust as much as the guys they picked. I mean, everyone knows the guy puts up offensive numbers. Obviously the committee does too. So what's left to wonder about in regard to why he wasn't picked? He's had a poor defensive reputation for much of his career but it's possible he has improved. I remember being taken aback watching them play and seeing him on the PK earlier. Looking at the bottom end guys Martin is extremely reliable, Orpik is a rock defensively and Carlson has a history with the WJC, and is extremely mobile himself. Do we want a guy on the other hand who may not have his head on a swivel every second of even strength play? I'd rather not chance that.

It's also important to remember that Stepan and Faulk are young guys who may not make the 18 who dress. They may very well be in a position where they are being groomed for the future of USA hockey. In the case of Stepan or Faulk we are talking bubble positions where it makes sense to take a younger guy if the guy isn't going to play that much.

I did not say that. I said that Buff and Yandle are just not good defensemen. Again, I LIKE them both as players, but I do not believe they fit with this team, and what they are trying to do. If we were choosing an All-Star team, then yes, they should be there. But, in a tournament where defense for the USA will be KEY...they don't fit.

I like Dubi...he could not sniff a spot on this team. Stepan is a better player by far. Dubi would also take far too many penalties. Cullen is 37 years old, and if you hadn't mentioned him, I would never in a million years think of him as a player on an Olympic team.
- Blueshirt44

Stepan an Dubi have almost the exact same stat line this year. They both have 7 goals and 18 assist. Dubi has 7 less games played while playing more minutes per game, taking less shifts and has been a better special teams player. If Dubi can't sniff it than neither can Stepan.

When you make your assessments of Buff and Yandle, how much is based on boxscores and how much is based on film study? As a fan of a Western Conference team, I see a lot of Buff and Yandle. I also use NHL gamecenter to scout upcoming opponents. They are really outstanding offensive players but defensively they are a huge liability.

smh what a joke (frank) burke and shero

When you make your assessments of Buff and Yandle, how much is based on boxscores and how much is based on film study? As a fan of a Western Conference team, I see a lot of Buff and Yandle. I also use NHL gamecenter to scout upcoming opponents. They are really outstanding offensive players but defensively they are a huge liability.
- dab44lb

Yandle was good enough to make the 2009-10 USA team that played in 2010 World Championships. That was before his 59 and 43 point season. What changed from then until now? Nothing, Yanlde has gotten better. He was robbed by Martin and Faulk.

When you make your assessments of Buff and Yandle, how much is based on boxscores and how much is based on film study? As a fan of a Western Conference team, I see a lot of Buff and Yandle. I also use NHL gamecenter to scout upcoming opponents. They are really outstanding offensive players but defensively they are a huge liability.
- dab44lb

I was going to make this point as well. Most people here just look up the stat lines and draw their conclusions from that, knowing that they can back up their argument with their "facts" (stats)

Stepan an Dubi have almost the exact same stat line this year. They both have 7 goals and 18 assist. Dubi has 7 less games played while playing more minutes per game, taking less shifts and has been a better special teams player. If Dubi can't sniff it than neither can Stepan.
- tomburton99

Dubinsky would put us on the penalty kill far too many times. I like Dubinsky, as he was one of my favorite players on the Rangers. But, in saying that, I personally would have a player like Stepan over Dubi. That is my preference...and it was the preference of the guys choosing the team. If Stepan got hurt, I would bet Saad would get picked up for the team over Dubinsky, and Bobby Ryan.

I just want our team to win...I don't care about team loyalties, or player loyalties even. If Dubinsky gave us a better chance of winning, I would be all for it As a matter of fact, I thought if anyone should have been left off the team, it should have been Callahan, because he has been hurt so much this year. They thought Cally would help us win, so I accept it.

Yandle was good enough to make the 2009-10 USA team that played in 2010 World Championships. That was before his 59 and 43 point season. What changed from then until now? Nothing, Yanlde has gotten better. He was robbed by Martin and Faulk.
- tomburton99

What changed? This is the Olympics, where the best players in the world are playing, not the best junior players. Also, he never learned how to play defense...which is part of his job.

What changed? This is the Olympics, where the best players in the world are playing, not the best junior players. Also, he never learned how to play defense...which is part of his job.
- Blueshirt44

Not the World Juniors, he made the Worlds which NHLers play in after the season ends. Yandle never played on WJC team. He was good enough to a + player for years running.

Not the World Juniors, he made the Worlds which NHLers play in after the season ends. Yandle never played on WJC team. He was good enough to a + player for years running.
- tomburton99

We are not going to outscore teams in the Olympics. We need to keep them from scoring...which means we need good to great defensive players. Martin is a much better defensive player than both Buff and Yandle. Faulk probably will not even play, but neither would Buff or Yandle, because of their defensive liabilities.

We will just have to agree to disagree, because nothing we write here will change their minds. All I can say is I will support this team, and my country. I like the makeup of this team, and I think we have a real shot at the gold.

We are not going to outscore teams in the Olympics. We need to keep them from scoring...which means we need good to great defensive players. Martin is a much better defensive player than both Buff and Yandle. Faulk probably will not even play, but neither would Buff or Yandle, because of their defensive liabilities.

We will just have to agree to disagree, because nothing we write here will change their minds. All I can say is I will support this team, and my country. I like the makeup of this team, and I think we have a real shot at the gold.
- Blueshirt44

X_____________________________

We are not going to outscore teams in the Olympics. We need to keep them from scoring...which means we need good to great defensive players. Martin is a much better defensive player than both Buff and Yandle. Faulk probably will not even play, but neither would Buff or Yandle, because of their defensive liabilities.

We will just have to agree to disagree, because nothing we write here will change their minds. All I can say is I will support this team, and my country. I like the makeup of this team, and I think we have a real shot at the gold.
- Blueshirt44

I want them to win Gold too. But I don't think they can when 3 of their best players are at home.

You REALLY think this US team, leaving a slew of their best players off the roster in favor of "grinder" type players.....on the big ice.....is good?

Canada tried it in 2006, with arguably a more talented roster than this team, and got their asses handed to them
- sensarmy_11

I guess we'll find out, now won't we. Seems to be going well for the juniors.

I want them to win Gold too. But I don't think they can when 3 of their best players are at home.
- tomburton99

I hear a lot of this "best players" crap. Fill me in. What makes a player the "best"? And if you say offensive ability, you should consider taking a look at the bigger picture. The Americans are not built like the Canadians. They'll be rolling 4 scoring lines no doubt. The Americans are not superior in offensive skill. For that reason, we need quick and defensively reliable players. Bobby Ryan needs to be better than kessel, JVR, Kane And Parise. JVR has a few less points but is a better skater and penalty killer. Ryan is not a checking line forward. If I need to make arguments for the other "snubbed " players, I will.

The "best" players vary per position on each and every line.