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

And the juniors just lost to Canada.

And the juniors just lost to Canada.
- rmiethaner

As they have every year in the prelims for years, since I believe 1998. The junior plan as articulated by the broadcasters, who should know, is to build the skill of the US players from developmental levels on up. It seems to be working as the last two junior teams have quite a bit of speed with enough skill and defensive ability to hang in against the more talented Canadians. Canada also has 11 returning players to their junior team this year compared to our three yet we hung with them pretty nicely.

Bobby Ryan is better than half the guys who made the team.

The Americans are making the colossal mistake of bringing in third- and fourth-line type players, when in an Olympic tournament, you can really roll three offensive lines. You still need PK guys and a defensive fourth line, but you have to wonder who was smoking what to put Kesler, Stastny, Stepan, Pacioretty, Wheeler or Oshie on the team before Bobby Ryan.
- saul91

I'm pretty sure Kesler was one of the top US skaters last time around. He's exactly the type of player you want on the big surface.

Bobby Ryan is better than half the guys who made the team.

The Americans are making the colossal mistake of bringing in third- and fourth-line type players, when in an Olympic tournament, you can really roll three offensive lines. You still need PK guys and a defensive fourth line, but you have to wonder who was smoking what to put Kesler, Stastny, Stepan, Pacioretty, Wheeler or Oshie on the team before Bobby Ryan.
- saul91

I think I heard this a few years ago as well. Not. 100% sure but I think it was just before the last Olympics where we were one goal away from gold

As they have every year in the prelims for years, since I believe 1998. The junior plan as articulated by the broadcasters, who should know, is to build the skill of the US players from developmental levels on up. It seems to be working as the last two junior teams have quite a bit of speed with enough skill and defensive ability to hang in against the more talented Canadians. Canada also has 11 returning players to their junior team this year compared to our three yet we hung with them pretty nicely.
- BarryB1124

You realize all this means is that last year you had a team of 19 year olds against a team of 18 year olds right? (With the exception of Jones of course)

I'm pretty sure Kesler was one of the top US skaters last time around. He's exactly the type of player you want on the big surface.
- golfingsince

No kidding, he'll probably play the toughest minutes and be one of the high minute guys on the team. Dreger said he might even be the #1 center(not sure if he meant minute-wise, or playing on the top offensive line).

No kidding, he'll probably play the toughest minutes and be one of the high minute guys on the team. Dreger said he might even be the #1 center(not sure if he meant minute-wise, or playing on the top offensive line).
- Nucker101

Why can't Bobby Ryan be the #1 C ?

You realize all this means is that last year you had a team of 19 year olds against a team of 18 year olds right? (With the exception of Jones of course)
- Leafs43

Ok. And? The US is in that boat this year and they competed pretty well didn't they? Isn't that the point of the conversation? The US isn't and will never be Canada. But we are trying to narrow the gap. Last year's and this year's junior teams would indicate a trend toward a greater skill level that will hopefully translate to the future.

How is Tim Gleason not on this team??

I didn't say Bernier should make it...I said he's been better than Schneider. Your claim that the US is so deep in net simply because Schneider was left off is wrong, IMO.

And Bernier and Schneider have had virtually the same career to this point.
- djamon

Schneider has a career .926 SV%. That's phenomenal.

Bernier wasn't anything more than a backup and hadn't played over 25 games prior to this year. (no shot at Bernier, he's great)

I don't consider them virtually the same.

Schneider>Luongo, Smith, and arguably Price. I imagine one would be hard pressed to find many sane people that think the US doesn't have stronger goaltending than Canada.

So you think Stepan is an olympian? Honestly? You think he can compete or keep up with the like of Crosby, Oveckin, The Sedins, etc and do you thin a guy currently at 44.8% on faceoffs will win key faceoffs against Bergeron, Backstrom, Koivu etc. You're an idiot.
- tomburton99

I like Ranger fans when they are honest.

It's good you point out Faceoff %, Im pretty sure KO has a higher statistical career Faceoff % than Stepan.

I won't be surprised when this team takes 4th, Poile and Bylsma trying to ice a grit team will come back to bite them. I don't think some of these players are good for the bigger ice, but well aee

I like Ranger fans when they are honest.

It's good you point out Faceoff %, Im pretty sure KO has a higher statistical career Faceoff % than Stepan.

I won't be surprised when this team takes 4th, Poile and Bylsma trying to ice a grit team will come back to bite them. I don't think some of these players are good for the bigger ice, but well aee
- Danformo

Yeah but Okposo hasn't played center in years now. The Wings are a crowded position for Team USA. Plus Ryan is better than both Stepan and Okposo.

As they have every year in the prelims for years, since I believe 1998. The junior plan as articulated by the broadcasters, who should know, is to build the skill of the US players from developmental levels on up. It seems to be working as the last two junior teams have quite a bit of speed with enough skill and defensive ability to hang in against the more talented Canadians. Canada also has 11 returning players to their junior team this year compared to our three yet we hung with them pretty nicely.
- BarryB1124

The US model isn't without its flaws though. Namely, they rarely bring in a guy that can put a team on its back when things aren't going well. They're deep, but only effective when firing on all cylinders. If one part is even a little defective, they tend to fall apart.

It's what happened the other day against Canada, and in 2012 in Alberta.

I think I heard this a few years ago as well. Not. 100% sure but I think it was just before the last Olympics where we were one goal away from gold
- Zmloste

I don't get the "don't criticize the players taken this year because of 2010 silver medal" crowd.

Does anyone remember Ryan Miller having one of the best goalie performances in Olympic history? That sure made management look like a bunch of geniuses with who they picked. Miller was the MVP of the tournament despite winning silver with a save percentage of .946 and an GAA of 1.35.

I don't get the "don't criticize the players taken this year because of 2010 silver medal" crowd.

Does anyone remember Ryan Miller having one of the best goalie performances in Olympic history? That sure made management look like a bunch of geniuses with who they picked. Miller was the MVP of the tournament despite winning silver with a save percentage of .946 and an GAA of 1.35.
- GSDIV

He's the reason why they didn't win gold. Couldn't make the easiest save of the tournament.

He's the reason why they didn't win gold. Couldn't make the easiest save of the tournament.
- tomburton99

He made 36 saves in that game, first time they played Canada he made 42. The only reason they were in the gold medal game was because of Ryan Miller.

Edit:Full disclosure I hate the Sabres, and I don't like Miller either. But I'm not going to rewrite history and say the team played awesome in front of him every game and he let in a softy to lose the tournament.

He made 36 saves in that game, first time they played Canada he made 42. The only reason they were in the gold medal game was because of Ryan Miller.
- GSDIV

They first game against Canada they scored 5 goals. In the semifinal they beat Finland 6-1. Don't tell me Ryan Miller got them to a gold medal game. He had tons of help. Plus the only reason the game got to OT was because Zach Parise scored one of the biggest goals in US hockey history. Ryan Miller blew that game and a gold medal because he couldn't make a routine save.

He made 36 saves in that game, first time they played Canada he made 42. The only reason they were in the gold medal game was because of Ryan Miller.

Edit:Full disclosure I hate the Sabres, and I don't like Miller either. But I'm not going to rewrite history and say the team played awesome in front of him every game and he let in a softy to lose the tournament.
- GSDIV

He's not the reason they got to the gold medal game, but he is the reason he won their group that year, which paved the way to getting there.

They first game against Canada they scored 5 goals. In the semifinal they beat Finland 6-1. Don't tell me Ryan Miller got them to a gold medal game. He had tons of help. Plus the only reason the game got to OT was because Zach Parise scored one of the biggest goals in US hockey history. Ryan Miller blew that game and a gold medal because he couldn't make a routine save.
- tomburton99

Ryan Miller was the only reason the USA even sniffed the gold medal. Parise doesnt get to score that goal to push it to OT if Miller is anything but spectacular in that gold medal game.

Ryan Miller was the only reason the USA even sniffed the gold medal. Parise doesnt get to score that goal to push it to OT if Miller is anything but spectacular in that gold medal game.
- Leafs43

Miller made 36 saves. Luongo made 34. Both team were on par with each other. They only reason that USA doesn't have a gold medal is cause Ryan Miller decided to have brain fart on one of these shots he's faced in his career.

Miller made 36 saves. Luongo made 34. Both team were on par with each other. They only reason that USA doesn't have a gold medal is cause Ryan Miller decided to have brain fart on one of these shots he's faced in his career.
- tomburton99

You're assuming the US would have turned around and scored. Kessel hit a post in OT before that. There are a number of variables there.

They first game against Canada they scored 5 goals. In the semifinal they beat Finland 6-1. Don't tell me Ryan Miller got them to a gold medal game. He had tons of help. Plus the only reason the game got to OT was because Zach Parise scored one of the biggest goals in US hockey history. Ryan Miller blew that game and a gold medal because he couldn't make a routine save.
- tomburton99

We'll just disagree about how important Miller was then.

Miller made 36 saves. Luongo made 34. Both team were on par with each other. They only reason that USA doesn't have a gold medal is cause Ryan Miller decided to have brain fart on one of these shots he's faced in his career.
- tomburton99

What are you trying to prove here?

Miller made 36 saves. Luongo made 34. Both team were on par with each other. They only reason that USA doesn't have a gold medal is cause Ryan Miller decided to have brain fart on one of these shots he's faced in his career.
- tomburton99

Are you just trying to argue that Miller wasn't important? That he was just some schmo goalie who happened to be riding out a powerful situation like Luongo and Brodeur even though Brodeur lost?

What are you trying to prove here?
- TheSabresTaco

That people think Ryan Miller had to carry that 2010 team. When in reality that wasn't the case. The goalie of that tournament was Luongo.