Exactly, which is why the "Ryan is as good as kessel" argument is a dumb one.
- mjh609

ryan is putting up almost the exact same numbers this year with turris and macarthur as his linemates.........are you telling me those are elite players? people have been telling sens fans all season that those guys are incredibly overrated, so ryan must be doing something right.

but please, continue with your argument that is based on stupidity, rather than fact.

kessel and parise have been playing with guys like lupul, JVR, kovalchuk, etc........you're right, those guys SUCK

and for the record (and i'm assuming you don't know this, cuz you seem pretty dumb) ryan spent about half his playing time in anaheim away from getzlaf and perry, including most of his time on the 2nd PP unit.
- sensarmy_11

Lupul and jvr were just not very good before they went to Toronto(and started playing with kessel.) and yeah, you're right, Kovalchuk was an awesome playmaker. I'm sure some of his 400465749 shots a year were actually intended to be passes to parise.

ryan is putting up almost the exact same numbers this year with turris and macarthur as his linemates.........are you telling me those are elite players? people have been telling sens fans all season that those guys are incredibly overrated, so ryan must be doing something right.

but please, continue with your argument that is based on stupidity, rather than fact.
- sensarmy_11

Ryan would be USAs third best scorer and Okposo would be there 4th best scorer. How these guys are not on this team is beyond me.

Not sure what you mean. Most of my mother's family lobes in Quebec City and the rest live in Ottawa. Maybe they can explain this stereotype I'm not aware of.


I wasn't trying to start fight but that guy was coming off as a major douche. Being extremely arrogant and it was annoying.
- mjh609

you clearly havent' read your posts have you? i wasn't being disrespectful or rude, i was simply having a rational conversation about hockey players. you were the one who started talking about smacking it to hockey jerseys.

before you start saying other people are acting like d-bags, perhaps you should look in the mirror.....and then slap yourself.

ryan is putting up almost the exact same numbers this year with turris and macarthur as his linemates.........are you telling me those are elite players? people have been telling sens fans all season that those guys are incredibly overrated, so ryan must be doing something right.

but please, continue with your argument that is based on stupidity, rather than fact.
- sensarmy_11

Sure, while you continue to be a blind homer.

Ryan would be USAs third best scorer and Okposo would be there 4th best scorer. How these guys are not on this team is beyond me.
- mighty13duck

So Canada is going to ice theyre top 12 scoring forwards?

Ryan would be USAs third best scorer and Okposo would be there 4th best scorer. How these guys are not on this team is beyond me.
- mighty13duck

Okposo has been good for all of 2 months in his NHL career.

So Canada is going to ice theyre top 12 scoring forwards?
- poisondhearts37

Canada is different they have players that can actually score. USA is filled with very good second and third liners. Having a few players that can score wouldn't hurt, especially against teams like Canada and Russia

Okposo has been good for all of 2 months in his NHL career.
- mjh609

That's not true at all.

ryan is putting up almost the exact same numbers this year with turris and macarthur as his linemates.........are you telling me those are elite players? people have been telling sens fans all season that those guys are incredibly overrated, so ryan must be doing something right.

but please, continue with your argument that is based on stupidity, rather than fact.
- sensarmy_11

So? Kessel is over PPG the last two years with Bozak. Hell, he once got 64 points with a terrible version of Bozak in his second season and Joey Crabb.

Of course Sens fans will concentrate on Kessel. Leaving Kessel out of Team U.S.A on the big ice would be insane.

Kessel is the NHl's 3rd highest scorer the past 3 seasons. Half a season of Ryan "Almost" scoring as much does not make him as good.

So Canada is going to ice theyre top 12 scoring forwards?
- poisondhearts37

This is the point. They assembled a team. Not the top USA born NHL point leaders.

Canada is different they have players that can actually score. USA is filled with very good second and third liners. Having a few players that can score wouldn't hurt, especially against teams like Canada and Russia
- mighty13duck

I dont really think anyone is scared of Russia. But putting a team together isnt based on getting goal scorers. We're icing a team of players who score timely goals. Its clear why Ryan didnt make the team. Because Kessle made it and JVR made it. With Kane, Kessle at the top RW's. Ryan doesnt fit. KO could fit into a bottom role. But Wheeler is bigger stronger and faster and has the exp to. That leave KO for the 4th line which they obviously decided they would rather have other guys. If Ryan was a natural LW he would prolly of made this team.

So? Kessel is over PPG the last two years with Bozak. Hell, he once got 64 points with a terrible version of Bozak in his second season and Joey Crabb.

Of course Sens fans will concentrate on Kessel. Leaving Kessel out of Team U.S.A on the big ice would be insane.

Kessel is the NHl's 3rd highest scorer the past 3 seasons. Half a season of Ryan "Almost" scoring as much does not make him as good.
- RogerRoeper

who said to leave kessel off the team......i never said leave him off the team. the guy is a great player. i was saying that ryan is also a great player, and deserves to be there just as much.

if kessel were left off the team, i would think that was also insane.

This is the point. They assembled a team. Not the top USA born NHL point leaders.
- gobluenotes

No they assembled a group of Favorites. Stepan, Paciretty, one of Martin or Orpik(Martin is my vote) and Faulk should not be on this team. Ryan, Yandle, Buff and somebody like Dubinsky, Cullen or Galchenyuk should have been named. Joke.

Lupul and jvr were just not very good before they went to Toronto(and started playing with kessel.) and yeah, you're right, Kovalchuk was an awesome playmaker. I'm sure some of his 400465749 shots a year were actually intended to be passes to parise.
- mjh609

just stop man, please, it hurts me to think that there is someone out there who's this clueless

It's worth pointing out a few things here. First off, team USA consciously chose a team over stats guys in 2010 and it worked out well. Next, they deliberately and clearly chose either speed guys or grit/defense guys...and in many cases guys who bring the total package. People are acting like Wheeler is garbage. He was a top 5 pick himself. He's big, he can score, and he's much faster than Ryan and plays a way more complete game. Stepan is fast, outstanding defensively and played great in the World Juniors in 2010.

People are saying this is political? Nonsense. Hockey is won by having as much versatility as you can. To narrow the gap vs. Canada you need intangibles and versatility. The defense is the same principle. Fowler has tremendous raw skills...the kind that should show more on the larger ice surface. Martin is excellent defensively and can skate. Johnson got left off because he sleepwalks through games and Yandle got left off because he is not as good defensively as the guys picked...with the possible exception of Fowler, but Fowler's talent makes him a logical choice on the ice surface.

Bottom line, you aren't beating Canada by winning a pond hockey type of game. You have a chance with structure and teamwork. Remember also, the team assembles 72 hours before they start to play. It's important to get guys who they feel can assimilate quickly.

No they assembled a group of Favorites. Stepan, Paciretty, one of Martin or Orpik(Martin is my vote) and Faulk should not be on this team. Ryan, Yandle, Buff and somebody like Dubinsky, Cullen or Galchenyuk should have been named. Joke.
- tomburton99

Finally a Ranger fan says it the way it is. SOme of you guys think you have an allegiance to some players. (No offense) This team is not built to win and we will find out soon enough.

It's worth pointing out a few things here. First off, team USA consciously chose a team over stats guys in 2010 and it worked out well. Next, they deliberately and clearly chose either speed guys or grit/defense guys...and in many cases guys who bring the total package. People are acting like Wheeler is garbage. He was a top 5 pick himself. He's big, he can score, and he's much faster than Ryan and plays a way more complete game. Stepan is fast, outstanding defensively and played great in the World Juniors in 2010.

People are saying this is political? Nonsense. Hockey is won by having as much versatility as you can. To narrow the gap vs. Canada you need intangibles and versatility. The defense is the same principle. Fowler has tremendous raw skills...the kind that should show more on the larger ice surface. Martin is excellent defensively and can skate. Johnson got left off because he sleepwalks through games and Yandle got left off because he is not as good defensively as the guys picked...with the possible exception of Fowler, but Fowler's talent makes him a logical choice on the ice surface.
- BarryB1124

Stepan is not fast at all.

Ok LA Kings fan, do tell us why, with that sparkling gaa and sv% on such a good team.
- TheSabresTaco

Well according to the guy that sat in on all the discussions about the roster, Miller was #3 until just recently, and from the start they have said that Quick is the starter they want.

I'll pull a few quotes from the article:

First in the summer:

The assumption is that Los Angeles Kings netminder Jonathan Quick will be the starter in Sochi given his elite play the past three years, a period that includes a Vezina Trophy nomination, a Stanley Cup championship and a playoff MVP award.

But what then?

Craig Anderson has put up tremendous numbers and established himself as a top-tier netminder in Ottawa the past two years and it soon becomes clear that the belief is Anderson and Detroit netminder Jimmy Howard are locked in a battle for the second spot on the goaltending roster.

That leaves Miller, the MVP of the '10 Olympics and catalyst to the American success, and Cory Schneider as the two netminders needing to somehow influence the selection group and change The Board. Because as this day ends, they are the two men on the outside looking in

Two weeks into the season:

"The goaltending reports have actually been really good on all five of the guys. The current feeling is Jonathan Quick is going to be on our team. I think he's the guy. I think it's what we felt in the summer," Poile says.

That means it's a four-man race for the other two spots with Jimmy Howard, Craig Anderson, Ryan Miller and Cory Schneider in the hunt for the two spots

Two months in the season

In goal, despite Jonathan Quick's statistically uneven start to the season, he remains the man at the top of the U.S. pyramid with Jimmy Howard second and Ryan Miller third.

Cory Schneider was out with a minor injury and hadn't played enough to provide a consistent body of work that would dislodge Miller at the third spot.

Craig Anderson was hurt the night before the call (a neck injury, although not deemed serious), but he hasn't played all that well for an inconsistent Ottawa team.

Again the issue of chemistry is raised, and Poile reiterates that in spite of the fact Schneider might be '"the perfect" No. 3 goalie because of his easygoing disposition, he does not want to risk "chemistry" for playing ability.

"If it's my decision I want to take the best three goaltenders," he says.

Brian Burke speaks up on behalf of Miller, whom he's seen multiple times.

"He's been outstanding. Their team is a train wreck. He's seeing a lot of rubber," Burke says. "He's been magnificent. I think the worst job right now would be the starting goaltender in Buffalo."

When Bishop came into discussion:

There is strong consensus that Jonathan Quick and Jimmy Howard will be the two U.S. goaltenders, even though Quick has not been at his best, Poile says.

"I feel like he's the best American goalie at this point," he says.

That belief will be put to the test later that evening when Quick goes down with a groin injury, one that will keep him out of action for weeks, until the eve of the team's selection.

Ryan Miller has been very good, while Cory Schneider was hurt and hasn't played as much so the body of work isn't there. Craig Anderson, likewise, was hurt, and is now sharing time with Robin Lehner in the Ottawa net and hasn't been on top of his game.

For the first time at these meetings, Tampa's Ben Bishop's name comes up in any meaningful way.

He's been very good, "fabulous record. And we're not really giving him much love at all," Poile notes.

Don Waddell speaks up in Bishop's support, having seen him a couple of times.

There is some discussion about attitudes. Who might best slot into the third role, but Poile comes back to the basic tenet that has driven this discussion from the beginning: "I want to have the three best goalies," he says.

Waddell recalls that even when Bishop was pulled at the World Championships last spring he was a terrific teammate.
"I'm not pushing him ahead of Miller," Waddell says.

And so Bishop's name appears, written in magic marker, as the sixth American netminder.

"I'd have him ahead of Schneider and Anderson," Waddell says.

And just like that Bishop's name moves ahead of Anderson's on The Board.

A little later on in the process on November 25th:

Although Los Angeles GM Dean Lombardi isn't on this call, there remains consensus that Kings netminder Jonathan Quick is still the top U.S. goalie in spite of a groin injury that will keep him out of the lineup until after Christmas.

Lombardi has told Poile that Quick should be 100 percent and ready to go right after the NHL's holiday break.

"If that's the case he should be in good form for the Olympics," Poile says.

Beyond Quick there has been a subtle change in thinking, though, as Ryan Miller appears to have moved ahead of Jimmy Howard to occupy the No. 2 spot in the pecking order with Howard dropping to three, ahead of Cory Schneider and Craig Anderson.
Schneider has played well, and there was a feeling he needed to be scouted further to see if he might overtake Howard, whose own play had been uneven in Detroit.

Ray Shero suggests he would have Howard and Schneider as a 3A and 3B.

"I think Schneider's going to pass him when we finish this process," Burke says. "One guy's going south slowly and another guy's coming north hard."

Closer to the deadline now:

After further consultation with the coaching staff, the unanimous decision is that Jonathan Quick, still injured, and Ryan Miller will be the top two goaltenders for the team in Sochi.

Lombardi indicates Quick is recovering from his groin injury on the timetable expected and he should rejoin the Kings by the end of December.

"Anybody have anything different that they would want to say on those two guys," Poile asks.

There is none.

"We're now getting into more of a race for the third position," Poile adds.

Indeed Jimmy Howard, once in the driver's seat for one of the top two spots, has now let his play fall off so dramatically he has been overtaken in many people's eyes by Cory Schneider, whose numbers have been solid. Still, there is a faction favoring Howard given his playoff experience with Detroit and Schneider's relative inexperience.

Poile suggests it's of critical importance how Howard responds between this meeting and the end of December. If Howard doesn't play better, "I would think we would want to name the guy that's playing the best," Poile says.

"Is Howard going to play again? The other guy's got the net," Burke says, referring to backup Jonas Gustavsson, who has at least temporarily replaced Howard. The question is a prophetic one as a few days after the meeting ends and before the next group conference call, the Red Wings announce Howard will be shut down for a month with injury and won't play again before the U.S. team is announced.

Few days after that:

The group still agree Jonathan Quick, who is still injured, and Ryan Miller will be the top two netminders on this team.

At the moment Jimmy Howard is the third goalie by a nose, Poile says.

"It used to be a lot more than that," he notes.

And the final decision:

Jimmy Howard, set to return from injury and indeed scheduled to play the afternoon of Jan. 1 before the U.S. men's team would be announced, would be the third goaltender behind Jonathan Quick and Ryan Miller in spite of a mediocre first half to the season.

Throughout the article there's one constant theme in regards to the goalies. Quick is who they want. If it happens or not we'll see, but at this time, again according to the article which has the best insight to what they're thinking at this time, it's Quick's job to lose. You can throw whatever stats or reasoning you want, but that's the thought process going on from the guys who call the shots.

Lupul and jvr were just not very good before they went to Toronto(and started playing with kessel.) and yeah, you're right, Kovalchuk was an awesome playmaker. I'm sure some of his 400465749 shots a year were actually intended to be passes to parise.
- mjh609

Lupul has always been a good player. JVR was one the rise in Philly. Was having a good go before he got hurt to. Now hes given a shot playing some good players.

Stepan is not fast at all.
- mighty13duck

You're wrong. Though I guess it depends on your definition of fast. He's not Gretzky. But he's certainly fast enough to keep pace in an international game. Most importantly he is good in all three zones. He's certainly got good enough mobility. Heaven knows he isn't getting by on size.

It's worth pointing out a few things here. First off, team USA consciously chose a team over stats guys in 2010 and it worked out well. Next, they deliberately and clearly chose either speed guys or grit/defense guys...and in many cases guys who bring the total package. People are acting like Wheeler is garbage. He was a top 5 pick himself. He's big, he can score, and he's much faster than Ryan and plays a way more complete game. Stepan is fast, outstanding defensively and played great in the World Juniors in 2010.

People are saying this is political? Nonsense. Hockey is won by having as much versatility as you can. To narrow the gap vs. Canada you need intangibles and versatility. The defense is the same principle. Fowler has tremendous raw skills...the kind that should show more on the larger ice surface. Martin is excellent defensively and can skate. Johnson got left off because he sleepwalks through games and Yandle got left off because he is not as good defensively as the guys picked...with the possible exception of Fowler, but Fowler's talent makes him a logical choice on the ice surface.

Bottom line, you aren't beating Canada by winning a pond hockey type of game. You have a chance with structure and teamwork. Remember also, the team assembles 72 hours before they start to play. It's important to get guys who they feel can assimilate quickly.
- BarryB1124

Stepan played on North american Ice surface in 2010. His ability to think the game well and Hockey IQ made up for his lack of speed and poor faceoff ability.

You're wrong.
- BarryB1124

No, unfortunately he's not.

You're wrong.
- BarryB1124

No I am not. Hes actually pretty slow.

I guess we have different definitions of fast. He's not Kreider. Or Hagelin. That doesn't make him slow. He's certainly a better skater than Ryan.

Ryane Clowe...is slow.