There is literally no possible way you can consider Team USA defence corps to be the best in the tourney.

Carlson, Faulk, Fowler, Martin, McDonagh, Orpik, Shattenkirk & Suter
vs
Doughty, Pieterangelo, Bouwmeester, Keith, Subban, Weber,Hamhuis & Vlasic

Team Canada's D has last year's Norris trophy winner, and 4 other legitimate #1/1A Dmen on any team in the NHL.

Know what I like?

Meat lovers pizza. mmmmmm.
- sanfordnson

With pinapple. Yummy.

I have to ask, why is my statement hilarious.

If I see a time when Canada does not win gold, world juniors, olympics, wourld tounrnaments, I see these dissapointment articles all over the place.

I dont know what me being American has to do with it either?
- ImThatGuy

It read as if you were insulting Canada. That outside of mens hockey, Canada was viewed as a failure. I see what you're saying now, I mistook it, my bad.

Eklund: Predicting the Olympics is all about the Goalies. Your Picks? +Rumor Update
- Eklund

It is relatively clear that Eklund doesn't have a clue.

Yea let us know how this balance works out for you on the big ice... What you just said would be exactly like me saying yea ohsie and backes are great two way players along with most of team usa their scoring abilitly is terrible and the only thing they will be trying to do all tournament is keep goals from going in instead of trying to score any. Kieth is a horrible defensemen and is all offense what was anyone thinking.
- blizzzard

Here's an idea: let's see what happens when they actually play the games. Cause no matter how you break this thread down, it's just a bunch of opinions.

Eklund: Predicting the Olympics is all about the Goalies. Your Picks? +Rumor Update
- Eklund

Give me a break. Of course goalies have large impact...but to say these games are all about who has the best goalie is a joke, Ek. The dominant teams have the dominant skaters.

There is literally no possible way you can consider Team USA defence corps to be the best in the tourney.

Carlson, Faulk, Fowler, Martin, McDonagh, Orpik, Shattenkirk & Suter
vs
Doughty, Pieterangelo, Bouwmeester, Keith, Subban, Weber,Hamhuis & Vlasic

Team Canada's D has last year's Norris trophy winner, and 4 other legitimate #1/1A Dmen on any team in the NHL.
- rmull905

Yes....and experience on their side as well. The argument is laughable.

Team Sweden looks scary. They almost scored twice shorthanded. I have no idea why the Czechs elected to start their non-NHL goalie.

Give me a break. Of course goalies have large impact...but to say these games are all about who has the best goalie is a joke, Ek. The dominant teams have the dominant skaters.
- nikoli1206

Well it can play a big part... Miller literally putting the team on his back to the finals

First, I love how everyone on these comments always loves to rip Eklund a new one. What's funny about it is that every single one of you come here to his rumor website, sign up for an account on his website, and early follow what he has to say.

Second, he clearly states that his opinion is that Canada's D corps is 1A. Meaning that in his opinion, Canada has the most talented defense, NOT the USA. You also have to keep in mind that Canada's defense is chock full of puck movers. That's great on the big ice surface, however, aside from Weber and Bouwmeester there aren't really any shutdown type defenders. They all move very well and can move the puck very well, but when it comes to clearing the porch...not so much. Team USA has a great balance of shutdown defenders and puck movers. Justin Faulk has been an absolute monster this year playing on a mediocre D corps.

In my opinion, Canada is the most talented in terms of offensive firepower and sheer talent. However, I have USA as the most balanced and suited to take on the firepower other teams have up front, especially in their own end.
- PucksOnPucks

ya, but you have to defend your own weird decision to actually pay for it

....

The majority of this debockle has to fall on Torts & there by Gillis for having hired him. His style of play, his system & personality has drerailed this team & their window has the potential to close quickly if Gillis can't retool on the fly. The lack of scoring depth is brutal. Thankfully Booth will be bought out.

Wouldn't a 3rd line fo Hodgson centering Grabner at LW & Raymond at RW have helped?
- striker777

I have to ask, what type of coach is suited to this team? They ran an offensive coach in AV out of town to bring in a disciplined, defensive coach in Torts. I thought they were doing fine for the first 35 games, but now you're right...they're (frank)ed.

Ek achieved exactly what he set out to do. Provoke a conversation there by adding hits, & a constant stream of opinions. These hits are money. Numerious other writers also use the shock technique to stimulate hits. It is what it is.

The best part of this site is the people that have a passion for the game that weigh in on the chat boards. I didn't use this option until I got so angry with a Clout's comment in 2012 that I had to respond. Although I had been following the site for years. The former bloggers for Edm & LA used this technique constantly as do many current bloggers on this site. Again it is what it is.

First, I love how everyone on these comments always loves to rip Eklund a new one. What's funny about it is that every single one of you come here to his rumor website, sign up for an account on his website, and early follow what he has to say.

Second, he clearly states that his opinion is that Canada's D corps is 1A. Meaning that in his opinion, Canada has the most talented defense, NOT the USA. You also have to keep in mind that Canada's defense is chock full of puck movers. That's great on the big ice surface, however, aside from Weber and Bouwmeester there aren't really any shutdown type defenders. They all move very well and can move the puck very well, but when it comes to clearing the porch...not so much. Team USA has a great balance of shutdown defenders and puck movers. Justin Faulk has been an absolute monster this year playing on a mediocre D corps.

In my opinion, Canada is the most talented in terms of offensive firepower and sheer talent. However, I have USA as the most balanced and suited to take on the firepower other teams have up front, especially in their own end.
- PucksOnPucks

Hey Eklund, alt accounts are in direct violation of the COC.

Eklund: Predicting the Olympics is all about the Goalies. Your Picks? +Rumor Update
- Eklund

This is a beauty:

"It is relatively clear the most talented defense is playing for America.
(although Canada is 1A in my opinion)"

Orpik
Fowler
Carlson
Shattenkirk
McDonagh
Suter
Faulk
Martin

Is better than

Weber
Doughty
Keith
Pietrangelo
Bouwmeester
Subban
Hamhuis
Vlasic

Almost as good - a team with Rask, Lehtonen, Niemi in net is #6!?
- 1979AD

Finns have the best goaltending combo on paper - how anyone can rate them #6 and not be a football or baseball writer bored during the offseason I don't know.

But who gets the best goaltending - ie. which guy gets "hot" is THE question.

Miller carried that US team to the goal-medal game and game them a situation where they could be anyone. They almost did.

So which goalie stands on his head among the favorites?

The other question / determining factor will be officiating... if this thing smells like the 1972 series then all bets are off... except in that situation you should take the over/under on the CCCP apologies / Russia winning gold.

- Reveen

seriously - excellent response.

This is a beauty:

"It is relatively clear the most talented defense is playing for America.
(although Canada is 1A in my opinion)"

Orpik
Fowler
Carlson
Shattenkirk
McDonagh
Suter
Faulk
Martin

Is better than

Weber
Doughty
Keith
Pietrangelo
Bouwmeester
Subban
Hamhuis
Vlasic

Almost as good - a team with Rask, Lehtonen, Niemi in net is #6!?
- 1979AD

As an American fan, the thing is that the U.S. has less talent than Canada so they have to have better defense to win. It's what we did last time and had success, until fracking Crosby in OT, so people are assuming the U.S. will continue it this time. The thing we have trouble admitting is that even though our roster actually improved from last time, we still do not stack up well enough against other teams to be considered a favorite for a medal.

Moulson for Horvat, Gaunce, Shinkaruk
~Garth
- ImThatGuy

Nope! Gillis has to lose a Big Contract already in line up...and trading for 2- 1st round picks.....from Last y r...lmao....yer joking right! Horvat & shinkaruk... and guance for Moulson....

I have to ask, what type of coach i suited to this team? They ran an offensive coach in AV out of town to bring in a disciplined, defensive coach in Torts. I thought they were doing fine for the first 35 games, but now you're right...they're (frank)ed.
- djamon

AV wasn't an offensive coach specificly. Playing in the weakest division in hockey for years paded there stats. They played an offensive system to start; essentially a conventional 2, 1, 2 under Vigneault but if you gave the Canucks a 2 goal lead, they went into a 1, 2, 2 immediately even 5 mins into the 1st period & it was worse than watching paint dry & games sometimes slipped away.

Under Torts it's worse than watching paint dry right out of the gate. He loves to play his stars & play them a ton but he plays a passive defensive system based on mistakes to generate offense & he loves to have his players box out the defensive zone & block shots as opposed to aggressively pursueing the puck. It's not fun to watch ever.

He preaches hard work, focus & control but doesn't practice it himself. Since his tirade the Canucks have been totally out of sinc. Torts isn't going any where soon. Gillis tied his wagon to this acquistion. Gillis will be gone before Torts so a new GM can start fresh.

Acqualini dropped the ball letting Nonis go & bringing in Gillis. Gillis has done a great job of getting players signed for reasonable money, although I believe Nonis achieved the same thing. Players like playing here but his trading & drafting record is brutal. Beyond brutal actually.

North Americans can't handle the big ice. Sweden-Russia finals, book it now.

Gold: Sweden
Silver: Russia
Bronze: USA
- TheJerseyDevil1

I love when people say "book it".

Rask might have a Cup but you obviously don't pay attention to Kari and the Stars. You put Kari behind the Boston D and I guarantee you he is regarded as a top 2 or 3 goalie in the league. I am not sure you could say the same about Rask if you put him in Dallas. It is not a no brainer. Give the Big Finn some love.

As an American fan, the thing is that the U.S. has less talent than Canada so they have to have better defense to win. It's what we did last time and had success, until fracking Crosby in OT, so people are assuming the U.S. will continue it this time. The thing we have trouble admitting is that even though our roster actually improved from last time, we still do not stack up well enough against other teams to be considered a favorite for a medal.
- PrustandGlory

The US has a good overall team.
Great forwards, good D, and a goalie that can steal the show.

As an American fan, the thing is that the U.S. has less talent than Canada so they have to have better defense to win. It's what we did last time and had success, until fracking Crosby in OT, so people are assuming the U.S. will continue it this time. The thing we have trouble admitting is that even though our roster actually improved from last time, we still do not stack up well enough against other teams to be considered a favorite for a medal.
- PrustandGlory

If it wasn't for Miller in that game it never would have gotten to OT.

The US has a good overall team.
Great forwards, good D, and a goalie that can steal the show.
- Fakepartofme

I actually think their forwards are terrible. I wonder how they're going to score enough to win against a top team.

Well Sweden is Titty-Franking the Czech's right now..

Pavalec isn't even dressed lol