USA Olympic team selection thread.

[Johnnydollaz89]

Please over Quick
He has been out with injury 1/2 the season so far. No need to get him hurt or let him near Russian vodka

I say let him by the Russian vodka! Haha, but seriously, think Miller will be the starter.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

I would laugh if they name Howard the starter.

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

I would laugh if they name Howard the starter.

No chance.

 

[Superdeluxe]

Can't believe Yandle didn't make it. And No Okposo?

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

Can't believe Yandle didn't make it. And No Okposo?

Yandle surprises me, Okposo, not so much. What winger would you honestly put him over?

On Twitter last night, Islander fans were fighting over Stepan being in over him, which clearly doesn't make any sense since Okposo plays RW and Stepan is a C.

 

[pixburgher66]

Yandle surprises me, Okposo, not so much. What winger would you honestly put him over?

On Twitter last night, Islander fans were fighting over Stepan being in over him, which clearly doesn't make any sense since Okposo plays RW and Stepan is a C.

That was part of the reason Ryan didn't make it too. They wanted 5 C, spots for wings were just limited.

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

That was part of the reason Ryan didn't make it too. They wanted 5 C, spots for wings were just limited.

Isn't one winger I would take out for Okposo. But that's just me, it's not about how many points you put up. More so how you will fit the system, heard today that Poile said Callahan may play in the top 6 and as a Rangers fan, I don't even agree with that. Put him on a ling with Brown/Backes and Oshie and reke havoc on opposing teams.

 

[Cobiemonster]

Swap Blake Wheeler for Bobby Ryan, Max Pacioretty for Kyle Okposo and Cam Fowler for Keith Yandle and the team is instantly better

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Not sure why everyone is down on Blake Wheeler. He has a good case. They should've included Bishop, Yandle, Ryan, & Okposo tho.

 

[Comeds]

Swap Blake Wheeler for Bobby Ryan, Max Pacioretty for Kyle Okposo and Cam Fowler for Keith Yandle and the team is instantly better

Pacioretty has been just as good as Okposo the last few years with arguably less offensive talent around around him. Strong fast winger with good hands, he certainly wont hurt the team.

Not sure why everyone is down on Blake Wheeler. He has a good case.

I agree, hes having a good year. So often these teams get picked by what players have done in previous tournaments or in previous years. Wheeler has been hot all year, why not see if it carries over into the Olympics?

 

[pixburgher66]

Isn't one winger I would take out for Okposo. But that's just me, it's not about how many points you put up. More so how you will fit the system, heard today that Poile said Callahan may play in the top 6 and as a Rangers fan, I don't even agree with that. Put him on a ling with Brown/Backes and Oshie and reke havoc on opposing teams.

I was thinking a line of Brown-Backes-Oshie would be devestating. That'd be a great line to go against others top lines too. FYI: Sidney Crosby loathes Backes. Not friendly on the ice.

 

[SLY]

I hope it's US/CAN in the final again and we demolish them. Yep.

 

[element1286]

Pacioretty has been just as good as Okposo the last few years with arguably less offensive talent around around him. Strong fast winger with good hands, he certainly wont hurt the team.



I agree, hes having a good year. So often these teams get picked by what players have done in previous tournaments or in previous years. Wheeler has been hot all year, why not see if it carries over into the Olympics?

I like Pacioretty too, pure goal scorer when he is on. Okposo is more of what they already have in Callahan, Brown, Stepan.

Can't really replace Wheeler's size, but I'd take Ryan over him if I had to pick.

Haven't seen TJ Oshie play much, should he have been a lock, or does he go because he can play with Backes?

 

[dash]

I was thinking a line of Brown-Backes-Oshie would be devestating.

The BBO line? It stinks.

[youtube]-pEhqiCD27E[/youtube]

 

[pixburgher66]

Swap Blake Wheeler for Bobby Ryan, Max Pacioretty for Kyle Okposo and Cam Fowler for Keith Yandle and the team is instantly better

Fowler Yandle I agree with. Patches deserves his spot. Wheeler probably deserves a chance too, it's just that it's at Ryan's expense. I dunno...this is tough stuff. I must say though: the Wheeler decision, along with the rumors I've seen, makes me think Wheeler may be a Penguin by the end of this season...

 

[pixburgher66]

I hope it's US/CAN in the final again and we demolish them. Yep.

[YOUTUBE]MGQaH3-LK54[/YOUTUBE]

 

[pixburgher66]

I like Pacioretty too, pure goal scorer when he is on. Okposo is more of what they already have in Callahan, Brown, Stepan.

Can't really replace Wheeler's size, but I'd take Ryan over him if I had to pick.

Haven't seen TJ Oshie play much, should he have been a lock, or does he go because he can play with Backes?

Oshie's a center...so that changes things.

 

[element1286]

Fowler Yandle I agree with. Patches deserves his spot. Wheeler probably deserves a chance too, it's just that it's at Ryan's expense. I dunno...this is tough stuff. I must say though: the Wheeler decision, along with the rumors I've seen, makes me think Wheeler may be a Penguin by the end of this season...

Would be amazing, can't see how that fits under the cap though unless Letang goes the other way.

 

[pixburgher66]

Would be amazing, can't see how that fits under the cap though unless Letang goes the other way.

Yep. It'd be a long term acquirement because he's signed through 2018/19. Deal's worth $5.6 on the cap. I really want to be rid of Letang. I understand his value, but gosh I hate that contract. It's so terrible. Anyway...umm...back to the conversation. MERICUH.

 

[element1286]

Fowler Yandle I agree with. Patches deserves his spot. Wheeler probably deserves a chance too, it's just that it's at Ryan's expense. I dunno...this is tough stuff. I must say though: the Wheeler decision, along with the rumors I've seen, makes me think Wheeler may be a Penguin by the end of this season...

I guess it comes down to a roster squeeze becasue the elder statemen Brown and Callahan are having less than stellar seasons, and if they didn't have the experience of previous Olympics and being captains with good leadership cred in the NHL, they don't deserve to be on the team on pure performance.