Now, no one is expecting this team to put up 7 goals a game like the mighty Canucks are capable of, but I do think they have some players who can definitely keep up with their northern brethren. We all know Canada has some deep hockey roots and could likely field two teams; however, they have already completed their youth movement, while the Americans will have to start theirs at the 2010 Games. The Americans seem to be at the same cross-roads as most other teams, the 'changing of the guard' cliche and will be pressed into including some younger talent at the expense of their older veterans. While Canada was able to replace veterans with immediate NHL-superstar-talent, the USA might not be so lucky and will need 2nd-tier-NHL-talent to step in and fill the bottom 6 forward spots. Gone are the days of Roenick, Weight, and Tkachuk (aka. The Glory Years of American Hockey), but they aren't leaving because they want too, it may be because they have too. With the Americans pumping out 8 1st round picks in 2005, 10 in 2006, 10 in 2007 and 5 more in 2008 (including, at least, a top 3 pick in every one of those drafts) the golden age has been wedged out by a more flamboyant and youthful core of prospects. The team will have 13 forwards, 7 Dmen and 3 goalies; leading the way are the following six no-brainers...
Zach Parise, Patrick Kane, Phil Kessel, Chris Drury (captain), Brian Rafalski and Ryan Miller. I was looking to pick more then six, but I really didn't feel anyone else deserved to be a total-no-matter-what-lock. I know I criticized Sporer for picking a goalie for Canada, but Canada has at least 6 goalies who could be #1, the USA has only Miller (maybe Thomas, but his age turned me away from him).
From there, the trickle down effect of skill is explosive and responsible. Next on the depth chart, as far as forwards go is a trio of New Jersey Devil alumni: Brian Gionta, Scott Gomez, Brian Rolston. Gionta, Gomez and Rolston grew in the NJD defensive system and will provide some two-way hockey sense to slow down the more powerfully offensive teams.
As for the remaining six spots, I had a tough time debating on what was more important... Veteran experience or young potential? Jamie Langenbrunner, Mike Modano, Erik Cole, Craig Conroy and Bill Guerin all provide the leadership and experience, while Bobby Ryan, Peter Mueller, David Booth, RJ Umberger, Drew Stafford, Blake Wheeler, Dustin Brown, Patrick O'Sullivan, Ryan Kesler and Ryan Malone make up the youth side of the equation. In the end, for me, a pair of Kings (Brown & O'Sullivan) with Langenbrunner will make up a speedy, defensive 3rd line with Mueller, Stafford and Booth getting a small glimpse of experience.
I had a really hard time leaving out Guerin and Weight, but I just felt it was more necessary to bring along the younger guys (Mueller, Stafford, Booth, Parise, Kane, Kessel, O'Sullivan and Brown are all 24 years old or younger) that will form the future of American hockey. I know, that's 8 out of the 12 forwards with no NHL-level international experience, but all of the American forwards have played at the World Juniors.We already have Rafalski on the back end, and this is where the Americans have really fluoresced in the recent past. Ryan Suter (7th in 2003), Erik Johnson (1st in 2006), Jack Johnson (3rd in 2005) should all make the team, along with Ryan Whitney (5th in 2002, if healthy). This leaves two spots for guys like: Tom Gilbert, J-M Liles, Chris Chelios, Paul Martin, Ron Hainsey (quietly on pace for 40 points), Joe Corvo, Matt Schneider and Matt Carle. In the end, Gilbert's points production won't be ignored and, with no real experience other then Rafalski, I really want to give the spot to Schneider or even Chelios, but I think Liles' numbers (like Gilbert) can't be ignored. Again, of this group, only Gilbert and Liles failed to make the World Junior Tournament, but this group of defencemen does boast: 2 World Cups, 8 World Championships and 3 Olympics. On a side note, Gilbert contributed exactly 0 of any of those...
In goal, the Americans don't have the same depth as other teams at all. It's Ryan Miller or Tim Thomas or bust. Sure, Rick Dipietro is a stud (and a bargain at 4.5 million), but no one ever knows if he is going to be healthy; however, I assume he will get the #3 job. Some dark-horses that are having outrageous years are Ty Conklin (16 wins) and Scott Clemmensen (21 wins) and both might be able to wiggle into the #3 job, but that is only based on this years' numbers and next years (mind you Conklin is 32 and Clemmensen is 31). I just had a thought that, maybe Cory Schneider gets the #3 spot, he seems to be the future of USA hockey between the pipes.
Overall, this team is built like a real team: two scoring lines, a defensive line, an energy line and six solid Dmen who can score, move the puck, skate and defend. The Americans have a lot of even younger players who will definitely get an invite to the camp: Zach Bogosian, Colin Wilson, Jake Gardiner, James van Riemsdyk, Ryan McDonagh, Kevin Shattenkirk, Max Pacioretty and Jordan Schroeder; however, their impact will be felt in 2014 (depending on the new CBA). It's out with the old, in with the new down south, and this team is either going to sink or swim.Cheers.
-Smith
p.s. You may have noticed that my love affair with Mike Modano did not help his cause to make the team, unlike a certain Edmonton Oiler who just needed to be on the Canadian team...
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