Coming off of a Silver Medal effort at Vancouver in the 2010 Olympics, the American Men's Hockey team will be looking for another solid showing in Russia this coming February. To make that possible, many familiar faces will return with a few additions.
Here is my 2014 USA Men's Hockey Team:
Forwards:
Zach Parise*(A) - David Backes (C) - Patrick Kane
This top line has a little bit of everything. Kane has some of the best hands in the world, Parise has the skill to match his never ending work ethic and Backes has the two way game that can match up with other top centers in the league while not holding back his own skilled wingers. Parise is struggling with a foot injury and could be in jeopardy of missing the games.
James vanRiemsdyk - Joe Pavelski - Phil Kessel
My second line has a Maple Leaf flavor as I keep Kessel and JVR together since they do so well with virtually nothing at center during the NHL season maybe they can be a dominant line with a good (sometimes great) two way center in Joe Pavelski who has a flare for the dramatic.
Max Pacioretty - Ryan Kesler - Bobby Ryan
When I made notes on the possible roster in the summer I did not have Pacioretty even as an extra, but he has had a very solid NHL campaign and has the speed and size that plays well on European ice. Kesler and Ryan are returnees from 2010 who are both solid two way guys. Kesler is finally healthy again and could be a big factor in match ups vs other countries top centers.
Dustin Brown - Derek Stepan - Ryan Callahan*
My fourth line has two NHL Captains and a sneaky scoring center. Brown and Stepan haven't played as well as the are capable of and Callahan has been hit by he injury bug this year and might be in danger of missing the games. Brown might be on the bubble but his past experiences and leadership keeps him in.
Reserve Forwards:
Brandon Saad - Jason Pominville* - Paul Stastny
Saad has proven able to play with top players and could find himself on a line with Patrick Kane if an injury occurs. No one really is sure about Jason Pominville's Olympic eligibility. He has not played internationally for the USA in the past but I have heard him mentioned as someone who could play for the Red While and Blue in Russia. If he is eligible, then I would strongly consider sliding him into Callahan's spot. If Pominville is not eligible then Stastny slides in as a reserve.
Defense:
Ryan Suter (A) - Erik Johnson
Paul Martin - Keith Yandle
Kevin Shattenkirk- Jack Johnson
This defense corps is very mobile and can log lots of minutes if need be. Suter will log as many minutes as anyone else in the tournament, while Erik Johnson has started to showcase the skill set that led to him be picked 1st overall a few years back. Martin and Yandle are a solid puck moving pair. Shattenkirk and Jack Johnson could be a danger in their own end but could also be major assest on the PP.
I'll bring along two young kids in Fowler and Jones to gain experience and if need be fill in.
Reserve Defensemen:
Cam Fowler, Seth Jones
Goaltenders:
Starter- Ryan Miller
The team in front of him might be terrible but it is not because of him that the Sabres are in last place. For those who get to see him on a nightly basis, this choice is a no brainer. Also, don't forget his efforts in Vancouver.
Back-up - Jonathan Quick
A long term injury has kept Quick off the ice for most the the NHL season. He can be a lightning hot goaltender who wins games 1-0 night after night as we saw when LA won the cup but he played a lot of games during that stretch and might not have time to do so before Russia.
3rd Goalie- Cory Schneider
I listen to a couple of podcasts who have "goalie gurus" on to talk goal tending. Many of them agree that because Miller and Quick are "aggressive goalies" who play high in the crease and challenge shooters, the 3rd goalie for the Americans needs to be someone who stays back in his crease and isn't as aggressive, in case the other two have trouble adjusting to the larger ice surface. Schneider isn't having a great season in New Jersey but he is someone who is used to not playing for multiple games and then hitting the ground running. Let's be honest though, if the U.S. has to use three goalies they won't be playing for a medal.
