With Christmas over with and the New Year turn of the calendar about a week away, we are rapidly approaching the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
Although the United States Olympic Roster will not be revealed until after the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on January first, here are my predictions on what it may look like... and hold on to your seats America, this could potentially be the best 25 man roster to ever don the stars and stripes.
By line;
Forwards LW-C- RW
Line 1:
Zach Parise - Ryan Kesler - Patrick Kane
To me this should have been USA's first line in the 2010 Olympics, but the chemistry between Parise and Jamie Lagenbrunner proved to be unbreakable. Ryan Kesler isn't looked at as a number one center out in Vancouver because he's in the shadows of the Sedin line, but all he has to do here is resume his role of being a solid two-way defensive center and continue to win face offs. On the offensive side, Kesler just had to drive the net and leave the creativity aspect of the game to Zach Parise and Patrick Kane, who are highly capable of turning the game around in an instant.
Line 2:
Dustin Brown - David Backess - T.J. Oshie
The success of team USA this year hinders heavily upon the shoulders of these three men. Though they may look like a third or fourth line on the team USA's depth chart, this unit will be relied upon heavily to shut down the top lines on other countries defensively and physically.
Line 3:
James van Riemsdyk - Joe Pavelski - Phil Kessel
Joe Pavelski's play-making ability makes him a fit for any line, but if I had my way (haha) I would stick him in between both Maple Leaf snipers. All Pavelski has to do is find JVR or Kessel in the slot and these three should provide a consistent secondary scoring punch behind Parise, Kesler, and Kane.
Line 4:
Max Pacioretty - Paul Stasny - Bobby Ryan
This is a fourth line that any coach will salivate over. With a combination of size, speed, and goal scoring ability, these three will be looked upon to over power opposing teams third or fourth line defensive pairs. Also, I predict it will be a safe bet that you will see each member of this line on Team USA's penalty kill.
Healthy Scratches:
Jason Pominville - Ryan Callahan
Not much to say here other than the quick feet, versatility, and veteran experience that Pominville and Callahan are equipped with make them assets for team USA. Should any one go down to injury, they are highly capable of being a serviceable backup. These two will also provide leadership and determination to the locker room throughout the Olympic games.
Defense
Pair 1:
Ryan Suter - John Carlson
In my opinion Suter is going to be the work horse for team USA. His defensive awareness, heavy shot and physicality make him a candidate for the team USA's power play, penalty kill, and top line. It wouldn't surprise me to see if Suter has a 'C' on his chest for team USA either. Carlson on the other hand looks like the NHL comeback player of the year. Alongside rookie Nate Schmidt over in D.C., Carlson has proved he can log ice time ad hold the weight of a first line defensemen.
Pair 2:
Ryan McDonagh - Kevin Shattenkirk
A match made in heaven. This duo are probably the best skaters on team USA, which makes them a perfect pair to play together on an olympic sized rink. McDonagh will provide the shut down duties to opponents that will give Shattenkirk the freedom of joining offensive rushes and providing an extra scoring threat each time he's on the time. McDonagh will be relied upon heavily for Team USA penalty killing.
Pair 3:
Keith Yandle - Erik Johnson
High risk, high reward. People may think I'm crazy by featuring Keith Yandle on this roster, but his play over the last two seasons proves that he can log minutes and shut down some of the best scorers in the world. Though he's probably far from a lock on team USA, I think he deserves to be there. Erik Johnson has finally developed into the creative defenseman that he was projected to be. Though he may see limited minutes on the third pair, Erik Johnson will still find a way to be an impact player for team USA.
Pair 4:
Dustin Byfuglien - Jack Johnson
The curious case of Jack Johnson. Johnson is one of the streakiest defensemen in the NHL. One game he's a goal scoring machine and a defensive liability, the next he's nowhere to be found on the score sheet but shuts down opponents for sixty minutes. However one thing's for certain, Jack Johnson always seems to piece his game together and plays his best hockey when he's rocking the red, white, and blue. Byufglien's playing style in general is high risk high reward. His offensive minded mentality makes him a +/- liability, but his heavy shot and physical presence on the blue line will provide plenty of options for the Americans.
Healthy Scratches:
Paul Martin - Seth Jones
Paul Martin in my opinion will be healthy scratch only because of the broken leg he suffered last season. His health is a proven issue so unless he's 100% ready for Sochi, I think his action will be limited. Seth Jones has all the skill in the world, but simply put, he's just not ready for the top dogs on Team Canada, Team Russia, etc... Hopefully against some of the weaker teams in pool play the youngster will log some minutes... it's all up to Dan Bylsma.
Goaltenders:
Ryan Miller - Ben Bishop - Jonathan Quick
Even though he's been surrounded by a black cloud of trade rumors and a farm team that plays in front of him up in Buffalo, Ryan Miller is fiercely competitive when it comes to his home country. If he can rise to the occasion like he did in 2010, the United States is playing for the Gold Medal again. Ben Bishop has done everything possible to prove himself capable of starting in net for team USA, and will provide serviceable backup for Ryan Miller. Though he's a proven no. 1 starter, Quick will take a back seat to Ryan Miller and Ben Bishop because of his health problems. If, and only if Jonathan Quick can return after the Christmas break and piece together a string of quality starts in January, than he'll be considered for the no. 1 or no. 2 spot for the stars and stripes.
USA ALL THE WAY!
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