USA roster

[Eleven]

Forwards

Backes

D. Brown

Callahan

Intangible

Kane

Kesler

Kessel

Langenbrunner

Malone

Parise

Pavelski

Ryan

Stastny

 

Defensemen

E. Johnson

J. Johnson

Komisarek

Martin

Orpik

Rafalski

Suter

 

Goaltenders

Miller

Quick

Thomas

[plenzmd1]

Was hoping Goose made it!

[All Along The Watchtower]

Thought Brian Gionta was going to make it...would have given Rochester two on the team. Western NY well represented with Callahan, Kane, Orpik.

[BuffalOhio]

That's a great team, but unfortunately I don't think they have a shot against Russia or Canada. We all saw what Hasek did for the Czechs, so maybe Millsie can do the same for the USA. Let's hope so!

[rickshaw]

I think the USA has a good team, but on paper it doesn't stack up to Canada's or Russia's teams. Goaltending will be very solid though and that could be the difference maker. I'm not sold on Canada's tending. The US team has the better goalies based on performance this year, so far.

 

You'll love Ryan Kesler. The guy is a stud out there. Does it all.

 

Can't believe Drury made the team. That tells you something right of the hop. If Drury were Canadian he wouldn't have been their 20th center. I was shocked he made the team. I think Gaustad would have given just as much as Drury, if not more.

 

Anyway, Go Canada Go!!!!!

[BRH]

I think the USA has a good team, but on paper it doesn't stack up to Canada's or Russia's teams. Goaltending will be very solid though and that could be the difference maker. I'm not sold on Canada's tending. The US team has the better goalies based on performance this year, so far.

 

You'll love Ryan Kesler. The guy is a stud out there. Does it all.

 

Can't believe Drury made the team. That tells you something right of the hop. If Drury were Canadian he wouldn't have been their 20th center. I was shocked he made the team. I think Gaustad would have given just as much as Drury, if not more.

 

Anyway, Go Canada Go!!!

 

Drury made it for reasons other than his numbers. He has more playoff GWGs than all but a handful of players - top five all time - and considering he is the only non-superstar on the list that tells YOU something right off the hop.

[wjag]

US team shouldn't scare anyone..

[VanBoxmeer]

We could get the bronze, going to be fun to watch. Drury is a an odd call but it could be ok, he is more of a clutch guy. Who's gunna get #30 Miller or Thomas??

[fiftyone]

Drury made it for reasons other than his numbers. He has more playoff GWGs than all but a handful of players - top five all time - and considering he is the only non-superstar on the list that tells YOU something right off the hop.

 

Are we looking at the same list? Because I don't see any superstars on that list save Parise and Miller, possibly Kane.

[deluca67]

Shocked to see Tim Connolly didn't make it. Apparently Burke is not aware of all of the goals and assists Connolly would have scored if he were healthy all those games. :beer:

[FogBat]

Shocked to see Tim Connolly didn't make it. Apparently Burke is not aware of all of the goals and assists Connolly would have scored if he were healthy all those games. :beer:

I sense sarcasm and irony in the post I'm replying to. But then again, consider the source.

[FogBat]

That's a great team, but unfortunately I don't think they have a shot against Russia or Canada. We all saw what Hasek did for the Czechs, so maybe Millsie can do the same for the USA. Let's hope so!

Hasek practically stood on his head during that tournament. I remember staying up late to watch the gold medal game against the Russians in 1998. Svoboda had the only goal of that game. For the life of me, I can't remember who the Russian goalie was for that game, but it was certainly a goaltender's duel.

[rickshaw]

Are we looking at the same list? Because I don't see any superstars on that list save Parise and Miller, possibly Kane.

 

 

Exactly. The facts are Drury is not a world class player any longer and his inclusion to the US team, to me, is a reflection of not enough talent at this time. I think Gaustad would be just as effective as Drury at least. Clearly Drury will be 4th line. Gaustad too. So why not have PG who will do all that Drury does, but do it with a bigger body?

 

I'm not saying the US team won't do well, but Drury making it is weak.

 

It's like Briere making team Canada?

[PromoTheRobot]

Jon Quick rented a house next door to me last season with some other members of the Manchester Monarchs. Good guy. Had a few beers with him. Very happy for his success. I know his housemates hope to join him in L.A. this year.

 

PTR

[fiftyone]

Exactly. The facts are Drury is not a world class player any longer and his inclusion to the US team, to me, is a reflection of not enough talent at this time. I think Gaustad would be just as effective as Drury at least. Clearly Drury will be 4th line. Gaustad too. So why not have PG who will do all that Drury does, but do it with a bigger body?

 

I'm not saying the US team won't do well, but Drury making it is weak.

 

It's like Briere making team Canada?

 

Yeah I kinda agree. Though, regardless of Drury's stats this year, we know he's a better offensive player than Goose. Goose's strength is face-offs, and we know that Drury can more than hold his own in the circle. The thing that Drury has that Goose (and really the rest of the squad besides Langenbrunner) doesn't is leadership and experience. The fact that guys like Guerin, Modano, and Tkachuk were left off the team sheds a little light on the possible reasoning for including Drury.

[Eleven]

US team shouldn't scare anyone..

 

You're right, but USA goaltending should scare everyone. Damn, those are three solid goalies!

[Kristian]

Hasek practically stood on his head during that tournament. I remember staying up late to watch the gold medal game against the Russians in 1998. Svoboda had the only goal of that game. For the life of me, I can't remember who the Russian goalie was for that game, but it was certainly a goaltender's duel.

 

That would be Mikhail Shtalenkov.

 

If I recall correctly, I believe Trefilov played one or two early games for Russia in that tournament.

[BfloSabresFan]

Anyone have any thoughts on who should have made it?

[LabattBlue]

I found it interesting that on the NHL Network last night when they put up a list of guys who might have warranted a spot in their eyes, they listed Pominville, but not Gaustad or Connolly.

[bob_sauve28]

Exactly. The facts are Drury is not a world class player any longer and his inclusion to the US team, to me, is a reflection of not enough talent at this time. I think Gaustad would be just as effective as Drury at least. Clearly Drury will be 4th line. Gaustad too. So why not have PG who will do all that Drury does, but do it with a bigger body?

 

I'm not saying the US team won't do well, but Drury making it is weak.

 

It's like Briere making team Canada?

I disagree. I think he is there because he scores gaols when they really matter. A short intense series might just be enough to see Drury score a few really important goals.

[wjag]

I disagree. I think he is there because he scores gaols when they really matter. A short intense series might just be enough to see Drury score a few really important goals.

And goal scoring will be at a premium... The US roster has three goal scorers on it..

[Foligno's Nose]

Anyone have any thoughts on who should have made it?

 

Goose for one.

Fourth line. Face-offs. Grit.

Drury and Torts may have lobbied for Callahan.

No slouch there either.

Other than that, I truly believe Burke and Wilson did their due diligence with respects to this roster.

The fact that is in NHL-size rinks plays into it.

 

Drury is clutch.

There is no way I would leave him off this roster.

His dream stint in Manhattan may not be playing out as well as he expected, but I still take him back on my team at any time.

 

I am really suprised at Phanuef's omission on Team Canada.

I think he may be the best defenseman in the league.

[Patty16]

I think as sabres fans we tend to overvalue our players a little. Gaustad is great on faceoffs, but on a bigger ice surface i don't think his skating was a plus for him.

 

Connolly probably had a better shot but hasn't really played to his ability until lately. Burke hates pansies too.

[BetweenThePipes00]

I think as sabres fans we tend to overvalue our players a little. Gaustad is great on faceoffs, but on a bigger ice surface i don't think his skating was a plus for him.

 

Connolly probably had a better shot but hasn't really played to his ability until lately. Burke hates pansies too.

 

They are not playing on a bigger ice surface this time ... and I am not sure about Sabres players being overvalued around here. I bet in 10 minutes you can find someone complaining about everyone except Myers. I am not even kidding, there were people saying they need to sit Miller for a couple games before the weekend because Lalime was playing better.

 

You can certianly make a case for Gaustad, but I would not call it a blatant snub. Given the pounding he takes, I am glad he gets a couple weeks to rest.

[Patty16]

They are not playing on a bigger ice surface this time ... and I am not sure about Sabres players being overvalued around here. I bet in 10 minutes you can find someone complaining about everyone except Myers. I am not even kidding, there were people saying they need to sit Miller for a couple games before the weekend because Lalime was playing better.

 

You can certianly make a case for Gaustad, but I would not call it a blatant snub. Given the pounding he takes, I am glad he gets a couple weeks to rest.

 

 

ice size--oops didnt know that!

 

I realize we can always find the haters, i guess there's just as many fanboys as i see it. Goose is a good 3/4 liner and great at faceoffs. Hes not good enough to be snubbed as you pointed out.