In Part One, I detailed the eight defencemen and three
goaltenders charged with keeping opposition pucks out of the net throughout the
men’s hockey tournament at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, which are only about
a month away from starting, and my thoughts on each of the selected players.
Now, in Part Two, I present the fourteen forwards who’ll
hopefully be up front, getting the better of opposition goalies, and my
thoughts on each one. Some interesting choices – and snubs – amongst this
group, which has generated plenty of debate in the days since the roster was
announced.
Forwards
David Backes: The St Louis Blues captain is probably, at
best, an outside chance to be named captain of his country, and, of course, is
a solid choice. There’s a reason why the Blues are surging in the Central
Division of the Western Conference, and Backes is a big part of it. By my
estimation, the third best centre on the team, and, in a short tournament where
there isn’t always the time to develop chemistry amongst guys who rarely, if
ever, play together, will probably find himself on a line with his St Louis
teammate T.J. Oshie.
Dustin Brown: The
Kings captain is one of those dependable two-way guys, of which the Team USA
roster has many. Obviously, they are worried about skating on the bigger ice
surface in Sochi, and have gone for players whose on-ice awareness is, if not
legendary, certainly well-renowned. A safe choice, and a player who’s been in
enough big-game situations not to get overawed.
Ryan Callahan: The New York Rangers captain is well
respected for his toughness and grit, and will doubtless be one of the
candidates for captain of Team USA. A proven leader, a solid contributor in
Vancouver four years ago, and capable of a clutch goal. Another one of those
players who just about picks themselves at the selection table.
Patrick Kane: Probably the best player on the Team USA
roster, and the guy who you’d finger as the one most likely to turn something
into nothing when his team needs it the most. Kane has all the intangibles: he
can skate, he can pass, he can create and he definitely knows how to score.
Building another great season in Chicago, opposing defencemen and goalies
should look out if he gets on a tear in Sochi.
Ryan Kesler: One of my favourite players in the league, and
routinely one of Vancouver’s very best. Good at everything he does. Two-way
player who can really hustle when he has to. The big ice surface shouldn’t slow
him down. A timely goal scorer, and a handy penalty-killer. Responsible on the
defensive end, which is hugely important in a tournament stacked with so many
superstars that a bad defensive play could very easily turn the tide of a
contest and cost your team a medal.
Phil Kessel: Having a brilliant season for Toronto, Kessel
was doubtless an automatic pick when the selection committee first sat down to
determine the make-up of the Team USA squad for Sochi. Like Patrick Kane,
Kessel, a bonafide superstar, has the innate ability to take over a game that
all great players possess, and is no stranger to scoring big goals at the most
opportune moments. A big Olympics for the Kessel clan: his sister, Amanda, will
go for gold as part of the Team USA women’s team.
T.J. Oshie: Will likely end up on a line centred by his St
Louis teammate, David Backes. A solid two-way player, Oshie, a graduate of the
University of North Dakota, is also a noted penalty killer and has a knack for
scoring magical goals. He celebrated USA selection by scoring a pair against
Los Angeles Kings on January 2. Dependable, flashy player, who would’ve been
considered unlucky if overlooked, but was apparently right on the selection
bubble.
Max Pacioretty: I really love this selection. A favourite up
in Montreal, Pacioretty is a big-bodied guy who isn’t afraid to get to the net
and get amongst the physical stuff. Strong skater, who should adapt easily to
the Olympic-sized rinks we’ll see in Sochi, and has gotten markedly better with
every season that he’s been in the league.
Zach Parise: Remembered for scoring the goal that sent the
2010 Gold Medal Game to overtime, the captain of the Minnesota Wild was
probably amongst the first players named to the 2014 roster. When healthy –
it’s worth noting that he’s been somewhat slowed by injuries of late – he’s
right up there with Kessel and Kane as one of the most dangerous players Team
USA is going to be able to put on the ice. Will face a test to be fit for the
tournament, which is only about a month away.
Joe Pavelski: The best centre on the Team USA roster, and
putting together a huge season in San Jose, I can see the guy once known as
Little Joe (in deference to Sharks teammate Jumbo Joe Thornton) perhaps skating
with Kane and Parise on either side.
Paul Stastny: Another returnee from 2010, Stastny, a former
University of Denver Pioneer and now a member of the Colorado Avalanche (and a
dual US/Canadian citizen), will probably see most action from the fourth line,
and on the penalty-kill. A long-time Team USA representative. Selection for
Sochi is a tip of the hat to a guy who’s always made an effort to represent his
country at non-Olympic international tournaments, and last year lead USA to
their first World Championship medal – a bronze – since 2004.
Derek Stepan: Stepan, the third New York Ranger on the Team
USA roster, and another University of
Wisconsin product, is finally hitting some good form after a contract dispute
kept him out of the Rangers pre-season preparations. As much as I’m a Rangers
fan, Stepan isn’t a guy I’d have chosen ahead of the snubbed Bobby Ryan, but when
he gets going, he’s tough to stop.
James Van Riemsdyk: Another big-bodied guy who Team USA will
look to when they need to establish themselves physically, Van Riemsdyk, who
scored an important goal in the Winter Classic in rather trying conditions, may
very well skate with his Toronto Maple Leafs teammate Kessel.
Blake Wheeler: Falls into the same category as Stepan.
Personally, I’d have chosen the talented Islanders forward Kyle Okposo before
Wheeler, a winger from the Winnipeg Jets, but I digress. He does bring size and
an imposing physical presence. His skating should be an asset on the bigger ice
surface, but, still, I’m not a huge fan of this selection. Will likely see
limited ice time.
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