Breaking Down Olympic Hockey: USA/Canada

Feature Article

Submitted on: 01/15/2014 by Glenn Wigmore

Now that both North American nations have made their selections for Sochi next month, it's much easier to see some of the possible combinations that will hit the ice (barring any late changes or injuries). Both line-ups feature some meaningful snubs as well, leaving a few talented skaters riding the pine (or, more correctly, enjoying a two-week sabbatical from the NHL season).

Without further ado, let's take a look at each line-up.

Team Canada

Whatcha Got?

Team Canada always has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to scorers, and this year looks to be no exception. The management group has selected a lot of centers (even though their main four of Crosby, Stamkos, Toews and Getzlaf are beastly), and there are plenty of natural line combinations with teammates and former duos. In terms of defense, the team has gone with youth this time, booting out some older folks like Dan Boyle and moving in PK Subban, Alex Petrangelo and Marc-Édouard Vlasic. They certainly have plenty of firepower and dynamism on the back end, but who knows if it'll end up costing the team defensively.

X-Factor

The biggest unknown for Team Canada is goaltending. Roberto Luongo is a gold-medal winner from the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, but most would admit that in that final game he looked quite shaky. Also complicating things is the fact the Luongo is still injured, and you have to wonder what kind of shape he's going to be in for a demanding two-week tournament. Waiting in the wings are Carey Price and Mike Smith, both of whom are talented but unproven at this level. It's a weird spot for the team to be in for such a key position, but it should be fascinating to watch it all unfold.

Who Got Snubbed?

The running joke for Team Canada is that they could probably put two teams on the ice during the Winter Olympics that would be competitive, and you only have to look at their stacked lines to realize this is true. The reality is that there can be only one team, and this leaves a lot of talented players out of the tournament.

Some of the most noteworthy omissions include: Claude Giroux, Logan Couture, Corey Crawford, Eric Staal, Martin St. Louis, Brent Seabrook, Joe Thornton, James Neal and Milan Lucic.

Staal was a 2010 Olympian, and he's been pretty bitter about being kept off this year's team. His current -15 rating isn't likely helping his cause, but it's a strange omission, nonetheless. Players like Couture make sense given his current injury status, but it's a surprise to not see Thornton, Seabrook (both former Olympians) or the young and talented Giroux. Players like Giroux or St. Louis were probably the closest calls for the executive team, but it's hard to argue with the guys they ended up taking over them.

Prediction

Canada is always going to be in contention for a medal, and this year looks to follow that trend. The goaltending situation could make for some interesting fireworks, but barring a major meltdown, they should find themselves in the final four at the very least.

Team U.S.A

Projected Lines / Depth Chart

Forwards

Zach Parise | Ryan Kesler | Patrick Kane
James van Riemsdyk | Joe Pavelski | Phil Kessel
Max Pacioretty | David Backes | Dustin Brown
Ryan Callahan | Paul Stastny | T.J. Oshie
Blake Wheeler | Derek Stepan

Defenders

Ryan Suter | Ryan McDonagh
Cam Fowler | Kevin Shattenkirk
Justin Faulk | Brooks Orpik
John Carlson | Paul Martin

Goalies

Ryan Miller
Jonathan Quick
Jimmy Howard

Whatcha Got?

The areas where Team U.S.A. doesn't have to worry as much are goaltending and their top two lines. Players like Patrick Kane, Phil Kessel, Ryan Kesler, Joe Pavelski and Zach Parise have all been there before, and they all can put up points and perform on the big stage. With Ryan Miller in net (who really deserved a better fate in the 2010 Olympics) and super talented youngsters like Jimmy Howard and Jonathan Quick right behind him, the team is rock solid in net.

Defensively, I think the American team is good enough to hold most teams back, expect for maybe Canada or the Russians. As long as Orpik can play bigger than he has this season (partially due to injury) and Ryan Suter can log big minutes, they should be alright on the back end.

X-Factor

The unknown commodity for Team U.S.A. is definitely their young depth guys, namely David Backes, Dustin Brown and James van Riemsdyk. Brown has to put up more than he did last Olympics (no points in six games), and Backes has to show that he can be an elite power forward when it comes to big-game situations. JVR will probably get a chance to play with Kessel, his Toronto Maple Leafs linemate, but he also needs to respond with some inspired play if the Americans hope to go deep in the tournament.

Who Got Snubbed?

While the American roster isn't as deep, it doesn't mean there weren't some snubs. The most vociferous of those snubs has been Bobby Ryan, who had 18 goals leading into the selection of the team. It seems pretty crazy to not put Ryan on the squad, especially considering somebody is going to have score goals for the team besides Kessel and Kane. There had been some issues between him and the executive of the Olympic team, and some questioned his “intensity” when it comes to games of this magnitude.

It's also interesting to see Dustin Byfuglien and Jack Johnson get nixed in exchange for younger, less talented players, but maybe the executive team was looking for speed and stamina rather than size and grit. It's an interesting trade-off with an eye to the long-term of the tournament, but it's hard to say if the short-term gains of someone like Byflugien (who can occasionally look like an elite player) wouldn't be worth having at the start.

Prediction

The U.S. team is always going to compete at the Olympics, as they have a two or three very good lines and great goaltending. If they can get the scoring and toughness depth they need all throughout their line-up, and if the defense holds most teams at bay, I think they can once again compete for a medal.

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Member Comments

# 1 Dolphins88 @ 01/15/14 01:01 PM

There were a few choices on both teams that are very .. Wtf or political. Canada on defense selecting hamhuis and vlasic. Vlasic is debatable but hamhuis over seabrook, letang(wheels) or the steady tough Boychuk. In net I think I would take Crawford ahead of smith. He at least knows the big games. On forwards taking Marleau, Nash and Kunitz is debatable over a St. Louis, lucic and giroux.

On the US team of course Ryan should have gone over a Stepan. On the defense jack Johnson or bufylein should have been in for Martin.

# 2 ven0m43 @ 01/15/14 03:57 PM

I thought Quick was going to start for team USA. He's back from his injury and is playing really well.

# 3 phatkroger10 @ 01/15/14 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolphins88


	There were a few choices on both teams that are very .. Wtf or political. Canada on defense selecting hamhuis and vlasic. Vlasic is debatable but hamhuis over seabrook, letang(wheels) or the steady tough Boychuk. In net I think I would take Crawford ahead of smith. He at least knows the big games. On forwards taking Marleau, Nash and Kunitz is debatable over a St. Louis, lucic and giroux. On the US team of course Ryan should have gone over a Stepan. On the defense jack Johnson or bufylein should have been in for Martin.

Well I think if they brought Seabrook, they'd want to play him with Keith, but Keith played so well with Doughty in Vancouver. A little shocked about Letang, but he's been hurt all year. I am not surprised with Giroux and St. Louis missing out. So much offensive firepower already. No one played well with Crosby in Vancouver (other than Iginla), so bring one of his friends. All Marleau does is put up points, but I don't know where he fits in on Canada. Could you imagine a Lucic-Bergeron-Nash vs. Brown-Backes-Callahan? That'd be some battles!

I'm going to assume you meant Orpik, not Martin, because Orpik was only selected because he plays for Bylsma. I definitely wouldn't have brought Jack Johnson because he can not find his game anymore or Byfuglien because he's so slow, he would have been TORCHED by Russia or Slovakia in group play. I don't know how they passed up on Yandle. He's a character guy, he's offensive minded, and he's fast. Would have been a nice fit.

I'm not sleeping on Sweden. That defense will cruise and move the puck. Austria may be in a good spot, if they can upset Finland, they could get a good tourney draw, same goes for Norway, but I think Norway will have a tougher time scoring on Finland.

# 4 Dolphins88 @ 01/15/14 04:44 PM

Yes I agree about yandle.. I still think Johnson or ya dole would be better than Martin. I never liked him in pitts. The reason I think he was selected.
Exactly why I'd take lucic to put him on with Bergeron and/or carter or Nash.
In regards to letang and seabrooke I'd take either 1 ahead of hamhuis. Another guy that could have had consideration is Doan.. That guy plays a tough game!

# 5 Dolphins88 @ 01/15/14 04:59 PM

Kunitz Crosby Tavares
Sharp Toews Duchene
Benn Getslaf Perry
Lucic Bergeron Nash
Carter Stamkos

Keith Doughty
Boumeester Pietrangelo
Suban Letang
Seabrook Webber

Now there is a team to reckon with

# 6 gopher_guy @ 01/15/14 05:29 PM

"The unknown commodity for Team U.S.A. is definitely they're young depth guys"

their*

just a heads up

# 7 Wiggy @ 01/15/14 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gopher_guy


	"The unknown commodity for Team U.S.A. is definitely they're young depth guys" their* just a heads up

Thanks =)

I'll see if I can request a fix. Since I'm a grammar guy, this galls me as well.

# 8 dream43 @ 01/15/14 08:29 PM

Just saying but I think stamkos will play top line right wing
That is what i heard

# 9 Jerzey Devilz @ 01/18/14 11:42 AM

Canada is freakin stacked like always. U.S.A is looking better than expected though. I can't wait to watch some Olympic Hockey this year!!

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