First things first. Congratulations to the Toronto Maple Leafs on winning the Winter Classic this afternoon. What an event. A beautiful snowfall blanketed the stadium of over 105,000 fans for one of the best matchups to date. Leafs won in a back-and-forth battle with a shootout goal from Tyler Bozak.
After the game, the official roster for the USA Olympic Men's Hockey team was announced. The highly anticipated list of players showcased the talent and potential that the team has this year for the Olympics next month in Sochi, Russia.
Here is the squad:
Forwards: Backes, Brown, Callahan, Kane, Kesler, Kessel, Oshie, Pacioretty, Parise, Pavelski, Stastny, Stepan, Van Riemsdyk, Wheeler
Defense: Carlson, Faulk, Fowler, Martin, McDonough, Orpik, Shattenkirk, Suter
Goalies: Miller, Quick, Howard
For the most part, the roster is pretty agreeable. There is always some dispute because of all the tremendous talent pool they have to choose from, but that is part of what makes it fun as a fan and a sports writer.However, there were a few snubs and very questionable roster decisions made by David Poile, GM of the US team and Predators GM.
Most notably is Bobby Ryan.
The "Sydney Crosby Consolation Prize" has been among the most consistent and deadly scorers in the last 5 years, posting goal totals of 31, 35, 34, 31 in his last four full season and is on pace for 35 this year.
Yet, Ryan will have to watch from home this winter. This a baffling omission by Poile and crew and I just can't figure it out.
ESPN's Scott Burnside said, "The issue is where he fits. If he's not a top-six forward, his skating doesn't lend itself to him being a third line checker. He cannot kill penalties, and while in Anaheim, he was not on the team's top powerplay unit."
Just a few things:
1. How is he not a top 6 forward? The four best wingers on the team are Kessel, Kane, Parise, and BOBBY RYAN.
2. He doesn't need to kill penalties. The US roster is stacked with great penalty killers: Kesler, Callahan, Backes, Brown, Stastny, and Pavelski.
3. Have you seen Anaheim's PP unit when he was there? Featured some guys named Getzlaf, Perry, Selanne, Fowler, and Visnovsky.
Bryan Burke says, "He is not intense. That word is not in his vocabulary. It's never going to be in his vocabulary. He can't spell intense."
Fair assessment? Maybe. But Burke's a passionate guy who tends to overstate things. And I find it hard to believe that playing in the Olympics wouldn't elevate his game.
When it comes down to it, Bobby Ryan has faults. But does he have less than Blake Wheeler? This one baffles me. What does Wheeler possibly have that Ryan doesn't? He has size, yes. But he doesn't use it. Can't score like Ryan.
Here are a few other thoughts I have on the team:- Don't like the Orpik pick. He's physical, but he's slow and frankly I think there are better options.
- Yandle is another snub. He is as talented offensively as any D on the team and plays a lot of minutes in all situations. Don't get this one either.
- TBL's Ben Bishop is 20-5 with a .935 SV% and 1.89 GAA and 3 shutouts. Hellooooo?
- Another guy overlooked in all this Ryan controversy is Kyle Okposo. He is currently second in the league in points among Americans. If you're following the math, he has more points than everyone but Patrick Kane. Just a thought.
- I've said before I would have loved Torey Krug to be selected. Watching him play on an Olympic sheet would have really been something. I understand this one though.
- Jack Johnson and Erik Johnson (no relation I swear) were both left off as well. Personally, I think they're two of the most boring players in the league. But they're talented well rounded. I though Jack would make it for sure.
- Dustin Byfuglien will also be at home this winter. He has a cannon of a shot and despite his size can skate like the wind. All in all though, he's just not the type of guy I'd want on my team.
- I put Ryan Miller in over Jon Quick. We'll touch on that later.
As always, would love to hear your thoughts. Did Poile make the right choices here?
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