Burga's US Olympic Roster

The US Olympic team has just announced the list of players who will be invited to the Olympic Camp, from which the roster for Sochi will be selected. Here is the complete list:

F: Kane, Ryan, Kessel, Kesler, Pavelski, Abdelkader, Backes, Bennet, Bjugstad, Brown, Callahan, Galchenyuk, Lewis, Okposo, Oshie, Pacioretty, Pavelski, Palmieri, Parise, Saad, C. Smith, Stastny, Stepan, Wheeler, Van Riemsdyk

D: Bogosion, Byfuglien, Carlson, Dekeyser, Faulk, Fowler, Gardner, E. Johnson, J. Johnson, Jones, Leddy, Martin, McDonagh, Orpik, Shattenkirk, Suter, Trouba, Yandle.

G: Anderson, Gibson, Howard, Miller, Schneider, Quick

This is obviously a very talented list and I like that a lot of young guys are getting a look even though a few have not even played at the professional level yet. This might be an indicator of the possibility that this might be the last year the NHL allows its players to play the Olympics. Anyone remember the last time there were college and amateur players representing team USA? (Hint: 1980).

The only two snubs I can think of as far as at least getting an invite are Jason Pominville and... Torey Krug. Yes I know Krug has only had a short span of professional experience and maybe I'm a little biased but the kid is a sparkplug. I'm sure the collars at USA Hockey have seen him play plenty in the NCAA for Michigan State and the Bruins' cup run, so I'm a little surprised he wasn't at least invited. The way he moves and skates with the puck is so fast and fluid that I'd be at least curious to see what he can do on an Olympic sized ice. Oh, well.

Here's my US roster for the 2014 Olympics, based on those invited to camp.

F1: Kane Pavelski Ryan
F2: Parise Kesler Kessel
F3: Van Riemsdyk Backes Callahan
F4: Pacioretty Stastny Brown
Extra: Stepan, Galchenyuk

I really like the depth on this offense. Guys like Kane, Kessel and Parise should thrive on the open ice while Backes, Callahan, and Brown bring some grit and toughness that they'll need against Canada. There's a lot of leadership on this roster. I give Callahan the "C", along with Brown and Kane as alternate captains. Stastny is a responsible player who will still play a lot of minutes. I like Pacioretty as the surprise player here who will impress those watching.

D1: Shattenkirk Suter
D2: McDonagh Byfuglien
D3 Yandle Martin
Extra: Carlson, J. Johnson

All of these defensemen are capable of logging long minutes and playing in all situations, which is key. McDonagh's speed will be a great addition do their blue line, while I expect Suter to log the most minutes. I really like Carlson and wanted to put him in there, but I couldn't justify him over the top six.

G1: Quick
G2: Miller
Extra: Anderson

I really believe the US Team has the best goalie situation in the Olympics. As it stands, Quick is the best goalie in the world and when the game is on the line, there is nobody I'd rather have in between the pipes. Miller is my backup because he carried the team in 2010 and if for some reason Quick didn't work out or was hurt, I'm comfortable seeing if Miller could do it again. Anderson is my third goalie over the others because, when he's hot, he becomes impossible to score on and goes on torrid stretches of unbelievable net-minding. He'll likely never play in these Olympics but it's definitely a card they want up their sleeve going to Sochi.

And there's your team. It definitely has the make-up to contend and should be primed for a deep run. We were an overtime goal away from it last time around. Opportunity's knocking boys. Will you answer?

Also notable: Bergeron, Lucic, and Marchand have all been invited to the Canadian Camp. I can make cases for all of them, but Bergeron is the only obvious one and is likely the only one to make it. However, I could see Canada skipping guys over like Nash or Perry to get someone more hungry like Marchand. The options at their disposal is just crazy. Krejci will also represent Czech Republic, Chara for Slovakia, Eriksson for Sweden, and Rask for Finland.