The Obligatory Team USA Post

November 21, 2008   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

I don’t really know why but this morning as I sat here at the pc looking over the NHL Stats courtesy media, I suddenly had the urge to start thinking about the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Don’t ask what prompted this cause my mind can just float in any direction onto some new idea.

Let’s just say this was good cause I’m actually excited about Team USA’s prospects. Now before you go, ‘Well Derek, how can you be all pumped when Canada has everyone, Russia is loaded and Sweden will be tough,’ okay. I admit that’s true. But that was always going to be the case with Canada cause they’re loaded from top to bottom. It’s their sport. I get that! And Russia’s produced some of the most amazing talent and should be scary. Fine.

However, this next American edition isn’t going to be the same olllllllldddd boring collection of players who should be on AARP soon. Believe it or not my fellow American puck fans, there’s reason to be optimistic about some of the fresh faces we’ll most likely get to root for in some 14+ months.

Now, I’m not going to promise a full completion. But when I present some of the emerging stars who will be part of this roster, this is what makes me genuinely excited for Team USA.

So, imagine this as your top line:

Parise-Kane-Kessel

How could you not get pumped for that?!?!?!?!?! When’s the last time our country had a fast exciting line like that which combines skating, playmaking and sweet finishing? Amazingly enough, 1996 World Cup of Hockey hero Tony Amonte was still an NHL star.

The only way it could get better was if current league-leading sniper Thomas Vanek was eligible to represent the United States. He went to school starring for a couple of years at Minnesota. But he’s Austrian. Question is will they even be competing? I am not sure how this works. So, I won’t hold out my hopes.

If he’s not eligible, who else can we look forward to seeing? Well, we sure got some good centers:

C-Stastny, Dubinsky, Gomez, Drury

Now, you have to figure Stastny’s the second pivot behind Kane, who’s tied for fifth in NHL scoring with 25 points (10-15-25) on the resurgent Blackhawks.

Who could Stastny center?

Higgins-Stastny-Brown

Now, that’s not bad. Long Island’s own Chris Higgins is one of the league’s best kept secrets who when healthy, can finish around the net and play any situation. Dustin Brown came out of that amazing 2003 Draft and has developed well on a surprising Kings team which seems to have discovered a goalie in Swede Erik Ersberg, who won again last night in his eighth consecutive start. One of these days, there’ll be a post about how surprisingly competitive the young Kings have been.

If Stastny’s anchoring the second line, where does that leave Scott Gomez, who certainly was one of Team USA’s best forwards in 2004 along with former Devil ‘mate Brian Gionta? There’s definitely a place for one of the game’s premier skating playmakers. If you gave the current Ranger who it was revealed played through a stress fracture actual linemates that could finish, there’s no telling how many assists he’d rack up.

Here’s a good question. Does Chris Drury want to return for one more go round? He’s certainly still a very good NHL player and would be a natural fit as Team USA captain. I guess it depends on what he wants to do.

Fixtures like Brian Rolston and Jamie Langenbrunner should still be considered. They’re both getting up there but have been good soldiers. Rolston probably has a much better shot because he’s a better skater and can help anchor the power play. Hopefully, he’ll return 100 percent from his ankle sprain. It’s still uncertain when he’ll be back with the Devils.

It’s hard to imagine past USA stars like Mike Modano and Keith Tkachuk sticking around even though they’re both still productive. Their time has come and gone. Speaking of which, remember when Adam Deadmarsh was a rising power forward before concussions ended his career?

What about Gionta? His scoring is down but he was a good player four years ago and clearly isn’t the same without sidekick Gomez. So what about re-teaming them with say Drury or Rolston? That’d be a solid line with chemistry.

I know he’s off to a slow start with his new team in Edmonton but Erik Cole should have a place on the roster. I’ve always been a big fan of his because he plays bigger than his size and will get dirty to score goals. He also has very good speed. Jason Blake was also a good contributor in 2004 but does he have a place on this team? His game has really diminished.

What about some other young players who are coming on? R.J. Umberger’s one of those guys who got off to a dreadful beginning with his new team in Columbus but finally is playing the way he did for the Flyers during their run to the Conference Finals. I’d like to see him on but how many centers can this team have? Another young player to look at is the Canucks’ Ryan Kesler, who’s beginning to show some of that talent which was what interested Bobby Clarke to sign him to an offersheet.

It seems like most of the guys I’ve mentioned play center but David Booth is a left wing who can finish on a very low scoring Panthers team. So can Patrick O’Sullivan who also can play the middle. Peter Mueller kinda flies under the radar in The Desert. He should be a lock.

If Ryan Malone ever recovers from not playing with the Pens, his size up front could be an asset. Best of luck playing with that joke of a franchise in Tampa.

You start coming up with players and soon realize why this team has potential. So, what about on the blueline and in net?

G-Thomas, Miller, DiPietro

D-Rafalski, Martin, Barker, Goligoski, Gilbert, Ballard

Assuming Brian Rafalski wants to return, he should certainly represent our country as he’s still one of the best transition D in the game with great passing skills. Paul Martin certainly acclimated himself well. But young risers like Alex Goligoski are the future of the blueline. Tom Gilbert’s also got to be looked at for his emergence with the Oilers. Keith Ballard hasn’t been the problem in Florida. I think he should have a shot at making the roster.

Editor’s Note: Credit to Scotty Wazz of Faceoff for correcting my hopeful oversight on one Cam Barker. I thought wrong. Why did I think he played collegiately before quitting? I must be confusing him with someone else.

What about other candidates? Would Team USA consider Tom Poti, who’s evolved into a steady D with the Caps? What about Jordan Leopold, who actually is healthy and playing decent for the Avs? Hopefully, there’s a place for former No.1 overall pick Erik Johnson, who’s out for the season due to a torn ACL suffered in training camp. Assuming he comes back healthy next season, he should have a spot in 2010.

Will Jack Johnson ever become the player he was touted to be before the Hurricanes traded him? With the emergence of Drew Doughty and surprising play of Kyle Quincey, his future suddenly looks cloudy.

I’d also like to see a physical guy like Mike Komisarek get a place on this team. The former West Islip product is an underrated defenseman who keeps opponents honest. He’s been nicked up since taking a pounding at the hands of Milan Lucic. People forget Komisarek was a first round pick and is a solid player with plenty of character. Something I want on Team USA.

Tim Gleason, who ironically was traded for Jack Johnson has developed into a respectable blueliner in Carolina. Add his name to the list.

As for the goalies, Tim Thomas has sure played himself in. He’s a great story. Hopefully, he’ll continue to be in the upper echelon of the league and be part of the squad. You don’t have to vouch for Ryan Miller or Rick DiPietro’s credentials. If only the Islander career man could stay on the ice.

There are other players who I haven’t listed that might open some eyes. Kyle Okposo’s certainly one playing on the Island. I’d like to see Ryan Callahan get a look. He’s a hardworking speedy forward who brings energy to his shifts, is a diligent penalty killer and can finish if given the chance.

Joe Pavelski was an oversight. The former Wisconsin star is quickly emerging into one of the Sharks’ go to guys. He’s got to be on this roster.

If he was more consistent, I’d say Lee Stempniak while former North Dakota product Drew Stafford continues to befuddle the Sabres. Can you say scenery change? Would a Stafford for Petr Prucha swap have possibilities? For another day.

I think we’ve given Team USA hockey supporters something to look forward to. Let the debates begin. If I missed anyone, please be sure to let me know about it. I’m not perfect.

And finally, I figured I’d conclude this entry with the depressing realization of what Canada could look like just up front:

Crosby, Thornton, Iginla, M. Richards, Carter, Getzlaf, Perry, Nash, Morrow, Lecavalier, Spezza, Heatley, E. Staal

That’s 13 if I stop there not factoring in St. Louis, Savard, Gagne, Briere, Roy, Toews, Ribeiro, Smyth, Kariya, Setoguchi, etc.

The list goes on and on. Team Canada has so much to choose from, it’s ridiculous. And btw their blueline will be scary. I just wonder if Brodeur wants to go for it again. He’ll be 37. Or will he decide to turn over the reigns to Luongo, Fleury or Price? To be the Canadian GM. Isn’t it Yzerman? Yeah. He’ll really have a tough time deciding.:-P

Russia’s got Malkin, Ovechkin, Semin, Datsyuk and Kovalchuk. Figure Kovalev will be in as he loves representing his country. Would Yashin return? He’s playing in the KHL. They’ll certainly be loaded.

We know it won’t be easy for Team USA when the 2010 Winter Olympics arrive. Still, I have a more positive outlook about what our roster could do.

Like my most hated NFL receiver Terrell “T-Ho” Owens says, “Getcha popcorn ready!”

Odd Tidbit: A bit late but oddly enough, out of the 10 hat tricks that have been posted this season, half of them have come courtesy of American-born players.

American Players With Hat Tricks In 2008-09

1.David Booth, Fla at Ana, 11/9

2.Chris Drury, NYR vs TB, 11/6

3.Chris Higgins, Mtl vs Ott, 11/11

4.Mark Parrish, Dal at Ana, 11/7

*5.Blake Wheeler, Bos vs Tor, 11/6

*Rookie