Sochi Olympic Hockey Thread

[MartyFunkhouser]

NHL has an agreement for players to play in the Sochi Olympics and players are now getting invites.

Canada has done the United States a huge favor and named Mike Babcock as coach over the more deserving Joe Quenneville. USA needs all the help they can get with the depth and talent that Canada has on the team. USA should look into offering the Q-Stache citizenship to get him to coach the USA team.

USA has a riches of goaltenders with the invites to Jason Quick, Ryan Miller, Jimmy Howard, Corey Schneider, Craig Anderson, and John Gibson. Quick is going to be the starter. You would assume Miller is the backup, but frankly Jimmy Howard was fantastic this year and Miller pretty normal. You actually make an argument to leave Miller home.

Canada actually is pretty weak in goal. Corey Crawford, Roberto Luongo, Braden Holtby, Carey Price, and Mike Smith. That isn't a great group. The top 4 in the USA all are better options than the top Canadian goaltender. I think you end up with Luongo as the top goalie with Crawford and Price as the other 2.

[MartyFunkhouser]

I can't believe it is even a debate right now with Seth Jones making the Sochi Olympics for the United States. Absolutely moronic to say that it might not be his time. In fact, I would put Jones on the top pairing for the U.S. team with Ryan Suter.

There have been some players emerging this year in the NHL that the U.S. needs to take to Sochi. Sure going young has its risks, but it is the only chance we have at gold. I would rather the U.S. take risks instead of playing safe for a silver or bronze.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-pu...3920--nhl.html

[MartyFunkhouser]

Everyone on this site are a bunch of Commies for refusing to talk about USA Hockey.
http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/98...power-rankings

Power Rankings for USA hockey from LeBrun and Burnside. While I think that Jimmy Howard is a top 3 goaltender for the USA, I'm not going to complain about a Red Wing being snubbed.

They are both crazy for not ranking Seth Jones higher.

Patrick Kane is absolutely the top forward for USA. USA will need big contributions from Kane. I do like Saad as a dark horse to make the team. He has a ton of ability.

[MartyFunkhouser]

The odds for the gold medal

Canada 11/5
Russia 11/5
Sweden 9/2
USA 6/1

I think they are not getting USA enough credit. Although, the larger ice surface is a disadvantage to the United States.

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/...m_USA_4th.html

[Omaha 680]

I really enjoy the larger rink for olynpic hockey as opposed to NHL. I'm probably in the minority here though.

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[MartyFunkhouser]

I really enjoy the larger rink for olynpic hockey as opposed to NHL. I'm probably in the minority here though.

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I used to hate the larger ice surface, now I'm largely indifferent to it. While I think the NHL is a better game than international hockey, it isn't like the large ice surface destroys the game. My biggest complaint with the larger ice surface is that it is a disadvantage to the USA style of hockey.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Latest roster projections from CBS Sports.

http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-...ster-for-sochi

USA doesn't have the depth at forward of Canada, but I'll put a top line of Parise-Kesler-Kane up against pretty much anyone. That is going to be a killer line to stop.

I still think Saad should make the team.

I stand by my claims that it is insane to leave Seth Jones off the team. Although, I'm backing off my claims that he is a top line defenseman with Suter.

Miller-Quick-Howard should be the goaltenders. I think this is pretty settled now. It is actually looking like with Quick's mediocre play and injury that Miller may be the guy.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Teams now have until 1/7/2014 to finalize Olympic rosters.

Team USA will still announce its team at the Winter Classic (which is one of the greatest ideas in professional sports but that is a discussion for another thread) on 1/1/2014.

http://nhl.si.com/2013/11/27/europea...dline-changes/

Canada is going to take full advantage of the extra time and announce on 1/7/2014

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=438106

May the spirit of Chris Chelios and his hatred of Team Canada be with this roster and they beat those Canadian's asses this year and win the gold.

[MartyFunkhouser]

It is looking more and more like Jimmy Howard is not going to make the United States roster. I'm happy with that as it is 1 less Red Wing on the team. Howard playing poorly and now out 2-4 weeks. It is really looking like Ben Bishop has played his way onto the roster.

It also looks like Crawford is going to play/injure his way out of the Sochi Olympics.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Sochi Olympic Hockey thread part 2.

As the previous Sochi thread had the title mysteriously changed to simply "f," I'm started another thread.

Rosters are named.

Scott Burnside has a fascinating article on how the team was named. Brian Burke comes off as kind of an asshole in the article.
http://espn.go.com/olympics/hockey/s...pics-was-named

There were certainly a couple of baffling snubs. I don't see how Bobby Ryan and Jack Johnson didn't make the team. Going with Jimmy Howard over Bishop was a mistake, but since we are fighting over the 3rd goaltender, not that big of a deal.

Canada also had some head scratchers. Claude Girouix started slow, but he certainly belonged on the team. I don't see why Martin St Louis was left off. Chris Kunitz should not be on the team. The guy puts up big numbers, but it is basically just because he is lining up with Crosby. I realize that I'm biased, but I would have put Seabrook on the team.

I still like the chances of the United States to medal, but it isn't going to be easy. Hopefully the great hockey player in the world, Patrick Kane, can lead the United States.

[creekster]

Not sure what happened to the earlier title. At Funk's request I retitled it and merged the two threads.

[MartyFunkhouser]

I realize that Crosby is a better player than Sidney Crosby, but I do think that Toews should have been the captain for the Canadian Olympic team.

http://espn.go.com/olympics/winter/2...nada-captaincy

[MartyFunkhouser]

So Canada it was Toews or Crosby as captain, not really sure there was any other options than those 2.

United States is a more difficult call for the captain and alternates. Kane is the best player, but I'm not sure you really want him as the captain. He has grown up a lot, but I don't think he is a captain yet.

Dustin Brown, Callahan, and Backes are captains for their NHL teams.

I think you have to with Dustin Brown as the captain. He is the longest tenured NHL captain, he is a good leader, and has solid international experience. I think you give the alternate captain spots to Kane and Suter. Kane is maybe a bit of a reach and I could easily see Callahan, Backes, or Parise over him. I like have a blueliner as a one of your captains or alternates, so I really think you have to have Suter there. If you don't have Brown as the captain, he is an alternate captain for sure.

[Donuthole]

I realize that Crosby is a better player than Sidney Crosby, but I do think that Toews should have been the captain for the Canadian Olympic team.

http://espn.go.com/olympics/winter/2...nada-captaincy

Mods, can I suggest that this thread be renamed "f" and be locked until the Olympics begin. Just a thought.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Mods, can I suggest that this thread be renamed "f" and be locked until the Olympics begin. Just a thought.

Don't listen to the Communist Hate of Freedom and America suggestions of donuthole. He probably looks back on the Miracle on Ice with contempt.

I will not have hockey silenced.