As the Caps begin a stretch of 11 games in 19 days before the 2010 Winter Olympics begin I figured this is as good a time as any to post some initial thoughts on the upcoming Olympic hockey tournament. All the sport’s great players will be in Vancouver and I’ll have a bunch of preview stories in the coming days. But for now I’ll use this space to go a little more in depth – especially on Team USA.
The Americans certainly lack the star power of the favored Canadians – and the Russians and Swedes for that matter. But there’s some nice skill here and a ton of young talent. Team USA general manager Brian Burke has said time and again that he put this group together with specific roles in mind. That’s not necessarily an option the Big 3 have because their rabid fanbases would flip out if more talented players were left off the roster just because they weren’t great fits for fourth-line duty. Of course, in Burke’s case he’s not really leaving much talent on the shelf – unless you really, really wanted Scott Gomez or Tim Connolly on this team or a younger kid like Kyle Okposo wasting his time in limited minutes in an ill-fitted role.
But I kind of like this approach. Because let’s be honest – even if Burke loaded up on his best skill players there isn’t enough in the United States’ system to compete with the elite teams anyway. As is, the third and fourth lines on this team look nasty. It’s probably a terrible sign for any medal hopes, but I’m kind of looking forward to the American’s penalty-kill unit. Here’s a thumbnail look at Team USA’s 13 forwards. I’ll have posts later in the week on the defensemen and the goalies.
Paul Stastny – 24 – Colorado Avalanche
The most skilled, creative center on the American roster. Stastny, a dual citizen of Canada and the United States, has 11 goals and 37 assists in 51 NHL games this season. Strong on his skates with good quickness. An overlooked young star given Colorado’s struggles prior to this season. But this is a chance to break through on the world’s biggest stage. Is he ready for that?
Patrick Kane – 21 – Chicago Blackhawks
Leads a group of dynamic, young wingers that have come out of the American developmental system in recent years. The Buffalo native has 21 goals and 36 assists for the NHL’s second-best team. He’s headed for career highs in both categories. Likely the top line right wing and one of the few players who can legitimately match the skill level of the very best Canadian, Russian and Swedish players.
Zach Parise – 25 – New Jersey Devils
Ron Wilson has already said Parise will play on the top line as Stastny’s left wing and serve as an alternate captain. He has 23 goals and 28 assists for the Devils and also appears headed for career highs in all three main offensive categories. Among American-born players only Kane has more points. Parise is not the biggest guy in the world at 5-11, 190 pounds – something he shares in common with Kane and Stastny.
Joe Pavelski – 25 – San Jose Sharks
Overshadowed by so many stars in San Jose. But make no mistake – Pavelski is a critical component on the NHL’s best team. A classic first-to-arrive, last-to-leave-the-rink guy who can play on the power play, but is also an fine penalty killer. Most important – he’s excellent in the faceoff circle at 58.8 percent. Pavelski has 12 goals and 18 assists for San Jose. But is he a second-line center at the international level? Is there even a legit playmaking center on the roster other than Stastny?
Dustin Brown – 26 – Los Angeles Kings
There is no more versatile forward on the roster. Ron Wilson thinks he could use the 6-foot, 207-pound Brown on any line and on either side – which is good given the number of right wings available. A tough customer with enough skill to see time as a top-six forward. Brown is third in the NHL with 186 hits yet also has 12 goals and 21 assists for the Kings. Scored 33 goals two years ago. Named an alternate captain.
Phil Kessel – 22 – Toronto Maple Leafs
One of the game’s top snipers. Kessel missed the first month of the NHL season after shoulder surgery. He has 15 goals and 15 assists in 41 games. A mercurial sort – Kessel forced a trade from the Boston Bruins in the offseason when it became clear he was prepared to sign an offer sheet with another team – but an undeniable talent. He has 10 goals and five assists in 15 career playoff games. A good bet at second-line right wing. But can Wilson count on him?
Bobby Ryan – 22 – Anaheim Ducks
Another young winger playing in the Olympics for the first time. Say this for the Americans – they’ll be ready to roll at the 2014 Games in Sochi. But is Ryan ready for prime time now? He’s a natural goal scorer with 24 already in 2009-10 and another 18 assists. Good size at 6-2, 208. But where does he play? Kessel and Kane seem ahead of him at right wing. Would Wilson roll the dice and throw Ryan on the third line to upgrade the offense there? Might be the odd-man out – even if that’s a lot of offense to leave on the bench.
Ryan Malone – 30 – Tampa Bay Lightning
Did you forget about Malone after he left his hometown Pittsburgh Penguins – Stanley Cup contenders – to sign with the rebuilding Tampa Bay Lightning two years ago? Not much has changed. Still a physical presence at left wing. The 6-4, 225-pounder has good hands and a nice shot. With 21 goals and 20 assists he is having a career year. His size and net presence is needed on a team featuring so many smaller skill players.
Ryan Kesler – 25 – Vancouver Canucks
An elite two-way player and a perfect fit at third-line center for the United States. Kesler is “a pain in the butt”, according to Ron Wilson, who meant that as a complement. His speed is a disruptive asset. Still developing offensively with 13 goals and 31 assists – 15 points shy of his career high set last season. He also ranks 12th in the NHL in faceoffs (56.5 percent). Only six NHL players have blocked more shots (48) – and two of them are Kesler’s Olympic teammates.
Jamie Langenbrunner – 34 – New Jersey Devils
Is it possible to be an old man at 34? On this team it is. Langenbrunner, a right wing, has been a consistent presence on quality teams in Dallas and New Jersey throughout his career. He’s won two Stanley Cups and has Olympic experience, too, after playing in Nagano in 1998. A natural leader whom Burke and Wilson tabbed as team captain. But Langenbrunner is not here for veteran leadership alone. He posted a career-high 69 points last season with New Jersey and with 14 goals and 31 assists he’ll come close to that number again this year.
Ryan Callahan – 24 – New York Rangers
Again, not a big guy at 5-11, 185. But Callahan is a relentless presence on the forecheck and seems to take that to another level when his team is shorthanded. Ranks second in the entire league in hits among forwards (188) and fourth in blocked shots (53). A decent offensive player with 12 goals and 15 assists. Knows his role and will stick to it at all costs. Capable of playing either wing.
David Backes – 25 – St. Louis Blues
Another rugged player at 6-3, 216, who is headed for fourth-line duty in Vancouver. The versatile right wing has 10 goals and 17 assists for the Blues so Backes has some pop. He’s been dealing with an upper-body injury lately and has missed the last three games so that bears watching as the Olympics get closer. He also spent much of January fighting any Team Canada player he could get his hands on, including Corey Perry, Rick Nash and…little guy Jonathan Toews? That last one was weak. But Backes assured everyone those fights were just a coincidence. Point made though – he’s not afraid to mix it up and has 75 penalty minutes this season.
Chris Drury – 33 – New York Rangers
Not a captain or even an alternate. But on such a young team few can match his big-game experience. Drury won an NCAA title at Boston University. Never an elite scorer – save for a two-year stretch in Buffalo – he posted 11 goals in the 2001 playoffs as the Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup. For the love of God, he even pitched his Trumbull, CT team to a Little League World Series title at age 12. Not the player he once was and that led to some questions about how he made the final roster. Still, on a grand stage you never have to worry that Drury will wilt. Also a solid faceoff man (53.6 percent) on a team that only has a handful. No NHL forward has more blocks (66). One of just three players with previous Olympic experience.
