Canadian radio and TV jock talk, blogs and newspapers are filled
with discussion and debate about who should, and should not, be on Team Canada. Are the kids - Crosby, Staal, Spezza - ready? Brodeur, CuJo, Luongo, Turco, Theodore, Belfour? Will Rick Nash be healthy enough to play? But what about Team USA?
The American team will be announced on December 19. It will be selected by a group led by Don Waddell, General Manager of Team USA and executive vice president of the Atlanta Thrashers. Waddell will be assisted by Paul Holmgren,
assistant general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers, with input from Team USA head coach Peter Laviolette of the Carolina Hurricanes, embattled Bruins' coach Mike Sullivan, and Keith Allain, the goaltending coach of the St. Louis Blues. Thirty-nine players were invited to participate in the USA Olympic Orientation Camp in August.
If Team USA is to improve on a lacklustre semi-final loss at the 2004 World Cup, Waddell and his brain trust must inject some youth on to their blueline. The need for speed was underscored by IIHF President Rene Fasel last month when he said the Olympics will follow the NHL lead on officiating.
Players who use their skill and/or anticipation and have gained a positional advantage on an opponent shall not lose that advantage through illegal use of hands, arms or stick by the defending player. If a player is deprived of that advantage through an illegal act, the appropriate penalty shall be called.
Chris Chelios has probably earned the right to decide for himself whether or not he is on the American squad. Look for him to stay home to watch the games with teammate, Steve Yzerman who has similarly said he won't suit up for Canada. Waddell must know that if the American defensive unit includes Derien Hatcher, Brian Leetch, Eric Weinrich and Ken Klee, all on the '04 World Cup team, it could be a very short tournament for the US.
John-Michael Liles was also on the 2004 US World Cup and his play for the Avalanche this season more than justifies a return invitation. The Wings' Mathieu Schneider is experienced and third in scoring among defencemen with 9 goals and 16 assists, so he will be back as will the Devilish duo of Brian Rafalski and Paul Martin. Aaron Miller in having a solid season out in LA and has played for Team USA in the past so he will likely return as well, while the Rangers' Tom Poti will likely be on the outside looking in.
LA's Joe Corvo (5G 8A) must be getting a look. He's contributing offensively while sporting a gaudy +20 rating. Coyotes Paul Mara and Keith Ballard have been impressing one national team GM, unfortunately it's been the wrong one. The two have played a huge role in the success of Gretzky's team and will get a look, although Ballard will likely be told his turn will come in 2010. The Senator's Brian Pothier is another long shot to make the American squad.
When all is said and done the American blueliners will likely be Liles, Rafalski, Martin, Miller, Mara, Schneider and Hatcher.
Up front, Team USA needs to replace Brett Hull. Meanwhile, Jeremy Roenick, the "NHL's leading quote machine," has made it clear that he wants (and expects) to be in Turin, but with 11 points and a -3 rating on a good Kings team, he may have to follow through on his threat to move into the broadcast booth to cheer for his Canadian pals. Two weeks ago Keith Tkachuk looked like another veteran who would not be visiting the Italian Alps. But since returning to the Blues' lineup on November 25 Tkachuk has scored in 6 consecutive games, including 12 points in his last 4 games. Tkachuk will get another chance to wear the red, white and blue in February as will teammate Doug Weight and Dallas veterans Mike Modano and Bill Guerin.
At 35, Tony Amonte is still speedy and gritty so he will get the call, but Jamie Langenbrunner and Brian Smolinski, also members of the American World Cup 2004 team may be left behind this time because Waddell has to find room for some young guns. Look for Erik Cole and Brian Gionta to make the cut. Jason Blake (13G, 11A) is having a fine season but will have trouble securing a roster spot as a centre on a roster that includes Modano, Weight, Craig Conroy, Brian Rolston, and Scott Gomez. Chris Drury is another centre in a tough spot.
In the end the American list of forward will look something like this: Tkachuk, Weight, Modano, Guerin, Amonte, Cole, Gionta, Conroy, Rolston, Gomez, Blake, Steve Konowalchuk and Jeff Halpern.
While Gretzky seems to have too many goalies to choose from, Waddell is watching his leading prospects hit the injury reserve list. Rick DiPietro has the edge on the number one spot, but is being challenged by Tampa's John Grahame who has now won his last 9 starts. Rookie Ryan Miller burst out of the gates and is close to a return from a wrist injury, but will likely have to wait until 2010. Robert Esche's play so far this year has been average at best, but Waddell will probably want his experience in Italy. If Esche recovers from his sports hernia he will be selected, otherwise the Americans may want to take a flyer on young Oiler Michael Morrison, called up to fill in for the injured Ty Conklin. Morrison is 5-1 since his first start on November 14 and has a stingy 1.79 GAA. Conklin was among the 4 goalies (along with DiPietro, Esche & Miller) invited to the Team USA camps in August, but a groin injury has kept him from all but 4 games this season.
Waddell will probably go with DiPietro, Esche and Grahame.
Team USA will open their Olympic quest on February 15 against Latvia.
My expected Team USA is much the same, except for: Drury & the speedy York instead of Amonte and the injured Konowalchuk. And Leopold for the slow Hatcher.
Posted by: daniel | December 18, 2005 at 10:12 AM