Thom Yorke |
02-10-2014 05:08 PM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Burning Down
(Post 1415178)
So apparently this is the American lineup, at least during practice:
Forwards:
James van Riemsdyk - Joe Pavelski - Phil Kessel
Zach Parise - David Backes - T.J. Oshie
Patrick Kane - Ryan Kesler - Dustin Brown
Max Pacioretty - Paul Stastny - Ryan Callahan
Derek Stepan
Blake Wheeler
Defense:
Cam Fowler - Ryan Suter
Ryan McDonagh - John Carlson
Kevin Shattenkirk - Paul Martin
Brooks Orpik - Justin Faulk
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Pavelski is an interesting pick between the two Toronto wingers. Arguably the US's most complete player along with Backes, and he's essentially a much, much, much, much better version of Bozak so that could work out well.
I love Kesler with Kane but would have given him more of an offensive threat on the other wing like Parise, as adding Brown seems like a bit too much grit to surround your best offensive player with.
Backes/Oshie is a given, and Parise on there as well might make that their best line.
Interesting to see Fowler up with Suter. That's a lot of responsibility for him, but he'll be able to take more chances playing with a guy as steady as Suter.
Overall, that roster has the most balance of anyone in the tournament, along with having the least drop-off from line-to-line and pairing-to-pairing, which essentially makes them match-up proof. You can't pinpoint a specific scoring line there and you can't pinpoint a distinct checking line either.
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