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With all of the 2010 men's Olympic teams finalized other than the U.S., we at Hockey Wilderness thought we'd go ahead and give it a shot.
Now, please keep in mind that I am opinionated and plan on selecting from my gut instead of pretending that I am a crazy man who happens to be the GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs. As such, I may make some choices that you look at and think "What the hell is he thinking? Jesus, he must be on drugs!" Well, yeah, actually, I'm rocking the painkillers since shoulder surgery before Christmas. EAT THAT!
Anyway, I'm sure Mirtle's will be much more in depth, make "sense" and be closer to the actual final roster. Keep in mind though, he's a stinking Canadian, and we don't need them and their fake bacon. He's just trying to keep the US from fielding a team that could kick the crap out of those maple syrup eating, colored money having bastards in their own home.
So, without further adieu, I present the Hockey Wilderness American ass-kickers!
Goaltenders
1. Ryan Miller
2. Tim Thomas
3. Jimmy Howard
This one really doesn't matter. It's Miller in every game except maybe the Norway one. Many people will want Jonathan Quick instead of Howard, but I don't trust Quick, and Howard has won medals at the World Juniors.
Defensemen
Now, my top pick, Andy Greene, is not likely to play because of stringent anti-doping rules, and the fact that he likely didn't go through the necessary regimen in order to be approved for the Olympics. Also, Paul Martin will be left off the list, but only because he will have had two or three weeks of full-speed play since coming off injury before the break. He won't be ready.
1. Matt Carle
2. Ryan Whitney
3. Erik Johnson
4. Tyler Myers
5. Ryan Suter
6. Alex Goligoski
7. Brooks Orpik
Yes, I selected Alex Goligoski in his first full season. Yes my defense is young. Yes I left off Brian Rafalski. These things are not coincidental. The US is weak at the blue-line, so let's get built for speed and transition. These guys are going to be fast, move the puck and play positionally. Can they stop the Swedes, Russians and Canadians? Frankly, I really don't know, but we're going to change the guard.
Forwards
Speaking of changing the guard. I don't want Scott Gomez, Chris Drury, Doug Weight, Keith Tkachuk and Bill Guerin anywhere near Vancouver. I want fresh, young talent. The kind of talent that has had success in the WJC. The kind of talent that can make things really exciting, entertaining and provide the kind of thrills WJC fans had in 2004 watching a ridiculously talented American team defeat the Canadians 4-3 in the gold medal game.
1. Zach Parise
2. Brian Gionta
3. Ryan Malone
4. Bobby Ryan
5. David Legwand
6. Patrick Kane
7. Blake Wheeler
8. Ryan Kesler
9. Jamie Langenbrunner
10. Tim Connolly
11. Phil Kessel
12. Kyle Okposo
13. Drew Stafford
So, what do you all think? Am I way off-base?