CBC-Sports

Our picks for Team U.S.A.

November 18, 2009 06:26 PM | Posted by   Scott Morrison  

Now that we have provided Steve Yzerman with his Canadian Olympic roster, in the spirit of free trade we offer the same service to Brian Burke, general manager of Team USA.

The Canadians have some tough roster decisions, of course, although as we mentioned more and more of that roster could be penned, not penciled in. The selection of the American roster could be a tad more complicated.

For starters, this is a team in transition, retiring the old guard and bringing on the next generation. Burke admits his will likely be the youngest team in the Olympic tournament and the changing of the guard was inevitable.

That's not to say the Americans will be without experience, but just five players invited to their orientation camp - Mike Modano, Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, Jamie Langenbrunner and Brian Rafalski have Olympic experience.

Like all teams, Burke is looking to fill specific roles and like all Burke teams he wants that element of truculence.

"A guy that's a top-six forward, if he can't play in our top six, then he's probably not going to be there," Burke said. "In other words, we're not going to take him as a third-line guy. We're going to have some size and some specialty players on the third and fourth lines."

Like all teams, injuries could be a factor and right now the Americans have a few significant players shelved with serious injuries. Brian Gionta has a fractured ankle, Drury and David Booth have severe concussions. You could argue all three would normally make the final roster.

GOAL (3): This one is easy. Ryan Miller has been the best American goalie this season and he will be joined by Vezina winner Tim Thomas and Craig Anderson, who has been terrific with Colorado this season.

DEFENCE (7): Now it gets tougher. Rafalski and Paul Martin (who is also injured) should be locks. Young Erik Johnson has had a good season and we have him on the final roster along with Ryan Suter, Ryan Whitney and Mike Komasarik. Which leaves one spot open and a ton of candidates but we're leaning to James Wisniewski, though Alex Goligoski and his offensive skills could sway the decision makers.

FORWARDS (13): There has been some concern expressed about whether the Americans have enough firepower, to which coach Ron Wilson says they may not be as deep as other countries, but he feels he has enough of it. The new guard to lead this group are Patrick Kane, Phil Kessel and Zach Parise. Working under the premise that both Drury and Booth will be included, they will be joined Jamie Langenbrunner, Ryan Malone, Bobby Ryan, Tim Connolly and Ryan Callahan. And a potential line that Burke will like for its abrasive play will be Ryan Kesler, Dustin Brown and David Backes.

It's not a lock for gold, but this team won't be a pushover, whatever the final roster.

Thoughts?

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