3 replies to this topic

[FlavaDave10]

This is of course assuming that Bettman actually lets NHL players play in the Olympics.

Goalies:
Jonathan Quick
Ryan Miller
Corey Schneider/Jimmy Howard. Give me Corey Schneider's upside over Jimmy Howard's mediocrity. Howard's numbers look good on paper, but he's a system goalie.

Defensemen:
Ryan Suter
Ryan McDonagh
Dustin Byfuglien
Keith Yandle
Kevin Shattenkirk
Jack Johnson
John Carlson

Forwards:
Patrick Kane
Zach Parise
Ryan Kesler
Phil Kessel
Bobby Ryan
Dustin Brown
Ryan Callahan
Joe Pavelski
Jason Pominville
Max Pacioretty
Derek Stepan
TJ Oshie
Paul Statsny/David Backes

This team is definitely good enough to contend for a gold medal. I see USA, Canada, and Sweden all getting medals. Any of them could win the gold, though I think it's a given that Canada's the favorite.

[FlavaDave10]

If anyone wants to know why Canada is the favorite, this pretty much sums it up:

Goalies-
Carey Price
Marc-Andre Fleury
Roberto Luongo

I trust Price a lot more than I trust those other two.

Defensemen:
Shea Weber
Dustin Keith
Kris Letang
Drew Doughty
Marc Staal
Alex Pietrangelo
PK Subban/Michael Del Zotto

Forwards:
Stamkos
Crosby
Rick Nash
Claude Giroux
Jarome Iginla
Jonathan Toews
Corey Perry
Eric Staal
Jordan Staal
Jordan Eberle
Logan Couture
Jason Spezza
Tyler Seguin

[Oriole85]

ESPN: NHL players expected for Olympics

http://espn.go.com/n...014-sochi-games

[BSLMikeLowe]

Given that the NHL's primary TV partner, and the holder of Olympic broadcast rights in the US (NBC/Comcast) are one-and-the-same, it would come as a surprise to me if they don't play in the Olympics. Add to that the fact that there are a lot of Russian players in the league who certainly want to play in the Games in their home country, so the NHLPA I'm sure is lobbying for it. And even though the league doesn't like shutting down for 2-weeks in the middle of the season, it really is good exposure for the NHL.

Now, if we could only be sure NBC would show the hockey games (USA games, that is) live.