USA roster- No Dunham (merged w/ "not much youth")

TEAM USA
GOALIES
Ty Conklin
Rick DiPietro
Robert Esche
DEFENSEMEN
Chris Chelios
Derian Hatcher
Ken Klee
Brian Leetch
Jordan Leopold
Aaron Miller
Brian Rafalski
Mathieu Schneider
FORWARDS
Tony Amonte
Jason Blake
Craig Conroy
Chris Drury
Bill Guerin
Jeff Halpern
Brett Hull
Steve Konowalchuk
Jamie Langenbrunner
Mike Modano
Jeremy Roenick
Brian Rolston
Bryan Smolinski
Keith Tkachuk
Doug Weight

I personally was surprised to see Dunham left off the USA roster. He had an average year on the Rangers (but in all honesty Mike Richter couldn't get this team to the playoffs for the last 6 years and he was the World Cup MVP), but Dunham's international experience is second to none (3 Olympics, World Cup, etc). He went to the World Championships, mainly I believe to show how much he wanted to play in the upcoming World Cup. I feel the goaltending is the weak point of the team now.

Also on a side note, how could Mike York be left off that team?? When you think of one player that can do anything asked, PP, PK, play any forward position, and leaves everything on the ice every shift, Oiler fans have called him their MVP since they got him.

Too bad they did not want defensive players. I was hoping Ortmeyer would make it.. He would be a good 4th liner for them. He leads by example and blocks shots. Speaking of that, how about making a deal.

Calgary Flames - 3rd round pick in 2004

New York Rangers - Stephane Yelle.


Reason for this, Yelle wins faceoffs, plays good defense and works hard. And he is cheap. What you guys think?

I'm a little surprised also. I'm no huge fan of Dunny, but I think he should have been on there.

Also on a side note, how could Mike York be left off that team?? When you think of one player that can do anything asked, PP, PK, play any forward position, and leaves everything on the ice every shift, Oiler fans have called him their MVP since they got him.

On another side note, how can Gomez be left off? I would chose him over York even though I don't really like Gomez. I know he ended up not playing in the World Championships after he said he was, but come on.

I was hoping Ortmeyer would make it..

Calgary Flames - 3rd round pick in 2004

New York Rangers - Stephane Yelle.

1. Whose spot would you have Jed take?

2. As for the deal, how many 3rd liners does this team need? Holik should be our 3rd line center. And by acquiring Yelle, once again one of the younger pluggers that we have would have no shot at making the team. Yelle may be a good piece for a contender, but need do the Rangers have of him?


As for the US team, if you're going to have Conroy on it, how can either Gomez or Yorkie be left off?

As for the US team, if you're going to have Conroy on it, how can either Gomez or Yorkie be left off?

As much as I love York, for the US team I would take Conroy over York in a heart beat. Conroy is multidimensional and has played in a lot of systems over the years. He brings more experience and skill to the table than York.

Taking Conroy over Gomez is more questionable in my eyes but this team has A LOT of centers on it and Conray has spent a few years in the league playing as a wing instead of center.

Smolinski :thumbd:

York should've made this squad, now i have to hope someone
gets injured ;)

I'm a little surprised also. I'm no huge fan of Dunny, but I think he should have been on there.



On another side note, how can Gomez be left off? I would chose him over York even though I don't really like Gomez. I know he ended up not playing in the World Championships after he said he was, but come on.

Gomez is pretty much a one dimensional player. Although he is quick and talented offensively, if you're going to have him on your team he needs to play on a top line with talented wingers. The US has better options at center than him for the top 3 lines (JR, Weight, Modano) and he wouldn't do much good on the 4th line as he doesn't PK and he isn't very physical or good defensively.

Can't just go by offensive talent with a team like this, anyone can pick an allstar team out of USA players, but if you want to win you have to pick a team and pick players that are going to have a role on that team.

Only 7 including 3 goalies under 30 years old. Where is the Team USA future ?

Only 7 including 3 goalies under 30 years old. Where is the Team USA future ?
I'm guessing that they wanted to bring back as many players as possible from the last WC team. Thats my only explanation for Smolinski being named, who knows.....

2. As for the deal, how many 3rd liners does this team need? Holik should be our 3rd line center. And by acquiring Yelle, once again one of the younger pluggers that we have would have no shot at making the team. Yelle may be a good piece for a contender, but need do the Rangers have of him?



This is no need for Yelle on this team, he is great fit for Calgary not for the Rangers. Same goes for Gelinas who Ortmeyer has mentioned in the past (among others)

Lastly, the 2004 3rd rounder went to Colorado in the Barnaby deal.

Too bad they did not want defensive players. I was hoping Ortmeyer would make it.. He would be a good 4th liner for them. He leads by example and blocks shots. Speaking of that, how about making a deal.

Calgary Flames - 3rd round pick in 2004

New York Rangers - Stephane Yelle.


Reason for this, Yelle wins faceoffs, plays good defense and works hard. And he is cheap. What you guys think?
we traded our 3rd anyways to COL with Barnaby so either way that deal isnt going to happen, and where is Yelle, is he injured?

but of course, it's been how many years? Smoke's gotten a little less effective, and a little more older. That team, I think, won't fare well. I think I'd take York and Gomez over Blake (who at 30, has now had only 2 good NHL seasons) and Smolinski.

but of course, it's been how many years? Smoke's gotten a little less effective, and a little more older. That team, I think, won't fare well. I think I'd take York and Gomez over Blake (who at 30, has now had only 2 good NHL seasons) and Smolinski.

Yeah, i'm not a big fan of Blake. He's a nice little sparkplug, but i'd rather have York. Gomez is about even to him in my book.

I'm disappointed not to see York, he's as deserving as many who were selected, but it seems as though a lot of older guys got the benefit of the doubt here, I assume the idea being that this is the last chance for many of these guys to represent their country, whereas guys like York and Gomez will have others.

I agree with Fletch that Blake is a questionable choice. Another one, I think, is Amonte, he hasn't exactly set the world on fire the last couple of seasons.

Only 7 including 3 goalies under 30 years old. Where is the Team USA future ?



Why is everyone surprised by this? This is a two week tournament for veteran players. Why wouldn't the U.S. choose a veteran team? The collective age of this team is 30.54 years, hardly ancient. As a comparision, Canada's is 28.03. Hardly a huge differance. The U.S. has a bright a future as any, there has been a gap in the quality of players between the ages of 24-28, but the under 23 contingent is as strong as ay nation's. The youth will be served in 2006 when it should.

but of course, it's been how many years? Smoke's gotten a little less effective, and a little more older. That team, I think, won't fare well. I think I'd take York and Gomez over Blake (who at 30, has now had only 2 good NHL seasons) and Smolinski.



Why won't fare well? The only reason that will happen is if the players don't work hard, and I don't see that happening with this squad.

Too bad they did not want defensive players. I was hoping Ortmeyer would make it.. He would be a good 4th liner for them. He leads by example and blocks shots. Speaking of that, how about making a deal.

Calgary Flames - 3rd round pick in 2004

New York Rangers - Stephane Yelle.


Reason for this, Yelle wins faceoffs, plays good defense and works hard. And he is cheap. What you guys think?

Ortmeyer is a 4th line player at this point.. you honestly thought he had any chance of beating out guys like Gomez, Holik, and York who didn't even make it?

I wouldn't give up any asset for Yelle. He has no use to a rebuilding team. You could just sign a cheap vet with leadership and lose nothing but cash.