With the injuries to Team USA defensemen Paul Martin (New Jersey) and Mike Komisarek (Toronto), many people were wondering if 1. The US has the defensive depth to replace players like these? And 2. Who are the best candidates?
As I mentioned in a previous post, I thought Ryan Whitney and Rob Scuderi would be the men for the job. Turns out, I was half right. Today USA Hockey announced that Ducks defenseman Ryan Whitney and Hurricanes rear guard Tim Gleason will be the replacements for the USA at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
On paper, these guys couldn't be more opposite. Gleason is a strong skater, with a commanding physical presence and more of a stay-at-home attitude defensively. Whitney, however is a gifted puck moving defenseman with great passing skills and a little bit more size than Gleason, but a reluctance to use it.
United States GM Brian Burke has a preference for players who have a combination of skill and physicality when constructing his rosters, and it seems in this case Whitney's ability to quarterback the breakout and his excellent passing skills will outweigh his lack of physical presence.
When talking about the United States chances in these upcoming Olympics, I have generally had some reservations about the skills and speed of the the Americans, combined with the fact that until the rosters were released the team could have been a grab bag of over the hill veterans and youngsters not quite ready for the prime time. I can honestly say I was refreshed at seeing Burke's roster construction for this years team and the willingness to cut ties with the old war horses that have been a mainstay in USA Hockey's international appearances (I'm talking about you, Gomez/Modano/Guerin/Tkachuk...although I would let Phil Housley lace 'em back up any time he wants).
I would personally prefer Hainsey or Scuderi over Brooks Orpik, but I'm not going to split hairs over that.
As far as the goaltending goes...I have a love/hate relationship with goaltending. While I love Ryan Miller and Jonathan Quick, I hate the Tim Thomas selection. I think at this point in the season, Quick should, without a doubt be Miller's backup (although I do believe that Miller should play every minute of this tournament) I cannot for the life of me understand why people continue this rouse that Thomas is a Vezina caliber goaltender. He has shown a propensity to flop, lose focus, and has shown no inclination that he has any idea where he is in the net when he is playing. Yes, I understand that he is a scrappy goalie with a big heart, but we have seen goalies like this before and it ended badly for all of them (except Dominik Hasek, of course).
My hemming and hawing over misguided choice of Thomas aside, I am very happy overall with the Olympic Roster for Vancouver. I am cautiously optimistic about the USA being a dark horse for a medal, and the additions of Gleason and Whitney have not done anything to hurt that optimism.
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