Yes, obviously I meant skilled with the puck, but I do take exception to him being weak defensively. He's an average defender that doesn't get credit for even that because of his offensive skill and creativity. I do agree that they will call Johnson up if necessary, he was after all the last cut. However, I think both of the Pittsburgh defensemen will play considering they still have over a month.
My biggest problem with excluding Ryan & Yandle is that they spewed some bs about needing playmakers. All of this being said we've yet to discuss their worst decision and it was including Jimmy Howard. He has been absolutely horrific, Ben Bishop and a dozen other guys should be furious.
Cheering for Sweden is easy for me, I spend the entire season cheering for OEL so why would I stop now? I have no rooting ties to team USA, fact is there are a lot of players on that roster I don't like. I'd cheer for Canada if Shane Doan didn't get rocky mountain spotted fever. I'm pretty sure they will pick Mike Smith but I'm equally sure he won't play.
He's average defensively for all of hockey, but when discussing elite, Olympic caliber hockey he's bad. I would be extremely scared to see him have to play regular defensive shifts against Canada or Russia.
I also wouldn't say not including Ryan shows they weren't looking for playmakers. He's a quality finisher but I'll take most of the guys that made roster if I want a play made.
Completely agree on Howard. I really hope he doesn't have play.
I've got a big rooting interest in team USA with Backes, Oshie, and Shattenkirk all making it but there's a pretty good chance there could be 5+ more Blues in the Olympics. Pietrangelo, Bouwmeester, Steen, Berglung, Sobotka, Polak, Halak, and Tarasenko are all possibilities so I'm going to have someone to cheer for about every game of the tournament.