Team USA Forwards
- Zach Parisie – Joe Pavelski – Patrick Kane
- James van Reimsdyk – Tyler Johnson – Phil Kessel
- Max Pacioretty – Ryan Kesler – Kyle Okposo
- TJ Oshie – David Backes – Bobby Ryan
- Extras: Blake Wheeler, Derek Stepan
While team USA has an impressive group of forwards it is time to right one wrong from the 2014 Olympic Roster, and that is leaving Bobby Ryan home. The guy can flat out score and keeping him home, because of the large ice surface, proved to be the wrong decision. When you score no goals in the Semi-finals and Bronze Medal games taking goal scorers has to be a top priority.
Two names that jump out in the forward mix are Tyler Johnson and Kyle Okposo. Johnson had a coming out party during the NHL postseason and is a lock to make this roster. Team USA gets an instant infusion of offense down the middle with Johnson. If they could only figure out how to get all of the Triplets to play for Team USA we would have something.
All I hear about Kyle Okposo is he is only good because he plays with John Tavares. Well last time I checked, playing with Team USA you are playing with top end talent. It is time to give him a shot over a Ryan Callahan type player and see if he can shine as a two-way forward that can actually bury the puck.
The Patrick Kane rape allegations could have a say in who plays top line RW. Hopefully for Team USA’s sake, Ryan Callahan is not taking Patrick Kane’s spot on the roster.
