Olympic Team Predictions (USA)

Team USA orientation camp will kick off Aug. 26-27 in Arlington, Va. Team USA has introduced Nashville Predators General Manager David Poile has the team G.M. Poile and his team of executives have invited 48 players to the camp to hopefully find the key players to represent the United States at the 2014 Winter Olympics. The orientation camp will give the players the chance to spend time getting to know the coaches, management and staff, and also taking part in team-building exercises well spending time with area youth hockey groups. The two day camp will have no on-ice component due to the high risk of insuring the players. Given that it will be close to the start of training camp for the players. Instead, most of the time will be spent educating the players on all the aspects of playing in the Olympics. These aspects would include the layout of the facilities to travel arrangements for the players and their families to the drug-testing and registration programs. 

Legend:

* = Returning Player from 2010

*** = Newly Invited Player

? = Long Shot but could Impact

?? = Long Shot with Slim Chance

List of Forwards Invited:

Justin Abdelkader-Detroit Red Wings (NHL) *** ?

David Backes- St. Louis Blues (NHL) *

Beau Bennett- Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL) ***?

Nick Bjugstad- Florida Panthers (NHL) ***?

Dustin Brown- Los Angeles Kings (NHL)*

Ryan Callahan- New York Rangers (NHL)*

Alex Galchenyuk- Montreal Canadiens (NHL)***?

Patrick Kane- Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)*

Ryan Kesler- Vancouver Canucks (NHL)*

Phil Kessel-Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)*

Trevor Lewis- Los Angeles Kings (NHL***

Kyle Okposo-.New York Islanders (NHL)***

T.J. Oshie- St. Louis Blues (NHL)***?

Max Pacioretty- Montreal Canadiens (NHL)***?

Kyle Palmieri- Anaheim Ducks (NHL)***

Zach Parise- Minnesota Wild (NHL)*

Joe Pavelski-San Jose Sharks (NHL)*?

Bobby Ryan-Ottawa Senators (NHL)*

Brandon Saad-Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)***??

Craig Smith-Nashville Predators (NHL)***??

Paul Stastny- Colorado Avalanche (NHL)*

Derek Stepan-.New York Rangers (NHL)***?

James van Riemsdyk-Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)***

Blake Wheeler-Winnipeg Jets (NHL)***?

Legend:

* = Returning Player from 2010

*** = Newly Invited Player

? = Long Shot but could Impact

?? = Long Shot with Slim Chance

List of Defenseman Invited:

Zach Bogosian- Winnipeg Jets (NHL)***?

Dustin Byfuglien- Winnipeg Jets (NHL)***

John Carlson- Washington Capitals (NHL) ***??

Dan Dekeyser- Detroit Red Wings (NHL) ***??

Justin Faulk- Carloina Hurricanes (NHL) ***?

Cam Fowler- Anaheim Ducks (NHL) ***??

Jake Gardiner- Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL) ***?

Erik Johnson- Colorado Avalanche (NHL)*

Jack Johnson- Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)*

Seth Jones- Nashville Predators (NHL)***??

Nick Leddy- Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)***??

Paul Martin- Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)***

Ryan McDonagh- New York Rangers (NHL)***

Brooks Orpik- Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)*?

Keven Shattenkirk- St.Louis Blues (NHL)***?

Ryan Suter- Minnesota Wild (NHL)*

Jacob Trouba- Winnipeg Jets (NHL)***??

Keith Yandle- Phoenix Coyotes (NHL)***

Legend:

* = Returning Player from 2010

*** = Newly Invited Player

? = Long Shot but could Impact

?? = Long Shot with Slim Chance

List of Goalies Invited:

Craig Anderson- Ottawa Senators (NHL)***

John Gibson- Anaheim Ducks (NHL) /Norfolk Admirals (AHL)***??

Jimmy Howard- Detroit Red Wings (NHL)***?

Ryan Miller- Buffalo Sabres (NHL)*

Jonathan Quick- Los Angeles Kings (NHL)*

Cory Schneider- New Jersey Devils (NHL)***

Hockey Plex's Forward Picks

TEAM USA

^ = New Comers

Backes                       Kesler                     Kane        

Parise                         Stastny                    Ryan

Van Riemsdyk^          Pavelski                  Wheeler^

Callahan                     Pacioretty^              Brown             

Extra Player: Phill Kessel or T.J. Oshie^

Hockey Plex's Defense Picks

TEAM USA

^ = New Comers

Byfuglien^            J.Johnson

Martin ^            Suter

E.Johnson    McDonagh^

Extra Player: Justin Faulk^ or Keith Yandle^

Hockey Plex's Goalie Picks

TEAM USA

^ = New Comers

Jonathon Quick (Starter)

Craig Anderson (Backup)

Ryan Miller (Extra Backup) 

Team USA will be young just like they were in 2010. Youth is what the NHL is now and I believe with this team they have a strong shot at finishing in the top 3. 

Predicting Finishing: 3rd - Winning Bronze Medal