With almost every international competition, comes one of the hockey community's favorite past times: the "HOW THE HECK DID THIS GUY NOT MAKE THE TEAM" game. It's invigorating, frustrating, it makes us laugh and cry, but it's ultimately useless. Hockey Canada does not care who you think should be on their team. USA Hockey could care less if you think the team they picked sucks. What matters is results, and the pursuit of those results inevitably leaves behind many players worthy of a position on their home country's teams.
All of those players left empty by the rejection of their homelands can rest easy knowing that the Hart of Hockey has created a last chance for them to be recognized, by naming the 2014 Winter Olympics ALL-SNUB TEAM. Every and all players left off of an Olympic roster were considered to create the best possible team that could compete in Sochi, Russia.
It is my honor to announce the line-up for this team, with a quick few sentences about why they were chosen to be on this squad and represent the All-Snubs in 2014. The team is as follows:
Left Wing
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Center
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Right Wing
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James Neal (CAN)
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Logan Couture
(CAN)
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Bobby Ryan (USA)
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Martin St. Louis
(CAN)
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Joe Thornton
(CAN)
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Tyler Seguin
(CAN)
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Jiří Hudler (CZE)
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Claude Giroux
(CAN)
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Radim Vrbata
(CZE)
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Tomáš Fleischmann (CZE)
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Marcus Johansson
(SWE)
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Kyle Okposo
(USA)
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Gašper Kopitar (SLO)
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-
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Patric Hörnqvist (SWE)
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L Defen
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semen R
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Victor Hedman (SWE)
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Dan Boyle (CAN)
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Keith Yandle (USA)
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Brent Seabrook
(CAN)
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Jack Johnson (USA)
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Erik Johnson
(USA)
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Darnell Nurse (CAN)
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Roman Polák (CZE)
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Goaltenders
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Ben Bishop (USA)
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Marc-André Fleury (CAN)
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Marek
Mazanec (CZE)
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THE TEAM
Ben Bishop (G) - The United States had two clear top goaltenders heading into their Olympic roster announcement at the Big House on New Year's Day. Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres and, despite injury, 2012 Stanley Cup Champion and Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Quick. The third goalie spot should have belonged to Bishop, but instead went to Detroit's Jimmy Howard, who has struggled to this point in the 2013-14 season. Bishop, on the other hand, has been lights out in Tampa Bay this season and did everything he could to merit a spot on the U.S.A.'s Olympic team, including leading the league in with four shutouts. He even leads all NHL goalies with a .935 save percentage. His omission makes it a no-brainer to pencil him in as the starter for the All-Snub Team.
Dan Boyle (D) - Canada has a great depth of defensemen, especially in the mold of Boyle. Being left off of Canada's final roster isn't a complete shock, but his skills make him an easy selection for this team. His style of play translates perfectly to the international ice surface, and he's had success on wider rinks in the past. All of that in addition to his gold medal-winning experience from 2010 had to make him a tough cut for Steve Yzerman and the rest of Team Canada management.
Logan Couture (C) - There are a few theories as to why Couture was left off of Canada's final team after looking like a sure thing in the summer. Maybe it was the injury he sustained a day before the final roster decision was made that put his health in time for the games in jeopardy. Maybe it was the fear that he couldn't be as effective in bottom six role that kept him off the team. Maybe it was the steady decline of his play since the Sharks' hot start to the season. It was likely a combination of all of those factors, but those aren't enough to keep him off this team. He's still a dynamic offensive talent, and thus, the first line center for the All-Snubs.
Tomáš Fleischmann (LW) - Though he finds himself in a primary role among the mess that is the Florida Panthers right now, "Flash" was once a valuable depth player for the Presidents Trophy-winning Washington Capitals. Fleischmann can return to that role here, and should have been given that opportunity for the Czechs at the Olympics. Quite frankly, less responsibility on the offensive side of the puck could be liberating for the 10-year pro.
Marc-André Fleury (G) - The Flower could have had a 0.00 goals against average and a 1.000 save percentage and not have been taken by Team Canada. Despite making their 2010 roster, Fleury's recent woes in the Stanley Cup Playoffs raised so many red flags for Hockey Canada that he wasn't even among the six goalies invited to play street hockey at their Olympic tune-up summer camp. Since, the Flower has been in full bloom earning more wins than any other tendy in the NHL. He also ranks among the top 10 in save percentage, and pulls off saves that make Winnipeg Jets forward Evander Kane wonder, "I don't know if there's another goalie who makes them."
Claude Giroux (C) - Giroux might be No. 1 on the list of snubs from Team Canada's roster, but he's only the third line center on this team for the very reason he should be representing his home country in the Olympics. The intensity and determination in Giroux's game lends itself perfectly to a depth player's role, even though he has the skill to be a first-line producer, too. Giroux can be used on the penalty kill, too. Yes, he had an abysmal start to the 2013-14 campaign, but he's been leading the Flyers' resurgence with great play and they've since climbed well out of the basement of the Metropolitan Division. Canada may have been tentative about moving him to the wing with the plethora of talented centers Canada had to choose from, but there's an open slot for him down the middle here and his style of play make him a perfect fit anywhere down the depth chart.
Victor Hedman (D) - This is a player that has come a long way towards completing his game and developing into a No. 1 defenseman in the NHL, which is why his omission from Sweden was a head-scratcher. Swedish suits must have thought they already had too many Hedman-like blue liners that are better served for this tournament, but I find that hard to believe. As a result, Hedman is on the All-Snub Team's top defensive pairing and will be relied on to be steady in his own end while moving the puck out of the zone quickly and efficiently alongside another proficient passer, Dan Boyle.
Patric Hörnqvist (RW) - Hörnqvist isn't the fastest player, but he can provide a strong net-front presence on the power play and will crash the net hard on the rush, as well. Johan Franzen is a shell of the player he used to be, so he must have made the Swedish team simply based on reputation. Hörnqvist's lack of pure scoring touch probably kept him off and Franzen on in Sweden's book, and that's also the reason he's currently listed as a healthy scratch on this team. However, his skill mixed with his head strong play around the net makes him an attractive player to keep.
Jiří Hudler (LW) - Caught on the wrong side of the bubble in the mockery that was the Czech Republic's selection process, Hudler would otherwise be stuck watching the Sochi games from a couch in the Flames' player lounge with the insufferable 19 year old Sean Monahan if he wasn't selected to the prestigious All-Snub Team. On a pretty atrocious team, Hudler has come into his own in his second season in Calgary by scoring goals and setting up and more chances for teammates. Though not your traditional third line player, he once contributed to the Detroit Red Wings by playing third-line minutes in a depth role, so it's not that far of a stretch to put him in that position again.
Marcus Johansson (C/LW) - The occasionally doghouse'd center of the Washington Capitals has too much to offer to be written off by Team Sweden. He's got tons of speed and grew up dominating the wider ice surface, but more importantly, he plays a responsible two-way game that the bottom of this line-up needs. If he were better on draws he would have been an even easier pick for this team.
Erik Johnson (D) - Erik has had an up and down season amidst a year in Colorado that has seen the highest of highs and heavy lows. Still, Patrick Roy has channeled something in Erik that his previous coaches in Denver could not. He's much less inconsistent than he was before, and has his two-way game its best in four years, you know, since the last Olympics. Johnson was an effective bottom pairing d-man for the stars and stripes in Vancouver, and very well could have been again this year, but it was not to be.
Jack Johnson (D) - This was a tough call to make, since Jack has had a tough time early this season, contributing to the Blue Jackets' struggles. At face value, he wasn't good enough for the U.S. team, but his fire and passion redeems him enough to make the All-Snub Team. He brings too much to the table to leave off here, not to mention his play has dramatically improved over the past month. He played his way off of Team U.S.A., but he's still too good to be left off this squad.
Gašper Kopitar (LW/C) - Kopitar mostly makes this team because he might be the most shocking snubs of any country, since he's one of few Slovenians to play at a high level at such a young age and his FATHER is the coach of the team. He's no schmuck, though. Kopitar is a versatile offensive talent that can play every position, and was more than deserving of a nod to Slovenia's national team. Perhaps anti-nepotism in play here?
Marek Mazanec (G) - A bit of a sleeper pick, nobody expected much of Mazanec when the season began, but now he's backstopped the Predators to a .500 record in the absence of their seven million dollar-a-year goalie, Pekka Rinne. Mazanec still has a lot of growing to do as a goaltender, but his heroics between the pipes this year should have earned him a spot on the Czech roster as one of their three netminders. He's made multiple sparkling desperation saves, and more importantly, kept a Nashville team (that finished second-to-last in the conference last year) in the playoff hunt despite missing their franchise goalie.
James Neal (LW) - "The Real Deal" has scored more goals (77) than any other Canadian-born player in the NHL over the past three years. More than Steven Stamkos, more than Sidney Crosby, more than Corey Perry, and certainly more than Rick Nash. He's a pure sniper with underrated playmaking ability, and has one of the best releases in the world. Unfortunately for him, that apparently wasn't enough for Team Canada to take him. Of course, Canada produces a great deal of great forwards, and perhaps concerns over his lack of discipline played a role in ranking him behind other guys that can be slid over to the left wing. Whether that's true or not is debatable, but nevertheless, that's why he's penciled in on the top line of this squad.
Darnell Nurse (D) - Oops, sorry. How'd he get in here? I'm guess I'm still reeling from the World Juniors over here.
Kyle Okposo (RW) - Okposo is producing offense at the highest rate of his career, and every time you think his scoring is going to wane, it doesn't. The U.S.A wasn't impressed enough by the second-highest point-producing American in the NHL this season, but he's also a player who can contribute to the bottom two lines of a team, too. Is the international ice a concern for him? Yeah, a little, but you can't ignore his performance in the NHL this year and his grittiness and intensity is a perfect fit for the All-Snubs.
Roman Polák (D) - He's big, he's mean, he hits everything that moves, and he's well positioned in his own end. What more could you ask for? Well, if your the Czech Republic, apparently a 42 year old who hasn't played in the NHL for seven years has more to offer. Are you kidding me? Oh well, now Polák can use his d-zone prowess for this fictional team. That should make him feel better.
Bobby Ryan (RW) - Bobby Ryan's omission from Team U.S.A. was one of the more shocking decisions when it comes to international competition in a long time. Scott Burnside's inside look at the team selection process revealed there were concerns about his foot speed, lack of big number production on the power play, his "intensity", and more than anything, if they didn't have him in their top two lines, he'd be completely and utterly useless. Fair analysis when it comes to building your perfect team, but I'm not convinced that he isn't one of the United States' top six forwards. His skill set is incredible, he has the ability to take over a game, and was fantastic for the U.S. in the silver medal effort in Vancouver, so you know he can be just as valuable playing against the world's elite.
Brent Seabrook (D) - As one of the most reliable defenders in the world, it's hard to believe Brent Seabrook won't be traveling to Sochi with Team Canada. For all of his hits and blocked shots in addition to his calming presence in his own zone and holding the offensive blue line, he got caught on the wrong end of a lefty-righty balance Yzerman tried to assemble. If the goals against start to stack up for Canada in Sochi, they might want to look at a lack of Seabrook.
Tyler Seguin (RW/C) - Seguin got off to a slow start to his career in Dallas, and concussion symptoms didn't exactly help, either. Since getting healthy, Seguin has been lighting the lamp non-stop in Big D and has climbed to eighth in the league in goal scoring. Still, there were too many concerns with his defensive game and lack of international experience to put him on Team Canada, so the All-Snub Team will use his speed and goal-scoring ability to add to an already lethal offense. Also, he's a natural center and moved back to that position with the Stars, but played the wing during his time in Boston and has experience and moderate success at that position. Being a two-position player is key in the event of an injury or suspension to the players already slotted in the centerman's position.
Martin St. Louis (LW) - He's the NHL's reigned scoring champion, and on pace for another point-per-game season despite missing Steven Stamkos, yet he couldn't crack Team Canada. Chris Johnson reported that Hockey Canada management felt that he doesn't play a fast enough game for this Canadian team, and even though the 38 year old has lost a step from his younger days, there's still plenty of speed in his game. That doesn't make any sense, so the All-Snub team will take this old-timer's speed and put it on a line with the even faster Tyler Seguin and slighty* slower Joe Thornton.
* = slightly meaning much, much more
Joe Thornton (C) - Jumbo Joe leads the NHL in assists and has proven time and time again that he's one of the greatest playmakers of a generation. He's slowed down a lot since eclipsing 30 years of age, but his work down low, in front of the net, and distribution of the puck is far too enticing for this group to pass up. Plus, I'm unsure if there's an international FCC or not, so something like this could be all the more entertaining.
Radim Vrbata (RW) - Radim Vrbata has been one of the most underrated players in the NHL for three years now, but for his own country to overlook him is inexcusable. Vrbata would provide this team with reliable source of secondary offense on the third line and would likely be the first guy called up to the top six forwards if the lines needed shaken up or if there were an injury.
Keith Yandle (D) - U.S.A. brass thought Keith Yandle brings too many risks compared to his great reward. That's why you pair him with one of the most reliable defenders in the world in Brent Seabrook, and let Keith Yandle be Keith Yandle. For all his imperfections, he can pass the puck with the best of them, rush the puck, and work well on the man advantage. No doubt he was a tough player to cut by Team U.S.A., but tough cuts are exactly what this post was made for.
THE DOUBLE-SNUBS (Narrowly missed out on this team)
Jordan Eberle (Canada: RW) - Canadian hero just can't quite beat out the forwards on the wing to play a scorer's role.
Mark Giordano (Canada: D) - Would have gotten much more attention for Team Canada if not injured for most of the season. Playing the best hockey of his career on a terrible team.
Taylor Hall (Canada: LW) - Speed kills, but the total package isn't attractive enough to make it here. So close.
Robin Lehner (Sweden: G) - Lost a spot on Sweden after Jonas Gustavsson shined during Howard's absence in Detroit, but isn't playing quite well enough to top Mazanec's case for this team.
Mika Zibanejad (Sweden: C/RW) - Not yet. So promising, but not quite yet...
NOT A SNUB (Not even eligible because they weren't a true "snub")
Sven Bärtschi (Switzerland: LW) - Bothered by nagging injuries all year and it's clearly hurt his game.
Jonas Brodin (Sweden: D) - "Inconsistency" is the word for Brodin's sophomore slump, and that's not good enough to crack Team Sweden.
Kris Letang (Canada: D) - Though he's picked up his play as of late, his game ranged from terrible to simply injured all season. Not good.
Michal Neuvirth (Czech Republic: G) - He hasn't been all that great and Mazanec's emergence takes him completely out of consideration.
Pekka Rinne (Finland: G) - He's been too hurt and Finland has too much tendy depth for him to be given a second though.
