Kyle Okposo: Not yet an Olympian
by Dominik on Jan 1, 2010 5:10 PM EST
in Roster Manoeuvres in the Dark
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PrintI would assume he'll be there one day (assuming continued NHL participation in the Olympics), but today Kyle Okposo was left off the U.S. Olympic team. I don't get caught up in these roster decisions too much: Whether Canada or USA or Russia, very good players must be left off the roster.
But in the context of Okposo's omission -- and Brian Burke's comments about the criteria for forming the team -- two local players named to the squad gave me pause.
First, Burke's comments in an interview on the NHL Network (emphasis mine):
"A body of work is important as far as a player. A player who might not have had a great start this year but his body of work in the last 16 months has been impressive, that carried a lot of weight with us.
Really difficult decisions at every position. Leaving a Ryan Whitney out, a Dustin Byfuglien, Kyle Okposo, Scott Gomez..."
Rivalry considerations aside, exactly what about Chris Drury has been impressive in the last 16 months? Consider that Burkeian criteria and the stats of both Rangers named to the team, as well as the stats of one Islander who didn't:
Selfishly, I almost don't want any important Islanders logging intense minutes at the Olympics in February and then running through their Olympic hangover in an Isles uniform. But as a USA "fan" who has seen a lot of these players the last few years, I know which guy I would definitely want in a short tournament, and which guy has appeared -- for two seasons running -- to be a shadow of his formerly "clutch" self.
Kyle Okposo never stops working and can eagerly fill any role you give him; that's what I'd expect of a 12th/13th forward in a short tournament. Callahan? Sometimes. I expect he'll show up and be tenacious. Drury? Not sure what role they have in mind for him, but based on his last two NHL seasons, I hope it's not a big one.
I don't want to get too down on any U.S. Olympian; I'm sure they'll all represent with pride. But, well, I know Drury's done some very nice things in his career -- heh, so have Doug Weight and Keith Tkachuk -- he just hasn't done any of them lately.
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A Natural Sparkplug? A Player With Heart? Someone who never stops?
Nah, we don’t need any of THAT type of player on Team USA. He does need to be able to wreck a hotel room and once again disappoint all US fans.
Go Team Switzerland!
"So basically, the Stats make no sense whatsoever."
It's amazing. The Zamuner Effect
I think Burke fell in love with the idea of constructing the perfect team (we need third-liners!) rather than selecting the most dangerous collection of players and letting his coach mold them into whatever roles he needs.
Lighthouse Hockey: Eyes on Tavares, mug full of Moulson.
More from Burke
via Botta:
"Chris Drury was picked because he is Chris Drury."
Oooohhh, right. Mmmkay.
Bill Guerin is also Bill Guerin and Brett Hull is Brett Hull, I imagine. I saw Eruzione is still living, too.
Lighthouse Hockey: Eyes on Tavares, mug full of Moulson.
Callahan is there to PK and check. I have no problem with that selection. I’m not doubting Okposo’s effort, but I think it’s important to get a small handful of guys that are used to PKing in the NHL. But Drury is definitely a problem. Team USA thinks he’s their lucky rabbit’s foot and will provide leadership; he better do a good bit of both because his play on the ice is not going to justify his position. It’s like the Canadian selection of Niedermayer, except Niedermayer is still a damn good player, if not nearly his former self.
I’m also surprised by including both Johnsons, but I suspect they are the 6/7 so we won’t see both of them dressed unless it’s against a patsy.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
Callahan is there to PK and check. I have no problem with that selection. I’m not doubting Okposo’s effort, but I think it’s important to get a small handful of guys that are used to PKing in the NHL.
Thing is, Okposo can do that and more. I didn’t really expect him to be on the team, but if he made it I expected it would be for his versatility in a pinch (he even plays the point on the PP, albeit not prolifically). I figure in a short tournament he brings a deeper toolbox than Callahan: Not out of place on the fourth line, not out of place on the first line, makes every linemate better.
Mostly, though, even though they play different positions, Drury’s inclusion and Burke’s rationale set me off.
Lighthouse Hockey: Eyes on Tavares, mug full of Moulson.
Drury is indefensible. I looked at Behind the Net, I didn’t realize Okposo killed as much as he did but both Callahan and Drury kill significantly more time. I agree Okposo is the better player, and every GM would take him over the three, but right now I think Callahan may be the better PK guy.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
Brian Burke is an idiot
It’s really that simple. Most over rated GM in the game today. The only reason he gets so much hooplah is because he was Colin Campbell before Colin Campbell. Might also explain why that Ducks team got away with so much.
Kyle Okposo is hands down ten times the player Ryan Callahan is. Callahan is a third liner AT BEST on a good team. Callahan would be lucky if he could even scrape a piece off the type of career Okposo is going to have.
I actually like Ryan Callahan a lot. Id like to hypnotize him and get him to demand a trade to the Isles lol.
But, I do find it tough to believe someone would really pick him over Kyle Okposo as a must-have on a team like this.
As much as Rangers fans like Callahan, Id bet that many of their own fans would take Okposo over Callahan if they were able to choose between the two of them. And I KNOW they would pick Kyle over Drury.
Let Us Go, Islanders!
(Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
Its a Farce
Kyle “The Beast” Okposo earned his name for a reason…The problem is the name of the team hes playing for…I hope he doesn’t want to leave LI because he feels he doesn’t get the opportunities…I just hope the LHP gets approved so we can resign the Beast…
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