Yesterday, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced that Mike Komisarek was going to miss the rest of the season because of shoulder surgery. Combined with the news that Paul Martin of the New Jersey Devils will also miss the Vancouver Olympics, there seems to be a sizable hole on the American blueline. With the Olympics rapidly approaching, there is widespread speculation as to who the replacements will be for Brian Burke. Would you expect anything less?
Every announcer I hear seems to think that THEIR team has the best answer. Tyson Nash thinks that Keith Yandle is a perfect replacement. Brian Hayward thinks that Ryan Whitney should be wearing the Stars and Stripes. The guys in Carolina? Yeah, they think that Tim Gleason is a shoe-in. I’m sure there are a few Kings fans who think that Rob Scuderi would be a perfect replacement for Mike Komisarek!
He's just like Komisarek. Only better.
There are 61 American defensemen who have played at least a game in the NHL so far this season. But we can quickly start crossing potential players off the list. First of all, American-born Tyler Myers has dual citizenship and plays internationally for Team Canada. As great as he’d be for Team USA, he’s as much of an option for the Americans as Scott Niedermayer.
The best way to look at it is to analyze the type of players that Burke and Co. will be looking for. With Team USA losing the grit that Mike Komisarek was going to bring to the team, they’ll probably look for someone that brings the pain. On that note, guys like Tim Gleason, Rob Scuderi, Tom Gilbert and even Ron Hainsey will get serious consideration.
Look for the spot to be filled by either Tim Gleason or Rob Scuderi. Gleason has been one of the very few bright spots for an otherwise disappointing Hurricanes team. He’s matched up against the opponents’ top lines every night, plays a nasty game, can skate with the best defensemen in the league and has a big shot. Honestly, he’s the RIGHT choice to take Komisarek’s spot—and should have had it in the first place.
But don’t count out Rob Scuderi in Los Angeles. Kings GM Dean Lombardi has been part of the decision making process for Team USA and thought highly enough of Scuderi that he signed him to a 4-year contract in the offseason. If they’re intent on adding a defensive defenseman, Scuderi has proven over the last 2 seasons that he’d be a worthy choice.
On the other end of the spectrum, Team USA will most likely look for an offensive defenseman to fill the void left by Paul Martin’s injury. Again, there’s a short list of guys that could adequately fill the spot. Alex Goligoski, Zach Bogosian, Keith Yandle and Ryan Whitney are all offensively gifted blueliners that will receive consideration.
Unlike the stay-at-home guys, the offensive guys are going to be a little more complicated. Based purely on statistics, it should be a two-horse race between Goligoski and Yandle. However, there was some drug-testing for eligibility for the Winter Games that Keith Yandle was not invited to participate in.
The smart money seems to be on Ryan Whitney because he’s had international experience and fills the offensive role they could be looking for. But from a strictly hockey perspective, Team USA could do much better than Whitney on the blue line. You don’t believe me? Ask a Penguins or Ducks fan how confident they feel when he’s the last man back.
If Yandle is not an option, I’d like to see either Goligoski or Bogosian get a look. The Penguins defensemen has managed to put up 25 points and has demonstrated above average vision on the power play. Bogosian might be the better all-around defenseman and the experience would be invaluable for a player that will receive serious consideration in 2014. If this is for the “taxi squad” spot, then why not give some experience to the guy with upside?
All signs point to a decision by the end of the week. If Brian Burke plays his cards right, he may actually be able to make Team USA stronger than they were before. Besides, it should serve as a great way to get those Olympic juices flowing for the games that are only days away.
Update: Per Kevin Allen of the USA Today, Tim Gleason and Ryan Whitney will be named as the replacement defensemen for Team USA. Great choice to include Gleason, but Whitney will prove to be a colassal mistake. At some point, a defenseman needs to know how to play DEFENSE.
Official announcement scheduled for today at noon.
