A repeat as World Cup champs?
Team USA's World Cup roster, Aaron Miller and five Hart candidates take a ride on the Zambioni.
A source inside USA Hockey told me that the deadline to name the preliminary roster for the 2004 World Cup of Hockey will be moved from the original date of Feb. 1. The date hasn't been decided on yet, but it will likely be set for sometime during the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The tournament kicks off August 30, 2004, with eight nations split into two pools.
North American: United States (defending champion), Canada, Russia and Slovakia.
European: Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Sweden.
Three North American cities will host games. Toronto's Air Canada Centre and Montreal's Bell Centre will be the Canadian venues, while the St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center will host games in the U.S. European pool play will be held in Cologne, Helsinki, Prague and Stockholm. All games will be played on NHL-size surfaces under NHL rules and with NHL referees, and will feature sudden-death overtimes.
The United States opens the defense of its title in Montreal on August 31, in a rematch of the 1996 final and at the same site where the U.S. defeated Canada 5-2 in the deciding Game 3 of the series on Sept. 14, 1996. The U.S. will take on Russia on September 2 in St. Paul, then wrap up the round-robin portion the next day with a game against Slovakia.
ESPN will have exclusive coverage of the World Cup in the U.S. Tickets for games in the U.S. can be bought at http://www.wild.com/tickets/003/624/.
The two semi-final winners will be matched up in a single-game final on September 14th at Toronto's Air Canada Centre. The Collective Bargaining agreement ends the next day.
So, since playing general manager is the most fun aspect of being a sports fan, here is my swing at the USA squad for the 2004 World Cup:
| BUCCI'S TEAM USA | ||
|---|---|---|
| FIRST LINE | ||
| Mike York | Mike Modano | Jamie Langenbrunner |
| Got to have some players with wheels to play with Modano, who flies all over the ice. Mike York can open up as a right-handed shot for the one-timers. This is a perfect tournament for Langenbrunner, who was a late add to the '96 team. He will shine. I was shocked when my Men's Fitness magazine came in the mail last week with Modano on the cover! An NHL player on the cover of a major mag. Cool. I was also shocked when I realized the magazine augmented the shirtless Modano's left bicep. Modo looks like he injected goat hormones into it. The Stars must be giving it to him in the locker room over that. | ||
| Defense | Brian Leetch | Derian Hatcher |
| Hatcher not making the Olympic team in 2002 was dumbfounding. He'll be back with a vengeance in the 2004 World Cup. | ||
| SECOND LINE | ||
| Keith Tkachuk | Jeremy Roenick | Tony Amonte |
| The Chowderhead Line. All three are playing well this year. During the 1996 World Cup, Amonte had six points -- and scored the series-clinching goal -- in seven games and was a plus-6 in '96; Tkachuk had five goals in seven games; and Roenick didn't play. | ||
| Defense | Mathieu Schneider | Keith Carney |
| We're going for one offensive guy and one stay-at-home for our pairs. Hopefully, Counting Crows will sing the "Star Spangled Banner" if the USA makes the final. Adam Duritz would wear Schneider's Kings sweater during the anthem. Bryan Adams will sing the Canadian national anthem, forget the words like he did at the All-Star game in Vancouver, and will be pummeled by Don Cherry at center ice. | ||
| THIRD LINE | ||
| Adam Deadmarsh | Doug Weight | Bill Guerin |
| Obviously, I'm an optimist. I truly believe Adam Deadmarsh was entering his prime where he was about to begin a three to four year stretch of 35-43 goals. His concussion symptoms just won't pass for now, but here's praying he'll be better in nine months to play a handful of games for the USA. Maybe his last games. | ||
| Defense | Bret Hedican | Brian Rafalski |
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I've been trying to come up with something for this Bret Hedican related e-mail I got in September. I can't seem to, so I'll just put it here: John, When you've just seen Counting Crows and John Mayer perform on the same stage for almost three hours and the main thing on your mind post-show is how cool it was to see Bret Hedican and his lovely wife a few rows behind you, does that mean you're enjoying hockey too much? Mike Foley Cary, N.C. |
||
| FOURTH LINE | ||
| Erik Cole | Chris Drury | Brett Hull |
| Brett Hull likes to play with a left winger who will go get the puck and a smart center that thinks pass first. This is a perfect line for Hull. I'd love to see he and Drury play together. Cole has the personality to play well in this nasty NHL-style setting as well. Don't forget, these are NHL referees, NHL rules and NHL rinks. This will be more like the Stanley Cup playoffs then the Olympics. You need nasty, grinding, clutch, Stanley Cup playoffs players. | ||
| Extra skaters | Brian Rolston, F | Aaron Miller, D |
| GOALIES | ||
| Rick DiPietro | Mike Dunham | John Grahame |
| DiPietro has Mike Richter-like reflexes and that is a good World Cup omen for the USA. Dunham is hitting the game of goaltending prime; he'll be 32 next September. John Grahame slept under Brad Lukowich's foosball table over the summer. I want that guy on my team. | ||
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| SHOT OF THE WEEK |
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Every week we will present an NHL photo and I'll provide a caption. E-mail me your suggestions (include your name and hometown/state) and next week we will use best ones and provide a new photo. LAST WEEK: While his Avalanche teammates give Patrick Roy Night their undivided attention, Jim Cummins breaks into his pregame ritual: humming his favorite Enya songs at the end of the bench.  "Car!!!!! Game OFF!!!!" Warren Smith, Vancouver, B.C. "Pssst ... Eddie Belfour smells like cheese. Pass it on!" -- Marshall Thompson, St. Cloud, Minn. "Geez, when I heard them say they were going to raise Patrick Roy's Jersey to the rafters, I didn't think he'd still be in it!!" -- Kevin Shook, Frederick, Md. "We are the knights who say 'Ni!'" -- Everett Higbee, Long Beach, Calif. "What the hell is Ray Bourque doing up there?" -- Matt De Sousa, Toronto "Section 214, Row 11, Seat 35. I found Waldo! I found Waldo!" -- Steve Choi, Mountain View, Calif. THIS WEEK:  New Jersey Devils winger Jeff Friesen to defenseman Scott Stevens: "Scott, does my butt look big in these hockey pants?" |
Aaron was born August 11, 1971, in Buffalo, N.Y. On that day, Hank Aaron and the Atlanta Braves beat the Cardinals 9-3. Hank Aaron did not homer on the day Aaron was born. But, on Aaron's 4th birthday in 1975, Aaron homered for the Brewers in Minnesota. Hank Aaron hit home runs on August 11 three times in his career -- 1964, 1965 (2) and 1975. Aaron hit his first career home run off Vic Raschi and his 755th off Dick Drago.
No. 2: Why do you live in Vermont in the summer? Miller: I met my wife there and I went to the University of Vermont. Her family is all there and it's not too far from where I grew up in Buffalo. We bought a house on a lake and it's a perfect fit.
Aaron played four seasons for the Catamounts (1989-93). He has a degree in business.
No. 3: Tell me about your experience on the 2002 U.S. Olympic team. Miller: It went by too quick. It was a bit unusual too -- one night I'm playing against the Phoenix Coyotes and two nights later I'm playing Finland. I had a blast and it was great meeting all the guys, but I wish the experience could have last a little longer.
Aaron is one of 15 Millers to play NHL hockey. Kelly Miller is the all-time leading goal scorer in NHL Miller history. Jay Miller is the all-time PIM leader. I played in a charity golf event with Jay Miller in 1993 and watched him get a hole-in-one.
No. 4: What is your memory of playing for Herb Brooks? Miller: I thought Herb Brooks was awesome. I had never met him before. I couldn't believe how he would let us go out there and do our own thing. It was a big change from the massive X's and O's we have during the NHL season. It was refreshing. What a good guy, but you never knew where he was coming from. Once he came into the locker room and he asked John LeClair how many games we play during the season. John said 82. Herb said, "NO, YOU PLAY ONE GAME 82 TIMES!" We kind of looked at each other and said, "What?" But, he loved the game and made it enjoyable to play.
Aaron has a dog named Doug.
No. 5: What's your favorite Rob Zombie song? Miller: Probably Dragula.
Rob Zombie, born Rob Cummings, is best known as the dreadlocked vocalist and songwriter for the industrial-influenced heavy metal band White Zombie. Despite his penchant for metal, Aaron said he'd really like to see Coldplay in an intimate setting.
No. 6: What's the one fish you haven't caught yet that you want to catch? Miller: A shark. It's a long trip and the conditions have to be right to snag one. I just haven't made the trip yet.
Aaron's favorite fish he's caught is a striped marlin in Cabo. That last sentence is for my cousin Ed who is reading this right now wishing ill will on me and Aaron. Ed's the Gretzky of Buccigross anglers, but he's yet to get his marlin. Plenty of Tautog, but no Marlin.
No. 7: What part of your game do you wish you were better at? Miller: Stick handling. When I was a kid, my Dad was always my coach and he always stressed skating and being a good skater. That's all well and great, but I wish he had me practive more with a puck and wish I were more skilled with it.
Aaron has two daughters.
No. 8: Have you ever stolen anything? Miller: I did actually. I got caught stealing Bubble Yum when I was 10. I actually got away with it, but went into another store and took it out of my sock and got caught when I couldn't show a receipt. They told my mom. I mean, WHO GETS A RECEIPT FOR BUBBLE YUM?!
Bubble Yum was introduced in 1975. The year Hank Aaron homered on Aaron's fourth birthday. Who would have thought that would lead to a life of crime?
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And from what I have seen, these are the top five MVP candidates:
2. Ilya Kovalchuk, F, Atlanta: "The King." The best release in hockey. Two years ago during The King's rookie year, I wrote in the "High Five" for the 2002 Calder Trophy that Kovalchuk would score 500 goals before he was 30. Barring a lockout, I'll stand by that. His acceleration and strength on skates might be the best in the NHL. But my favorite part of his game is his sheer enthusiasm. His instinctive, childlike reaction to scoring goals is a joy to watch.
3. Ziggy Palffy, F, Los Angeles: Pure skill. His production enabled the injury-riddled Kings to hold down first place when the week began. The Kings can't match the star power of the Western Conference elite, but what they have is just a lot of guys who know how to play. Palffy combines high hockey IQ and sick talent.
4. Todd Bertuzzi, F, Vancouver: The single biggest intimidating force in the game. He skates his 240 pounds around like a bouncer at quarter draft night -- sour, suspicious and surly. He is Notorious B.I.G with hands like Norah Jones. Vancouver is by far my favorite team to watch in the NHL.
5. (tie) Peter Forsberg, F, Colorado; Joe Thornton, F, Boston: That (everything above) being said, I still think the two best players in the NHL are Forsberg and Thornton. They are mauled, speared, tripped, bloodied and held on a nightly basis and keep providing their wingers with career years. I can't believe Thornton doesn't wear a shield the way he is assaulted. If Brad Isbister played with Thornton, he would be a 35-goal scorer. Forsberg is the smartest player in the NHL. Only Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Bobby Orr have averaged more assists per game than Forsberg.
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As the top Swedish leagues take a break for the Karjala Cup in Finland, here are some quick notes on how Podes is doing in Växjö. He's been on the top line together with Johan Boman and Torsten Yngvesson, and in the five games he's played he has seven points (two goals and five assists). He's fired 14 shots on goal and is plus-3. I'll send you more news as I find them!
Daniel Elmå,
Umeå, Sweden
Dear John,
Why has no one signed Adam Oates, one of the greatest setup men of this generation?
Thanks,
Eric Haskins
Rexford, N.Y.
Oates has put a price on his services that no one has met. If someone gives him $1.5-1.8 million at the 40-game mark, he'll be back. Anaheim should sign him and put him between Joffrey Lupul and Stanislav Chistov, a line of great hands going against No. 4, 5 and 6 D-men. Although, it appears Ducks GM Bryan Murray loves Mike Comrie. That's NOT what the Ducks need. They need another high-level defenseman.
Hello, Mr. Buccigross,
With the World Cup of Hockey around the corner, which three goaltenders would you choose to backstop team Canada? My first thought when my brother proposed this question to me was Theodore, Jiggy, an' Brodeur. Any thoughts?
Thanks again!
Axl
Delran, N.J.
My three Canadian goaltenders would be Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo and Patrick Lalime.
John --
I just wanted to tell Doug from Northeastern that there are much cheaper good seats at the FleetCenter. I am a big Sharks fan and I just bought tickets to this Thursday's game for $22. Thursday is student night so I got half off the $44 tickets, which are about five rows
up in the balcony at the red line. Plus, I drove in from Waltham to the FleetCenter and avoided the $5.50 "convenience" charge. All you need to do is show your student ID.
Thanks,
Jason Bressler
Brandeis University
John,
Who is the next coach of the Panthers? I hear from my sources it's Larry Robinson. If that's the case what do you think?
Peace,
Josh
Makes sense. Larry Robinson is a great teacher, the personality opposite of Mike Keenan, and he can still play polo during the season.
Uncle John,
Is it true that you broke our mommy's foot playing hockey when you were kids? She says you did. Can you shed some light on the situation?
Hugs and kisses from your nieces,
Rachel and Amber
Tewksbury, Mass.
On a Sunday morning in the early 1970s, my Dad, sister Christine and I were playing hockey in the family room of our Indiana, Pa., home before heading out to church. I was in net and Christine ran in front of me as Dad shot one from in front of the 19-inch black-and-white television. I made a kick save and simultaneously tripped Christine, who went flying like Bobby Orr in 1970. Orr won the Cup. Christine broke her foot. My Sunday morning save percentage went up. Sunday Morning Save Percentage. Good band name.
John,
My son Liam is about four months old. He weighs 13 pounds, 6 ounces, and is 23 inches long. When he was born he was 7 pounds, 1 ounce, and was 19 inches long. If he grows about an inch a month and gains 1.58 pounds a month for 18 years, he will be 18 feet tall and weigh 341 pounds. At that height and weight, what would the best position for him to play hockey?
Tim Yates
Indianapolis
And people scoff at me when I say make the nets bigger. Keep scoffing, America! Keep scoffing!
John,
I was lucky enough to be at the Avalanche/Wild game last night with seats three rows behind the net, right on the glass. Anyway, on almost every whistle Manny Fernandez proceeded to snort something out of both nostrils, every whistle.
Rob Bordan
Aspen, Colo.
That would be Marian Gaborik's agents.
John Buccigross is the host of NHL 2Night, which airs on ESPN2. His e-mail address -- for questions, comments or cross-checks -- is john.buccigross@espn.com.