Bullets in short supply for the U.S. Championships

When Team Canada asked Rick Nash to play in the World Championship in Slovakia this spring, he accepted and will serve as captain. Toronto Maple Leafs Phaneuf, Dion also said yes, as did young stars Canadian Jeff Skinner, Evander Kane, John Tavares and Matt Duchene. Ottawa Senators Center Jason Spezza is going. Is so wild Minnesota defenceman Brent Burns. By Dale Zanine, US Presswire

Atlanta Thrashers right wing Blake Wheeler, shooting in Toronto Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer during a February 27 game, had 18 goals this season, the most for any player on the U.S. squad.

By Dale Zanine, US Presswire

Atlanta Thrashers right wing Blake Wheeler, shooting in Toronto Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer during a February 27 game, had 18 goals this season, the most for any player on the U.S. squad.

Meanwhile, Americans have a roster without a single 20 NHL scorer.This is not the first time that the Americans failed to land some of his players greater visibility. Canadians are simply more willing to represent their country than Americans? It is much more complicated than that, says Maple Leafs General Manager Brian Burke, who helped choose the u.s. team. "Walked a fine line here because Canada has a deeper pool of talent, "said Burke. "They do not touch the same guys every April. We tend to invite the same guys. Phil Kessel has gone into this tournament twice. I can't ask him to go to each year. "Although the Americans reached 20% in the NHL for the first time this season, their player pool is still less than half of Canadian pool size. This regular season, 234 Americans played at least one NHL game, vs. 521 Canadians. "I wish more players to go to the World Championship, and would like our best players to go more often, "Burke said. "What is going to change it in the United States is forecast. Our talent pool is deeper and wider than ever and is going (expand), and that is the main single factor. "Burke said Canada recruitment is aided by the players of the tournament on television coverage. Canadian newspapers and websites also give him good play. In the United States, coverage is minimal.But this may change for Americans because Versus plans to televise games this season. Versus airs all three preliminary U.S. games — vs. Austria (30 April), Norway (May 2) and Sweden (May 4) — and then will broadcast games U.S. qualification or relegation round. Jim Johannson hockey USA "I think it's a mentality (different) in Canada," he said. "Guys feel pressure because they don't know if they will have another chance because Canada has so many players".In the current squad U.S., Atlanta Thrashers forward Blake Wheeler had the most goals in the NHL this season with 18. But Johansson hopes to add some markers of first-round playoff losers. "I look at the cast and say that if we can fill some points here with some offensive players-producing then I like our team, "said Johannson. "When you fill in a line, there are plenty of guys who can do what is asked of them."With a smaller pool, Americans are hit harder by Canada contract problems. Players will not play when they are going into free agency because they can't get enough insurance to cover a possible career-ending injury. "There is a business side of this that cannot be ignored, said Johannson. Americans would add Defender Phoenix Coyotes Keith Yandle, but he is a restricted free agent looking for a significant increase. "You want to scold people not to come, but you have to be careful, "Burke said. "If a guy play at twice the World Championships and the Olympic Games, and may ask you to do?"Players who are not going this year did in the past. David Backes and Zach Parise passed three times, and TJ Trips has flooded twice.Burke said he spoke with Kessel on him and told him that he believed it was reasonable for a player to go to every other year.I told him, I hope that he would be next year, but he won't be able to go because we want to be in the playoffs, "said Burke for more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ. To report corrections and clarifications, contact standards Editor Brent Jones. For consideration of publication in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and State for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections usatoday.com. We've updated the guidelines of the conversation. Changes include a brief review of the moderation process and an explanation of how to use the "report abuse" button. Read more.