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PHT Morning Skate: Players react to Team USA Olympic selection

Cory Schneider

Cory Schneider #35 of the New Jersey Devils skates to the net during the first period against the New York Rangers in a preseason game at the Prudential Center on September 16, 2013 in Newark, New Jersey. (September 15, 2013 - Source: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)

PHT’s Morning Skate takes a look around the world of hockey to see what’s happening and what we’ll be talking about around the NHL world and beyond.

Brandon Saad was disappointed to find out that he didn’t make the United States’ 2014 Winter Olympic squad, but he feels he’s taken a big step forward this season and hopes to get another chance to represent his country in the future. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

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Cory Schneider was similarly snubbed, but in his case it sounds like it came down to a decision between him and Jimmy Howard for the final goaltending slot. For his part, Schneider felt it would have been an “incredible” experience, but he also believes that he could have done better in the first half of the 2013-14 campaign. He’s focused on improving for the sake of the New Jersey Devils. (The Bergen Record)

San Jose Sharks forward Joe Pavelski did make the squad and he’s one of the 13 players returning from the 2010 silver medal winning team. He thinks that run will help give them some extra confidence. (San Jose Mercury News)

Team USA GM David Poile thinks John Carlson has evolved “from somewhat of a defensive defenseman to a two-way defenseman.” That helped the 23-year-old Capitals blueliner in his quest to make the Olympic team. (CSN Washington)

In an attempt to tell Ryan Kesler that he made the team, the USA Hockey accidentally contacted a 67-year-old Canadian. The man was happy to take Kesler’s spot, adding that he felt “Canada would be even happier if I played for you.” (Puck Daddy)

Shifting to the Canadian team, Edmonton Oilers forward Taylor Hall has excelled offensively this season and is doing better without the puck, but he still doesn’t think he’ll make the cut. (Edmonton Journal)

Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon said that his team’s situation looked “bleak,” but the players are starting to believe in each other. (Sun Sentinel)

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