WJC: 2015 — USA Roster Talk II

[cagney]

Miserable end to a miserable tournament for this team. As bad as the coaching staff was with their inability to adjust and tactical mistakes I put the loss today on the players' lack of discipline. It's ironic really because they had been one of the most disciplined teams in the tournament before this game. Some of those penalties were unbelievably stupid and given how good they looked five on five, I believe they could have won the game if they had just stayed out of the box. Instead they found a way to blow it yet again.

It's so annoying hows fans of this team or that team always want to make it about the players their team drafted not getting a chance. It doesn't matter if it's clear they didn't play well enough to make the team, let alone be a difference maker on it. Just take a step back and realize you lack objectivity and aren't bringing anything to the discussion.

The difference makers were out there on the ice but they didn't perform as anticipated and the coaching staff couldn't find a way to get them to. Where was Tuch? Where was Milano? Most of all, where was Eichel? These guys were expected to make the difference and compete for the gold and they didn't even come close.

It's very hard to be excited for next year after these back to back disappointments. Last year at least it was somewhat expected and there was the promise of a better group to look forward to but this year was such a failure. They better think very hard about who they want coaching and the approach they plan to take next year because these results are detrimental to US hockey.

 

[SuperUnknown]

I think folks are going to crazy about Erne though. I would have preferred him there over some of the others but lets not forget he didn't look any better than guys like Wood, Louis or Motte in last year's tournament.

He was coming back from an injury last year and he's better on a small ice than on a large ice. He also trained hard during the summer and he's a much better player this year.

 

[Rob]

Team is going to have 11 returning players available for next year. Well probably just 10. Depending on the goaltending they should be favorites for sure.

 

[BillyShoe1721]

My take on the very disappointing performance, and looking at the four biggest problems the US had:

Mark Osiecki & The Coaching Staff

From player selection to line combinations and in-game management, Osiecki proved to be way in over his head at this tournament. Many scratched their head at the inclusion of Miles Wood and Anthony Louis, and neither did anything to prove the naysayers wrong, both going pointless.

How the staff thought that Wood, a prep school player whose season had just started, could step in and play against the best players in the world in his age group is beyond me. Multiple point-per-game CHL players were left off the roster in favor of Wood.

http://thehockeywriters.com/explaining-usas-pathetic-wjc-performance/

 

[Dirty but Good]

I think people can question roster moves like Louis and Wood but the fact is the top line didn't show up for the tournament and that's where a lot of offense needed to come from.

Also as many have said the USA had a very young defense group.

I thought the Russian game was just an unlucky loss. They had a lot of calls against them early and they heavily outshot the Russians, the Russians got a couple lucky bounces for a couple goals.

All and all just a super frustrating way to leave the tourney early again, hopefully this experience will really mold the team for success next year.

 

[Joe Zanussi]

Cant believe we essentially repeated last year. My expectations were so high for this group. Very disappointing.

I'll join in the wondering about Wood. I dont know enough of the players to question his inclusion on the team but I certainly question his continued presence on Eichel's line. He missed a few opportunities that I assume could've been converted. The one that drew a penalty was good net drive but I thought he could've scored on the play if he were stronger on his stick. I was disapointed to see him continually rolled out there.

The d looked young and shaky. Can u imagine if DeAngelo didnt make the team? We wouldve had Hanifin as the only one who looked to move the puck. I thought Werenski looked tentative and overwhelmed.

As somebody else noted, I have no idea how we can stick with two forwards on the ice on the 5 on 3. Just makes no sense. In addition, I thought Eichel was an odd choice in that spot. Certainly our best player but not our most dogged pursuer of the puck. Seemed like that kill was cursed from the beginning.

In short, I'm disappointed.

 

[orangeandblack]

I think people can question roster moves like Louis and Wood but the fact is the top line didn't show up for the tournament and that's where a lot of offense needed to come from.

Also as many have said the USA had a very young defense group.

I thought the Russian game was just an unlucky loss. They had a lot of calls against them early and they heavily outshot the Russians, the Russians got a couple lucky bounces for a couple goals.

All and all just a super frustrating way to leave the tourney early again, hopefully this experience will really mold the team for success next year.

The first line didn't show up because the coach never actually assembled a first line. Just Eichel and Tuch and a revolving door of wingers. As a coach, your first line is usually one of the first things you conjure up. Osiecki didn't even have to, a bona fide first line was put on a tee for him, yet he refused to use it. Just mind boggling.

I remember several of us ripping Keith Allain for a poor coaching job a few years back, but Osiecki is probably the worst Ive ever seen for a talented team at a high level.

 

[poppy123]

No. He was consistently one of the worst American players on the ice. You could tell that he wasn't ready for the step up from high school hockey. Very poor decision by Team USA to choose him over others.

Totally disagree.....he was the only kid out there that played with grit against the Canadian team...he didn't have any pts but ended with a plus 2 in the tourney.....showed up every game...can't say that about the "superstars"

 

[usascout1]

Canada played as a team. Not as individual superstars. USA will not win this unless they put together team players and a leader who puts team first.