WJC: 2015 — USA Roster Talk

[Juxtaposer]

Lets not act like posters won't be giving excuses if Eichel has a less than stellar tournament.

Let's also not act like if Eichel outperforms McDavid (again) people won't still say it mean nothing about their draft status, whereas if McDavid outperforms Eichel we'll hear it as evidence of the huge gap between them.

 

[UvBnDatsyuked]

Really stoked about wood

Seems to be playing great but I have a question to anyone who knows. How is he a 19 year old and still in high school? Not a question about the level he is playing at, which actually is strange, but more around being a 95 birth year and a senior in high school. Even kids who were held back a year would be no older than 18 their senior year in high school.
Sorry if this has been covered somewhere

 

[Devilsfan992]

Seems to be playing great but I have a question to anyone who knows. How is he a 19 year old and still in high school? Not a question about the level he is playing at, which actually is strange, but more around being a 95 birth year and a senior in high school. Even kids who were held back a year would be no older than 18 their senior year in high school.
Sorry if this has been covered somewhere

His Dad wanted him to finish school

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

Really impressed with Werenski. I think he's the best defenseman on the team... at least offensively.

 

[melinko]

Seems to be playing great but I have a question to anyone who knows. How is he a 19 year old and still in high school? Not a question about the level he is playing at, which actually is strange, but more around being a 95 birth year and a senior in high school. Even kids who were held back a year would be no older than 18 their senior year in high school.
Sorry if this has been covered somewhere

If he was held back a year or started a year late it would be perfectly normal to be 19 during his senior year. Everyone around here starts 12th grade at 17 and normally turns 18 during that school year or just after.

 

[snizzbone*]

His Dad wanted him to finish school

Players usually finish school when playing in juniors anyways though..

 

[Mickey the mouse]

Heard F's all set.

Just waiting on Santini's health for Defence and not sure on goalie situation

 

[Devilsfan992]

Heard F's all set.

Just waiting on Santini's health for Defence and not sure on goalie situation

Where did you hear this from? Link?

 

[William H Bonney]

Bracco and Cassels released.

 

[SabresBillsBuffalo]

Bracco and Cassels released.

Poor Bracco

 

[Let Blaine Die]

Poor Bracco

He has 2 more years of eligibility. He'll be back.

BTW Can anybody fill me in on how Halverson looked against Sweden. I know he gave up a couple of goals in the third...

 

[Juxtaposer]

Bracco and Cassels released.

Man, that blows for Bracco. I guess he was redundant with Louis and De Leo, but still.

 

[Bps21*]

Lets not act like posters won't be giving excuses if Eichel has a less than stellar tournament.

It won't be an issue. Why...we haven't even pre-recorded any!

 

[Joe Zanussi]

Any guesses at the lines?

 

[Claypool]

lol, just watched the 30 second highlight from tonight's game on TSN and the USA team looks huge. Some of those guys just tower over everyone else.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Any guesses at the lines?

Guesses?

Motte-Eichel-Tuch
Milano-Matthews-Schmaltz
Louis-Larkin-Fasching
Hayden-Compher-Wood
De Leo

I won't guess at the D until I hear the last cut. IMO it's between Carlo and Collins.

I'd go Demko and Nedeljkovic in goal.

 

[IHaveNoCreativity]

Erne was cut ? Wow. This team must be deep.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Erne was cut ? Wow. This team must be deep.

Bracco is unlucky this US forward group is so skilled. I think he'd have easily made last year's team if he were this age. Probably in 2013 also.

 

[cacchioli22]

Disappointed about bracco being cut but how did halverson do? Any chance at backing up?

 

[dlawong]

I know most of the eyes in this year's WJC will be on McDavid and Eichel, but my biggest interest will be watching how Austin Mathews play at this level. I am really impressed by what the scout is already saying about him and although he will not be as elite as McDavid and Eichel, but I see big upside in this player that may end up as 1st overall 2016 pick.

 

[lawrence]

I know most of the eyes in this year's WJC will be on McDavid and Eichel, but my biggest interest will be watching how Austin Mathews play at this level. I am really impressed by what the scout is already saying about him and although he will not be as elite as McDavid and Eichel, but I see big upside in this player that may end up as 1st overall 2016 pick.

apparently during the commerical break of the Canada Swiss game, Bob Mckenzie was told by a scout that if Mathews was born 3 days earlier he would have been a 2015 draft and will end up being a top 3 player in the 2015 draft. USA is going to be Scary this winter. They remind me of the Anahiem Ducks. Meanwhile Canada reminds me of the Chicago Blackhawks.

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

Not sure I understand keeping Louis over Bracco. I thought Bracco was fine in a limited role. And Louis makes Bracco look big.

 

[Taze em]

Not sure I understand keeping Louis over Bracco. I thought Bracco was fine in a limited role. And Louis makes Bracco look big.

Louis is older, Bracco has more years to star in this tournament and the team's coach is in the Blackhawks system.

Not the best reasons but reasons nonetheless. I don't think there's a big difference between them anyways at this exact point in time.

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

Guesses?

Motte-Eichel-Tuch
Milano-Matthews-Schmaltz
Louis-Larkin-Fasching
Hayden-Compher-Wood
De Leo

I won't guess at the D until I hear the last cut. IMO it's between Carlo and Collins.

I'd go Demko and Nedeljkovic in goal.

I'd like to see:

Motte -Eichel-Tuch
Milano-Matthews-Schmaltz
Wood-Larkin-Fasching
Louis-Compher-Hayden

I think Wood has got some jam, and could be interesting on that third line. The other option is Hayden, but I thought he was a bit undisciplined tonight. Either way, that could be an imposing checking line.

 

[Mehar]

Bracco and Cassels released.

Bracco will be back and his time will come. I thought Cassels should have been the 13th forward. I think the fact he had to miss the tournament's opening two games with a suspension (his suspension was not reduced), and played for the OHL in the Super Series (essentially a showcase for potential Team Canada players);

along with saying in an interview back in November that he would lean toward playing for Canada (since he is a dual citizen of Canada and the US) in the WJHC, did him no favours with USA Hockey. If i was with USA Hockey, and it came down to two players for a 13th forward position- i would reject the guy that represented Canada in the past (Under 17 World Hockey Challenge); and who said just last month, that he would be excited to wear the Canada jersey or the USA jersey, but was leaning toward Canada. I would pick the guy that bleeds red, white and blue all the time. Cassels is not the guy. Wonder who he was cheering for in the 2010 Gold Medal Game (LOL).

That being said- as a fan of Team Canada, i must say that the USA is right there with Canada in the conversation for Gold. I love how deep this team is, and they actually have better goaltending from my perspective. Fucale did not overly impress me last year. USA's top forwards are just as talented as Canada's. Anyone denying that USA does not have the team to win Gold are kidding themselves.