WJC: 2015 — USA Roster Talk

[veganhunter]

Curious what role De Leo is expected to play?

 

[SabresBillsBuffalo]

The defense is average.

You think our defense is average with Stanini back?

 

[MoneyGuy]

Where can one see all of the final rosters, for the U.S. and all other teams?

 

[Paxon]

Where can one see all of the final rosters, for the U.S. and all other teams?

http://www.worldjunior2015.com/en/teams/

Some teams still have a couple cuts to make... at least I know Russia does

 

[Juxtaposer]

You think our defense is average with Stanini back?

With a healthy Santini, I think it's above average. Santini, DeAngelo, Butcher, and McCoshen is a respectable top-4. Of course, we may not necessarily get a 100% healthy Santini back. And even with him, it's not like this team has a Jake Trouba true number one guy.

 

[Machinehead]

With a healthy Santini, I think it's above average. Santini, DeAngelo, Butcher, and McCoshen is a respectable top-4. Of course, we may not necessarily get a 100% healthy Santini back. And even with him, it's not like this team has a Jake Trouba true number one guy.

That 2013 team had like 3 #1's

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Yea, we have no Trouba or Jones. But we have a few older veteran guys that are pretty dependable top 4 guys. Add in Werenski, Deangelo, and Hanifin and I think we have a pretty solid group. With a healthy Santini we've got an above average D corps.

 

[ZeroPT*]

so how did Fasching play? Thoughts on him?

 

[Leviathan899]

I can't see DeAngelo playing much of a role 5 on 5 for this team, because he is a house on fire in his own zone. Against a team that can fore check and establish a cycle game, he will struggle mightily. If he's playing 5 on 5, would be best having your top defensive center on the ice to combat his mistakes. Trust me, in a tight game in the third against Canada, you will be holding your breath everytime DeAngelo is forced to turn back and retrieve pucks or defend.

 

[ecemleafs]

I can't see DeAngelo playing much of a role 5 on 5 for this team, because he is a house on fire in his own zone. Against a team that can fore check and establish a cycle game, he will struggle mightily. If he's playing 5 on 5, would be best having your top defensive center on the ice to combat his mistakes. Trust me, in a tight game in the third against Canada, you will be holding your breath everytime DeAngelo is forced to turn back and retrieve pucks or defend.

with deangelo on the ice well be attacking the whole game instead!

 

[bleuetbio]

I can't see DeAngelo playing much of a role 5 on 5 for this team, because he is a house on fire in his own zone. Against a team that can fore check and establish a cycle game, he will struggle mightily. If he's playing 5 on 5, would be best having your top defensive center on the ice to combat his mistakes. Trust me, in a tight game in the third against Canada, you will be holding your breath everytime DeAngelo is forced to turn back and retrieve pucks or defend.

you're right!

I dont think that DeAngelo will be used that much on the big games.

 

[arsmaster*]

Are the US pre tourney games available anywhere online? Hoping to find the archives to no avail.

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

so how did Fasching play? Thoughts on him?

He played with Larkin, and they were both pretty solid. They played pretty conservative hockey, skated all over the place, and tried to cycle the puck a lot. Really, they did a lot of hard work along the boards to set up Motte, and it worked nicely (Motte had two goals). They spent a decent amount of time matched up against Nylander, although there wasn't a huge line matching emphasis in a tune-up game like this. For the most part, that was effective.

Overall, he had a good game. His line didn't see a ton of minutes. Maybe 12-14 all night. He had a shift on the second PP unit, too, I believe. So maybe he'll see more minutes in the future.

 

[HabLover]

Yea, we have no Trouba or Jones. But we have a few older veteran guys that are pretty dependable top 4 guys. Add in Werenski, Deangelo, and Hanifin and I think we have a pretty solid group. With a healthy Santini we've got an above average D corps.

Could be tough with two 17 yr olds back there if they both make it......remember this is a 19 yr old tourney!

Never seen Deangelo but from what I hear he isnt great defensively.....

Any injuries and things could be scary.....

 

[Juxtaposer]

DeAngelo is not a "tirefire", please. Give me a player like Anthony DeAngelo over some one like Griffin Reinhart any day.

 

[HabLover]

Yea, but we are so deep up front I'm confident our average D will be pretty darn good.

Are USA forwards even better than Canada's?

I know the D doesn't look it on paper.....

 

[HabLover]

From what I've seen, I feel like this could be USA's best world junior team ever. They are just so big, fast, and skilled.

This might be the first year where I really think we have the better roster on paper than Canada.

Canada 11 1st rounders

USA 5 1st rounders and none higher than 15th overall

Explain your comment......

 

[arsmaster*]

DeAngelo is not a "tirefire", please. Give me a player like Anthony DeAngelo over some one like Griffin Reinhart any day.

100% healthy Steve Santini or deangelo?

It's funny for a guy that supports a team with Vlassic as a key component to the blueline you'd sleep on a "reinhart" type.

Reinhart is probably a better player than Santini but a healthy Santini is probably your most important dman in the tourney for the tough minutes he'll play.

Pushing the pace offensively is great but there is significant value in shutting teams down.

I may have just got my knickers in a knot that you named a Canadian stay at home dman and not an American for your comparison but still, I think Deangelo could be a liability defensively and discipline wise.

A fantastic talent for sure but he's not the best defensively you can surely admit that?

 

[Juxtaposer]

Canada 11 1st rounders

USA 5 1st rounders and none higher than 15th overall

Explain your comment......

Draft position =/= effectiveness in the 2015 WJC tournament.

100% healthy Steve Santini or deangelo?

DeAngelo, even though I'm sure most will disagree with me because they overvalue The Big Mistake. Although that was a specific dig at a 4th overall Canadian defenseman who got used and abused by Eichel last year.


The kind of people who don't want DeAngelo to play a big role at even strength are the same kind of people who are the reason that Scott Hannan still has an NHL contract even though the Sharks have five better LHD in the system than him.

 

[HabLover]

Just got home from the game. My goodness, the Americans are loaded. Such great overall team speed/skill and have a tenacious work ethic. They honestly could have probably had 13 or 14.

Unfortunately Eichel only played the first half of the game. I don't know if he has a minor injury they're keeping an eye on, but I felt it was odd how he didn't play at all after what seemed like the halfway point of the 2nd. He seemed to have trouble kicking it into 1st gear, but he showed some flashes of brilliance. One absolutely gorgeous drop pass that almost lead to a goal, a few nice dangles, strong puck protection down low, and one burst of speed up the middle that made the Swedes look like they were standing still. Hopefully he's 100%. He has a beautiful release as well.

Auston Matthews looked great. Strong skater, had 2 nice goals, very soft hands, really knows how to find the soft spots. He looked better than Eichel tonight, but I just have a feeling something wasn't right with Eichel.

I thought Tuch was the best player on the ice tonight. Had the hat-trick. Terrific skater, great speed, big body, excellent release. Was making things happen almost every time he was on the ice. I think the Wild got a steal with him at 18th.

Milano was very strong. The hands on this guy are a sight to behold. Deceptively fast, great skater. Would close on the Swedes before they knew it, and regularly forced turnovers.

Bracco had a few nice plays, but didn't stand out too much. I think next year will be his time.

Compher was good. Very tenacious, great skater. Basically the whole team is great skaters.

Defensively, I thought Werenski was better than Hannifin. Hannifin is good, but I liked Werenski's overall game better. Seemed to have a stronger hockey IQ. Hannifin has him on the skating, but I think Werenski played a more cerebral game, and isn't exactly a bad skater himself.

Was disappointed Santini wasn't playing, as he'd really bring a punishing element to their D. Hopefully he's ready to go once things start up on the 26th.

I guess all those USNDP grads paid off. They really have a great feel for each other out there.

Canada really seems to be coming into their own, too. The New Years Eve game should be SPECTACULAR. I could see it being 5-4, 6-5, 7-6, one way or another. Both teams have an obscene amount of talent upfront.

IMO Team USA built to win it next year, half the team is 18 or younger.....

Unfortunately Eichel wont be back next year and Hanifin and Werenski could be gone too. Mathews will be back fo sure!

 

[arsmaster*]

Draft position =/= effectiveness in the 2015 WJC tournament.



DeAngelo, even though I'm sure most will disagree with me because they overvalue The Big Mistake. Although that was a specific dig at a 4th overall Canadian defenseman who got used and abused by Eichel last year.


The kind of people who don't want DeAngelo to play a big role at even strength are the same kind of people who are the reason that Scott Hannan still has an NHL contract even though the Sharks have five better LHD in the system than him.

I edited my post.

Eichel makes a lot of good players look poor. I'd rather reinhart out against him when it matters than deangelo.

I agree that guys who can make plays should be at the forefront of building a team but there is a reason Steve Santini is such an important figure for you guys and it's his ability to shut down top players.

I honestly think Canada has Ritchie with mcdavid specifically because of Santini.

 

[I am the Liquor]

DeAngelo is not a "tirefire", please. Give me a player like Anthony DeAngelo over some one like Griffin Reinhart any day.

Lol wut?

 

[ZeroPT*]

Lol wut?

she's right. I'll take a dynamic offensive force in a short tourney over a guy like Reinhart. DeAngelo would be more useful in that environment.

Do you prefer Hicketts on the team now or Morin? I know who I like.

He played with Larkin, and they were both pretty solid. They played pretty conservative hockey, skated all over the place, and tried to cycle the puck a lot. Really, they did a lot of hard work along the boards to set up Motte, and it worked nicely (Motte had two goals). They spent a decent amount of time matched up against Nylander, although there wasn't a huge line matching emphasis in a tune-up game like this. For the most part, that was effective.

Overall, he had a good game. His line didn't see a ton of minutes. Maybe 12-14 all night. He had a shift on the second PP unit, too, I believe. So maybe he'll see more minutes in the future.

Appreciate the answer. I have one about Compher too. Is he actually going to center the 4th line behind Eichel-Larkin and Matthews? if so that'd be incredibly disappointing. He should be used as a top 9 winger who can match up against tough competition.

 

[sjci]

 

[I am the Liquor]

she's right. I'll take a dynamic offensive force in a short tourney over a guy like Reinhart. DeAngelo would be more useful in that environment.

Do you prefer Hicketts on the team now or Morin? I know who I like.

Appreciate the answer. I have one about Compher too. Is he actually going to center the 4th line behind Eichel-Larkin and Matthews? if so that'd be incredibly disappointing. He should be used as a top 9 winger who can match up against tough competition.

A guy like Reinhart?

Tell me what you guys know about Reinhart?

USA is a great team this year. Throwing Reinhart under the bus is unfounded and bathed in ignorance. Please. Just stop.