WJC: 2015 — USA Roster Talk

[cagney]

That was one of the more dominant showings I've seen from a US team at this camp over the years. They were all over the Swedes for the vast majority of the game and really gave them all kinds of trouble with a smart, aggressive forecheck.

They've experimented with different forwards at the point on the powerplay during the camp and it finally seemed to click today with both Compher and Schmaltz factoring into goals while playing there. Butcher seems to be the only pure QB (though he can be mistake prone) so I'll be curious to see if this experimentation continues into the tournament come December.

I've been pleasantly surprised with Ryan Collins the past few games as he's been much improved compared to many of my previous viewings. He's much smoother and more composed now compared to the gangly, awkward, mistake-prone player of old. I'll be looking forward to seeing him with the Gophers over the fall to see if he can maintain this type of play.

I've also really liked what I've seen from Chase De Leo as far as effort and feistiness are concerned. He made a number of great defensive plays on the backcheck. I could see him having a role in the bottom six at the tournament.

How did Demko do tonight?



Apparently quite well, From twitter I heard he had a number of highlight real glove saves.

He was quite solid tonight aside from the Swedish goal where he turned the puck over while handling it and they scored into the empty net. I'd imagine they'll give one of the other goalies a start but I'd like to see Demko one more time to see if he can deliver another solid performance, though I'm not sure either of the Finnish or Czechs teams will be able to pour on offense the way this team seems to be capable of playing.

 

[AmericanDream]

Hurley and Vannelli surprised me a bit as I figured both would at least make the final 27. Especially with Vannelli as that blue line really lacks that power play QB that he can be.

Overall I have nothing to complain about as a lot of the grinders got sent packing and they are going with skill and ability here.

Anthony Louis is a bit surprising, but he has a ton of skill and he could be a valuable weapon in this tournament if used correctly.

I really hope DeAngelo and Hanifin make the final team, as that blue line really leaves me a bit worried.

 

[William H Bonney]

Sounds like Eichel is dominating again.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Sounds like Eichel is dominating again.

He and Tuch have some nice chemistry. Getzlaf and Perry?

 

[William H Bonney]

He and Tuch have some nice chemistry. Getzlaf and Perry?

Only if they put Kane, I mean Milano back on that line as well!

Eichel with 1g, 3a so far today. That's 7 points against Sweden/Finland in the last 4 1/2 periods.

 

[Jakk123]

Good lord, this team looks sick

 

[Lollipop]

Good lord, this team looks sick

It's only exibhibition. Nothing to more to say about that. If you really think USA will win 9-1 and 7-1 in WJC then you are living on a own planet.

IMO, at least Sweden is a bigger favorite than USA. Sweden had made to 3 finals in row when USA is like hyde&jekyll.

 

[Paxon]

It's only exibhibition. Nothing to more to say about that. If you really think USA will win 9-1 and 7-1 in WJC then you are living on a own planet.

IMO, at least Sweden is a bigger favorite than USA. Sweden had made to 3 finals in row when USA is like hyde&jekyll.

Pretty pointless to look at trends in under-20 tournaments. USA had a stacked team in 2013 and an underwhelming one in 2014. 2015 looks like another strong team.

 

[Lollipop]

Pretty pointless to look at trends in under-20 tournaments. USA had a stacked team in 2013 and an underwhelming one in 2014. 2015 looks like another strong team.

But a exibhition means more to you? When Sweden wins big in Lake Placid you Americans like to call it meanless.

No, Sweden has been in final three years in row and should be bigger faves than USA. So no it's not pointless to look at trends.

Americans always say their team looks strong even 2011 and 2013.

 

[Juxtaposer]

But a exibhition means more to you? When Sweden wins big in Lake Placid you Americans like to call it meanless.

No, Sweden has been in final three years in row and should be bigger faves than USA. So no it's not pointless to look at trends.

Man, you're a bit touchy today. Someone says that this team looks good (it does) and you jump down their throat.

If you look at this US roster and this Swedish roster, and you feel that the Swedish side is stronger, that's a totally valid opinion and you are completely entitled to feel that way.

However, in my eyes, this US team looks much stronger than the Swedish side. The Swedes are going to lose at least two and maybe more of their best players from last year's roster to the NHL or graduation, in Lindholm, Forsberg, Burakovsky, De La Rose, and Wennberg. If you think they won't miss a step, then that's cool. But you can't jump down someone's throat for thinking that this will be a relatively weaker Swedish roster. And face it, however meaningless this summer camp is, the US simply wrecked the Swedes. That's a fact.

Americans always say their team looks strong even 2011 and 2013.

The US won gold in 2010, bronze in 2011, and gold in 2013. Everyone universally recognized that last year's roster was very, very weak, so I think you're making things up to fit your persecution complex.

 

[Erikfromfin]

This USA team seems to be insane. Its just preseason but they left theyre mark to the both Malmö finalist teams.

 

[Xokkeu]

But a exibhition means more to you? When Sweden wins big in Lake Placid you Americans like to call it meanless.

No, Sweden has been in final three years in row and should be bigger faves than USA. So no it's not pointless to look at trends.

Americans always say their team looks strong even 2011 and 2013.

Like for real? Did you just write that?

 

[Xokkeu]

Man, you're a bit touchy today. Someone says that this team looks good (it does) and you jump down their throat.

If you look at this US roster and this Swedish roster, and you feel that the Swedish side is stronger, that's a totally valid opinion and you are completely entitled to feel that way.

However, in my eyes, this US team looks much stronger than the Swedish side. The Swedes are going to lose at least two and maybe more of their best players from last year's roster to the NHL or graduation, in Lindholm, Forsberg, Burakovsky, De La Rose, and Wennberg. If you think they won't miss a step, then that's cool. But you can't jump down someone's throat for thinking that this will be a relatively weaker Swedish roster. And face it, however meaningless this summer camp is, the US simply wrecked the Swedes. That's a fact.



The US won gold in 2010, bronze in 2011, and gold in 2013. Everyone universally recognized that last year's roster was very, very weak, so I think you're making things up to fit your persecution complex.

Dude has been on USA hockey in more than a few threads, constantly trying to dump on our senior team and all other levels.

 

[Xokkeu]

I don't know too much about the other players from around the world, but at this very early stage Austin Mathews has to be at least top 5 in 2016 if not pushing for #1 no?

 

[ecemleafs]

But a exibhition means more to you? When Sweden wins big in Lake Placid you Americans like to call it meanless.

No, Sweden has been in final three years in row and should be bigger faves than USA. So no it's not pointless to look at trends.

Americans always say their team looks strong even 2011 and 2013.

lol how does past tournaments with players no longer eligible factor into this years tournament?

 

[AFTeRMaTH*]

Is there a video replay of these games? Not just highlights...

 

[William H Bonney]

Is there a video replay of these games? Not just highlights...

On fasthockey.com but you have to pay for it.

 

[William H Bonney]

Check out Eichel's pass on the first goal:

 

[cagney]

The team was totally dominant again today. Nearly every player looks better thant they did while they were playing on the split squads. They're playing like there are four first lines on the team.

Eichel was awesome today. He was a disappointment to me earlier in the camp as he didn't acheive much aside from the occasional flashy play. He's had numerous highlight reel worthy plays in the past two games. I think the pairing of him with Tuch has to be a sure thing and Motte has played quite well with tem too.

I do think it's important to keep things in perspective though. In 2012 they scored 11 goals in one game on Sweden at this camp while the Swedes had nearly a full lineup. In the tournament, they needed a late empty net goal to win the gold against a Swedish team that had lost many of those top players from the summer to the pros or injury. It's hard to explain just why they have these dominant showings in Lake Placid from time to time but we hardly ever see anything like it when December rolls around.

I don't know too much about the other players from around the world, but at this very early stage Austin Mathews has to be at least top 5 in 2016 if not pushing for #1 no?

He's really something to watch. He's nearly unbeatable in puck battles which is so impressive considering he's a 16 year old going up against 19 year olds. There's a lot of time between now and the 2016 draft but he looks like a definite contender to go at or near the very top of the draft.

 

[Lollipop]

The team was totally dominant again today. Nearly every player looks better thant they did while they were playing on the split squads. They're playing like there are four first lines on the team.

Eichel was awesome today. He was a disappointment to me earlier in the camp as he didn't acheive much aside from the occasional flashy play. He's had numerous highlight reel worthy plays in the past two games. I think the pairing of him with Tuch has to be a sure thing and Motte has played quite well with tem too.

I do think it's important to keep things in perspective though. In 2012 they scored 11 goals in one game on Sweden at this camp while the Swedes had nearly a full lineup. In the tournament, they needed a late empty net goal to win the gold against a Swedish team that had lost many of those top players from the summer to the pros or injury. It's hard to explain just why they have these dominant showings in Lake Placid from time to time but we hardly ever see anything like it when December rolls around.

He's really something to watch. He's nearly unbeatable in puck battles which is so impressive considering he's a 16 year old going up against 19 year olds. There's a lot of time between now and the 2016 draft but he looks like a definite contender to go at or near the very top of the draft.

Thank you now we are talking. I'm not saying USA can do well . Of course they can. But this exibhition simple don't Jean anything, at least no results. I stil, see Sweden as bigger fave.

BTW, do you mean 2013? In 2012 Sweden won gold and USA missed medal round.

 

[Lollipop]

Like for real? Did you just write that?

Sorry I meant 2012 and 2014.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Looks like we are heading for an another epic battle on NY Eve...and I hope a 2nd. match in the final... so far it looks as the 2 NA teams are the favorites going in.

 

[Lollipop]

Looks like we are heading for an another epic battle on NY Eve...and I hope a 2nd. match in the final... so far it looks as the 2 NA teams are the favorites going in.

As usual on HF with other words. Why should they be favorites when they missed medals last year?

Why do NA think they are superior Europe in every tournament?

 

[1Gold Standard]

As usual on HF with other words. Why should they be favorites when they missed medals last year?

Why do NA think they are superior Europe in every tournament?

dude, you have your favorites and I have mine. Do you even understand junior hockey? Sweden didn't medal in 2011 but won in 2012. your arguments are just childish and silly...and I won't respond to any more of your nonsensical comments.

And here's a hint, if you are unable to add anything constructive to the debate, other than "they didn't medal last year and you N. Americans are so arrogant..." bla bla bla.... if you can't contribute anything more significant than that nonsense, then just don't bother responding at all.

 

[Get North]

As usual on HF with other words. Why should they be favorites when they missed medals last year?

Why do NA think they are superior Europe in every tournament?

Burakovsky, Dansk, Collberg, Forsberg, Johnson, Lindholm, Sorenson, Wennberg are players who won't be back next year. That's alot of great U20 players that won't be back, Sweden will still be good but I really can't see them a gold medal favourite with all those players lost.

Finland won't have Teravainen but will be adding Kapenen. Ristolainen won't be back either which will hurt big time and I think takes them out of the favourite group.

Russians might be good but they're roster isn't very impressive.

Czechs will be the best European team IMO, Vrana, Pastrnak, Zacha, Karabacek, Masin will help them alot.