WJC: 2016 — USA Roster Talk

[superdeluxe]

only two things I don't understand

1. Kyle Connor

2. Easner, why take him as a midget, might as well take one of Bracco or Garland if you only wanted two (DeBrincat ).

Eansor has a role on this team, high motor/gritty/speedy, watch him outwork/out perform the 'bigger' names at the August evaluation camps

 

[xIsle]

I can't understand why Garland could not make the team as the 13th forward. If there is no room for him in the top six, use him as a pp specialist and for the shoot out. The guy has 69 points in 28 games! I think it's the best ppg in the CHL.

Pretty odd decision to not give him at least a chance at camp. And his poor performance at the summer camp is not a good argument, he's doing well NOW, and that's what is important.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Left off some pretty good players.
No real rhyme or reason or pattern

Connor
Tuch
Garland
Bracco
Roslovic

All could easily play on that team.... A guy like Garland may not be the 200 foot up and down kind of player but ... The guy is an offensive dynamo.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

I can't understand why Garland could not make the team as the 13th forward. If there is no room for him in the top six, use him as a pp specialist and for the shoot out. The guy has 69 points in 28 games! I think it's the best ppg in the CHL.

Pretty odd decision to not give him at least a chance at camp. And his poor performance at the summer camp is not a good argument, he's doing well NOW, and that's what is important.

Garland had a big season last year as well and then was awful in camp. While I would have liked to see him at least get invited to try he did put up 129 points last year and looked good doing it then was completely outclassed in camp when the skill factor went up a ton. I am guessing that was the logic, understand disagreeing with it.

I have no problem building a team. The good news is honestly that the US is finally getting to the point where we are not taking good players. I think it is a positive development even if days like today sting for guys you were hoping might get there. They are taking a good team to this event and I hope they pull off a big result. It isn't for me about who is not there, we are leaving better players at home every year here lately and it is because USA hockey is a lot stronger than it used to be.

 

[EON]

Surprised Josh Jacobs was left off too. He's been a rock all season. Really questionable picks from USA this year.

Not that surprising, I don't think there's anything too special about Jacobs imo.

Connor and Roslovic are the biggest omissions here I think.

A Tkachuk-Dvorak-DeBrincat line would be filthy

 

[AmericanDream]

In 2010 on a team that won the gold, we had 3 undrafted players on the team. Everyone *****ed about Tyler Johnson, Luke Wilson, and Brian Lashoff...yet they played their roles perfectly as Lashoff was a rock on the back end and Johnson was elite.

Bottom line for me is as long as your top guns play the way they should your role players will only help if they can shut down the opposition.

I am mad at no Connor, Tuch, and Roslovic but let's see what they put together and give this team a shot because it is still loaded offensively. People just do not realize how good Bellows and Keller are...and for DeBrincat, its showtime!!

 

[AmericanDream]

Surprised Josh Jacobs was left off too. He's been a rock all season. Really questionable picks from USA this year.

Much more surprised about ex USNDP member Caleb Jones to be honest..that one is a head scratcher with he season he is having.

 

[AmericanDream]

I can't understand why Garland could not make the team as the 13th forward. If there is no room for him in the top six, use him as a pp specialist and for the shoot out. The guy has 69 points in 28 games! I think it's the best ppg in the CHL.

Pretty odd decision to not give him at least a chance at camp. And his poor performance at the summer camp is not a good argument, he's doing well NOW, and that's what is important.

I agree he should be at camp. It does seem that USA Hockey lacks a respect factor to many players. They could have brought Connor, Garland, and Roslovic to camp out of pure respect for how well they have played this year and given them a shot to win a spot..they deserve at least that. But sadly this was not the case nor has been. A few more players added to this camp total wouldn't hurt anything but instead they invited a few less names and as usual we have the same bs as always

 

[199991]

In 2010 on a team that won the gold, we had 3 undrafted players on the team. Everyone *****ed about Tyler Johnson, Luke Wilson, and Brian Lashoff...yet they played their roles perfectly as Lashoff was a rock on the back end and Johnson was elite.

Bottom line for me is as long as your top guns play the way they should your role players will only help if they can shut down the opposition.

I am mad at no Connor, Tuch, and Roslovic but let's see what they put together and give this team a shot because it is still loaded offensively. People just do not realize how good Bellows and Keller are...and for DeBrincat, its showtime!!

Garland could have been this year's Tyler Johnson IMO.
And it's not that your top guns are not able to perform, it's the fact that you guys had so much depth before cutting Connor, Tuch, Roslovic, Garland, etc. And now, they will mostly rely on Matthews, Milano, Tkachuk and Boeser to score.... Few of those guys would have been on your 3rd or 4th line if Connor and Tuch were on the team! No more depth anymore...

 

[nomorekids]

It's pretty hilarious to see people blasting USA Hockey for leaving off players that largely a) they've never seen before, but have formed an opinion based on draft position or prospect reports OR b)are prospects of their favorite team, therefore are supergood future franchise players and how could they not ride shotgun on Auston Matthews' wing?

Smarter people than you are making these decisions. People that see all the players, not just one or two, and not just in highlight clips on youtube. Does it always work out? No. Do politics seemingly sometimes get involved? It looks that way. Is EVERY player left off the result of said politics? No.

 

[nelsojc]

It's pretty hilarious to see people blasting USA Hockey for leaving off players that largely a) they've never seen before, but have formed an opinion based on draft position or prospect reports OR b)are prospects of their favorite team, therefore are supergood future franchise players and how could they not ride shotgun on Auston Matthews' wing?

Smarter people than you are making these decisions. People that see all the players, not just one or two, and not just in highlight clips on youtube. Does it always work out? No. Do politics seemingly sometimes get involved? It looks that way. Is EVERY player left off the result of said politics? No.

It's funny to see all the Americans defend these decisions after they had all these guys on their rosters before it was released. Sure, every year there is a guy or maybe two that are controversially left off the rosters...but this is just a joke there is like 5 guys who should be on team who were not even invited to camp. And oh please the US coaching staff is a bunch of clowns Ron Wilson is an awful coach and this roster has his name all over it...they are not even going to medal with that guy behind the bench.

 

[AD1066]

lololol wow

hahahahah wow USA hockey great job!!! Just absolutely brutal decision-making.

As Mike Babcock says you can teach a scorer how to block shots but you can't teach a grinder how to score. You are telling me guys like Bracco, Roslovic, Tuch, Garland, and Connor have no character whatesoever??? What a joke

It's funny to see all the Americans defend these decisions after they had all these guys on their rosters before it was released. Sure, every year there is a guy or maybe two that are controversially left off the rosters...but this is just a joke there is like 5 guys who should be on team who were not even invited to camp. And oh please the US coaching staff is a bunch of clowns Ron Wilson is an awful coach and this roster has his name all over it...they are not even going to medal with that guy behind the bench.

Thank you for the input. Please address future insights to:

USA Hockey's NTDP
14900 Beck Road
Plymouth, MI 48170

 

[therealdeal]

It's pretty hilarious to see people blasting USA Hockey for leaving off players that largely a) they've never seen before, but have formed an opinion based on draft position or prospect reports OR b)are prospects of their favorite team, therefore are supergood future franchise players and how could they not ride shotgun on Auston Matthews' wing?

Smarter people than you are making these decisions. People that see all the players, not just one or two, and not just in highlight clips on youtube. Does it always work out? No. Do politics seemingly sometimes get involved? It looks that way. Is EVERY player left off the result of said politics? No.

Just watch the games, dorks.

Haha, this is exactly what I thought about myself after reading like 3 pages. I was like, people seem to say these are omissions, but I've never seen any of these kids even play...

This tournament is always so much fun.

See you boys on the 26th!

 

[islesfan3913]

It's funny to see all the Americans defend these decisions after they had all these guys on their rosters before it was released. Sure, every year there is a guy or maybe two that are controversially left off the rosters...but this is just a joke there is like 5 guys who should be on team who were not even invited to camp. And oh please the US coaching staff is a bunch of clowns Ron Wilson is an awful coach and this roster has his name all over it...they are not even going to medal with that guy behind the bench.

Who on here is defending these decisions?

 

[usascout1]

It's funny to see all the Americans defend these decisions after they had all these guys on their rosters before it was released. Sure, every year there is a guy or maybe two that are controversially left off the rosters...but this is just a joke there is like 5 guys who should be on team who were not even invited to camp. And oh please the US coaching staff is a bunch of clowns Ron Wilson is an awful coach and this roster has his name all over it...they are not even going to medal with that guy behind the bench.

Obviously your guy didn't make the roster as all your posts are about your concerns with USA hockey. Write them a letter but get your negative BS off the USA thread.

At this point say good luck to the guys who did make it at camp and wish them well and hope they bring home gold, as this is what it is.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

The second guessing will come if this team struggle to score. It's still a very talented roster up front with some defined roles on the 3rd and 4th lines. Defense is a bigger question mark, but that was always going to be the case on this team. It would be great if Hanifin was released as he would be that anchor along with Werenski. Goaltending is a bit of unknown as well. I think they expected Halverson and and Ned to be the guys, but Halverson in particular has had a middling year. Parsons and Opilka have been solid on stacked teams.

 

[phamburg]

Speaking as a Notre Dame fan/alum, I think people might be a little quick in writing off Anders Bjork. Not a high draft pick, obviously, but he's ND's second leading scorer (~ppg pace for a top 20 team) and leads in +/- by a mile. Plays with a ton of energy while taking hardly any penalties.

Given that 8 of the 16 forward invites are 3rd/4th line types, it seems clear that they're planning a top 6 / bottom 6 structure, and in that context leaving some of the all-or-nothing scorers at home makes sense. They only need 6 or 7 for the roster.

Honestly, the only omission that really sticks out to me is Connor. Other than that, I think people are just underrating guys like Bellows and Keller, who'll both be top 20 draft picks in a few months, and who are currently embarrassing the USHL.

I guess we'll find out soon enough.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Speaking as a Notre Dame fan/alum, I think people might be a little quick in writing off Anders Bjork. Not a high draft pick, obviously, but he's ND's second leading scorer (~ppg pace for a top 20 team) and leads in +/- by a mile. Plays with a ton of energy while taking hardly any penalties.

Given that 8 of the 16 forward invites are 3rd/4th line types, it seems clear that they're planning a top 6 / bottom 6 structure, and in that context leaving some of the all-or-nothing scorers at home makes sense. They only need 6 or 7 for the roster.

Honestly, the only omission that really sticks out to me is Connor. Other than that, I think people are just underrating guys like Bellows and Keller, who'll both be top 20 draft picks in a few months, and who are currently embarrassing the USHL.

I guess we'll find out soon enough.

I think you have the right read on things. They are banking on the top six meeting/exceeding expectations and the bottom six filling their roles while pitching in a bit on offense. We'll see.

 

[lomiller1]

Link reposted from the Jets sub-forum discussion over this. Some statistical analysis of the inclusions and notable exclusions.

http://jetsnation.ca/2015/12/7/usa-...est-players-leave-roslovic-and-connor-at-home

 

[AmericanDream]

Here is what I guess the team will look like after camp assuming Hanifin is not released to play.

Sonny Milano - Auston Matthews - Alex DeBrincat
Kieffer Bellows - Nick Schmaltz - Brock Boesser
Matthew Tkachuk - Christian Dvorack - Ryan MacInnis
Anders Bjork - Colin White - Ryan Donato
Clayton Keller

Zach Werenski - Brandon Carlo
Charles McAvoy - Chad Krys
Will Borgen - Louie Belpedio
Ryan Collins

Alex Nedeljkovic
Brandon Halverson
Luke Opilka

Still a ton of firepower there.

I love that first line with Milano, Matthews, and DeBrincat as Alex is the sniper and would eat up all those sick feeds from those two.

I have a very big feeling that Bellows is going to play a big role on this team as he is ready and another sniper. Schmaltz might need a pinching to wake up from having Brock and Kieffer as snipers on his wings. Lethal line there if they can click which Boesser and Schmaltz already do on the same line at NoDak.

Not technically a third line, but Dvorack and Tkachuk should be kept together with their familiarity and putting fellow CHLer MacInnis with them makes this one of the grittiest and skilled lines you could possibly have. All three are destroying the OHL right now, put them together and see what they can do.

I really like this 4th line as White can play on any line and be a top 6 player if needed. His defensive responsibility puts him here on a grind line per say, but this line has smarts, wheels, and skill. I really like seeing this line the more I look at it.

The wild card - Clayton Keller - he can be the 13th forward and play on our power plays and fill in where needed. He is elite in so many aspects of the game. Is simply destroying the USHL as a smaller player, but he isn't afraid to get dirty and could honestly land a bigger role if they want to move Schmaltz to the wing and put Keller on a line with him and Boesser. This kid has all the skill to be a difference maker and he might just take a spot away from someone more experienced.

Not going to get into the defense as we know what it is especially with Ryan "Pylon" Collins out there. It is what it is, and they should be decent but will rely heavily on the top 4 to eat huge minutes here.

Goaltending is where a lot of question marks are. Honestly, Opilka is doing the best of the bunch and if you are going by who is hot, he should be the starter. Needle is playing much better since he returned from injury and now on a better Niagara team should help him a lot...I think Alex is the starter out the gate and if he fails, Opilka could jump Halverson for the job...we shall see.

Overall this team has a ton of skill even with leaving Connor, Tuch, Garland, and Roslovic off. They shouldn't have issues scoring. Very interested in seeing how this all plays out, but from the roster I put together, I am confident if the goalie can make the normal saves, this team should be in the top 4 hunt for a gold with the talent and firepower they have.

 

[nelsojc]

Here is what I guess the team will look like after camp assuming Hanifin is not released to play.

Sonny Milano - Auston Matthews - Alex DeBrincat
Kieffer Bellows - Nick Schmaltz - Brock Boesser
Matthew Tkachuk - Christian Dvorack - Ryan MacInnis
Anders Bjork - Colin White - Ryan Donato
Clayton Keller

Zach Werenski - Brandon Carlo
Charles McAvoy - Chad Krys
Will Borgen - Louie Belpedio
Ryan Collins

Alex Nedeljkovic
Brandon Halverson
Luke Opilka

Still a ton of firepower there.

I love that first line with Milano, Matthews, and DeBrincat as Alex is the sniper and would eat up all those sick feeds from those two.

I have a very big feeling that Bellows is going to play a big role on this team as he is ready and another sniper. Schmaltz might need a pinching to wake up from having Brock and Kieffer as snipers on his wings. Lethal line there if they can click which Boesser and Schmaltz already do on the same line at NoDak.

Not technically a third line, but Dvorack and Tkachuk should be kept together with their familiarity and putting fellow CHLer MacInnis with them makes this one of the grittiest and skilled lines you could possibly have. All three are destroying the OHL right now, put them together and see what they can do.

I really like this 4th line as White can play on any line and be a top 6 player if needed. His defensive responsibility puts him here on a grind line per say, but this line has smarts, wheels, and skill. I really like seeing this line the more I look at it.

The wild card - Clayton Keller - he can be the 13th forward and play on our power plays and fill in where needed. He is elite in so many aspects of the game. Is simply destroying the USHL as a smaller player, but he isn't afraid to get dirty and could honestly land a bigger role if they want to move Schmaltz to the wing and put Keller on a line with him and Boesser. This kid has all the skill to be a difference maker and he might just take a spot away from someone more experienced.

Not going to get into the defense as we know what it is especially with Ryan "Pylon" Collins out there. It is what it is, and they should be decent but will rely heavily on the top 4 to eat huge minutes here.

Goaltending is where a lot of question marks are. Honestly, Opilka is doing the best of the bunch and if you are going by who is hot, he should be the starter. Needle is playing much better since he returned from injury and now on a better Niagara team should help him a lot...I think Alex is the starter out the gate and if he fails, Opilka could jump Halverson for the job...we shall see.

Overall this team has a ton of skill even with leaving Connor, Tuch, Garland, and Roslovic off. They shouldn't have issues scoring. Very interested in seeing how this all plays out, but from the roster I put together, I am confident if the goalie can make the normal saves, this team should be in the top 4 hunt for a gold with the talent and firepower they have.

Beyond the first D pair they are very sketchy.

 

[w e l o s t b o y s]

Alex Nedeljkovic
Brandon Halverson
Luke Opilka


Goaltending is where a lot of question marks are. Honestly, Opilka is doing the best of the bunch and if you are going by who is hot, he should be the starter. Needle is playing much better since he returned from injury and now on a better Niagara team should help him a lot...I think Alex is the starter out the gate and if he fails, Opilka could jump Halverson for the job...we shall see.

Do they intend on bringing 3 goalies?

 

[Jaykay]

Beyond the first D pair they are very sketchy.

I think Borgen and Belpedio could really surprise some people. If they play together they wouldn't be flashy but that would be a rock solid pair.

 

[AmericanDream]

Do they intend on bringing 3 goalies?

yes they do.

 

[Juxtaposer]

I would be super stoked if Bellows and Keller made it... But combine them with Matthews, Tkachuk, DeBrincat, and possibly McAvoy and Krys and that would be seven underagers. I HIGHLY doubt that would happen.