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WC: 2016 Team USA

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3 forward spots available and 2 defensemen spots available. Coyle, Zucker should take 2 of the forward spots and Ghost should take one defensemen spot.

My preferred lineup:

Kreider/Smith-Larkin-Coyle
Zucker-Matthews-Foligno
Connor-Compher-Motte
Maroon-Glendening-Fasching
Hendricks

DeKeyser-Gostisbehere
Hanifin-Skjei
McCabe-Murphy
Wideman

Scratches:
Wood, Warsofsky

In net, I'd like to see Demko given a couple starts and see how it goes. He might end up being the starter in the QF cause Condon and Kinkaid aren't impressive.
 
Glendening is a meh addition. Status quo grinder like most of the team. If we can get Ghostisbehere and one more scorer I think we'll be okay.
 
William H Bonney said:
Zucker is an RFA. It's not realistic to envision free agents as possible additions.
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Almost every year there are some players that are RFA that end up joining the team. Brock Nelson did it last season. Same for Jake Gardiner 2 years ago, along with Wingels and Tyler Johnson. Arcobello was a free agent last year, though not on same level as Zucker/Gardiner/Johnson/Nelson were heading into free agency. It doesn't automatically rule players out, but more often than not they say no. Coyle and Zucker are really close, so if Coyle agrees to go, I think Zucker would agree as well, despite being a RFA.
 
JTD said:
Almost every year there are some players that are RFA that end up joining the team. Brock Nelson did it last season. Same for Jake Gardiner 2 years ago, along with Wingels and Tyler Johnson. Arcobello was a free agent last year, though not on same level as Zucker/Gardiner/Johnson/Nelson were heading into free agency. It doesn't automatically rule players out, but more often than not they say no. Coyle and Zucker are really close, so if Coyle agrees to go, I think Zucker would agree as well, despite being a RFA.
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It happens, but it's not realistic. Every year this thread is a predictable cycle: starts off with unrealistic expectations, followed by anger directed at players, followed by unrealistic expectations for first-round exited players, followed by more anger.

My post wasn't about Zucker. It'd be great if an RFA is willing to play. My post is about tempering expectations. In recent posts there's been talk about RFAs (Kreider, Hayes, Miller, Zucker, Trocheck, Okposo, Yandle) and injured players (Smith, Martinez, Trocheck, Bjugstad, McDonagh) joining the team. It's not likely. All it does is feed the misconception that this isn't a predictable occurrence, year after year.
 
William H Bonney said:
It happens, but it's not realistic. Every year this thread is a predictable cycle: starts off with unrealistic expectations, followed by anger directed at players, followed by unrealistic expectations for first-round exited players, followed by more anger.

My post wasn't about Zucker. It'd be great if an RFA is willing to play. My post is about tempering expectations. In recent posts there's been talk about RFAs (Kreider, Hayes, Miller, Zucker, Trocheck, Okposo, Yandle) and injured players (Smith, Martinez, Trocheck, Bjugstad, McDonagh) joining the team. It's not likely. All it does is feed the misconception that this isn't a predictable occurrence, year after year.
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I enjoy this tournament but I won't get upset if a player turns down an invite. It happens. Would be nice to have an awesome team in this tournament for once but I'll still watch. We'll see who ends up being the final 5 players but no reason to get mad at players who choose to decline. To me it's just a fun tournament that I like watching but don't take it too seriously. Would be nice to see this team get players like Kreider, Zucker, Smith and make this tournament even more enjoyable but it's fun regardless
 
I think 8th defender and 14th forward is unnecessary. Most of teams still bring them and probably USA also do that again. Canada bring last year only two goalies and 7 defenders. 3rd goalie is good to have but you have still full roster even couple skaters get injured.
 
JTD said:
3 forward spots available and 2 defensemen spots available. Coyle, Zucker should take 2 of the forward spots and Ghost should take one defensemen spot.

My preferred lineup:

Kreider/Smith-Larkin-Coyle
Zucker-Matthews-Foligno
Connor-Compher-Motte
Maroon-Glendening-Fasching
Hendricks

DeKeyser-Gostisbehere
Hanifin-Skjei
McCabe-Murphy
Wideman

Scratches:
Wood, Warsofsky

In net, I'd like to see Demko given a couple starts and see how it goes. He might end up being the starter in the QF cause Condon and Kinkaid aren't impressive.
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Matthews is going to have to carry this offense from the looks of it. Will be interesting to see how he does. He's been dominating against men on big ice all year so he should be fairly comfortable. But still, might be worth it to try and find space in the top 6 for a guy like Connor.

Also, Larkin - Kreider together might be just a little fast . . . makes me want to add Zucker just for the hell of it.

Connor - Matthews - Coyle
Kreider - Larkin - Zucker
Smith - Glendening - Foligno
Wood - Hendricks - Motte

I have a hard time placing Maroon here. On the big ice he could have a tough go as a bottom 6'er, but he's shown the ability to play with elite offensive players (Getzlaf, Perry, McDavid etc). Maybe you could do something like:

Maroon - Matthews - Coyle
Kreider - Larkin - Connor
Smith - Glendening - Foligno
Zucker - Hendricks - Motte
Compher

I'm guessing they'll try to keep the Michigan guys together though, which admittedly isn't a bad idea.

I like your D pairings.
 
Not suprised that Zucker is out because he is RFA but little bit suprising that Coyle is out. I mean if they are out. I guess they are becuase Schroeder is Wild player too. I have not heard anyting about Gostisbehere. Is he coming? Ghost and VandeVelde from Philly and roster is ready. I don't believe that Smith or Wilson join team if Nashville lose. Austin Watson maybe.
 
SK94 said:
Not suprised that Zucker is out because he is RFA but little bit suprising that Coyle is out. I mean if they are out. I guess they are becuase Schroeder is Wild player too. I have not heard anyting about Gostisbehere. Is he coming? Ghost and VandeVelde from Philly and roster is ready. I don't believe that Smith or Wilson join team if Nashville lose. Austin Watson maybe.
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Wild players are having their exit interviews today but no word if Coyle turned down an invite or not. Would be a blow to the team if he declined. If they don't get Craig Smith from Nashville if they're eliminated, this team will have zero goal scorers beyond Larkin with NHL experience. Combine that with below average goaltending and this tournament won't be pretty
 
JTD said:
Wild players are having their exit interviews today but no word if Coyle turned down an invite or not. Would be a blow to the team if he declined. If they don't get Craig Smith from Nashville if they're eliminated, this team will have zero goal scorers beyond Larkin with NHL experience. Combine that with below average goaltending and this tournament won't be pretty
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Maybe young guys can make bigger impact what people think. Specially Matthews. Someway i like these USA WC teams. Not best players ever but always underrated.
 
SK94 said:
Maybe young guys can make bigger impact what people think. Specially Matthews. Someway i like these USA WC teams. Not best players ever but always underrated.
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I think the bigger concern this go around is goaltending. The last two medals we've won has been on the back of outstanding goaltending? Can Condon and co provide that? Don't know. There's plenty of speed and such though. A guy like Matthews is really going to have to shine.
 
Rabid Ranger said:
I think the bigger concern this go around is goaltending. The last two medals we've won has been on the back of outstanding goaltending? Can Condon and co provide that? Don't know. There's plenty of speed and such though. A guy like Matthews is really going to have to shine.
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I think defense is going to be the problem. Last year we had Justin Faulk, Seth Jones and Torey Krug. This year, Noah Hanifin may be our best defenseman.
 
BurtMacklin said:
I think defense is going to be the problem. Last year we had Justin Faulk, Seth Jones and Torey Krug. This year, Noah Hanifin may be our best defenseman.
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Obviously the defense won't be as good this year but i think it will be decent. I think the forwards and goalies are the issue. Matthews and Larkin are gonna have to be dominant. I think they'll squeeze barely into the quarters. Wouldn't surprise me if Demko took over in net cause he's the most talented of the bunch and Condon and Kinkaid are underwhelming. Hopefully they can fill final couple forward spots with some capable goal scorers so Matthews and Larkin have a little help
 
Rabid Ranger said:
I think the bigger concern this go around is goaltending. The last two medals we've won has been on the back of outstanding goaltending? Can Condon and co provide that? Don't know. There's plenty of speed and such though. A guy like Matthews is really going to have to shine.
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Nothing special at all about Condon, not a fan. I think Demko should start. But probably the US will have Condon start against Canada because of experience. After that I hope Demko gets some starts.
 
SK94 said:
I have not heard anyting about Gostisbehere. Is he coming? Ghost and VandeVelde from Philly and roster is ready. I don't believe that Smith or Wilson join team if Nashville lose.
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Gostisbehere would be a great add and I am anxious on whether or not he is coming. Smith and Wilson are under contract, fingers crossed for tonight.
 
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