World Cup: 2016 World Cup — Team North America (Part II)

[one77]

https://twitter.com/SportsnetSpec/status/774282815856869376

lines

Drouin-RNH-MacKinnon
Gaudreau-McDavid-Eichel....LOL, just LOL
Larkin-Couturier-Trochek
Matthews-Scheifele-Saad

Wasted talent putting him on that line.

 

[WTFMAN99]

The thing is there has to be a beat and worst. Eichle, while not horrible by any means, was at the bottom end of our forwards. Nothing to be ashamed of, most of the boys played lights out. Not everyone can be the best every game, and like you said, he could pot 3 next game if things go right.

Why does there have to be a best and the worst? Team NA played like a team and won. He had good shifts.

 

[Samsonite23]

i think it's more than Eichel doesn't NEED to carry the puck.

Gaudreau, and RNH are great puck handlers and good at rushing the puck but they don't need to. I put Eichel in that category.

Mackinnon reminds me so much of taylor hall it's not even funny. He NEEDS to carry the puck.

McDavid doesn't need to carry the puck but you're stupid not to have him carry the puck.

Well put. You could see Eichel trying to play a different type of game. He wasn't trying to be dynamic, he was trying to get into space and facilitate while focusing on playing a good defensive game.

That's not a style I think suits him at this point, but as a Sabres fan I like that he's working on improving that part of his game. Finding space and unloading as many shots as possible is what that line would need.

 

[Heldig]

Wasted talent putting him on that line.

Care to elaborate? Or do you just perceive it as the 4th line because it is listed last?

 

[ResilientBeast]

i think it's more than Eichel doesn't NEED to carry the puck.

Gaudreau, and RNH are great puck handlers and good at rushing the puck but they don't need to. I put Eichel in that category.

Mackinnon reminds me so much of taylor hall it's not even funny. He NEEDS to carry the puck.

McDavid doesn't need to carry the puck but you're stupid not to have him carry the puck.

That's actually a really good point on Eichel, in hindsight last night you could really see that. Mackinnon is actually a pretty interesting comparable to Taylor Hall in terms of play style.

McDavid's sheer presence in the offensive zone even without the puck drew double coverage.

 

[ijuka]

Wasted talent putting him on that line.

Name the 2 lines you'd put ahead of the one Matthews is on.

At worst it's the 3rd line but I'd be surprised if it's not the second-best.

 

[JetsWillFly4Ever]

Wasted talent putting him on that line.

Wait, what? Scheifele and Saad are arguably better players right now than Matthews.

 

[Auston Marlander]

Why does there have to be a best and the worst? Team NA played like a team and won. He had good shifts.

Because not everyone has their best game and is completely equal every game. It isn't a contest, but every game someone will not be at the top of theirs. Next game could be Mack or Matthews or Johnny Hockey. Just happens that game was Eichel.

 

[Samsonite23]

Wait, what? Scheifele and Saad are arguably better players right now than Matthews.

Scheifele for sure is. He is just an awesome player. I'm assuming he thought it was a 4th line that wouldn't play very much. But weird thing to say either way considering he's not even the best player on the line.

 

[Zhamnov5GoalGame]

I get that this thing is a cash-grab and all but I've bought into the TNA thing, I like the fact that CAN/US is in it together, so I really don't care if those with letters are Canadian or American, just as long as they are deserving.


Some observations; Our top 4 didn't stand out, which is good, they were efficient and moved the puck well. I think Ekblad needs to use Rielly more in the OZone. One of Trouba or Ghost needs to sit, they looked less like good players playing the bottom pair and more like legit bottom pair D. Considering the offensive talent we have on the team, and that Trouba hits, I'd sit Ghost, though I do think he was a bit better than Trouba defensively.

I thought McDavid had a mediocre game, RNH was the best player followed by JohnnyHockey, that Mackinnon needs to use his linemates more (his constant failed rushes started getting annoying in the 3rd). Matthews started strong but became less visible as the game wore on ( which might have to do with NateMac trying to take team EU on by himself). By the 3rd Eichel was looking more comfortable and I expect a better showing next game. Not a big fan of Miller and would like to see Larkin next game.

I'm not sure where you are getting this? The team dominated the majority of the game. Almost no real pressure in their end. Trouba laid out player after player and easily moved the puck out of his zone to his forwards. Didn't see Ghost struggling either. What would a good game look like to you? I'm not sure how anyone can find much to complain about after 1 meaningless exhibition game where the team killed it? Just went to look at the box score to see stats of the game and can't find one anywhere??? Really strange.

 

[DapperCam]

I don't see how people can say Eichel was invisible, or had the worst game on Team NA. He tied for game lead with 4 shots on goal. Was fifth on the team in 5v5 CF%, and led both teams with 3 takeaways (which passes the eye test because he was back checking a ton). Also he had a nice assist.

I'm not saying he was the best player on the team, but to say he was the worst, or bad is just incorrect.

McDavid was very flashy, but mostly lost the puck in the corner after driving to the net. I'm excited for when these tournament games will count. I think we'll see some high quality hockey.

 

[Auston Marlander]

I don't see how people can say Eichel was invisible, or had the worst game on Team NA. He tied for game lead with 4 shots on goal. Was fifth on the team in 5v5 CF%, and led both teams with 3 takeaways (which passes the eye test because he was back checking a ton). Also he had a nice assist.

I'm not saying he was the best player on the team, but to say he was the worst, or bad is just incorrect.

McDavid was very flashy, but mostly lost the puck in the corner after driving to the net. I'm excited for when these tournament games will count. I think we'll see some high quality hockey.

Which forward had a worse game? Moreover, which forward had a worse game compared to what they can do?

Again, not a bad game, just not as good as everyone else.

 

[Gabrielor]

I don't see how people can say Eichel was invisible, or had the worst game on Team NA. He tied for game lead with 4 shots on goal. Was fifth on the team in 5v5 CF%, and led both teams with 3 takeaways (which passes the eye test because he was back checking a ton). Also he had a nice assist.

I'm not saying he was the best player on the team, but to say he was the worst, or bad is just incorrect.

McDavid was very flashy, but mostly lost the puck in the corner after driving to the net. I'm excited for when these tournament games will count. I think we'll see some high quality hockey.

It was decided before the tournament even began by a certain demographic that this would be a measuring contest of teammates rather than enjoyment of something that may never be seen again. For some reason.

I didn't think anyone on the whole team had a bad game. They had a multi-goal, shutout win, and every line created offensive pressure. That's a complete victory.

 

[snipes]

It was decided before the tournament even began by a certain demographic that this would be a measuring contest of teammates rather than enjoyment of something that may never be seen again. For some reason.

I didn't think anyone on the whole team had a bad game. They had a multi-goal, shutout win, and every line created offensive pressure. That's a complete victory.

Don't stress it too much, we need unity here boys. Canadian and American hockey fans might never have the opportunity to come together like this under one team again.

I'm pulling for the Young Guns!

 

[Gabrielor]

Which forward had a worse game? Moreover, which forward had a worse game compared to what they can do?

Again, not a bad game, just not as good as everyone else.

Is that your thing? Find the guy who had the worst game in a 4-0 victory?

I guess Steve Young had the worst game in the 49ers 55-10 Superbowl 24 Victory. No touchdowns thrown...

 

[Beerz]

Which forward had a worse game? Moreover, which forward had a worse game compared to what they can do?

Again, not a bad game, just not as good as everyone else.

Auston Matthews had the worst game of all Team NA forwards. He was invisible after the first. I expected Matthews to outscore Eichel like he has at every level in the past and he didn't. What a disappointment.


But it is only one game...next game Matthews can come out and be the leading scorer...don't fret.

 

[Leafs at Knight]

Auston Matthews had the worst game of all Team NA forwards. He was invisible after the first. I expected Matthews to outscore Eichel like he has at every level in the past and he didn't. What a disappointment.


But it is only one game...next game Matthews can come out and be the leading scorer...don't fret.

[mod]

Matthews had a better game than Eichel [mod]. Eichel played fine.

 

[Cirris]

I don't see how people can say Eichel was invisible, or had the worst game on Team NA. He tied for game lead with 4 shots on goal. Was fifth on the team in 5v5 CF%, and led both teams with 3 takeaways (which passes the eye test because he was back checking a ton). Also he had a nice assist.

I'm not saying he was the best player on the team, but to say he was the worst, or bad is just incorrect.

McDavid was very flashy, but mostly lost the puck in the corner after driving to the net. I'm excited for when these tournament games will count. I think we'll see some high quality hockey.

Eichel even had a couple odd man rushes against that he broke up with his speed and back checking.

Eichel had the sweet bank pass to spring Johnny that led to Gaudreau's goal.

I don't get this "bad game" narrative.

 

[xxxx]

Note on last tweet, I'm pretty sure those listed lines are ordered as 2-1-4-3

wow, those are great lines. Gaudreau-McDavid-Eichel I like Scheifele getting his own line, should be very dangerous with Saad and Matthews

 

[duul]

Nice to see McLellan went with Gaudreau-McDavid like I speculated. Would prefer Scheifele in that RW spot instead of Eichel, but if Eichel focuses on getting into open spots to wire the puck, I think he could be a better fit than Scheifele.

Only question is if he's willing to default the puck to McD/Gaudreau. I don't think he is which can be an issue.

 

[Swedish House]

Probably been ask before and really not likely to happen but..

If a player that is eligible for TNA is not selected. Can he then be pick't up by his country team?

 

[Albus Dumbledore]

Man who cares if player A is better then player B or someone's isn't performing as well at this stage, tourney hasn't even started. They haven't played much hockey all summer, everyone's getting there feet wet.
Unless someone under preformed like crazy who cares. People cry, too much about the little things, the semantics.....

 

[Beerz]

Nice to see McLellan went with Gaudreau-McDavid like I speculated. Would prefer Scheifele in that RW spot instead of Eichel, but if Eichel focuses on getting into open spots to wire the puck, I think he could be a better fit than Scheifele.

Only question is if he's willing to default the puck to McD/Gaudreau. I don't think he is which can be an issue.

Carrying the puck is McDavids biggest strength. Shooting the puck is Eichels. I have no doubt that Connor, Jack and the coach are all aware of this. I don't see an issue.

 

[snipes]

Carrying the puck is McDavids biggest strength. Shooting the puck is Eichels. I have no doubt that Connor, Jack and the coach are all aware of this. I don't see an issue.

If anything their skills matchup well. Plus Jack is an elite skater himself, it's to his benefit for McDavid to carry the puck and look for him on a one-timer or a pass in close to bury it.

These two are very intelligent hockey players, they'll figure it out.

 

[Mashed Potatoes]

Gaudreau-McDavid-Eichel
Drouin-Matthews-McKinnon
Larkin-Couturier-Trochek
Schiefele-RNH-Saad

I would go with this, and maybe switsh Eichel and Mckinnon if things don't work out