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

[Sens of Anarchy]

I like Matthews and think he's played well, but he isn't making Team Canada at this point in his young career.

Good Call

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Matthews would make team Canada, he's better than Girox right now.

Based on what? These 2 pre-tournament games.

I like Matthews but if you are basing it on a pair of fair weather games ... I think you should not be so quick

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

Chychrun is the guy who played in Michigan forever. He was in Michigan like 5 years before his draft. Matthews only played 2 years in Michigan, AFAIK.

 

[Divine]

Here I recall a gigantic article about him mainly playing on a tiny rink against much older players in Arizona.. Was that a lie? He even got scouted off... Arizona Bobcats, right?

Matthews wasn't scouted off the Arizona Bobcats, he tried out for the USHL himself, and the rink he played on was tiny (not a full size NHL rink). He was lucky he was talented enough to play up a few years, otherwise it would have been a lot more difficult. Matthews wasn't scouted at all, he went and tried out for the USHL (received an invite) and that's where he got noticed. He's not like any of those other players who came from hockey markets and were known since they were 10.

Are you kidding me? He didn't learn hockey here in AZ? This is such a **** post reaching for any way to try to act like only certain areas can produce hockey talent.

Every travel hockey player travels to tournaments, that's how tournaments work. Have you ever played travel hockey? I'd guess no as you seem to have zero knowledge of how amateur hockey works.

Every player travels to the competition. Ever. Single. One. This is such basic knowledge to have when discussing hockey. You are so wrong it's infuriating and the need to push your agenda is pathetic. I hope your embarrassed by this post.

There's a difference between a hockey player travelling 1 or 2 hours, and travelling state to state to play hockey. You're the only one pushing an agenda. The rink Auston Matthews grew up learning hockey on is shut down, he came to USHL with a lot of skill (obviously) but they had to develop him. It's be very rare to see another player do the same simply because Auston Matthews had a much more difficult path than any other kid. You're acting like Arizona has some top-notch hockey academy that's raising these kids. He was a special player, but to say we're going to see tons of players coming from Arizona because of him is a reach. He grew up playing in an undersized rink that has since been shut down. You need to accept Arizona isn't a hockey market, let it go.

Chychrun is the guy who played in Michigan forever. He was in Michigan like 5 years before his draft. Matthews only played 2 years in Michigan, AFAIK.

Maybe I was wrong on that, but if I recall correctly, Babcock said he was aware of Matthews because Matthews and Tkachuk would be coming to Red Wings practice since he was 13. So, I assumed Matthews went to play in Michigan since 13. It might have been 16 though.

 

[DearDiary]

Based on what? These 2 pre-tournament games.

I like Matthews but if you are basing it on a pair of fair weather games ... I think you should not be so quick

Mathews is a once in a generation player, a rookie that's elite in all aspects of hockey at such a young age. He has the potential to win the art ross and selke in the same season...

 

[Sky04]

Mathews is a once in a generation player, a rookie that's elite in all aspects of hockey at such a young age. He has the potential to win the art ross and selke in the same season...

sub 60 points next year most likely more like once every 5 years since were basing it off these past 2 games, he won't be sniffing a selke

 

[Bixby Snyder]

Mathews is a once in a generation player, a rookie that's elite in all aspects of hockey at such a young age. He has the potential to win the art ross and selke in the same season...

Absolutely. This guy gets it.

 

[Johnnybegood13]

Some reflections on the game: Overall, pretty damn exciting team to watch after 2 games. Lots of ups and downs, it's part of the excitement of teams this young.

Defenceman. Ekblad-Rielly both heavily relied on, and they've done well overall. Some mistakes, some excellent plays. Hard to believe Ekblad is only 20, they look good as the top pairing.

Ghost and Parayko played well together, Ghost brings PP abilities that could be relied upon if teams take undisciplined penalties. Paryako was very good tonight, strong on the PK. Fluid skater and brings a 6'5 frame, I was impressed.

Murray played his usual steady self, Jones had a few hiccups. Jones out Trouba in next game, competition should be tight for the final spot on D.


Forwards. Nuge and MacKinnon have been excellent both games, Drouin played well. Most of the older forwards have been the most consistent. Scheifele has been strong as well, Gaudreau finding ways to create offence. Pretty much every forward has had their moments top to bottom, it's a talented group. Too many ups and downs though, but not uncommon with young teams.

The thing with this forward group, if they catch fire in a game, look out. They can give any team in this tournament nightmares. These pre-tournament games will be useful, Czech Republic up next. It'll be interesting to see how they do against a National Team.

Regarding the forwards -- chill. Combinations are starting to work themselves out. Put Eichel back at Centre and let him be "the guy" on his own line. Same with McDavid and Gaudreau, those 3 are drivers and are better utilized apart.

Matthews can play anywhere. It's amazing how he is risen up the depth chart. He looked good with Scheifele, and Scheifele matches up well with McDavid. Power forward style game, size, and he's a good skater. Scheifele is good on the cycle and maintaining possession in the offensive zone.

Drouin-Nuge-MacKinnon
Matthews-McDavid-Scheifele
Larkin-Couturier-Gaudreau
Saad-Eichel-Miller

Line order means nothing. Roll them wave after wave.

Not hard to tell who you cheer for when you have the most talented LW'er playing 3rd line RW with a shutdown center.

 

[slobbergob]

Not hard to tell who you cheer for when you have the most talented LW'er playing 3rd line RW with a shutdown center.

Or there's no reason to break up the RNH line with how they've been playing and Gaudreau and McDavid don't work all that well together. I wouldn't worry about line numbers.

 

[Johnnybegood13]

Or there's no reason to break up the RNH line with how they've been playing and Gaudreau and McDavid don't work all that well together. I wouldn't worry about line numbers.

Nonsense, Gaudreau makes all linemates better

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Mathews is a once in a generation player, a rookie that's elite in all aspects of hockey at such a young age. He has the potential to win the art ross and selke in the same season...

I get that... I get he has not reached his peak either and to suggest he would make TC over Giroux is premature IMO.

 

[Kelly]

I get that... I get he has not reached his peak either and to suggest he would make TC over Giroux is premature IMO.

It definitely is.

I don't think McDavid would have made it last year as well, it's completely over the top suggesting Matthews would.

 

[Johnnybegood13]

Mathews is a once in a generation player, a rookie that's elite in all aspects of hockey at such a young age. He has the potential to win the art ross and selke in the same season...

The silly term generational is used far too often around here.

The real meaning of a generation is 25 years but even if we cut it back to 15 years for a star hockey player do you people who use this term really believe your player will be the best player for the next 15 years?

 

[snipes]

Not hard to tell who you cheer for when you have the most talented LW'er playing 3rd line RW with a shutdown center.

That has more to do with how highly I think of Johnny

Team him and McDavid back up on the PP. Spreading them out at ES gives us better balance and is harder to matchup against.

 

[bert]

Giroux made the team, somehow.

Yeah he's better than the highest scoring player in the NHL in the last 5 years.

This is an easy block.

 

[snipes]

Not hard to tell who you cheer for when you have the most talented LW'er playing 3rd line RW with a shutdown center.

I meant to flip them to the other side as well. JH should be LW.

 

[snipes]

What's fun about this team is we actually are seeing much more hockey analysis. I view this team different than Canada, with Canada it's tribal warlike fervour. With Team NA it's more just pure excitement at the team and wanting to see good hockey.

I'm putting all USA, Flames, Leafs, etc. hate aside for this squad. I wish the best for all these kids. I actually want to see Rielly, Matthews, Eichel, and Gaudreau for example tear it up and do well. This is such a unique circumstance, we might never see this again.

Again, these are kids fellas, we're going to see lots of ups and downs. They aren't seasoned pros yet like we see with our American and Canadian teams. Peaks and valleys will be part of this team, hopefully we reign it in and don't let NHL rivalry agendas influence our analysis and cheering for this team.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

What's fun about this team is we actually are seeing much more hockey analysis. I view this team different than Canada, with Canada it's tribal warlike fervour. With Team NA it's more just pure excitement at the team and wanting to see good hockey.

I'm putting all USA, Flames, Leafs, etc. hate aside for this squad. I wish the best for all these kids. I actually want to see Rielly, Matthews, Eichel, and Gaudreau for example tear it up and do well. This is such a unique circumstance, we might never see this again.

Again, these are kids fellas, we're going to see lots of ups and downs. They aren't seasoned pros yet like we see with our American and Canadian teams. Peaks and valleys will be part of this team, hopefully we reign it in and don't let NHL rivalry agendas influence our analysis and cheering for this team.

That makes far too much sense... Next!

 

[Auston Marlander]

Mathews is a once in a generation player, a rookie that's elite in all aspects of hockey at such a young age. He has the potential to win the art ross and selke in the same season...

Matthews is and will be incredible, but he is NOT a generational player, not from what we have seen. Could that change, sure, anything is possible. Why can't we be happy to have an elite player on our team without having to overdo it?

 

[snipes]

That makes far too much sense... Next!

Hopefully reason wins in the end.

There's something special about this team, I dunno. I'm wishing well on my enemies, it's strange .

 

[snipes]

Matthews is and will be incredible, but he is NOT a generational player, not from what we have seen. Could that change, sure, anything is possible. Why can't we be happy to have an elite player on our team without having to overdo it?

Great post.

Who cares if Matthews isn't generational? He's ****ing unreal and will likely be a top 5 player in this league one day. He's a special talent, enjoy him.

I know I'm a huge Matthews fan after watching him at the WHC and through these games at the World Cup. Kid is a stud, I'm loving his versatility too. He can play wing, he can play at ES, PP, or PK. He'll play a big role for us going forward in this tourney.

 

[Auston Marlander]

What's fun about this team is we actually are seeing much more hockey analysis. I view this team different than Canada, with Canada it's tribal warlike fervour. With Team NA it's more just pure excitement at the team and wanting to see good hockey.

I'm putting all USA, Flames, Leafs, etc. hate aside for this squad. I wish the best for all these kids. I actually want to see Rielly, Matthews, Eichel, and Gaudreau for example tear it up and do well. This is such a unique circumstance, we might never see this again.

Again, these are kids fellas, we're going to see lots of ups and downs. They aren't seasoned pros yet like we see with our American and Canadian teams. Peaks and valleys will be part of this team, hopefully we reign it in and don't let NHL rivalry agendas influence our analysis and cheering for this team.

Agreed. I want all of them to have the best game of their life every game. I want to see the dirtiest shots from Eichel, I want Scheifle to get a hatty and Larkin to go end to end every shift. It's just so much fun to watch these kids.

 

[snipes]

Agreed. I want all of them to have the best game of their life every game. I want to see the dirtiest shots from Eichel, I want Scheifle to get a hatty and Larkin to go end to end every shift. It's just so much fun to watch these kids.

I want to see Johnny go out there and get a nasty hatty.

It's so funny, this is like our playoffs. All the Canadian teams were out, we haven't had meaningful hockey. I'm putting aside my NHL hate and uniting under one team. Hopefully these boys go out and get it done. And to be talking international hockey with American fans as brothers on the same team is a unique thing too, I'm along for the ride.

I wouldn't even be that mad if they beat Canada (obviously prefer Canada winning). I don't think they would be able to beat Canada, they are massively outmatched against both Canada and the USA. I mean, they have their hands full with Russia, Finland, and Sweden.

Why don't we shift our hate towards the European powers? Those guys are now the enemy. Americans are our neighbours and best friends, lets go to battle together and ****ing smash the Old World .

 

[LongWayDown37]

The hyperbole in all directions.... And the amount of things called "unreal" around here suggest most posters live under a rock somewhere.

Team NA looks great. Will be fun to see where they stand once they play the big boys.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

The silly term generational is used far too often around here.

The real meaning of a generation is 25 years but even if we cut it back to 15 years for a star hockey player do you people who use this term really believe your player will be the best player for the next 15 years?

Totally Agree. Generational has no real meaning. Should be X'ed from any description.