Pandaman11
Registered User
- Dec 3, 2009
- 2,835
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I could see them giving the C to Parise.
(But since Torts is the coach it may as well be Dubinsky, Callahan, or Jack Johnson)
World Cup: 2016 World Cup — Team USA
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(But since Torts is the coach it may as well be Dubinsky, Callahan, or Jack Johnson)
Kessel is significantly better than Oshie. Oshie has a bit more grit though and looking at some of the selections, that's what they were going for. Kane, Wheeler and Kessel are 3 of the top 5 RW in the world, it's crazy to think how dangerous this team could've been. IMO one shutdown line is enough. Run 3 all-star lines.
As a Jets fan, I'm happy they named Wheeler and Byfuglien. I think people might finally start to realize how good those guys are. Buff with either Suter or McDonaugh would be dominant at both ends.
For so many years, Yanks were weak down the middle. But looking ahead, they're friggen scary good!
As for those suggesting the Kessel snub was no great shock, and that there is method to USAHockey's Madness? Give ur Head a Shake...HE'S A GAME BREAKER and they don't grow on trees!
Empoleon8771
Registered User
I'm not even that upset about the Kessel snub because he's not even the biggest snub there. It's downright comical that Johnson, Faulk and Shattenkirk didn't make that team.
What is mind blowing is how people underrate intangibles and leadership on this forum. It is a joke. It's not just about the points and scoresheet. Callahan is one of the best PK'ers in the league and is a heck of a shutdown forward who is able to also generate offense. He is going to be the thorn in the side of the opposing players even if he is not scoring, but has the ability to score if needed.
I for one am excited to see Callahan, Dubinsky, and Stepan re-united playing under Torts. Not going to let nay sayers of the HF forums bring me down on this one. Sorry mods if this is too much, but I am tired of this crap.
habsrule4eva3089
Registered User
- Nov 22, 2008
- 4,278
- 1,084
Wow, that'll be fun to watch.
This team is complete garbage, fitting for a garbage tournament.
International Hockey should always be played on Olympic surface, otherwise you'll have rosters like this one.
Menzinger
Kessel4LadyByng
Or maybe how you overrate leadership and intangibles. I could understand if they picked 1 of Abdelkader/Callahan/Dubinsky to play on the 4th line. But all 3? That's a joke. Not sure how you can leave off of the roster offensive talents like Johnson/Kessel (especially after the play-offs they had) at the expense of 3 grinders.
There's already enough leadership/intangibles with players like Backes, Kesler, Oshie.
And Jack Johnson, seriously? I still can't believe this. Tortorella at his best. At least one of Faulk / Shattenkirk or Yandle could do wonders for this team. I can understand Erik Johnson and probably also Niskanen as maybe 7th defenseman. But Jack Johnson, lol.
I see what you mean. Maybe even two of three and add Johnson to the mix. But the Callahan bashing is over the top. The guy is a gamer and plays hard, need that on a team. I am surprised that Johnson is not on the Roster. Maybe his 30 point season stood out to them as bad, I dunno.
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38 in 69, yes it was pretty bad regular season for him, no doubt. But he again showed in the play-offs what kind of player he is. 17 pts in 17 gms, and he was also one of the major reasons why Tampa went to ECF.
Johnson - Pavelski - Kane
Pacioretty - Stepan - Wheeler
Parise - Kesler - Kessel
Abdelkader - Backes - Oshie
JVR
Suter - Carlson
McDonagh - Faulk
E. Johnson - Niskanen
Byfuglien
Something like that would be just fine, imo.
SanDogBrewin
Righteous bucks!
Pavelski would be a great choice. I could see the beloved brain trust giving a sentimental selection of Jack Johnson. Backes would not shock me.
My vote would be Pavelski. Absolutely deserves the captaincy to this "truculent" team.
Good luck to the rest of the world trying to beat the best, by far, goalie trio in the world. At least the three stooges can't get that wrong.
Yeah, skill wins games when you have players that can defend and do the other things other than putting up points.
Yup exactly my point. Need a good mix of players, a team filled with all one way offensive forwards is not going to win when you are giving up 5 goals a game. Luckily, these guys chosen do have some skill to create offense, and are not 4th line grinders.
Semantics
PUBLIC ENEMY #1
My personal view is that, knowing that if they want to win the tournament they're probably gonna have to beat Canada in the finals, they built the team for those games against Canada. I'm not jokingI'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who finds that possible. Just look at the physicality on the roster. Byfuglien. Suter. McDonagh. Callahan. Backes. Kesler. Parise. Abdelkader. Dubinski. E.Johnson. You think that doesn't and won't matter in an actual hockey game? A game that is played on NHL ice on top of that?
Do you really think there's going to be physicality in this marketing gimmick tournament? It's a glorified training camp / all star game for these players. Can't see them sacrificing their bodies for an event no one cares about.
Pyromaniac3
Registered User
Don't they stand they gain a lot of money for this tourney? Cheapest tickets are going for $900.
For a glorified training camp/all star tournament, those are Toronto playoffs type ticket prices, and I think players know that. I think you will see one of the most competitive tournaments in recent memory.
Chaels Arms
Formerly Lias Andersson
Well, ultimately wins and losses are kind of determined by the scoresheet.
Callahan, Dubinsky and Stepan really isn't that exciting a combo for an international tournament composed of the best players in the world.
"One of the best PK'ers in the league" Any garbage NHL player can do decently on the PK. Highly skilled players can perform in any situation and do it better than grinders. Tyler Johnson has been on the PK in the past and actually scored on it. Highly skilled players with speed will make Callahan look like a traffic cone on the ice. Only reason Dubinsky is on this team is cause Torts has coached him and cause of this garbage narratives that he's "hard to play against" when he's matched up with Crosby. In reality, Crosby destroys him. All of the top stars do and he's gonna be matched up against.....stars. You know who is a better defensive player than Callahan, Dubinsky, Abdelkader? Phil Kessel, cause he always has the puck and has the puck in his offensive zone a lot more than in the defensive zone. Teams can't score if they don't have the puck. Star players in the NHL can play shutdown roles in this tournament cause star players tend to be versatile. Just cause their NHL teams don't ask them to play those roles doesn't mean they aren't capable but people seem to think guys who hit hard are better defensively than great goal scorers. At least they'll lead the tournament in hits while losing games 4-0
But guys like Kesler, Backes, Pavelski, Parise, and Stepan already do those things.
magic school bus
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Trust me, we all love Jack Johnson and what he's done for USA Hockey but this is ridiculous.
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