World Cup: 2016 World Cup — Team USA

[xxxx]

Here's what my line up would be:

Max Pacioretty - Joe Pavelski "A" - Patrick Kane
Zach Parise "A" - David Backes - Ryan Kesler
James Van Riemsdyk - Derek Stepan - Blake Wheeler
Justin Abdelkader - Brendan Dubinski - TJ Oshie
Ryan Callahan

Ryan Suter "C" - Dustin Byfuglien
Ryan McDonagh - Erik Johnson
Matt Niskanen - John Carlson
Jack Johnson

Jonathan Quick, Ben Bishop, Corey Schneider

 

[Preisst*]

No, it is much worse. Paul Martin and Justin Faulk essentially being swapped out for Erik Johnson and Jack Johnson is a clear downgrade and the 2nd best RW being swapped out for Justin Abdelkader makes this team much worse. They didn't take their 2nd best C in the NHL and brought multiple grinders who have no business on the team. Sochi team on North American ice would smoke these dudes

We have different opinions. No biggie. Canada will dominate anyway.

 

[Preisst*]

I'm sorry...what?

Our Sochi squad, on big ice or NHL ice, would steamroll this WCH team.

We disagree. We all have our own opinions.

 

[Preisst*]

He's redundant when they're already bringing Abdelkader, Backes and Dubinsky.

Possibly but he's still a better choice then some of the other players that some posters are trumpeting.

Can you think of a single soft lazy floater offensively one dimensional player that Canada has ever picked for a national team?

 

[Scotty B]

Possibly but he's still a better choice then some of the other players that some posters are trumpeting.

Can you think of a single soft lazy floater offensively one dimensional player that Canada has ever picked for a national team?

Not off the top of my head, BUT I recall that Gretzky et al lobbied hard to get that soft lazy one dimensional floater, dual Nat Brett Hull, to switch uni's prior to the 1996 World Cup...In hindsight, team USA was mighty glad Brett nixed the idea..

If ur a prolific goal scorer like Brett was, who had a knack for finding open ice for that tremendous one timer of his, being somewhat one dimensional isn't a cardinal sin...

Something similar might be said for that burner and potential game breaker Kessel...USAHockey doesn't have the embarrassment of riches Hockey Canada does...If their braintrust was smart, they woulda found a spot for Kessel imo

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Not off the top of my head, BUT I recall that Gretzky et al lobbied hard to get that soft lazy one dimensional floater, dual Nat Brett Hull, to switch uni's prior to the 1996 World Cup...In hindsight, team USA was mighty glad Brett nixed the idea..

If ur a prolific goal scorer like Brett was, who had a knack for finding open ice for that tremendous one timer of his, being somewhat one dimensional isn't a cardinal sin...

Something similar might be said for that burner and potential game breaker Kessel...USAHockey doesn't have the embarrassment of riches Hockey Canada does...If their braintrust was smart, they woulda found a spot for Kessel imo

While Kessel isn't what I would consider Torts material, I'm a bit surprised they didn't include him anyway with his history with USA Hockey and the fact he generally does well on the international stage. That said the exclusion of guys like Ryan, Okposo, and Kessel indicates they are going for a specific type of team here. All three have certain question marks and as a result negative reputations.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

While Kessel isn't what I would consider Torts material, I'm a bit surprised they didn't include him anyway with his history with USA Hockey and the fact he generally does well on the international stage. That said the exclusion of guys like Ryan, Okposo, and Kessel indicates they are going for a specific type of team here. All three have certain question marks and as a result negative reputations.

What about Tyler Johnson? You know, the guy who matched up with and outplayed Crosby in the conference finals? He's been a playoff beast, plays with tons of heart, and has elite speed and skill. Are you telling me Callahan was a better choice?

Parise - Johnson - Kessel would have been a sublime 2nd line to provide offense, and allowed a Oshie - Backes - JVR and Wheeler - Kesler - Okposo to move down the lineup.

 

[86Habs]

What about Tyler Johnson? You know, the guy who matched up with and outplayed Crosby in the conference finals? He's been a playoff beast, plays with tons of heart, and has elite speed and skill. Are you telling me Callahan was a better choice?

Parise - Johnson - Kessel would have been a sublime 2nd line to provide offense, and allowed a Oshie - Backes - JVR and Wheeler - Kesler - Okposo to move down the lineup.

As a Canadian, I find the omission of Tyler Johnson inexplicable.

 

[QJL]

Players who were worth taking over Faulk and Johnson.

Kane
Pavelski
Pacioretty
McDonagh
Suter
Schneider

That's it.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

What about Tyler Johnson? You know, the guy who matched up with and outplayed Crosby in the conference finals? He's been a playoff beast, plays with tons of heart, and has elite speed and skill. Are you telling me Callahan was a better choice?

Parise - Johnson - Kessel would have been a sublime 2nd line to provide offense, and allowed a Oshie - Backes - JVR and Wheeler - Kesler - Okposo to move down the lineup.

I guess they didn't envision him as one of the top three centers (Pavelski, Kesler, and Stepan). Backes is clearly designated for 4th line/shut down duty. I would have Johnson on the team, but it is what it is.

 

[PSGJ]

There is more to hockey then points. Callahan is the type of impact player that will do the USA well. His play away from the puck is very strong.

And better players aren't away from the puck nearly as much as Callahan.

Having a player that is "good away from the puck" is a good way to fill your lines in a salary capped NHL where you can't have just good players, but in this tournament you can actually have just good players if you're team USA.

 

[Preisst*]

And better players aren't away from the puck nearly as much as Callahan.

Having a player that is "good away from the puck" is a good way to fill your lines in a salary capped NHL where you can't have just good players, but in this tournament you can actually have just good players if you're team USA.

That's a fair point. I do agree they should have taken Johnson over Callahan. How Johnson didn't make the team is mystifying but other then him I think they took the right forwards.

 

[Shockmaster]

That's a fair point. I do agree they should have taken Johnson over Callahan. How Johnson didn't make the team is mystifying but other then him I think they took the right forwards.

I'm not sure how you can look at what happened with the roster USA had in Sochi and think they made the right adjustments. Team USA needed more skill and talent added after Sochi, not less.

 

[Avs71]

EJ on Avs snapchat said the plan for him is to play against the bigger Canadian forwards, PK, and be hard to play against.

 

[Preisst*]

I'm not sure how you can look at what happened with the roster USA had in Sochi and think they made the right adjustments. Team USA needed more skill and talent added after Sochi, not less.

I guess I think more like the evaluators who selected the team then most others. Which is odd as I'm usually against the grain but they obviously wanted to focus on team players which I agree with.

 

[snipes]

USA is solid. They get hit hard by the Young Guns. Canada only loses McDavid. USA likely loses 4-7 players who would make their roster.

Even with those losses I still see the USA going 2-1 (losing to Canada).

Group 1:
Canada (3-0)
USA (2-1)

Group 2:
Sweden (3-0)
Finland (2-1)


Sweden bounces the USA. Canada bounces Suomi. Canada v Sweden final. Canada and Swedens D men separate them from the other teams in this tourney.

 

[Shockmaster]

I guess I think more like the evaluators who selected the team then most others. Which is odd as I'm usually against the grain but they obviously wanted to focus on team players which I agree with.

So a talented and skilled player automatically isn't a "team player?" That seems to be making an assumption that anyone who racks up a lot of points is selfish and only cares about himself.

As for guys like Callahan and Dubinsky, their lack of production isn't because they are "team players," their lack of production is because they aren't very good players.

On a side note, the following people need to never be involved with USA Hockey again:

Brian Burke
Dean Lombardi
David Poile
Ray Shero
John Tortorella
Ron Wilson

 

[Zero Pucks Given]

So a talented and skilled player automatically isn't a "team player?" That seems to be making an assumption that anyone who racks up a lot of points is selfish and only cares about himself.

As for guys like Callahan and Dubinsky, their lack of production isn't because they are "team players," their lack of production is because they aren't very good players.

On a side note, the following people need to never be involved with USA Hockey again:

Brian Burke
Dean Lombardi
David Poile
Ray Shero
John Tortorella
Ron Wilson

Then who should be our new GM? Lou Lamoriello?

 

[habsrule4eva3089]

Great news that usa took such a crappy group of players. Even less Americans will watch now seeing the crap product on the ice with this elderly squad.

They did this because even they know this is nothing but a cash grab exhibition.

 

[jj cale]

Great news that usa took such a crappy group of players. Even less Americans will watch now seeing the crap product on the ice with this elderly squad.

They did this because even they know this is nothing but a cash grab exhibition.

There are questionable omissions but it is certainly not a crappy team.

You can make an argument it could be better but it's still a talented team that probably will contend.

Lot's of talent on that team still.

 

[Preisst*]

So a talented and skilled player automatically isn't a "team player?" That seems to be making an assumption that anyone who racks up a lot of points is selfish and only cares about himself.

As for guys like Callahan and Dubinsky, their lack of production isn't because they are "team players," their lack of production is because they aren't very good players.

On a side note, the following people need to never be involved with USA Hockey again:

Brian Burke
Dean Lombardi
David Poile
Ray Shero
John Tortorella
Ron Wilson

Wow, that's a real master of shock stroke there to make that leap and faulty conclusion.

How you came to that based on what was said is truly a marvel.

 

[xxxx]

Great news that usa took such a crappy group of players. Even less Americans will watch now seeing the crap product on the ice with this elderly squad.

They did this because even they know this is nothing but a cash grab exhibition.

That team is built for NHL ice, they know exactly what they do. I wouldn't be surprised if the final is Canada-USA. Their physicality will be just too much for other teams (Sweden/Russia) to handle in my opinion.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Great news that usa took such a crappy group of players. Even less Americans will watch now seeing the crap product on the ice with this elderly squad.

They did this because even they know this is nothing but a cash grab exhibition.

How is this an "elderly" team? The oldest player (s) is 32.

 

[usahockey22flyers]

Yesterday I came home late, plus the time difference and everything, so let me check again:

Tyler Johnson, Kessel, Okposo, Faulk and Shattenkirk aren't on the team, but Dubinsky, Callahan, Jack & Eric Johnson and Niskanen are?

Yeesh, I feel really sorry for the US fans, now they have to live with the decision that Tortorella was named head coach. You can clearly see whose roster this is. Their group seems pretty weak though, so I think they'll be good enough to make the semis, but there I see a good possibility that they bomb out against the winner of group B.

Anyway, I think the lineup could be smth. like this:

Parise - Pavelski - Kane
Pacioretty - Kesler - Wheeler
JVR - Backes - Oshie
Dubinsky - Stepan - Callahan
Abdelkader

Suter - Carlson
McDonagh - Byfuglien
Johnson - Johnson
Niskanen

Quick
Schneider
Bishop


Most likely it won't be like this, but believe me, you want Pavelski & Kane on the same line

Stealing this line-up from Irr.

My biggest gripe is that Justin Faulk isn't on this team. I am one of the posters who is an advocate of using participation in the World Championships as something that could put someone on a roster instead of someone who has not shown up for the US at the WC's despite not being involved in the playoffs or having an injury.

Faulk played in the 12, 13, 15 WC's...There is no better way to honor the service of a player helping us out in the WC's than including him in the roster for a big tourny, and even without the WC's, Faulk deserves a spot based on skill alone.

Do I think leaving Faulk, Tyler Johnson and Kessel home is our death wish? No. This team has size, speed and grit....and still loads of skill! The 4th line below is pretty crap in comparison to say Canada's but lets be real, our 4th line is probably not going to decide our fate. The 3rd D-pair scares me, I would put Niskanen there, but nevertheless this team will be hard to play against. I know it's a bit of an odd roster, but I have a tough time believing the inclusions of Dubinsky, Callahan and Abdelkader will be the reason this team doesn't come home with the gold medal.



Parise - Pavelski - Kane
Pacioretty - Kesler - Wheeler
JVR - Backes - Oshie
Dubinsky - Stepan - Callahan
Abdelkader

Suter - Carlson
McDonagh - Byfuglien
Johnson - Niskanen
Johnson

Quick
Schneider
Bishop

 

[SanDogBrewin]

USA is solid.

Sweden bounces the USA.

US does not lose to Sweden. USA grinder game will be too much on the NA rink.