World Cup: 2016 World Cup — Team USA

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I don't want to be too critical because there are lots of guys in here that I like and I know they're big Team USA fans, but being totally honest, dedicating full time to this is great and all, but the reason he's able to do that is because no one in the business is willing to give him full time work.

Still think he would have been a great consultant or management team guy, just don't know if he's got the coaching abilities anymore to lead.

Either way, really looking forward to the game against your squad in a year less 2 days! :yo:
 
I don't want to be too critical because there are lots of guys in here that I like and I know they're big Team USA fans, but being totally honest, dedicating full time to this is great and all, but the reason he's able to do that is because no one in the business is willing to give him full time work.

Still think he would have been a great consultant or management team guy, just don't know if he's got the coaching abilities anymore to lead.

Either way, really looking forward to the game against your squad in a year less 2 days! :yo:

My take ( and one shared by many analysts) is that torts might be THE guy for a short tournament because there isn't enough time for a player mutiny. They don't have to go for more than a couple of games with that lunatic yelling at them non stop.

he's also said that his style of play will be " forward, and if we don't have the puck we are going to chase and get the puck" or something similar. for the short term running a team all the time in the redline might actually be beneficial because its unlikely the players get gassed but would surely not be applicable to a full season ( as his last season in Vancouver showed).

how ever it plays out, it will be interesting
 
All I know was my first thought was "ugh". There are so many players that have played for him and have a history with him that isn't good that I just don't see how these guys are going to want to play for him. I hope I'm wrong, but right now I just can't get excited about this.
 
I'm surprised to see so many not picking Bobby Ryan for the team. Why's that?

Wonder if Torts hiring weakens Kreider's chances of making it.
 
Great way to start it off... by whining about what can't be on the team. How about what can? These are the options (not necessarily who I think will make the team).. plenty of names I'm sure I'm forgetting.

Left Wing
Zach Parise
Max Pacioretty
James Van Reimsdyk
Nick Foligno
Chris Kreider

Justin Abdelkader

Center
Joe Pavelski
Ryan Kesler
Derek Stepan

Tyler Johnson
David Backes
Brock Nelson
Nick Bjugstad

Right Wing
Patrick Kane, too much controversy with the rape allegations and i expect this to haunt the rest of his career
Phil Kessel
Kyle Okposo
Bobby Ryan

Jason Pominville
Blake Wheeler
TJ Oshie

Defense
Kevin Shattenkirk
Dustin Byfuglien
Erik Johnson
Ryan Suter
Cam Fowler
Ryan McDonagh
Keith Yandle
Justin Faulk
Andy Greene
John Carlson
Nick Leddy


Goalie
Ben Bishop
Jonathan Quick

Jimmy Howard
Cory Schneider
Craig Anderson


parise - pavelski - kessel
pacioretty - Stepan - Ryan
fologino - Kesler - Okposo
krieder - Backes - TJ Oshie
Nelson

ej - suter
fowler - mcdonough
leddy - Carlson
yandle

bishop/quick
 
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My take ( and one shared by many analysts) is that torts might be THE guy for a short tournament because there isn't enough time for a player mutiny. They don't have to go for more than a couple of games with that lunatic yelling at them non stop.

he's also said that his style of play will be " forward, and if we don't have the puck we are going to chase and get the puck" or something similar. for the short term running a team all the time in the redline might actually be beneficial because its unlikely the players get gassed but would surely not be applicable to a full season ( as his last season in Vancouver showed).

how ever it plays out, it will be interesting

Where's Herb Brooks when you need him...
 
I'm surprised to see so many not picking Bobby Ryan for the team. Why's that?

His average skating doesn't fit USAH's vision for its rosters, he was left off of the Sochi Olympic roster, and Brian Burke (who publicly criticized Ryan's intensity during the Sochi selection process) is part of the management staff.

He could make it but his skating and lack of two-way play will be hurdles I'm not sure they'll be willing to overlook unless he goes on an offensive tear this season.
 
His average skating doesn't fit USAH's vision for its rosters, he was left off of the Sochi Olympic roster, and Brian Burke (who publicly criticized Ryan's intensity during the Sochi selection process) is part of the management staff.

He could make it but his skating and lack of two-way play will be hurdles I'm not sure they'll be willing to overlook unless he goes on an offensive tear this season.

Yeah and you know what happened when they sent a team with out some of the US's best players to the olympics, they didn't even medal
 
His average skating doesn't fit USAH's vision for its rosters, he was left off of the Sochi Olympic roster, and Brian Burke (who publicly criticized Ryan's intensity during the Sochi selection process) is part of the management staff.

Oh! Didn't realize the Director of Spelling still had a say.
 
Ryan should make the roster imo, especially when you consider the NHL ice.
 
I don't hate the choice per se, I just think it's uninspired. That doesn't mean Torts can't or won't be successful as the coach though and I'll be rooting for him like he was my choice. His grating style that wears on a team over the course of a season shouldn't be an issue here. Instead, in a short tournament, it could be a benefit in terms of getting players to go above and beyond for a short time. His passion, exuberance, and even over-the-top nature could be a catalyst that can be harnessed (AKA tolerated) in a short tournament and bring out the best in the team.

The fact that he won't be coaching in the NHL and will have more time to scout, talk to potential players, etc. is a nice benefit.

I think my biggest fear is that they picked Torts because they're trying to recreate 2010, much like they tried in 2014, instead of picking the best team they can based only on their current player pool. If players like Brown, Callahan, Orpik, etc. are even mentioned as candidates then I'll know that to be the case and what worries me is that those guys are Torts' type guys. Only time will tell and I'll certainly give Torts and co. the benefit of the doubt, but I'm cautious.


Dude no. PTSD right there
 
John Tortorella is the head coach. :laugh:

I can see USAH is taking this tournament as seriously as the NHL. What an uninspired choice.

Not necessarily thrilled about the choice either, although I have read the ESPN article that was just posted and it did sway me a bit.

I can think of two reasons why I'm prepared to back this coaching choice:

(1) Dean Lombardi knows what he's doing. I can't believe my Sharks ever let go of him.

(2) Torts isn't a wuss like Bylsma. I'm sorry, I'm not prepared to just bow down and accept willy-nilly that Canada was so far and above every one else in the tournament. Dude, heading into the semis, WE were the best team in the tournament. But then the semis came, Bylsma looked across the ice and saw we were playing Canada, and he got intimidated and he changed our style of play. And sure enough, we lost. Somehow I don't see Torts wimping out the way Bylsma did. For that I'm happy to have him.
 
Man, Eichel and Larkin would look great in a USA jersey for this thing..shame they can't play for us as they could be our top 2 centers..hahaha...plus Matthews stepping in as a #1 pick...love our 3 young star centers.
 
A friendly Canadian coming in peace.

I think Canada has a very strong team but will have their hands full with the US and Sweden. Is this a good guess at their possible roster?

Zach Parise - Joe Pavelski - Patrick Kane
Max Pacioretty - Derek Stepan - Phil Kessel
Nick Foligno - Ryan Kesler - Kyle Okposo
Chris Kreider - David Backes - TJ Oshie
Tyler Johnson
Bobby Ryan

Ryan Suter - Erik Johnson
Ryan McDonagh - John Carlson
Nick Leddy - Justin Faulk
Cam Fowler
Kevin Shattenkirk

Ben Bishop
Cory Schneider
Jonathan Quick
 
A friendly Canadian coming in peace.

I think Canada has a very strong team but will have their hands full with the US and Sweden. Is this a good guess at their possible roster?

Zach Parise - Joe Pavelski - Patrick Kane
Max Pacioretty - Derek Stepan - Phil Kessel
Nick Foligno - Ryan Kesler - Kyle Okposo
Chris Kreider - David Backes - TJ Oshie
Tyler Johnson
Bobby Ryan

Ryan Suter - Erik Johnson
Ryan McDonagh - John Carlson
Nick Leddy - Justin Faulk
Cam Fowler
Kevin Shattenkirk

Ben Bishop
Cory Schneider
Jonathan Quick

Mostly correct, though I'd put Tyler Johnson on one of the four starting lines instead of leaving him as an extra. Probably swap him in for David Backes.

And the goalies...hm. IMO the #1 spot will be a toss up between Jonathan Quick and Cory Schneider.
 
A friendly Canadian coming in peace.

I think Canada has a very strong team but will have their hands full with the US and Sweden. Is this a good guess at their possible roster?

Zach Parise - Joe Pavelski - Patrick Kane
Max Pacioretty - Derek Stepan - Phil Kessel
Nick Foligno - Ryan Kesler - Kyle Okposo
Chris Kreider - David Backes - TJ Oshie
Tyler Johnson
Bobby Ryan

Ryan Suter - Erik Johnson
Ryan McDonagh - John Carlson
Nick Leddy - Justin Faulk
Cam Fowler
Kevin Shattenkirk

Ben Bishop
Cory Schneider
Jonathan Quick
not bad overall, a few thoughts/notes

- in order for Foligno to make this roster he will need another big season to prove last season wasn't a flash in the pan

- there is basically no chance Tyler Johnson isn't one of the top 2-3 centers on this team, he's definitely not going to be a extra/alternate

- don't see Nick Leddy making this team. Oshie could/will make it, but would be upset if he does.

- don't think Bishop will be the starting goalie, will likely come down to Schneider/Quick (and Schneider has been superior recently).
 
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Mostly correct, though I'd put Tyler Johnson on one of the four starting lines instead of leaving him as an extra. Probably swap him in for David Backes.

And the goalies...hm. IMO the #1 spot will be a toss up between Jonathan Quick and Cory Schneider.

It's still Quicks to lose. They're gonna go with the guy who can win the big game, and can perform when it matters.

What still sucks is the set up: USA vs CAN can only meet in the semi at best.:shakehead
 
It's still Quicks to lose. They're gonna go with the guy who can win the big game, and can perform when it matters.

What still sucks is the set up: USA vs CAN can only meet in the semi at best.:shakehead
USA and Canada meet each other in the group stage and then they might play each other again in the finals, theoretically.

You have two semifinals - A1-B2; and B1-A2, where group A is Canada, US, Czechs, Team Europe, and group B is Sweden, Russia, Finland, and Team North America U-24
 
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Pretty good chance Parise gets the captaincy again. I'll be curious to see who the A's go to.

I'm also a little biased but I'd like to see Pominville throw on the USA jers, although I know chances are slim. I think he can offer a lot with his experience and playmaking abilities. I also the leadership and penalty killing skills Callahan brings but I know we are pretty deep at RW. Something tells me Brown will be on the roster but I think either of the guys above would be wiser picks. I also like Backes over Stepan, and think Dubinsky should be in the discussion for our final centerman.
 
It's still Quicks to lose. They're gonna go with the guy who can win the big game, and can perform when it matters.

What still sucks is the set up: USA vs CAN can only meet in the semi at best.:shakehead

It won't matter which meaningful game we meet Canada in if they win "as usual". Not to mention I really will lose my **** if we keep up our losing streak against them.
 
His average skating doesn't fit USAH's vision for its rosters, he was left off of the Sochi Olympic roster, and Brian Burke (who publicly criticized Ryan's intensity during the Sochi selection process) is part of the management staff.

He could make it but his skating and lack of two-way play will be hurdles I'm not sure they'll be willing to overlook unless he goes on an offensive tear this season.

None of this will matter as there are easily 4 better RW's from this group than Ryan.

Patrick Kane
Phil Kessel
Kyle Okposo
Bobby Ryan
Jason Pominville
Blake Wheeler
TJ Oshie
 
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