World Cup: 2016 World Cup — Team North America

[1Gold Standard]

Seeing these rosters (which are for a team that is an absolute joke) just makes me increasingly angry at Steve Spott. Couldn't win the WJC with Subban, Hamilton, Rielly, Nugent, MacKinnon, Drouin, Huberdeau, Strome, Scheifele, Jenner? Couldn't be bothered to pick Monahan? Just great.

Indeed. A rather scathing indictment to the special brand of ineptitude that is Steve Spott. Can't believe he ever got a pro coaching gig, although, subsequently fired. Not sure what he's up to now! Junior B?

 

[lakai17]

Ritchie and Crouse should be on the team, you need big physical players on offense as well.

 

[JackSlater]

Indeed. A rather scathing indictment to the special brand of ineptitude that is Steve Spott. Can't believe he ever got a pro coaching gig, although, subsequently fired. Not sure what he's up to now! Junior B?

Who the hell knows. But realistically, that team might be providing over half of the forwards for this monstrosity, plus two top six defencemen and a backup goaltender. And yet, they never looked particularly good in that tournament and were pounded in the semi finals. At least the American team that provided the pounding was quite strong (and will also be well represented on this "team").

Galchenyuk Nugent MacKinnon
Saad McDavid Eichel
Gaudreau Monahan Scheifele
Jenner Couturier Strome
Drouin, Huberdeau

Murray Jones
Rielly Hamilton
Trouba Ekblad
Ceci, Severson

Gibson
Hellebuyck
Subban

The talent is there for quite a good team. Balanced forward group (if Eichel and McDavid pan out in their rookie years) and NHL level goaltending. Defence is pretty weak though. No players who are particularly elite defensively or experienced enough to make up for it in a short tournament. Murray finally having a healthy season would do wonders for this team since LD is a weakness along with defensively responsible players.

 

[OttawaRoughRiderFan*]

Still don't like McDavid/Eichel or anyone else being given a free pass to this team.

Someone will surprise to the upside and why should they be passed over because a "Generational Player" has a reserved spot?!?! If they earn it in the NHL, God bless and enjoy your space. If not, send someone who does.

Having said all that, I doubt any player is lying in bed praying, "Please God, help me find the strength to make the U23 team", because they probably don't care and may want to avoid the headache of going.

(Minus this argument) I will NOT be watching this tournament. Hopefully, I (and others) don't get pulled in and we end up back at the Olympics because this thing bombs.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Who the hell knows. But realistically, that team might be providing over half of the forwards for this monstrosity, plus two top six defencemen and a backup goaltender. And yet, they never looked particularly good in that tournament and were pounded in the semi finals. At least the American team that provided the pounding was quite strong (and will also be well represented on this "team").

Galchenyuk Nugent MacKinnon
Saad McDavid Eichel
Gaudreau Monahan Scheifele
Jenner Couturier Strome
Drouin, Huberdeau

Murray Jones
Rielly Hamilton
Trouba Ekblad
Ceci, Severson

Gibson
Hellebuyck
Subban

The talent is there for quite a good team. Balanced forward group (if Eichel and McDavid pan out in their rookie years) and NHL level goaltending. Defence is pretty weak though. No players who are particularly elite defensively or experienced enough to make up for it in a short tournament. Murray finally having a healthy season would do wonders for this team since LD is a weakness along with defensively responsible players.

At least we have the memories of the Ufa lamps and Salmond's own unique brand of stupid. Salmond will have to deliver at least 5 more Toronto/Montreal type gold medal tournaments in order to redeem himself for that Ufa nonsense.

Still no plans on watching this nonsense, but re: LD. Jones can play on the left. He may have to as Murray will undoubtedly sustain an injury brushing his teeth and forcing him out of the line up for an extended period of time. But hey, if Jenner doesn't break down in uncontrollable sobbing at the blueline when this team gets its ass kicked, then I'll consider that a small victory.

 

[snizzbone*]

Still don't like McDavid/Eichel or anyone else being given a free pass to this team.

Someone will surprise to the upside and why should they be passed over because a "Generational Player" has a reserved spot?!?! If they earn it in the NHL, God bless and enjoy your space. If not, send someone who does.

Having said all that, I doubt any player is lying in bed praying, "Please God, help me find the strength to make the U23 team", because they probably don't care and may want to avoid the headache of going.

(Minus this argument) I will NOT be watching this tournament. Hopefully, I (and others) don't get pulled in and we end up back at the Olympics because this thing bombs.

The tournament isn't for another year. They'll be in the NHL this year. If one or both just completely bomb ass they won't be on the team.

Morgan Rielly was on the radio the other day and said that making the U23 team is a goal he has.

 

[cagney]

Every once in a while I'll click into this thread hoping that the latest news is the idea has been scrapped. Guess I'll just have to keep hoping for one more year.

 

[OttawaRoughRiderFan*]

Morgan Rielly was on the radio the other day and said that making the U23 team is a goal he has.

What else could he say?

 

[SanDogBrewin]

"By whom? By Rabid Ranger and American Dream? By U.S.A. Hockey? By Brian Burke or Lou Lamoriello? Come on. There needs to be some objectivity."

Yes they should be the only ones making the decesions on the U23 team. And that will probably happen just Americans making the decesions. Man you nailed it.

Nothing would make you happier unless it was 90/10 split for Canada. And you will find a way a to gripe about it if the spilt isn't overwhelmingly in Canada's favor.

The only correct thing you have said is "let them earn it".

 

[OttawaRoughRiderFan*]

Nothing would make you happier unless it was 90/10 split for Canada.

10%? That much??? Yikes! I'm not sure that many Americans will earn it.

The only correct thing you have said is "let them earn it".

If Jack doesn't "earn it", we'll see if you sing the same tune or find an excuse why he should be playing. I expect a LOT of that in 10 - 12 months.

 

[KingBrian]

I would put Duclair on the list, rather put saad

 

[SanDogBrewin]

If Jack doesn't "earn it", we'll see if you sing the same tune or find an excuse why he should be playing. I expect a LOT of that in 10 - 12 months.

You whining that there are not enough Canadians on the team will be par for the course.

Please stop winking it's creepy.

 

[OttawaRoughRiderFan*]

You whining that there are not enough Canadians on the team will be par for the course.

Please stop winking it's creepy.

As long as the team is picked objectively and without politics, I will not complain. My guess, if players "earn" their spot, there will be more than enough Canadians to make me happy.

 

[stars33]

Can you imagine if the Olympic committee in 1980 thought that the USA ice hockey team was not good enough so instead they created a rest of world team and team USSR U23 team?

Would the Mike Erruizone goal for the rest of world team to upset the USSR be a magical moment?


The point of an International tournament is not just to have the best players. It is to give fans and non-fans a rooting interest by supporting our national pride. People watch the Olympics and the world cup to see players honor there country by playing with passion. This raises the entertainment value of the event. This U23 team and rest of Europe tosses all that out the window.

This is a meaningless tournament. Nothing more than a expensive scrimmage match.

 

[Icebreakers]

Since this tournament is next year only, if Eichel has an average rookie season he shouldnt be a lock to make it no? Dont they usually like the older players to play the top roles.

 

[Get North]

Since this tournament is next year only, if Eichel has an average rookie season he shouldnt be a lock to make it no? Dont they usually like the older players to play the top roles.

He'll make the team regardless, same with McDavid. It doesn't matter if underpreform in their rookie season, they'll sell tickets and the management team will ignore their season and go with a "too much talent to pass off" speech. He's a lock because of his hype, same with McDavid and people want to see both on the same team.

 

[xxxx]

maybe, but I don't expect neither of them to under-perform. I can see McDavid around 70-80 points+, Eichel 60-ish

 

[Icebreakers]

He'll make the team regardless, same with McDavid. It doesn't matter if underpreform in their rookie season, they'll sell tickets and the management team will ignore their season and go with a "too much talent to pass off" speech. He's a lock because of his hype, same with McDavid and people want to see both on the same team.

If Eichel makes the team it definitely wont be about ticket sales. Literally every star player in the NHL will be there, no ones not going to go because of Eichel. Eichel isnt that iconic yet...

 

[MoonDragn]

Which team would Steve Santini (20) qualify for?

 

[Canuckistani]

The point of an International tournament is not just to have the best players. It is to give fans and non-fans a rooting interest by supporting our national pride. People watch the Olympics and the world cup to see players honor there country by playing with passion. This raises the entertainment value of the event. This U23 team and rest of Europe tosses all that out the window.

This is a meaningless tournament. Nothing more than a expensive scrimmage match.

To me this event will serve as a sort of training camp for the 2018 Olympics (assuming the NHL attends). The actual credibility of the event itself is next to nil.

 

[canuck2010]

To me this event will serve as a sort of training camp for the 2018 Olympics (assuming the NHL attends). The actual credibility of the event itself is next to nil.

How bout we all boycott the Olympics and do away with this festival of greed, organized crime, dishonesty, duplicity and anti democratic racketeering.

Just sayin'.

 

[JackSlater]

How bout we all boycott the Olympics and do away with this festival of greed, organized crime, dishonesty, duplicity and anti democratic racketeering.

Just sayin'.

If there was a legitimate best on best tournament then doing away with NHL participation in the Olympics would be much more palatable. As long as there are non-national teams involved though this isn't a legitimate best on best tournament.

 

[Jablkon]

If Eichel makes the team it definitely wont be about ticket sales. Literally every star player in the NHL will be there, no ones not going to go because of Eichel. Eichel isnt that iconic yet...

Eichel was great in 2015 WHC. He should be there imo.

I am just curious how they deal with other aspects of team chemistry, like leadership, experiences etc. I just counted that average age of team Czechoslovakia in Canada Cup 91 was 23,17. Some of the future best players like Palfy, Reichel or Jagr were just 19 or 20, results were horrible. Even if there is still nothing to justify having this team in such a tournament, it will be quite interesting to see whats possible to do with junior team on senior level.....

 

[Scotty B]

If Eichel makes the team it definitely wont be about ticket sales. Literally every star player in the NHL will be there, no ones not going to go because of Eichel. Eichel isnt that iconic yet...

This is the Under 23/24 team, NOT Canada's A Team. Of course, they'll BOTH be on it. DUH...These are the can't miss generational talents everyone's been raving about. On the same team! Total No Brainer. Eichel looked good at the World Champs. No reason to think he'll under perform in his first NHL season. But again even if he does, he still makes this team, barring injuries. sans doubt. Cause this is a marketters dream scenario...And YES it IS about Ticket Sales! But it doesn't hurt that these kidz REALLY ARE THAT GOOD...

Like to see Dylan Larkin make the team too, BUT that's just me...

 

[SelltheTeamFrancesco]

Drouin and Jenner should not be on this team also RNH should play wing. The centre's will be critical for the team mine would eichel or makinon based on how well he plays Monahan second Horvat third and couturier fourth.my thing is don't play players at positions they havent had success at in the nhl ie center on this team eichel is the objection because he is the most nhl ready player since ov IMO not saying he is better than mcjesus just more nhl ready because your still building a team. On a side note Mathews might be more nhl ready than McDavid or eichel he'll be like an ov who got an extra year after his draft year to physically mature in the khl.