World Cup: 2016 World Cup — Team North America

[Canuckistani]

Except that comp wont work, the U23 team and rest of Europe team will be able to comptete quite well IMO, to think otherwise is a lil close minded IMO and your poor example reinforces it.

Man United and Real Madrid would compete quite well at a World Cup, but that's besides the point. They still wouldn't belong at a national team event, and neither do the Euro Leftovers or the Kiddie Squad.

Should Team Canada compete in the NHL playoffs? Should a Euro U-23 squad play in the FIFA world cup?

National teams play in national team competitions. Simple as that.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I think Button's team is fairly distributed. It could certainly give a lot of teams a run for it's money.

 

[JackSlater]

Ceci isn't a lock to make the team either and let's see how players grow and what the actual makeup will be.
see below for something that will be close to the final product IMO

I'm well aware that Ceci isn't a lock, but you apparently missed the point. The point was that someone switched Ceci out for someone who is at the moment an inferior player just because of nationality, which is something that should not happen in a supposedly international tournament.

I also don't need you to highlight what Button projects, everyone in their right mind who has tried to project the team (myself included) picks 80% of that roster already. It's already pretty clear what almost all of that roster is going to look like.

looks like a very competitive team to me.

Looks like a team with no NHL starting goaltender or #1 defenceman to me. I give them little chance to be overly competitive, but that isn't even the point. The point is that national teams belong in international tournaments, and non-national teams do not.

 

[xxxx]

oh, here we go again.

It is not an international tournament? Big deal.

Also, what I care about is whether the players will care, and play their best, and what the actual hockey will be like. It's a pretty interesting tournament and I'm glad to see something new. I don't get how this "this is not an international tournament anymore" type of **** makes people totally forget the actual hockey.

 

[1Gold Standard]

I'm well aware that Ceci isn't a lock, but you apparently missed the point. The point was that someone switched Ceci out for someone who is at the moment an inferior player just because of nationality, which is something that should not happen in a supposedly international tournament.

I also don't need you to highlight what Button projects, everyone in their right mind who has tried to project the team (myself included) picks 80% of that roster already. It's already pretty clear what almost all of that roster is going to look like.



Looks like a team with no NHL starting goaltender or #1 defenceman to me. I give them little chance to be overly competitive, but that isn't even the point. The point is that national teams belong in international tournaments, and non-national teams do not.

OMG. I tried watching that World Cup presentation...I actually made it through a whole 2 minutes before spitting up my lunch and turning it off. What Cheese... what a freak show disaster that is going to be. I'll be watching baseball next September, pennant race or no pennant race.

 

[Canuckistani]

Saad is on stage representing the Kiddie Squad, being ineligible for his national team by 28 days.

If Strombo were honest here he would ask "How does it feel to be denied a chance to represent your country?"

All Saad would say is that it's a "unique experience." Best spin possible I guess.

 

[UsernameWasTaken]

I think Button's team is fairly distributed. It could certainly give a lot of teams a run for it's money.

Where? In the AHL?

The goaltending situation is bleak and I think the D will have a lot of trouble against the top teams.

 

[Brodeur]

Totally slipped my mind that Murray could qualify for this team.
Who would be the other names in the mix for 3rd string goaltender?

Off the top of my head: Subban, Fucale, Comrie, Jarry, Gillies, McDonald, Demko (not sure if he has to turn pro in order to be eligible).

With only three round robin games, I'd be curious if the 3rd goalie would see any action.

 

[xxxx]

Where? In the AHL?

The goaltending situation is bleak and I think the D will have a lot of trouble against the top teams.

that remains to be seen, but this team could very well beat Finland or the Czechs. other teams idk, but it will be an interesting hockey at least. People often mention the non-experience factor, but I don't think we've ever seen such a talented, young group together, ever. MacKinnon, McDavid, RNH, Saad, Monahan, Gaudreau, Eichel...will be pretty interesting to watch if they put everything on the line.

 

[Breakers]

Craig Button's early roster

Curtis Lazar is a long shot to make this team.

Not sure why he is on Button's list.

 

[AngelDuck]

Lazar hasn't done anything remotely close to making that team to this point. I'd rather them take someone like Auston Mathews. Neither of them has done anything at the NHL level but at least Mathews has star potential...can't say the same for Lazar

 

[Brodeur]

Curtis Lazar is a long shot to make this team.

Not sure why he is on Button's list.

I "put" together a team yesterday and it was actually a fun exercise. The U23 doesn't have a ton of natural RWs, so that's why you'd see a guy like Scheifele in the mix. I had Lazar as my 4th line RW as well, obligatory character guy who'd accept a defensive role (I also had Sam Reinhart on the squad). There's not a ton of options unless you'd rather have a big body like Tom Wilson.

The amount of RHD is tremendous though.

Lazar hasn't done anything remotely close to making that team to this point. I'd rather them take someone like Auston Mathews. Neither of them has done anything at the NHL level but at least Mathews has star potential...can't say the same for Lazar

It's tough, do you grab the most talented guys and sort it out or do you slot certain players into particular roles? It might be a tall order to ask a natural (left handed) center to play RW.

 

[No Fun Shogun]

Bowman and Chiarelli named GMs, so we know who'll ultimately be picking out the rosters.

Wonder if there will be any bad blood between Bowman and Saad due to the trade...

 

[JackSlater]

oh, here we go again.

It is not an international tournament? Big deal.

Also, what I care about is whether the players will care, and play their best, and what the actual hockey will be like. It's a pretty interesting tournament and I'm glad to see something new. I don't get how this "this is not an international tournament anymore" type of **** makes people totally forget the actual hockey.

Best on best hockey happens once every four years, and the NHL ruined a perfectly good opportunity to have it once again with these idiotic gimmicks. Additionally, they admitted (through Daly) that they would like this tournament to be used as a means of taking the NHL out of the Olympics. If I want to see all of the best players competing against each other, how fortunate that I already have the NHL regular season and playoffs from October until June.

 

[Hardyvan123]

Man United and Real Madrid would compete quite well at a World Cup, but that's besides the point. They still wouldn't belong at a national team event, and neither do the Euro Leftovers or the Kiddie Squad.

Should Team Canada compete in the NHL playoffs? Should a Euro U-23 squad play in the FIFA world cup?

National teams play in national team competitions. Simple as that.

Take out the red line and forward passing, while we are at it don't let goalies fall to their knees either.

The Olympics have a 23 and under for soccer its not the world Cup so who cares and why all of the fuss?

 

[Hardyvan123]

I'm well aware that Ceci isn't a lock, but you apparently missed the point. The point was that someone switched Ceci out for someone who is at the moment an inferior player just because of nationality, which is something that should not happen in a supposedly international tournament.

I agree, in part here, and let's wait to see at the end of the day before getting all exited over things as there is almost always a player or 2 who gets left off and maybe shouldn't be and it gets people upset.

I also don't need you to highlight what Button projects, everyone in their right mind who has tried to project the team (myself included) picks 80% of that roster already. It's already pretty clear what almost all of that roster is going to look like.

Looks like a team with no NHL starting goaltender or #1 defenceman to me. I give them little chance to be overly competitive, but that isn't even the point. The point is that national teams belong in international tournaments, and non-national teams do not.

Well both Ekblad and Jones could very well be playing at #1 type of Dman caliber at that point so we will agree to disagree there.

Same thing with goaltenders.

the thing is that after Canada there is quite a gap to the enxt best team and the U23 team is an exciting and interesting twist.

We already have had some here try to downplay the team but it will surprise as young guys are hungry and they will be extra motivated to prove a point and further their careers against established players.

 

[xxxx]

Best on best hockey happens once every four years, and the NHL ruined a perfectly good opportunity to have it once again with these idiotic gimmicks. Additionally, they admitted (through Daly) that they would like this tournament to be used as a means of taking the NHL out of the Olympics. If I want to see all of the best players competing against each other, how fortunate that I already have the NHL regular season and playoffs from October until June.

I get your point, and I wouldn't like if the World Cup should replace the Olympics in a long-term (perfect scenario for me is WC-OG-WC-OG), but to me it's an interesting idea to try at least. And as I said, the actual hockey on the ice is what matters to me. I just seem to disagree with the most here, and I think that all the players are competitive and will play their best. I know I would.

 

[Hardyvan123]

Where? In the AHL?

The goaltending situation is bleak and I think the D will have a lot of trouble against the top teams.

Has anyone looked at the Czech team lately with their defense?

And a lot that is being said about the goaltending situation was said about Corey Schneider before he became a starter in New Jersey.

And one would expect that what is really lacking , Ie NHL experience on a 23 and under team, it's not as huge as you are making it out to be in net.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Best on best hockey happens once every four years, and the NHL ruined a perfectly good opportunity to have it once again with these idiotic gimmicks. Additionally, they admitted (through Daly) that they would like this tournament to be used as a means of taking the NHL out of the Olympics. If I want to see all of the best players competing against each other, how fortunate that I already have the NHL regular season and playoffs from October until June.

Here's an interesting factoid, a retweet read... in 4 years time (and I'm paraphrasing a tad for my own amusement) if the NHL wants to continue with this stupid format, Connor McDavid will play on the U23 team AGAIN. I realized that the slick NY City lawyers running the NHL were a tad intellectually challenged when Rogers conned them into that TV deal, but I have to admit, I'm surprised with the new level of dumbness they've achieved. Kudos to Bettman, Collins and the rest of your crack marketing dimwits.

 

[Canuckistani]

The Olympics have a 23 and under for soccer its not the world Cup so who cares and why all of the fuss?

No one in the world regards olympic soccer as that sport's premier showcase, but Bettman and his collaborators are trying to pass off this abomination as a "best-on-best" event, one that might even replace the Olympics.

If the NHL would commit to 2018 I wouldn't give a crap what they do with this joke of an event.

But as it stands, hockey's only top-level event will be turned into an NHL all-star game weekend.

 

[Hardyvan123]

Here's an interesting factoid, a retweet read... in 4 years time (and I'm paraphrasing a tad for my own amusement) if the NHL wants to continue with this stupid format, Connor McDavid will play on the U23 team AGAIN. I realized that the slick NY City lawyers running the NHL were a tad intellectually challenged when Rogers conned them into that TV deal, but I have to admit, I'm surprised with the new level of dumbness they've achieved. Kudos to Bettman, Collins and the rest of your crack marketing dimwits.

well if McDavid and Eichel head up the U23 again in 4 years at least some team might actually challenge Canada right?

 

[UsernameWasTaken]

Has anyone looked at the Czech team lately with their defense?

And a lot that is being said about the goaltending situation was said about Corey Schneider before he became a starter in New Jersey.

And one would expect that what is really lacking , Ie NHL experience on a 23 and under team, it's not as huge as you are making it out to be in net.

Schneider had appeared in over 100 NHL games before being traded to NJ. Surely you can see the difference.

 

[FiLe]

No one in the world regards olympic soccer as that sport's premier showcase, but Bettman and his collaborators are trying to pass off this abomination as a "best-on-best" event, one that might even replace the Olympics.

Besides, the squads competing in olympic soccer are still national teams, only age-restricted ones (but then again, age-restricted tournaments are nothing new).

If olympic soccer were to suddenly have, say, a squad made up of European players whose countries did not qualify, I'm sure the world at large would be at uproar even if it was "only" olympic soccer.

But this is not soccer, it's hockey, and obviously we do have a bunch of funny people who think it's a good idea. Curiously, most are Canadian.

 

[Hardyvan123]

No one in the world regards olympic soccer as that sport's premier showcase, but Bettman and his collaborators are trying to pass off this abomination as a "best-on-best" event, one that might even replace the Olympics.

If the NHL would commit to 2018 I wouldn't give a crap what they do with this joke of an event.

But as it stands, hockey's only top-level event will be turned into an NHL all-star game weekend.

Hey you might not like the format but having a NA U23 and rest of Europe is going to ensure a more "best on best" than having the Swiss, Slovak and Danish teams instead and have Kopitar not playing at all right?

The Olympics in Beijing should be very interesting in terms of hockey as well, since national teams is the real best on best.

 

[Hardyvan123]

Schneider had appeared in over 100 NHL games before being traded to NJ. Surely you can see the difference.

Gibson has played in enough AHL/NHL games to do the job, Hellebuyck excelled at the last WC's it's not really an issue of the U23 not having good enough goaltending.