World Cup: 2016 World Cup — Team North America

[MNRube]

Not sure why anyone would have RNH as a the first center of the young star team. Against harder competition, RNH needs to be lower in the lineup. (RNH vs. Crosby, Toews, Malkin, Backstrom, Kopitar, are not favorable match up.) I'd much rather have Galchenyuk play in the middle overall, at least he would have a shot at competing physically, he's much harder to play against. Also let McDavid -Eichel have their Lemieux-Gretzky moment, McDavid will already be the first center by default from what I'm seeing in the early season. Huberdeau is the equivalent of a "vet" to play with the 2 phenoms. Saad is the competition there.

For these kind of world championships, pre-established chemistry matters:

1) Don't discount the possibility of MacKinnon-Drouin, even if Drouin is taking some time to get established in Tampa, the lightning is a great team.

2) Domi-Duclair if they keep playing like this are a must have duo and RNH might well be their perfect center.

3) The fourth line is an interesting question. Depends what is the mission. You could go for size with Scheifele - Monahan - Larkin or even Scheifele - Horvat - Monahan, or skill with Gaudreau etc.
Not sure exactly where Saad fits in honestly.

Huberdeau - McDavid - Eichel
MacKinnon - Galchenyuk - Drouin
Domi - RNH - Duclair
Gaudreau/Scheifele - Monahan/Scheifele - Larkin/Gaudreau
Bo Horvat / Saad / Couturier

There's probably 6 good lines competing here.



Murray- Ekblad
Rielly - Jones
Beaulieu - Troubaur

Gibson

Don't see how Gaudreau doesn't make this team. He and McDavid are two best Fs offensively. Especially when Drouin (meh) or Hubs is the alternative.

 

[Dodospice]

This is a tough team to pick.. lots of good young players but where exactly do they fit in the lineup?

Gaudreau - Monahan - Scheifele
Galchenyuk - McDavid - Eichel
Drouin - Nugent-Hopkins - MacKinnon
Saad - Couturier - Larkin
Domi

Murray - Jones
Rielly - Ekblad
Hanifin - Trouba
Hamilton

Gibson
Hellebuyck
Subban

Locks for me include:
F: Gaudreau, Monahan, Scheifele, Galchenyuk, McDavid, Eichel, Nugent-Hopkins, MacKinnon, Couturier.
D: Murray, Jones, Rielly, Ekblad, Trouba, Hamilton
G: Gibson, Hellebuyck

Other names I'd consider include:

Anthony Duclair
Bo Horvat
Jonathan Huberdeau
Curtis Lazar
Boone Jenner
Ryan Strome
Auston Matthews

Nathan Beaulieu
Cody Ceci
Colton Parayko
Jakob Chychrun

Zach Fucale
Matt Murray

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

Don't see how Gaudreau doesn't make this team. He and McDavid are two best Fs offensively. Especially when Drouin (meh) or Hubs is the alternative.

I agree. Gaudreau led all players eligible for this team in scoring last year. How could he not make this team?

McDavid driving the first line playing with Mackinnon and Drouin

Having the Monahan, and Gaudreau duo on the second line with Eichel makes a lot of sense to me.

 

[1Gold Standard]

I hope Connor does the smart thing now and declines an invite to this gimmicky team and gimmicky tournament. "Sorry folks, if we were talking about the Olympics, then I'd be in without question, but a team with no flag or anthem, sorry! no point in that."

 

[canuck2010]

I hope Connor does the smart thing now and declines an invite to this gimmicky team and gimmicky tournament. "Sorry folks, if we were talking about the Olympics, then I'd be in without question, but a team with no flag or anthem, sorry! no point in that."

Damn straight.

 

[SOLR]

I agree. Gaudreau led all players eligible for this team in scoring last year. How could he not make this team?

McDavid driving the first line playing with Mackinnon and Drouin

Having the Monahan, and Gaudreau duo on the second line with Eichel makes a lot of sense to me.

Scoring is everything, clearly.

 

[Get North]

I hope Connor does the smart thing now and declines an invite to this gimmicky team and gimmicky tournament. "Sorry folks, if we were talking about the Olympics, then I'd be in without question, but a team with no flag or anthem, sorry! no point in that."

I hope so too but he'd be creating way too much attention for himself (even for a good reason) and he probably doesn't want anymore attention. I'm surprised nobody (on a big station like TSN or Sportsnet) has said how much of a joke this tournament is.

 

[JackSlater]

I hope so too but he'd be creating way too much attention for himself (even for a good reason) and he probably doesn't want anymore attention. I'm surprised nobody (on a big station like TSN or Sportsnet) has said how much of a joke this tournament is.

Duthie did several times after the format was announced.

 

[1Gold Standard]

I hope so too but he'd be creating way too much attention for himself (even for a good reason) and he probably doesn't want anymore attention. I'm surprised nobody (on a big station like TSN or Sportsnet) has said how much of a joke this tournament is.

SN is not going to be critical of the tournament, they hold the broadcast rights. I think the talking heads at SN would risk losing their job if they were openly critical...

Interesting to note, Damien Cox was critical of the event way back when before SN purchased NHL rights but then was all thumps up when SN acquired NHL rights and the rights to this gimmick. But Cox is a flake anyway....

and what Jack said, Duthie has on several occasions criticized the format of this tournament and rolled his eyes at the gimmicky teams.

 

[Fire Sweeney]

I hope Connor does the smart thing now and declines an invite to this gimmicky team and gimmicky tournament. "Sorry folks, if we were talking about the Olympics, then I'd be in without question, but a team with no flag or anthem, sorry! no point in that."

He may face retribution from Hockey Canada if he declines participation at their money grab.

 

[1Gold Standard]

He may face retribution from Hockey Canada if he declines participation at their money grab.

it's not Hockey Canada's money grab. it's the NHL's money grab. And Canadian players decline invites all the time to NT events and there's never any retribution from Hockey Canada. And this is not even a Canadian NT we are talking about, but instead some rigged up, conjured up in some marketing New York executive's mind, quasi all-star team, so I don't think anybody would be putting undue pressure on McDavid to participate if he decided, ya, you know what, I'll take a pass on that one. At least nobody on this side of the border.

if I were his agent, that's what I would be telling him. worry about yourself and the Edmonton Oilers...everything else is not important. but get ready to play in the 2018 Olympics for the real Team Canada.

 

[JackSlater]

it's not Hockey Canada's money grab. it's the NHL's money grab. And Canadian players decline invites all the time to NT events and there's never any retribution from Hockey Canada. And this is not even a Canadian NT we are talking about, but instead some rigged up, conjured up in some marketing New York executive's mind, quasi all-star team, so I don't think anybody would be putting undue pressure on McDavid to participate if he decided, ya, you know what, I'll take a pass on that one. At least nobody on this side of the border.

Great players have no fear of repercussion from Hockey Canada, and rightfully so. Presumably even less so if they actually opt out of potentially competing against Canada. I doubt that McDavid opts out if he's healthy though... he's a boy scout.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Great players have no fear of repercussion from Hockey Canada, and rightfully so. Presumably even less so if they actually opt out of potentially competing against Canada. I doubt that McDavid opts out if he's healthy though... he's a boy scout.

He is that. and with a real high pain threshold as well. broken left clavicle and he picks up his stick with the left hand. that must have been excruciating. and barely a grimace on his face. Man, the kid is the real deal.

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

Scoring is everything, clearly.

So you are saying you wouldn't put Gaudreau on this team? You must be a knowledgeable hockey fan

you're right lets leave Gaudreau off the team he's only tied for 8th in NHL scoring. While having a +/- of zero on a team with a -26 goal differential

 

[Aceonfire*]

McDavid scoring against Canada should do wonders for his popularity...

 

[Playmaker09]

Order the lines however you want:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Scheifele
Drouin - McDavid - MacKinnon
Larkin - Galchenyuk - Eichel
Domi - RNH - Duclair
Saad/Strome/Huberdeau/Jenner

Murray - Ekblad
Rielly - Jones
Hanifin - Trouba
Hamilton/Parayko

 

[xxxx]

Order the lines however you want:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Scheifele
Drouin - McDavid - MacKinnon
Larkin - Galchenyuk - Eichel
Domi - RNH - Duclair
Saad/Strome/Huberdeau/Jenner

Murray - Ekblad
Rielly - Jones
Hanifin - Trouba
Hamilton/Parayko

Saad will play big minutes imo, also Couturier will be there.

Parayko is a good call, he will be there if he continues to play this way.

I am excited to see this offence, really.

 

[xxxx]

anyone thinking about Monahan - McDavid - Gaudreau line is that even healthy to think that

At this point I have these 10 forwards that should be 100% on the team: Saad, Couturier, McDavid, MacKinnon, Gaudreau, Monahan, Nugent-Hopkins, Scheifele, Eichel, Galchenyuk.

Then 3 of (Huberdeau, R.Strome, Jenner, Horvat, Drouin, Domi, Bennett) In my opinion the front-runners now would be Huberdeau, Horvat, and probably R.Strome.

On defence:

Jones - Ekblad
Rielly - Parayko
Trouba - D.Hamilton
Murray

At this point, Parayko has to be on the team. He has 4 goals and 9 points in 13 games, which is great for a defensive team, or team that doesn't score that much. He's 6'5'', 214 lbs, and is also 22, not exactly an 18/19 y.o. We have seen just 1/8 of the season, but if Parayko continues to play like that and has 40 points this seaso, he's a lock. I think his defensive play has been sound too, but would like to know about that one more from the Blues fans.

 

[Stopsight]

anyone thinking about Monahan - McDavid - Gaudreau line is that even healthy to think that

At this point I have these 10 forwards that should be 100% on the team: Saad, Couturier, McDavid, MacKinnon, Gaudreau, Monahan, Nugent-Hopkins, Scheifele, Eichel, Galchenyuk.

Then 3 of (Huberdeau, R.Strome, Jenner, Horvat, Drouin, Domi, Bennett) In my opinion the front-runners now would be Huberdeau, Horvat, and probably R.Strome.

On defence:

Jones - Ekblad
Rielly - Parayko
Trouba - D.Hamilton
Murray

At this point, Parayko has to be on the team. He has 4 goals and 9 points in 13 games, which is great for a defensive team, or team that doesn't score that much. He's 6'5'', 214 lbs, and is also 22, not exactly an 18/19 y.o. We have seen just 1/8 of the season, but if Parayko continues to play like that and has 40 points this seaso, he's a lock. I think his defensive play has been sound too, but would like to know about that one more from the Blues fans.

Parayko definitely makes some mistakes, as any rookie does. He is very mobile for a big guy and able to correct those mistakes pretty well, for example this from the jets game this season:



So he's still refining his game for sure, but he does well overall.

 

[1Gold Standard]

anyone thinking about Monahan - McDavid - Gaudreau line is that even healthy to think that

At this point I have these 10 forwards that should be 100% on the team: Saad, Couturier, McDavid, MacKinnon, Gaudreau, Monahan, Nugent-Hopkins, Scheifele, Eichel, Galchenyuk.

Then 3 of (Huberdeau, R.Strome, Jenner, Horvat, Drouin, Domi, Bennett) In my opinion the front-runners now would be Huberdeau, Horvat, and probably R.Strome.

On defence:

Jones - Ekblad
Rielly - Parayko
Trouba - D.Hamilton
Murray

At this point, Parayko has to be on the team. He has 4 goals and 9 points in 13 games, which is great for a defensive team, or team that doesn't score that much. He's 6'5'', 214 lbs, and is also 22, not exactly an 18/19 y.o. We have seen just 1/8 of the season, but if Parayko continues to play like that and has 40 points this seaso, he's a lock. I think his defensive play has been sound too, but would like to know about that one more from the Blues fans.

No, haven't given any thought to possible line combinations for this exhibition, haven't really given this pre-season exhibition any though at all except for how stupid it is...

but looking at your roster, the only obvious change I'd make is dropping Hamilton altogether. He's a wreck right now...and if we are to believe the idiots in NY that these gimmicky teams are meant to provide better parity and avoid blowouts, then Hamilton isn't going to work. Move Trouba to his strong side. Interesting to note that Trouba isn't exactly at the top of his game either, but miles better than Hamilton at the moment. Murray moves up and the NHL better hope another 2 d-men emerge from somewhere, b/c their plan to avoid blowouts is looking to me like it's going to fail miserably.

But hey, I won't be watching anyway.

 

[SabresBillsBuffalo]

Not sure how much motivation these players will have playing against their own countries.

Dumbest thing ever. Make a whole different tournament for this, don't force these kids in elimination rounds to play against their own countries...stupid.

 

[Hardyvan123]

Not sure how much motivation these players will have playing against their own countries.

Dumbest thing ever. Make a whole different tournament for this, don't force these kids in elimination rounds to play against their own countries...stupid.

Seriously do we see less effort in the split squads in the U17's?

People here might put in a lesser effort but unless there is proof or quotes of actual players doing so the noise should just stop.

the only time I recall teams putting in a lesser effort in their final games at some tournaments when they play for silver instead of gold and every one of these examples has been a National team (where supposedly these things don;t happen) and it's somehow a given for the 2 non traditional teams just because people don't like the format and can't help but crap all over the tournament at any given opportunity with very weak arguments about quality, competition ect....

 

[JackSlater]

Seriously do we see less effort in the split squads in the U17's?

People here might put in a lesser effort but unless there is proof or quotes of actual players doing so the noise should just stop.

the only time I recall teams putting in a lesser effort in their final games at some tournaments when they play for silver instead of gold and every one of these examples has been a National team (where supposedly these things don;t happen) and it's somehow a given for the 2 non traditional teams just because people don't like the format and can't help but crap all over the tournament at any given opportunity with very weak arguments about quality, competition ect....

You do realize that the U17 teams are still at least representing their country, which makes it a completely different situation... right? The U23 team might play against their own country while representing nothing.

 

[Mehar]

Not sure how much motivation these players will have playing against their own countries.

Dumbest thing ever. Make a whole different tournament for this, don't force these kids in elimination rounds to play against their own countries...stupid.

I have said it many times. The dumbest concept one could have possibly drawn up. If this Team makes it to the finals to play against Team Canada, there would be no real loser (LOL). You will still have the Canadian flags and Canadian anthem played in the end if either team wins.

 

[Homesick]

Darnell Nurse might get some consideration as well. Depending on how well he does at the World Championships this spring