World Cup: 2016 World Cup — Team North America

[lindholmie]

Gonna be funny watching them upset other teams.

Hellenbuck for tournament MVP.

MVP for best backup goalie?

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

I really want to see this line, just to see the speed:
MacKinnon - Eichel - McDavid
Could you imagine defending that line? The speed and skill oh my . . .


But really, I'd like to see a forward group that's not afraid to take a few younger guys. The 2011 and 2012 drafts weren't great for forwards . .

Gaudreau - Monahan - McDavid
MacKinnon - Eichel - Drouin
Galchenyuk - RNH - Saad
Bennett - Couturier - Huberdeau
Marner

Keeps chemistry from Gaudreau / Monahan and MacKinnon / Drouin, and they each get one of the top 2 from 2015.

This was my forward group from early September. At this point, Domi has outplayed Drouin for that roster spot, and Larkin needs to be on this team.

Gaudreau - McDavid - Monahan

JG and CMD would be magic together and give opposing teams fits with their vision, hands, and agility. IMO they will be the top offensive pair in the tournament. This line will rely heavily on the finishing ability of the RW, which is why I've slotted Monahan there (+ JG chemistry)

MacKinnon - Eichel - Domi

This line is all about speed and power. Will likely be the fastest line at the tournament. All 3 guys are solidly built as well and won't get pushed around.

Larkin - RNH - Saad

This could be a great energy / shut down line that could provide some offense. RNH is a very smart defensive player, and Larkin and Saad bring speed, compete/grit, and finishing ability.

Bennett - Couturier - Jenner

This line could also be used in a shut down role, size and power with a dash of finish.

Marner/Scheifele

I'd still want to get Mitch Marner on this team, I believe he's got more raw offensive ability than any player not named Gaudreau, Eichel, or McDavid. But having a utility guy like Scheifele might be best. He's an older guy with size, speed, and a great release. He could be slotted in anywhere.

Couldn't find a spot for Huberdeau, he's not skilled enough to crack the top 6 nor fast enough to play in a checking role. A guy who might start getting more looks is Vince Trochek. Smart, high motor guy who can finish. This team may live and die on its ability to use its speed on the forecheck.

Well, that and it's top line.

 

[xxxx]

certainly a lot of good players in the mix.

As the time goes on, the projected defense is becoming better and better. Ekblad, Rielly, Jones, and Murray is already a solid group, and after them there is a lot to choose from. D.Hamilton, Parayko, Trouba, Dumba, Beaulieu, Nurse, Severson, Gostisbehere, Hanifin...

Or forwards like S.Reinhart, Horvat, Duclair, Ryan Strome possibly...also Galchenyuk is a lock imo.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Lowry - Jenner - T.Wilson

This tournament will be on small ice. A physical checking-unit can be needed. 3 scoring lines and the line above. This line would spread fear.

 

[JackFr]

Gaudreau - McDavid - MacKinnon
Domi - Nugent-Hopkins - Eichel
Huberdeau - Galchenyuk - Larkin
Saad - Monahan - Jenner
Couturier

Parayko - Ekblad
Jones - Trouba
Reilly - Hamilton
Dumba

Gibson
Hellebuyck
Murray

 

[MardyBum]

MVP for best backup goalie?

Yup, just like the 2015 WC.

 

[Sojourn]

Yup, just like the 2015 WC.

I'd be a little surprised if Hellebuyck was favored over Gibson heading into the tournament. They're the same age, but Gibson has a better international resume, and more professional games in the AHL and the NHL.

 

[snizzbone*]

I'd be a little surprised if Hellebuyck was favored over Gibson heading into the tournament. They're the same age, but Gibson has a better international resume, and more professional games in the AHL and the NHL.

Didn't Hellebuyck just win a bronze medal at the WCs with USA?

 

[bottomofthefoodchain]

Gaudreau, MacKinnon etc will not be on this team, they will be on Team USA/Canada

 

[JackSlater]

Gaudreau, MacKinnon etc will not be on this team, they will be on Team USA/Canada

See, you mistakenly believe that this tournament allows Canada and USA to pick their optimal teams. Canada and USA cannot pick anyone 23 and under.

 

[PM]

What a strange, strange way to structure a tournament. The Team Europe Leftovers was pretty weird but the Team U-24 is even weirder. I wonder what team U-24 wears for a jersey? What is their crest?

 

[Sojourn]

Didn't Hellebuyck just win a bronze medal at the WCs with USA?

He did, yes, but Gibson was also a hero for the US in the WC's, and he was a hero for the US in the WJC's, and he has more professional games under his belt. Unless Gibson is injured, or Hellebuyck goes into the tournament absolutely red hot, I don't see how Gibson wouldn't be the favorite for the #1 spot.

 

[Westcoasthabsfan]

Goaltending is this teams major weakness...they are going to surprise some teams if they are taken lightly...

 

[Zero Pucks Given]

Didn't Hellebuyck just win a bronze medal at the WCs with USA?

He did, but Gibson has played more games in a USA jersey.

 

[Nordic*]

This whole tournament is a big joke.

USA & Canada and then USA PLUS Canada, U-24? If that's not enough, "Euro left-overs"?

International tournaments are between different countries, not scrambled teams like this.

If this is the case, just let Sweden and Finland create a team together - I mean, it's already a joke, a little more bs wouldn't make any difference.

Importance

Olympics
WC
WJC
.........
.........
.........
World Cup​

 

[Hardyvan123]

I'd be a little surprised if Hellebuyck was favored over Gibson heading into the tournament. They're the same age, but Gibson has a better international resume, and more professional games in the AHL and the NHL.

It's hard to say but both are legit starting #1 goalies in the NHL now, something that many have cried would make this a poor team and was refuted and now the proof is in the pudding.

also Sseth jones is a #1 Dman and will play with his partner Murray who is pretty decent himself.

 

[canuckster19]

Does the U23 team get first pick over Canada and US? I would imagine Gaudreau makes the US team, as well as a couple of the Canadians.

 

[Gigantor The Goalie]

Does the U23 team get first pick over Canada and US? I would imagine Gaudreau makes the US team, as well as a couple of the Canadians.

U23 gets first pick of players

 

[leafsfuture]

Does the U23 team get first pick over Canada and US? I would imagine Gaudreau makes the US team, as well as a couple of the Canadians.

Yes.

USA Hockey already asked the NHL for an exception to make Jack Eichel available for selection for the main team and the NHL turned them down.

So I cant see any player being allowed to bypass the U-23 team

 

[Canuckistani]

USA Hockey already asked the NHL for an exception to make Jack Eichel available for selection for the main team and the NHL turned them down.

Unreal. What a sick joke this tournament is.

Canada is being robbed of McKinnon and Ekblad (not sure who else would be in the running), but the US is gonna be hit hard by thus U-23 nonsense.

 

[Gigantor The Goalie]

Unreal. What a sick joke this tournament is.

Canada is being robbed of McKinnon and Ekblad (not sure who else would be in the running), but the US is gonna be hit hard by thus U-23 nonsense.

McDavid

 

[xxxx]

Unreal. What a sick joke this tournament is.

Canada is being robbed of McKinnon and Ekblad (not sure who else would be in the running), but the US is gonna be hit hard by thus U-23 nonsense.

I don't know. Gaudreau would be there for sure, but not sure how many of Saad, Eichel, Larkin would actually make it.

 

[leafsfuture]

This team is looking like it could really be competitive. And that excites me.

As long as they resist the urge to just pick fancy names, and dont forget some plumbers like Couturier, and Jenner, they should be fine

 

[SOLR]

Unreal. What a sick joke this tournament is.

Canada is being robbed of McKinnon and Ekblad (not sure who else would be in the running), but the US is gonna be hit hard by thus U-23 nonsense.

Robbed? Oh come on, they would not be top 6 forwards or top 4 Ds or top 2 goaltenders. We are talking about being "robbed" of 4th line players?

If anything Team Canada is very happy about this, as finally they will have a venue to evaluate the young-lings between 20-23. The Olympics are what matters. These players will be allowed in their national teams for the Olympics.

For the US it's very different, I think Eichel would be pretty high up in their roster. (Even Matthews).

 

[JackSlater]

Robbed? Oh come on, they would not be top 6 forwards or top 4 Ds or top 2 goaltenders. We are talking about being "robbed" of 4th line players?

If anything Team Canada is very happy about this, as finally they will have a venue to evaluate the young-lings between 20-23. The Olympics are what matters. These players will be allowed in their national teams for the Olympics.

For the US it's very different, I think Eichel would be pretty high up in their roster. (Even Matthews).

Canada's depth forwards and defencemen have been the difference in tournaments before. The logic you've applied could easily have been applied to Toews and Doughty in 2010, for instance. The Americans will also obviously miss Gaudreau quite a bit.