World Cup: 2016 World Cup — Team North America

[Canuckistani]

It's a unique format and seeing McDavid and Crosby go head to head is exciting.

Well then you'll be pleased to hear that there's a league called the NHL in which you can see this very match-up plus plenty of others on a daily basis.

So since that's taken care of, why do you feel it's necessary to turn the World Cup into a joke by having players play against their own country in an "international" event?

not as exciting as seeing the 7th and 8 best teams in the world get out shot 50 something and hang on with a goaltender...........

Why do advocates of this idiocy continue to peddle nonsense about Slovakia and Switzerland being horrendous teams that wouldn't stand a chance? In Vancouver Slovakia made the semifinal while Switzerland took Canada to a shootout and lost a close QF game vs USA. In Sochi Switzerland beat the Czechs, lose 1-0 to Sweden, and Slovakia took Russia to a shootout.

And yet we still get liars and/or know-nothings coming on here trying to convince us that Slovakia and Switzerland must be excluded to prevent a torrent of 8-0 games.

And not being content with merely insulting those two teams, they replace them with two non-national teams that have literally nothing to play for.

 

[JackSlater]

Well then you'll be pleased to hear that there's a league called the NHL in which you can see this very match-up plus plenty of others on a daily basis.

So since that's taken care of, why do you feel it's necessary to turn the World Cup into a joke by having players play against their own country in an "international" event?

The NHL tried to tell fans that it was unique and interesting, despite how idiotic that is and how easily you were able to point it out. Some fans prefer to just buy whatever the NHL tells them it seems. We see these players head to head all the time in the NHL, and we see random players thrown together on teams at the all star game. This tournament provides nothing new, but manages to bastardize what would otherwise be a legitimate best on best tournament. Some people think even a little reasonably, others parrot the NHL.

 

[Canuckistani]

We see these players head to head all the time in the NHL, and we see random players thrown together on teams at the all star game.

And just look how serious players are when they're playing for all-star teams that don't matter and no one cares about.

 

[Hardyvan123]

Well then you'll be pleased to hear that there's a league called the NHL in which you can see this very match-up plus plenty of others on a daily basis.

So since that's taken care of, why do you feel it's necessary to turn the World Cup into a joke by having players play against their own country in an "international" event?

It's not necessary and neither is NHL participation in the Olympics.

Plain and simple it's an NHL sponsored event to showcase NHL talent.

Why people keep on complaining what it isn't is getting tiring.

It will be in the summer people can go camping take a hike watch other sports ect.. but instead they have to complain over and over how ludicrous this tournament is.

Why do advocates of this idiocy continue to peddle nonsense about Slovakia and Switzerland being horrendous teams that wouldn't stand a chance? In Vancouver Slovakia made the semifinal while Switzerland took Canada to a shootout and lost a close QF game vs USA. In Sochi Switzerland beat the Czechs, lose 1-0 to Sweden, and Slovakia took Russia to a shootout.

And yet we still get liars and/or know-nothings coming on here trying to convince us that Slovakia and Switzerland must be excluded to prevent a torrent of 8-0 games.

And not being content with merely insulting those two teams, they replace them with two non-national teams that have literally nothing to play for.

I'm not an advocate of the tournament I just am not morally offended like some people are and it's interesting.

Yes teams can stick in a close checking game with top teams for several reasons

1) Canada doesn't put it's foot down and run up the score like they could

2) goalies really can make that much of a difference, unless one is talking about the U23 team then the lack of a "legit" #1 NHL goalie will make it a slaughter, even though there are #1 types that are going to mind the net.

 

[Hardyvan123]

And just look how serious players are when they're playing for all-star teams that don't matter and no one cares about.

Ah the Strawmen just keep getting put out there.

If no one cares the tournament will lose money and be gone forever then right?

 

[FiLe]

1) Canada doesn't put it's foot down and run up the score like they could

So THAT was what that Sochi QF was all about.

 

[5 14 6 1]

Gaudreau - McDavid - MacKinnon
Saad - Eichel - Larkin
Domi - Monahan - Nuge
Huberdeau - Couturier - Bennett
Jenner/Matthews

Murray - Ekblad
Rielly - Jones
Hamilton - Parayko
Ghost/Klefbom

Gibson
Hellebucyk

 

[Dahlman1221]

Gaudreau - McDavid - MacKinnon
Saad - Eichel - Larkin
Domi - Monahan - Nuge
Huberdeau - Couturier - Bennett
Jenner/Matthews

Murray - Ekblad
Rielly - Jones
Hamilton - Parayko
Ghost/Klefbom

Gibson
Hellebucyk

Really like this lineup!
The only change I would do is to have Galchenyuk instead of Bennett

 

[Canuckistani]

It's not necessary and neither is NHL participation in the Olympics.

It is unless you want hockey to be without a best-on-best event.

The day the NHL announces it will take part in 2018 and 2022 is the day I will stop complaining about the monstrosity known as the world cup.

 

[Dahlman1221]

Gaudreau - McDavid - MacKinnon
Saad - Eichel - Larkin
Domi - Monahan - Nuge
Huberdeau - Couturier - Bennett
Jenner/Matthews

Murray - Ekblad
Rielly - Jones
Hamilton - Parayko
Ghost/Klefbom

Gibson
Hellebucyk

Klefbom is from Sweden so he is not available
Good team apart from that

 

[Hardyvan123]

It is unless you want hockey to be without a best-on-best event.

The day the NHL announces it will take part in 2018 and 2022 is the day I will stop complaining about the monstrosity known as the world cup.

I agree that the Olympics are better with NHL players there but people need to get realistic as well as the NHL is a business.

Alot of NHL people don't like shutting done their business for a couple of weeks in mid season and giving control to the IIHF for these events.

But the Olympics survived just fine with national teams from Canada and the states (remember 1980?)

Frankly the World Cup is a "better" best on best event anyways...but Korea will be awesome when they host too right?

 

[FiLe]

Frankly the World Cup is a "better" best on best event anyways...but Korea will be awesome when they host too right?

If you think you're so smart, answer us this...

The results table. The champion. Usually the point of these international events is to see which country can put together the best team, the one that comes out on top.

This event, however, features two NON-countries. And they're not just sideshows, but are given a legitimate shot at winning this thing. So... what happens if one of them actually wins? Or even finishes on the podium? What's the answer to the question, "what country put together the best team?" Uhh... USA and Canada together? A bunch of Euro guys?

Or do they take the actual country that had the best finish and crown them the moral champion?


If Korea somehow wins in their own olympics, at least you don't have to question the legitimacy of their title.

And I better note that "it's a non-issue, they won't win" is not an answer, so don't even think about it. It's a hand wave.

 

[TyToff]

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

Rielly - Ekblad
Murray - Jones
Gostisbehere - Hamilton
Trouba

Gibson
Hellebuyck

 

[xxxx]

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

Rielly - Ekblad
Murray - Jones
Gostisbehere - Hamilton
Trouba

Gibson
Hellebuyck

All those picks are good

 

[friction]

Though it's tempting, I don't think Gaudreau and McDavid should be on a line together. Both need the puck on their stick and like to carry it into the zone. Might as well split them up for better depth!

This will be such an exciting team, but just wish it was a world under 24 instead. Just seems random to limit it to North America.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Saad - McDavid - MacKinnon
Gaudreau - Eichel - Larkin
Huberdeau - RNH - Blandisi
Domi - Monahan - Duclair


Rielly - Ekblad
Jones - Trouba
Murray - Gostisbehere

Gibson
Hellebuyck

 

[xxxx]

Surprised so many people don't pick Couturier. He will be this team's Toews. Also, I would be very surprised not to see Pageau and Jenner on the roster.
For my team, I took Parayko, Hamilton, and Gostisbehere as the last 3 d-men, but in reality I can see Ceci and Trouba being named over two of them.


Here's my final guess at the 16-man roster: (F) Saad, McDavid, MacKinnon, Gaudreau, Monahan, Eichel, Nugent-Hopkins, Couturier, (D) Trouba, Rielly, Ekblad, Jones, Murray, (G) Gibson, Hellebuyck, Murray. Jonathan Huberdeau may possibly sneak in over Ryan Murray or Matt Murray.

 

[snipes]

First 16 prediction:

Early leadership prediction: C - Brandon Saad, A - MacKinnon, Ekblad

Forwards (in no particular order):
1. Saad
2. McDavid
3. Eichel
4. Larkin
5. Monahan
6. MacKinnon
7. Gaudreau
8. RNH
9. Huberdeau
10. Sam Bennett

Defenceman (in no particular order):
1. Ekblad
2. Ghost
3. Murray
4. Parayko

Goalies (in no particular order):
1. Hellebuyck
2. Gibson


Reasons:
Forwards - Best 10 forwards imo for a tournament of this sort. Jenner, Matthews, Domi, Couturie fighting for the final available spots.

Defenceman - 2 right shot D, 2 left shot D. Lots of size and skill mixed in as well. Dumba, Jones, Rielly, Trouba fighting for the final available spots.

Goalies - 2 best available

 

[HabsForHire]

galchenyuk will and should be on this roster

 

[westc2]

So is Robby Fabbri just completely flying under the radar right now?

 

[hallhopkinseberle]

So is Robby Fabbri just completely flying under the radar right now?

He hasn't played enough games in the NHL to be considered plus there are other options, only player not in the NHL that will be in it will be Matthews

 

[jabes]

Fucale likely a longshot because of his age and will only have one year experience playing pro at the time. Has the WJC title but much different playing against pro talent. Subban could be one of favourites to back up Gibson if he continues his success in AHL but there are some other worthy tenders too.

Connor Hellebuyck - having great year as #1 goalie with Ice Caps pushing Peter Budaj to backup status yet again. Named to AHL all star game. Has big game experience in college. Could very well end up being #2 if he continues stellar play. Team may look for 1 goalie of each nationality, but he could force them not to.

Laurent Brossoit, Antoine Bibeau, Matt Murray - All having good rookie seasons in AHL. Could have a shot if any of them get NHL action before tourney.

Gotta pull a Don Cherry as I called Hellebuyck as #2 last January. Still not for sure he gets in, but good chance.
Any chance Sparks gets in as darkhorse?

 

[Rangediddy]

A lot of Gaudreau-McDavid pairings... as someone said, they both like to carry the puck into the zone so they should be separated. Gaudreau and Monahan are developing pretty crazy chemistry right now so they should be kept together. I like Eichel as the RW.

McDavid is just too fast to have him wait for Johnny to enter the zone then dish. Anyone playing with Johnny can score so might as well have McDavid lead the rush himself and pair him with finishers who can clean up whatever McDavid takes to the net.

 

[L13]

A lot of Gaudreau-McDavid pairings... as someone said, they both like to carry the puck into the zone so they should be separated. Gaudreau and Monahan are developing pretty crazy chemistry right now so they should be kept together.

Gaudreau and Monahan are not developing "pretty crazy chemistry." Almost anyone who plays with Gaudreau will play well. The trick is to pick a linemate who can maximise Gaudreau's talents as well, and that could well be McDavid.

All great players "like to carry the puck." Deciding two players can't play well together on that basis is silly. It may well be the case that Gaudreau and McDavid's playing styles do not mesh well, but that's for the coach to find out after trying them out on the same line, not something we can predict in advance.

 

[KlichkoBro*]

Only 2 eligible players have scored 22 goals this season already. And one of them is not on most of the predicted rosters. Ok.