World Cup: 2016 World Cup — Team North America

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Now looking at how Monahan or Seth Jones are playing, the U23 team will be strong IMO. Goaltending is a question, but the team could possibly beat Finland or the Czechs without calling it "a surprise" or "they just were lucky". Especially if McDavid, MacKinnon, and Monahan develop themselves into NHL super-stars next season. Then you have Galchenyuk, Nugent-Hopkins, Gaudreau, Ryan Strome, Saad, Scheifele, Eichel... I can't see how this offense won't be better than what Finland will have for example. Jones is already a near-elite defenseman and Ekblad, Trouba, and Rielly are already solid too.

Give all the players another year of developing and I'm quite sure that in August 2016 the U23 team will be quite strong.

 

[SabresBillsBuffalo]

This team will be unstoppable, no matter who is in net. International competition Gibson is amazing.

 

[Aceonfire*]

This team will be unstoppable, no matter who is in net. International competition Gibson is amazing.

Team Canada vs the U23 team is going to be amazing. If Gibson steps up they have a chance to beat them.

 

[Jussi]

Team Canada vs the U23 team is going to be amazing. If Gibson steps up they have a chance to beat them.

Yes, I'm sure McDavid has been dreaming all his life of scoring against his own country...

 

[Yakushev72]

This team will be unstoppable, no matter who is in net. International competition Gibson is amazing.

Since, by definition, the U23 team will consist of B Teamers not good enough to play for the national team, I'm not sure how you could have an unstoppable B Team? Do the rules of this whacky arrangement preclude U23 players from being assigned to their national teams, so that "Canada" and "USA" must have the prefix "O23?"

 

[Stats01]

Fine if the 2020 tournament is bigger, but why treat the 2016 version like an exhibition series? Just have 8 teams like normal. The NHL is just insane. The one thing you think they couldn't possibly screw up is international hockey, and they go right ahead and do it.

I don't know why but all I know is the reason from the NHL is that they didn't have enough time to put together a full fledged tournament together with qualifiers. It's a one off and I accept that. 2020 has to be way better though and more transparent. Still can't believe Slovakia and Switzerland couldn't be a part of this.

 

[JackSlater]

Since, by definition, the U23 team will consist of B Teamers not good enough to play for the national team, I'm not sure how you could have an unstoppable B Team? Do the rules of this whacky arrangement preclude U23 players from being assigned to their national teams, so that "Canada" and "USA" must have the prefix "O23?"

Canada and USA can only select players who are 24 and over.

 

[NHL Dude 120]

U23 North America potential regulations

are there any rules for building the team ??? one rule id like to see is management made up of young up and coming GM's . Kyle Dubas should be part of the management team that builds the team.

 

[Tasty Biscuits]

Canada and USA can only select players who are 24 and over.

Really? That's kind of a joke.

 

[Cane mutiny]

To maintain any sort of integrity (yeah...I know), they need to ice the best roster-period. If that's 75% Canadian so be it. That said, I think there is enough American talent to make it a 60/40 split (edge to Canada) and it wouldn't be too egregious.

Personally, I think it should be 100% Canadian, and leave the US out of this mess. Let our US kids that can make the big team make it, and let Canada agonize over the make up of their U23 team. OK with me.

 

[FDBluth]

I think all the management and coaching staff should be 23 and under also.

Might as well.

 

[Broken Glass]

Really? That's kind of a joke.

That's the whole point of having a young guns team lol

 

[Cane mutiny]

That's the whole point of having a young guns team lol

Team Canada, maybe, but I don't see any point for the US team. We can never field a decent team for the WC without including ANYONE who graciously accepts the invite, regardless of age. You do realize half our team in this WC (12 players) are 23 and under. If US fielded this same team next year, there would still be 10 players 23 or under that would not qualify. This is not good for the US at all. Canadians are always bragging that they could field two or more teams, so let them put together a young guns team, if they have the depth to do it. We simply don't without paying dearly in the standings for it, maybe even relegation! They should at least let you include the players under 24 that are not used for the young guns team. That would help some. Also, why deny those players the experience they would gain from playing in the WC just because they were excluded from the young guns team? That's just unfair to them.

 

[Pominville Knows]

Team Canada, maybe, but I don't see any point for the US team. We can never field a decent team for the WC without including ANYONE who graciously accepts the invite, regardless of age. You do realize half our team in this WC (12 players) are 23 and under. If US fielded this same team next year, there would still be 10 players 23 or under that would not qualify. This is not good for the US at all. Canadians are always bragging that they could field two or more teams, so let them put together a young guns team, if they have the depth to do it. We simply don't without paying dearly in the standings for it, maybe even relegation! They should at least let you include the players under 24 that are not used for the young guns team. That would help some. Also, why deny those players the experience they would gain from playing in the WC just because they were excluded from the young guns team? That's just unfair to them.

Are you talking about the World Championships?

 

[Babula]

World cup ?!? this has to prove what exactly ?

 

[BoHorvat 53]

Team Canada vs the U23 team is going to be amazing. If Gibson steps up they have a chance to beat them.

That awkward moment when you realize the goalie on the other side of the ice is the best goalie in the world and is the most recent Hart Trophy winner as a goalie since Jose Theodore...

 

[Skobel24]

I'd prefer to see a Junior team included. Best of the WJC.

 

[fmrdh]

Connor Hellebuyck could play goal

 

[BoHorvat 53]

Any chance Bo makes the team?

 

[WhiteLight*]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Strome
Drouin - McDavid - MacKinnon
Saad - Nugent-Hopkins - Scheifele
Huberdeau - Couturier - Galchenyuk
Jenner - Miller

Ekblad - Hamilton
Rielly - Trouba
Murray - Jones
Ceci - Severson

Gibson
Subban
Broissoit

 

[YEGJuniorFan]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Strome
Drouin - McDavid - MacKinnon
Saad - Nugent-Hopkins - Scheifele
Huberdeau - Couturier - Galchenyuk
Jenner - Miller

Ekblad - Hamilton
Rielly - Trouba
Murray - Jones
Ceci - Severson

Gibson
Subban
Broissoit

This looks good. I would switch Jenner/Miller with Eichel though.

 

[Sebastian Svechnikov]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Strome
Drouin - McDavid - MacKinnon
Saad - Nugent-Hopkins - Scheifele
Huberdeau - Couturier - Galchenyuk
Jenner - Miller

Ekblad - Hamilton
Rielly - Trouba
Murray - Jones
Ceci - Severson

Gibson
Subban
Broissoit

There's a 0% chance Eichel is left off this team, nor should he be. Otherwise I think this a really good guess at the roster. Though I suspect Hellebuyck will also be on the team after his season and subsequent performance at World's.

 

[tony d]

I'm looking forward to seeing the young guns team, part of the reason why I like this new format of the World Cup.

 

[theanomaly]

So which anthem and flag do we see if they win something?

 

[isles55]

So which anthem and flag do we see if they win something?

I'm hoping for this