Toggle sidebar

WJC: 2017 Team USA Roster Talk

  • Xenforo Cloud will be upgrading us to version 2.3.5 on March 3rd at 12 AM GMT. This version has increased stability and fixes several bugs. We expect downtime for the duration of the update. The admin team will continue to work on existing issues, templates and upgrade all necessary available addons to minimize impact of this new version. Click Here for Updates
Status
Not open for further replies.
When push comes to shove, I'm gonna guess that both teams lose 3 players, with a possibility of a fourth:

Canada: McDavid, Marner, Strome (Konecny starts up....we'll see if he sticks)
USA: Matthews, Hanifin, Werenski (Tkachuk starts up....we'll see if he sticks)

I like symmetry.....drop the puck.
 
WingsMike said:
If Boeser is on the 3rd line, who do you have in the top 6? I feel like he's definitely going to be in the top 6.
Click to expand...

I honestly feel like we have at least ten guys who are more "top 9" players than fourth liners:

White, Keller, Brown, Kunin, Bellows, Boeser, Roslovic, Tkachuk, Greenway, Thompson, Debrincat

Because of this, I dont think theres going to be much difference btw lines 1 and 3. They will likely be fairly interchangable, based in who's playing well.


That said, I have Boeser on my "first line" with White and Tkachuk.
 
DeBrincat destroying the world again...he will be here again this year. He is simply the most gifted scorer in North America not in the NHL right now, like Schmaltz he gets another shot and performs very well.

Yamamoto has been dynamite again. This kid just does everything well. He can play top 6 or bottom 6 on this team with the way he plays, has to be an absolute lock here.

Boeser looks to be starting where he left off last year. He will be a leader on this team and should be a top 6 stud regardless of Tkachuk playing or not.

Tage Thompson looks legit. Very impressed by him as his skill is only growing.

Logan Brown is destroying the OHL...this guy does have a lot of Joe Thornton in him, he can be scary good.

Clayton Keller after 1 game already looks elite - yipes.

Casey Mittelstadt has looked amazing in the USHL ... not much chance for him to make this team with all the elite depth, but damn is this kid crazy good.

Jason Robertson of Kingston OHL has been excellent this year. Just throwing a wildcard name out there as we do see a few every year. If this kid keeps up his play has to be invited in December. Big frame with skill, perfect 4th line guy with upside that can score..

Max Jones looks like if he can stay healthy and out of suspension should have a great year. Might be a guy they look at to fill a role, but needs to produce and so far decent in his limited viewings.

Just so many great starts so far for this crew, they are extremely deep and can handle the loss of Matthews, Werenski, Hanifin, and Tkachuk. Not as strong on the back end as the depth is solid but not spectacular..Just don't pick a bunch of grinders and let the skill fly here and they will make the gold medal game as long as they have a goaltender that can just make the saves he is supposed to.
 
AmericanDream said:
DeBrincat destroying the world again...he will be here again this year. He is simply the most gifted scorer in North America not in the NHL right now, like Schmaltz he gets another shot and performs very well.

Yamamoto has been dynamite again. This kid just does everything well. He can play top 6 or bottom 6 on this team with the way he plays, has to be an absolute lock here.

Boeser looks to be starting where he left off last year. He will be a leader on this team and should be a top 6 stud regardless of Tkachuk playing or not.

Tage Thompson looks legit. Very impressed by him as his skill is only growing.

Logan Brown is destroying the OHL...this guy does have a lot of Joe Thornton in him, he can be scary good.

Clayton Keller after 1 game already looks elite - yipes.

Casey Mittelstadt has looked amazing in the USHL ... not much chance for him to make this team with all the elite depth, but damn is this kid crazy good.

Jason Robertson of Kingston OHL has been excellent this year. Just throwing a wildcard name out there as we do see a few every year. If this kid keeps up his play has to be invited in December. Big frame with skill, perfect 4th line guy with upside that can score..

Max Jones looks like if he can stay healthy and out of suspension should have a great year. Might be a guy they look at to fill a role, but needs to produce and so far decent in his limited viewings.

Just so many great starts so far for this crew, they are extremely deep and can handle the loss of Matthews, Werenski, Hanifin, and Tkachuk. Not as strong on the back end as the depth is solid but not spectacular..Just don't pick a bunch of grinders and let the skill fly here and they will make the gold medal game as long as they have a goaltender that can just make the saves he is supposed to.
Click to expand...


I love this post. Thanks.

I particularly like your point about not bringing a team full of grinders. We have enough talent that we dont have to defer to anyone, including our friends to the north. That was my biggest complaint about the World Cup (roster assembly and style of play): it would appear that USA Hockey has stressed speed and skill in the past years, and that work has paid off. Its time for us to stop thinking we have to bog the game down and muck things up to compete with "skill" teams. Canada has always been the most skilled AND the most aggressive team on the ice. We are getting to the point where we should play like that all the time. Stop worrying about slowing other people down....let our game speed up instead.
 
I mentioned this in February in this thread but Rem Pitlick could be a guy to keep an eye on. He looked very impressive in his collegiate debut and if he can score around a point per game pace, he may force himself in.
 
Any thoughts on James Greenway making the team?

He's off to a good start as a freshman with Wisconsin. 4 points in the first 4 games.
 
McMatthews said:
Any thoughts on James Greenway making the team?

He's off to a good start as a freshman with Wisconsin. 4 points in the first 4 games.
Click to expand...

In my opinion, there is certainly an opportunity there for him. As somebody stated earlier, we're going to have some small d-men (a couple from the group of Fitzgerald, Krys, Fox, Ahcan, etc..) so Im sure USA Hockey would love to have a big guy step up. To me, plus/minus is the most important stat for a guy like Greenway. He just can't give up goals if he wants to make it. Im a Bruins fan so I'll put it in Bruin-language. We need a "McQuaid" more than a "Krug".

All my opinion......there are plenty of guys here who know much more than I do.
 
I think Sean Day could have a good chance to make this team. He's started the season really well, and he was at the recent training camp.
 
Safe to say Werenski now joins Matthews and Hanifin as NHL players.

Tkachuk still has a chance to play for this squad, we will see what Calgary does in the next week with him.

But overall just an amazing start to the season for many American kids.

A few more updates -

Ivan Lodnia has been great this year. Not much room for him, but really starting to rise and will be a name to keep an eye on for next year.

Cam Dineen is again playing strong. I don't know what else he needs to do to get an invite but he should be on this team with the lack of overall talent we have on the blueline. We need players like him to get the transition game going.

Kieffer Bellows is starting to get going and likely will be in a top 6 role for this team. Him and Keller should have huge impacts on this team.

Chad Krys and Charlie McAvoy will again be on this team and both likely huge minute eaters. Krys has looked much better to my eyes so far this season than last so hopefully a good sign of things to come for a d core that needs him to really step up.

Jordan Greenway has an outside chance at this team as well, just so many bodies with so little room. I like the thought of Greenway, Thompson, Jones, and logan Brown on this team. All of them have tremendous size but also bring skill. If we can line these guys up in our bottom 6, not sure how any team can compete against that.

Jack Roslovic is doing great in the AHL as well. I think it is safe to say he will be available for the US but he could get a mid year call up and then we might lose him which would be insane to see so much talent not available.

slow start for Kunin, but pretty expected with whats going on at Wisconsin with a pure rebuild here. Trent Frederic is having a great start to the season and can challenge for a role on this team as well. Kunin has a lot of pressure on him as a top 15 pick, but he has the tool set to be a great player in the Dylan Larkin mold.

Christian Fischer is another pro player in the AHL. He will be on this team, he just has to much size, skill, and jam to not make this team. Hell of a 4th liner to have for this team.

Tommy Novak made my team 6 months ago, just too much depth now with Trent Fredric now being a big time player also William Lockwood starting off great. Just too many names.

Joey Anderson has looked great as well. I always felt he was really underrated but now might get his time to shine with the Bulldogs. Him and Tufte will have to be names to keep an eye on as well as both could challenge for a spot here if they progress this season. Anderson is closer than Tufte right now.

Not a fan of Pitlick or Terry for this team, both smaller options that simply offer little in comparison to others. Just way too much talent out there.

DeBrincat, Yamamoto, Boeser, Brown, etc all from the last time I posted haven't slowed down a bit. This group of guys has impressed me so much. They have size, skill, and energy that this team will covet. Hell of a group of kids here.

My group of forwards

Matthew Tkachuk - Colin White - Brock Boeser
Kieffer Bellows - Clayton Keller Jack Roslovic
Tage Thompson - Logan Brown - Alex DeBrincat
Christian Fischer - Luke Kunin - Kailer Yamamoto
Max Jones

what a scary good group of kids that is. I think Tkachuk will be here but who knows. If Tkachuk isn't here either Greenway, Anderson, or Mittlestadt makes this team.

So much firepower!

Defense is another story -

I will wait and see how things look next month to really start digging into this group - so many spots open here, need a few names to really step up.
 
AmericanDream said:
My group of forwards

Matthew Tkachuk - Colin White - Brock Boeser
Kieffer Bellows - Clayton Keller Jack Roslovic
Tage Thompson - Logan Brown - Alex DeBrincat
Christian Fischer - Luke Kunin - Kailer Yamamoto
Max Jones

.
Click to expand...

What about Dennis Yan?
 
Joe Zanussi said:
When push comes to shove, I'm gonna guess that both teams lose 3 players, with a possibility of a fourth:

Canada: McDavid, Marner, Strome (Konecny starts up....we'll see if he sticks)
USA: Matthews, Hanifin, Werenski (Tkachuk starts up....we'll see if he sticks)

I like symmetry.....drop the puck.
Click to expand...

My new prediction:

Canada loses: McDavid, Marner, Konecny, Chychrun
USA loses: Matthews, Hanifin, Werenski

Tkachuk was scratched last night...not a good sign
 
AmericanDream said:
Safe to say Werenski now joins Matthews and Hanifin as NHL players.

Tkachuk still has a chance to play for this squad, we will see what Calgary does in the next week with him.

But overall just an amazing start to the season for many American kids.

A few more updates -

Ivan Lodnia has been great this year. Not much room for him, but really starting to rise and will be a name to keep an eye on for next year.

Cam Dineen is again playing strong. I don't know what else he needs to do to get an invite but he should be on this team with the lack of overall talent we have on the blueline. We need players like him to get the transition game going.

Kieffer Bellows is starting to get going and likely will be in a top 6 role for this team. Him and Keller should have huge impacts on this team.

Chad Krys and Charlie McAvoy will again be on this team and both likely huge minute eaters. Krys has looked much better to my eyes so far this season than last so hopefully a good sign of things to come for a d core that needs him to really step up.

Jordan Greenway has an outside chance at this team as well, just so many bodies with so little room. I like the thought of Greenway, Thompson, Jones, and logan Brown on this team. All of them have tremendous size but also bring skill. If we can line these guys up in our bottom 6, not sure how any team can compete against that.

Jack Roslovic is doing great in the AHL as well. I think it is safe to say he will be available for the US but he could get a mid year call up and then we might lose him which would be insane to see so much talent not available.

slow start for Kunin, but pretty expected with whats going on at Wisconsin with a pure rebuild here. Trent Frederic is having a great start to the season and can challenge for a role on this team as well. Kunin has a lot of pressure on him as a top 15 pick, but he has the tool set to be a great player in the Dylan Larkin mold.

Christian Fischer is another pro player in the AHL. He will be on this team, he just has to much size, skill, and jam to not make this team. Hell of a 4th liner to have for this team.

Tommy Novak made my team 6 months ago, just too much depth now with Trent Fredric now being a big time player also William Lockwood starting off great. Just too many names.

Joey Anderson has looked great as well. I always felt he was really underrated but now might get his time to shine with the Bulldogs. Him and Tufte will have to be names to keep an eye on as well as both could challenge for a spot here if they progress this season. Anderson is closer than Tufte right now.

Not a fan of Pitlick or Terry for this team, both smaller options that simply offer little in comparison to others. Just way too much talent out there.

DeBrincat, Yamamoto, Boeser, Brown, etc all from the last time I posted haven't slowed down a bit. This group of guys has impressed me so much. They have size, skill, and energy that this team will covet. Hell of a group of kids here.

My group of forwards

Matthew Tkachuk - Colin White - Brock Boeser
Kieffer Bellows - Clayton Keller Jack Roslovic
Tage Thompson - Logan Brown - Alex DeBrincat
Christian Fischer - Luke Kunin - Kailer Yamamoto
Max Jones

what a scary good group of kids that is. I think Tkachuk will be here but who knows. If Tkachuk isn't here either Greenway, Anderson, or Mittlestadt makes this team.

So much firepower!

Defense is another story -

I will wait and see how things look next month to really start digging into this group - so many spots open here, need a few names to really step up.
Click to expand...


Thanx for this writeup. I love reading your stuff.

Maybe Im just seeing what I want to see but I think the d is rounding into shape: i've got MacAvoy, Jones, Lindgren, and Krys marked as "safely in". Then I think Fox is pretty damned close....I thought he was excellent last year and, after a poor first game, he played well over the summer. From there Fitzgerald, Dineen, Peeke, and Boka can armwrestle for two spots.

For the forwards I like your group. I have to find a way to get Greenway in there though. He was a monster thus summer and has played well for BU so far. He's a game changer and I really want him there.

Im actually hoping that Tkachuk sticks in the NHL. I truly wish we could figure out a way to have ALL the best U20's here (guys like McDavid and Matthews) but thats not happening; so at least I want USA and Canada to lose similar amounts/qualities of players. Even playing field so we can gauge where we are.
 
wings5 said:
What about Dennis Yan?
Click to expand...

Yan is a great talent, just never really been in the running with USA Hockey. I don't think he can crack this top 6 and with his playing style if he isn't in that prime scoring role not sure how he helps us to be honest. Definitely a name to keep tabs on as well, been a fan for a while.
 
It's amazing that year after year more and more Americans seem to be breaking through at an elite level. Great to see.

Every fall I have to catch up on which players I need to follow in time for the WJ's.
 
usahockey22flyers said:
It's amazing that year after year more and more Americans seem to be breaking through at an elite level. Great to see.

Every fall I have to catch up on which players I need to follow in time for the WJ's.
Click to expand...

I started doing this about 5 years ago. Now I watch more junior/college hockey than the same 30 NHL teams every night. To much great hockey out there. Once I went to my first junior game I was hooked.
 
Apparently Tkachuk will be in the lineup tonite for his tenth game. Good for him. And good for the "fringe wingers".....one more spot just opened up.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Top Bottom