WC: 2019 US Roster Discussion

[Nexon]

So it’s quite clear with forwards, assuming Matthews joining, there will be 1 place for either Hughes or Stastny. Only possible 2nd round addition I can see would be Atkinson.

Defence is more complicated, hopefully Carlson arrives, but I’m rather sceptical about him, I think won’t be able to add 3 RHD, I’m guessing there will still be one more LHD defenceman at least. Possible addition along with Atkinson might be Seth Jones, he is right handed, that’s plus.

 

[William H Bonney]

American's going into World's as favourites. We have entered bizzaro land.

Russia is also stacked. The difference is Russia always brings their nearly best available team to the WCs, so it's obviously a much bigger make or break opportunity for Team USA as this is likely as close as we'll get for awhile to having a top flight WC team, even with all the big time declined invites we've still had in comparison to Russia.

 

[Great99]

American's going into World's as favorites. We have entered bizzaro land.

Ahhh stop yourself now , Russia is coming with almost all available top stars , Yes Team USA is also coming with a lot but still have a lot decline, still for WC overall hockey in general needs a USA gold medal in this tournament

 

[William H Bonney]

Our lines could look something like this right now:

Forwards (x12):

Chris Kreider - Dylan Larkin - Patrick Kane
Johnny Gaudreau - Jack Eichel - Alex DeBrincat
James van Riemsdyk - Derek Ryan - Clayton Keller
Frank Vatrano - Luke Glendening - Colin White
TBD

Defense (x7):

Ryan Suter - Alec Martinez
Noah Hanifin - Brady Skjei
Quinn Hughes - TBD
TBD

Goalies (x2):

Cory Schneider
Thatcher Demko

Extras:

Cayden Primeau
Forward To Be Named
Defenseman To Be Named
​

And what they'd look like if we can add Matthews and Carlson at least, which honestly seem like reasonable bets at this point:

Forwards (x13):

Chris Kreider - Dylan Larkin - Patrick Kane
Johnny Gaudreau - Jack Eichel - Alex DeBrincat
James van Riemsdyk - Auston Matthews - Clayton Keller
Frank Vatrano - Derek Ryan - Colin White
Luke Glendening

Defense (x7):

Ryan Suter - John Carlson
Noah Hanifin - Alec Martinez
Quinn Hughes - Brady Skjei
TBD

Goalies (x2):

Cory Schneider
Thatcher Demko

Extras:

Cayden Primeau
Forward To Be Named
Defenseman To Be Named​

 

[Planet Hockey]

Russia is also stacked. The difference is Russia always brings their nearly best available team to the WCs, so it's obviously a much bigger make or break opportunity for Team USA as this is likely as close as we'll get for awhile to having a top flight WC team, even with all the big time declined invites we've still had in comparison to Russia.

I believe the Yanks and Russians are on a collision course in this tournament. But is there any comparing the goaltending? Russia has a pair of All-Star goalies entering their primes, while the best USA can do is a diminished veteran who was sub-90% in the AHL this season. I haven't heard of any indications that they're holding out for Ben Bishop or convinced any other NHL starters to compete for the role. Worlds test the depth of every country and there's definitely a lack of national depth at the position but that's not the only factor at play.

It seems like the North American teams have overcome every psychological and practical hurdle to putting strong WC teams together except one. GKs are the NHL's top commodity and GMs are terrified of injuries, so the natl teams negotiate for one decent netminder who's starting a few games and make him walk the plank.

Obviously Matt Murray called a halt to that business for the Habs, but he's anomalous next to the trash goaltending of Canada '18.

Afraid the U.S. might finish with the top goal-differential but wind up missing out on jewelry altogether. Canada and Russia have the best goaltending they've had in forever and Sweden is just a machine.

 

[AmericanDream]

Everything keeps turning out better than ever. Another superstar forward, a needed star defenseman, and a guy that played really well in last year's tournament and can play on any line for the team but at minimum is elite at the faceoff dot and will play the PK.



I don't think this means anything in regards to some of the recently available guys that were considering invites (Matthews, Carlson, etc.) but probably rules out guys from like Tampa Bay or Pittsburgh that have been available for awhile.

5 spots left. Likely 2 forwards and 3 defensemen. Add the best possible players we can get, with the one caveat that we need to use those 3 defensemen spots to add at least 2 RHD, if not 3 (hopefully Carlson and one of Niskanen or Jensen to start).

I go away to see Captain America kick ass with my kiddos at Avenger's Endgame and I come back to this, what a beautiful day!!! time for some more celebratory beverages!!!

 

[William H Bonney]

I believe the Yanks and Russians are on a collision course in this tournament. But is there any comparing the goaltending? Russia has a pair of All-Star goalies entering their primes, while the best USA can do is a diminished veteran who was sub-90% in the AHL this season. I haven't heard of any indications that they're holding out for Ben Bishop or convinced any other NHL starters to compete for the role. Worlds test the depth of every country and there's definitely a lack of national depth at the position but that's not the only factor at play.

It seems like the North American teams have overcome every psychological and practical hurdle to putting strong WC teams together except one. GKs are the NHL's top commodity and GMs are terrified of injuries, so the natl teams negotiate for one decent netminder who's starting a few games and make him walk the plank.

Obviously Matt Murray called a halt to that business for the Habs, but he's anomalous next to the trash goaltending of Canada '18.

Afraid the U.S. might finish with the top goal-differential but wind up missing out on jewelry altogether. Canada and Russia have the best goaltending they've had in forever and Sweden is just a machine.

I certainly wish we had say John Gibson, but it's not like Schneider is incapable of backstopping this team to a gold. He was a top flight goalie for awhile, he's not geriatric, and he's played for a bad NHL team for a couple of years. The sub-90% in 8 AHL games doesn't really mean anything. It would be the same as me pointing out that he finished the year really well for the Devils and acting as if that's the guaranteed goalie we'll get.

The reality is you don't need an NHL superstar in net to win. Certain players will rise to the occasion and others will not for a variety of reasons. The game isn't the same as the NHL and lots of things can happen over a small sample of games. Take last tournament as an example. An NHL backup (Anders Nilsson) backstopped Sweden to gold, Adam Larsson looked like a competent defenseman, and another NHL backup (Keith Kinkaid) beat a pretty strong Team Canada twice on his way to winning a bronze medal. Cam Talbot backstopped Canada to a gold a couple years ago as well. Things happen.

This is shaping up to be the most talented team they've ever assembled for the tournament and with that talent they should compete for gold. But like any other team, a lot of pieces will have to come together for that to happen, including in goal. But while I'd rather have one of our Vezina caliber goalies, a guy like Vasilevskiy could just as easily play like he did in the first round of the NHL playoffs as well and be outplayed by many goalies in the tournament, including Schneider.

 

[DenisSamson3]

This honestly feels like the sort of thing I would have dreamed about only to wake up and say ‘that’ll never happen.’ With no best-on-best on the horizon it’s so great to see players stepping up to try and make something happen for US hockey. There’s no certainty to how things will play out but it’d mean a whole lot to those of us who’ve followed this tournament over the years to see them pull off the win.

Ray Ferraro always said he enjoyed going to these tournaments because family and accommodations were paid for. It was also nice to visit new countries and bring the family along.

 

[William H Bonney]

Ray Ferraro always said he enjoyed going to these tournaments because family and accommodations were paid for. It was also nice to visit new countries and bring the family along.

This is actually something some former USAH players have called out in that what USAH offers in this regard is pretty subpar compared to most of the other countries, especially the top ones. Since USAH doesn't receive any government funding, it's not surprising, but it certainly doesn't help the cause when trying to attract top talent each year.

 

[AmericanDream]

Our lines could look something like this right now:

Forwards (x12):

Chris Kreider - Dylan Larkin - Patrick Kane
Johnny Gaudreau - Jack Eichel - Alex DeBrincat
James van Riemsdyk - Derek Ryan - Clayton Keller
Frank Vatrano - Luke Glendening - Colin White
TBD

Defense (x7):

Ryan Suter - Alec Martinez
Noah Hanifin - Brady Skjei
Quinn Hughes - TBD
TBD

Goalies (x2):

Cory Schneider
Thatcher Demko

Extras:

Cayden Primeau
Forward To Be Named
Defenseman To Be Named
​

And what they'd look like if we can add Matthews and Carlson at least, which honestly seem like reasonable bets at this point:

Forwards (x13):

Chris Kreider - Dylan Larkin - Patrick Kane
Johnny Gaudreau - Jack Eichel - Alex DeBrincat
James van Riemsdyk - Auston Matthews - Clayton Keller
Frank Vatrano - Derek Ryan - Colin White
Luke Glendening

Defense (x7):

Ryan Suter - John Carlson
Noah Hanifin - Alec Martinez
Quinn Hughes - Brady Skjei
TBD

Goalies (x2):

Cory Schneider
Thatcher Demko

Extras:

Cayden Primeau
Forward To Be Named
Defenseman To Be Named​

I get the lines and what you are trying to do, but if Matthews come he is getting top line minutes. I am sure he would make sure his role is that just like Kane got the C. I also think it is likely between Stastny and Matthews since Ryan was added to likely play 4th line center..a role he is great at. If Matthews comes, he is in the top 6 with Larkin dropping to third line..if Stastny comes then Paul likely plays 3C..just the way I think it would go down at this point.

 

[William H Bonney]

I get the lines and what you are trying to do, but if Matthews come he is getting top line minutes. I am sure he would make sure his role is that just like Kane got the C. I also think it is likely between Stastny and Matthews since Ryan was added to likely play 4th line center..a role he is great at. If Matthews comes, he is in the top 6 with Larkin dropping to third line..if Stastny comes then Paul likely plays 3C..just the way I think it would go down at this point.

I didn't put any thought into the hypothetical lines with Matthews until he signs on as you'd probably shift around wingers too. I just slotted him in.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Please for the love of God don't play Eichel with Gaudreau again. It doesn't work!

 

[Bear12Good]

I m very glad for American fans. For many USA players play for country is big honor

 

[SK94]

DeBrincat-Matthews-Kane
Gaudreau-Larkin-Keller
JvR-Eichel-Kreider
Vatrano-Ryan-White
Glendening
Hughes

If Stastny is coming then i think Larkin is going to play as a winger.

DeBrincat-Matthews-Kane
Gaudreau-Eichel-Keller
Larkin-Stastny-Kreider
JvR-Ryan-White
Vatrano
Glendening

Suter-Carlson
Hanifin-Niskanen
Shmidt-Martinez
Hughes-Skjei

I think Jensen is more realistic option but i really hope Carlson is coming and bring Niskanen with him.

Suter-Carlson
Hanifin-Martinez
Hughes-Jensen
Merrill-Skjei

Goalies are set but i think Bishop should be priority if Blues beat Dallas. Then you can add Bishop and leave Primeau home.

 

[Bear12Good]

Goalies are set but i think Bishop should be priority if Blues beat Dallas. Then you can add Bishop and leave Primeau home.

not realistic scenario.

 

[SK94]

not realistic scenario.

Based on what?

 

[Artorius Horus T]

I would put DeBrincat-Larkin-Kane back together, as a 1st line, 2nd line would be: Gaudreau-Matthews-Eichel (if Stastny joins)

You have awful lot of L shooting forwards in your roster thou
DeBrincat&Eichel are the only R shooting forwards.

 

[Bear12Good]

Based on what?

Hockey USA dont want hurt Primeau feelings

 

[SK94]

Hockey USA dont want hurt Primeau feelings

I just think USA hockey told him that they bring him if they can't get some NHL goalie anymore. If they can add Bishop then Demko would be third goalie. Of course if they promised that he is our third goalie then so be it.

 

[Bear12Good]

I just think USA hockey told him that they bring him if they can't get some NHL goalie anymore. If they can add Bishop then Demko would be third goalie. Of course if they promised that he is our third goalie then so be it.

Hmm. But why Hellebuyck not invited?

 

[Nexon]

I would put DeBrincat-Larkin-Kane back together, as a 1st line, 2nd line would be: Gaudreau-Matthews-Eichel (if Stastny joins)

You have awful lot of L shooting forwards in your roster thou
DeBrincat&Eichel are the only R shooting forwards.

That’s not true, White, Ryan are RHD, they can still add Atkinson who is also right handed.

 

[SK94]

Hmm. But why Hellebuyck not invited?

Good point but we also dont know if he was invited or not.

 

[Nexon]

I just think USA hockey told him that they bring him if they can't get some NHL goalie anymore. If they can add Bishop then Demko would be third goalie. Of course if they promised that he is our third goalie then so be it.

In this case I must agree with Bear, federation has never done that before and I’m quite sure this year not gonna be an exception. Primeau is placed in preliminary roster already, they would tell him they will add him once they have 2 goalies they wanted. Since no better goalie was interested, they took Schneider and Demko. Also pretty sure Demko would not accept 3rd goalie role, he surely knows he will play.

 

[Xokkeu]

Wow has this tournament grown or what. Real star players actually showing up for us.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

That’s not true, White, Ryan are RHD, they can still add Atkinson who is also right handed.

Yes, indeed. Still on the low side.