WC: 2019 US Roster Discussion

[Wings4Life]

I'll try to type slower so that I'm more understandable.

"This game" is not the NHL. It is the World Championship, still played on Olympic-style ice for the time being. Schneider has accomplished diddly-squat in "this game." He is a totally unknown commodity on big ice. As far as his NHL credentials go, he was sent to the minor leagues in 2018-19. You can yell, spit, curse, and wipe his game log with Windex and that fact still stands. His backups are Team USA specials - greenhorns sent to "have a growth experience" and audition for an Olympic appearance that will probably never happen. Translated out of USA Hockey PR tripe they're just 2 goalies for whom NHL GMs decided they were OK with an injury risk. The United States is going into the WC with 1 "bubble" NHL goalie and a couple of rookie/NCAA types.

Canada has an elite goaltender headed into his prime. Russia has an elite NHL goaltender and an elite KHL backup. Sweden has a veteran NHL starter who has been otherworldly at the WC, and a 29 y/o backup who is a #1 in the NHL and has dozens of games worth of WC experience.

All of those countries are stronger at the GK position than the United States. More talent, more youth, more international experience by a factor of 100-0. Goaltending is quite important in hockey, therefore this must factor in to any analysis of the teams. Sorry if I'm still going over your head with anything.

Russia has legendary players fighting for 3rd and 4th line slots in '19. I'm not going to hold my breath to see what kind of Yankee roster is "more skilled" than that. Team USA definitely has a chance to beat Russia if their one serviceable goalie plays exceptionally well - but it'll be with a grinding athletic effort not superior skill.

Schneider spent the 2013 lockout playing on the big ice in Europe, so he does have some experience playing on international ice.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Cory’s early season struggles had a ton to do with his health on top of the monkey on his back with that losing streak.

After he healed up he was very effective towards the end of the season in front of bascially an AHL Devils squad.

 

[devilsfan35]

Would jack Hughes crack the roster?

 

[Planet Hockey]

Schneider spent the 2013 lockout playing on the big ice in Europe, so he does have some experience playing on international ice.

I stand corrected. His GAA for that stretch appears to be mediocre, but who knows what kind of situation it was. NLA hockey wasn't as solid then as it is now, his defense corps might have blown goats.

 

[DInTheB]

 

[SK94]

We want Matthews and Carlson. C'mon. Hughes with right minutes is interesting addition. Hopefully he can now finally be a world champion. Defense is not great. Maybe we can get Jones or McAvoy but oherwise this team really needs Carlson, Niskanen and Schmidt.

 

[Belizarius]

I want Caufield

 

[REM17]

Schneider spent the 2013 lockout playing on the big ice in Europe, so he does have some experience playing on international ice.

And he is half-Swiss and got the big ice in his genes.

 

[Boonk]

Jack Hughes is listed on the WC team on EP.

 

[William H Bonney]

I'm sure EP isn't basing that on anything beyond Dreger's tweet.

It sounds like Hughes will be there while Drury targets a superstar forward (i.e. Matthews) with the other forward spot.

 

[Nexon]

It sounds like Hughes will be there while Drury targets a superstar forward (i.e. Matthews) with the other forward spot.

I hope it really works out, but I still think there are better options out there but maybe he will surprise me and will be more than able to play with grown men.

 

[William H Bonney]

I hope it really works out, but I still think there are better options out there but maybe he will surprise me and will be more than able to play with grown men.

I think you're overthinking things. They're at 12 forwards already, 13 if you count Hughes, and 14 if they they use the other available spot, i.e. Matthews. They can't all play each game. Someone has to sit and that very well could be Jack every game. You're not going to get a bunch more established NHLers to show up and possibly end up sitting in the stands all tournament. It's not realistic. Bringing in a couple youngsters to learn is a good thing, especially when USAH is too conservative with bumping up its elite talent as junior players. They'd do well to learn from Finland, Sweden, etc. in this regard.

I'm not sure what you're expecting here.

 

[SK94]

I think you're overthinking things. They're at 12 forwards already, 13 if you count Hughes, and 14 if they they use the other available spot, i.e. Matthews. They can't all play each game. Someone has to sit and that very well could be Jack every game. You're not going to get a bunch more established NHLers to show up and possibly end up sitting in the stands all tournament. It's not realistic. Bringing in a couple youngsters to learn is a good thing, especially when USAH is too conservative with bumping up its elite talent as junior players. They'd do well to learn from Finland, Sweden, etc. in this regard.

I'm not sure what you're expecting here.

Yeah i think if we can get Matthews then Hughes and Glendening can sit. Hughes can play games where team is able to use pretty much every line equally and then you can bring Glendening when you need good shorthanded guy against bigger opposition.

 

[William H Bonney]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Adam Fox now sneak his way onto the roster if we don't at least have a couple of the outstanding d-men (Carlson, Niskanen, Schmidt, Jensen) already in the fold. He'll have an NHL contract, now part of Drury's Rangers, and team is in need of RHD. I wouldn't add him until all other options are exhausted. Hopefully if he's here he's a press box guy but we'll see.

 

[SK94]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Adam Fox now sneak his way onto the roster if we don't at least have a couple of the outstanding d-men (Carlson, Niskanen, Schmidt, Jensen) already in the fold. He'll have an NHL contract, now part of Drury's Rangers, and team is in need of RHD. I wouldn't add him until all other options are exhausted. Hopefully if he's here he's a press box guy but we'll see.

I dont mind even if he is top six guy in this team. I think he is one of those guys who can be really good in NHL next season and also in this tournament. But hopefully Drury can get least one big name. Carlson is my biggest wish after Matthews.

 

[Gold Standard]

Any news re: Matthews yet? Come on, U.S. go big like Texas if you're going for it, go for it. A U.S. win here and we just may get our Canada v USA Summit Series 2022 to be a real thing.

 

[SK94]

Any news re: Matthews yet? Come on, U.S. go big like Texas if you're going for it, go for it. A U.S. win here and we just may get our Canada v USA Summit Series 2022 to be a real thing.

Only that he was asked. It has been silent since then.

 

[William H Bonney]

Any news re: Matthews yet? Come on, U.S. go big like Texas if you're going for it, go for it. A U.S. win here and we just may get our Canada v USA Summit Series 2022 to be a real thing.

Nope. I'm sure they're giving Matthews, Carlson, etc. plenty of time to decide if necessary. But we should know soon as the team leaves for Germany on May 4th for some practices and an exhibition. If they're not with them by then it's safe to say they're out and we'll be looking to early 2nd round exits for our last spots.

 

[William H Bonney]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Adam Fox now sneak his way onto the roster if we don't at least have a couple of the outstanding d-men (Carlson, Niskanen, Schmidt, Jensen) already in the fold. He'll have an NHL contract, now part of Drury's Rangers, and team is in need of RHD. I wouldn't add him until all other options are exhausted. Hopefully if he's here he's a press box guy but we'll see.

And there it is. Clearly was in the works if a trade was worked out:



4 spots officially open, likely 2 forwards and 2 defensemen. Jack Hughes likely to be one of those forwards and I imagine Drury is swinging for the fences on the other 3 spots.

 

[AmericanDream]

Fox was a name some of us kept saying, no problems with him here, we lack RD big time. Still could use one more big name on defense, especially at RD...

 

[JiggsNY]

Well that’s very disappointing. Idk how you say no with the team already having the guys it does. Whatever I don’t know what he may or may not have happening/ dealing with. I say we just hold that last F spot until the second round is done.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Disappointing but if there is a year we can withstand this kind of blow it's this year.

 

[William H Bonney]

Well that’s very disappointing. Idk how you say no with the team already having the guys it does. Whatever I don’t know what he may or may not have happening/ dealing with. I say we just hold that last F spot until the second round is done.

Damn, disappointing indeed. I agree with you. Hold that F spot for the chance to land an impact player, even if a late addition to the tournament, otherwise don't use it at all at this point.

 

[William H Bonney]

Disappointing but if there is a year we can withstand this kind of blow it's this year.

Yep, team needs another impact defenseman much more than it needed Matthews.

 

[AmericanDream]

Well that’s very disappointing. Idk how you say no with the team already having the guys it does. Whatever I don’t know what he may or may not have happening/ dealing with. I say we just hold that last F spot until the second round is done.

still keeping hope for Stastny...