WJC: 2020 Team USA Roster Talk

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Typically coaches like to go for a sniper/playmaker/2way setup (with a net crasher), thats how most NHL coaches balance their lines. That said, U20 hockey isnt typically very structured so you usually end up having a very open game. That's why some nations like to put their big boys together and ride or die with their success (Finland for example plays their top players a ton).

Deeper teams like the US or Canada like to run 4 lines, coaches are probably still trying to figure out the most optimal line (stylistically) combos.

I generally agree, but Canada stacked their lineup this year, as did Russia. Sweden is another country that sometimes spreads their lineup out, but they don’t have the forward talent this year to contemplate that. The only team that appears to be doing this routine this year is the Americans. We’ll see how it works.

 

[Dread Clawz]

And call me crazy but team USA also wants to win

Yeah. I'm sure the coach does want to win. We are questioning if his line combinations are the best possible ones to accomplish that feat.

 

[SpartanProdigy]

Yeah I guess we’re the crazies who see the value in pairing the best playmaker in the draft who was the #9 pick in the draft and centering BUs top line this year with the best goal scorer in the tournament instead of the 30th pick who had half the assists of Zegras last year on the same team, who’s coaches on that team (who coached them for 2 years as opposed to 2 weeks) saw fitting to play as a bottom 6 forward and currently has half the points as Zegras in NCAA this year. Crazy.

 

[PB37]

Yeah I guess we’re the crazies who see the value in pairing the best playmaker in the draft who was the #9 pick in the draft and centering BUs top line this year with the best goal scorer in the tournament instead of the 30th pick who had half the assists of Zegras last year on the same team, who’s coaches on that team (who coached them for 2 years as opposed to 2 weeks) saw fitting to play as a bottom 6 forward and currently has half the points as Zegras in NCAA this year. Crazy.

Yeah but is it 100 word run on sentence crazy? That's the real question.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Yeah I guess we’re the crazies who see the value in pairing the best playmaker in the draft who was the #9 pick in the draft and centering BUs top line this year with the best goal scorer in the tournament instead of the 30th pick who had half the assists of Zegras last year on the same team, who’s coaches on that team (who coached them for 2 years as opposed to 2 weeks) saw fitting to play as a bottom 6 forward and currently has half the points as Zegras in NCAA this year. Crazy.

Newsflash Beecher beat out Boldy who was picked in the first half of RD 1. Spare us the #30 garbage.

 

[Smitty93]

Like many, I think the current lines are dumb. Scott Sandelin is unquestionably a great college coach, but I think a lot of people here were concerned about what he'd do with this team. His style doesn't exactly fit a team with this much offensive talent.

What the early lines suggest to me is that he's concerned about the defense, so he's moving more defensively responsible forwards up the lineup. We'll see how that affects the scoring. None of us were able to see the pre-tournament games, but it seemed like they struggled offensively at times and then poured it on in short bursts.

It's probably not worth panicking until we see how they perform in games that count, but Sandelin better be willing to switch things up quickly if the offense flounders.

 

[stopclickbait]

Typically coaches like to go for a sniper/playmaker/2way setup (with a net crasher), thats how most NHL coaches balance their lines. That said, U20 hockey isnt typically very structured so you usually end up having a very open game. That's why some nations like to put their big boys together and ride or die with their success (Finland for example plays their top players a ton).

Deeper teams like the US or Canada like to run 4 lines, coaches are probably still trying to figure out the most optimal line (stylistically) combos.

Clearly they want Beecher to be a 2way/net front/forecheking presence on the line, Caufield is the sniper, they need a strong playmaker to complement the line. Caufield could definitely use someone like Zegras or Turcotte tho. He should be paired with the strongest playmaker on the roster.

Yeah I know im sure Beecher will be demoted as the tournament goes on just sucks they are starting at a disadvantage with these jumbled lines.

 

[Hockey Stick]

Everybody be happy, it's the 2nd Christmas Day today. Enjoy the tournament folks, go easy on us today

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Were you born yesterday? You have people making
up criticisms of Beecher who beat out a top 15 pick.
Beecher is a solid 200 ft player who easily could complement a line of Turcotte at C and Caulfield at
RW.

Nobody is "making up criticisms" here because US fans are not coming with an agenda against Bruins prospects. It is well known that Beecher is not an elite offensive player, and any critique of him playing above guys like Zegras and Turcotte is absolutely warranted.

Not really sure what Matthew Boldy has to do with this discussion, he's struggled at BC and was unsurprisingly cut (at least to me, I've never been high on Boldy).

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Nobody is "making up criticisms" here because US fans are not coming with an agenda against Bruins prospects. It is well known that Beecher is not an elite offensive player, and any critique of him playing above guys like Zegras and Turcotte is absolutely warranted.

Not really sure what Matthew Boldy has to do with this discussion, he's struggled at BC and was unsurprisingly cut (at least to me, I've never been high on Boldy).

You had someone denigrate him for being a #30
pick. So pointing out he made the team over a top 15
pick is fair game. Beecher has enough two way
abililty along with absolute elite speed that he won't
embarrass anyone playing at LW with Zegras or Turcotte
as his center. Ideally, I'd rather see him 3C or 3LW but
he won't be a liability at 2LW with them at center and
Caulfield.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

You had someone denigrate him for being a #30
pick. So pointing out he made the team over a top 15
pick is fair game. Beecher has enough two way
abililty along with absolute elite speed that he won't
embarrass anyone playing at LW with Zegras or Turcotte
as his center. Ideally, I'd rather see him 3C or 3LW but
he won't be a liability at 2LW with them at center and
Caulfield.

Where did I do that? Show me precisely if you don't mind.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Like many, I think the current lines are dumb. Scott Sandelin is unquestionably a great college, but I think a lot of people here were concerned about what he'd do with this team. His style doesn't exactly fit a team with this much offensive talent.

What the early lines suggest to me is that he's concerned about the defense, so he's moving more defensively responsible forwards up the lineup. We'll see how that affects the scoring. None of us were able to see the pre-tournament games, but it seemed like they struggled offensively at times and then poured it on in short bursts.

It's probably not worth panicking until we see how they perform in games that count, but Sandelin better be willing to switch things up quickly if the offense flounders.

I mostly agree, but one small correction, the Germany game was available. Your guess about what took place in the game is correct. PP looked great, PK looked great. Knight did his job. I thought the defense was good. The forward lines struggled except for the Wahlstrom line.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Some real head scratching decisions . . . York should be playing.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I'm confused.

 

[mphmiles]

Those lines make me think we’re going to try to play a very defensive style...

I don’t think that’s how this team wins.

 

[Joe Zanussi]

Here we go Boys!!

 

[Dread Clawz]

Terrible, terrible line combos

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Those lines make me think we’re going to try to play a very defensive style...

I don’t think that’s how this team wins.

Sandelin is trying to spread the wealth across four lines. I don't see that lasting long. Turcotte and Zegras' placement in the lineup is in particular bizarre.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Sandlin is trying to spread the wealth across four lines. I don't see that lasting long.

Usually lasts until you get down a goal or two for the first time.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Usually lasts until you get down a goal or two for the first time.

Right. Sigh....

 

[Jaykay]

Solid period, those PP units look deadly.

It can change quickly, but this Canada team does not seem threatening at all.

 

[ASPIFC]

Our 5vs5 game is not good enough. Second period overall has been bad.

 

[JiggsNY]

Sandelin needs to wake up

 

[SanDogBrewin]

US needs to pick up the 5v5 play.

 

[William H Bonney]

Team is a bit rattled and not a lot of chemistry on display. Let's see if Sandelin coaches with any urgency in the 3rd.

Pinto had that opening goal and almost tallied the late goal to end the 2nd, but he's responsible for the first 2 goals against. He stopped skating and let his man (McMichael) glide to the front for an easy tap in and then his penalty led to the 2nd goal against. He's been good offensively, which is a bonus, but doesn't matter if your mistakes outweigh your positives.

Drury has been worthless, can't win a faceoff, and yet he has the most TOI for forwards. As a returnee here that should largely be relied upon for intangibles, he can't have a negative impact.

Wahlstrom needs to pass the puck. I know he wants to be an impact player but hogging the puck isn't how he's going to do it. Hopefully the staff says something to him.

Caufield is fumbling the puck a lot. Looks nervous. Just start firing on net.

Dave Starman's endless player comparisons are already old.