William H Bonney
Registered User
He hasn't made one to himself yet for a goal, so he's due for at least another.
WJC: 2020 Team USA Roster Talk
- Thread starter AmericanDream
- Start date
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He hasn't made one to himself yet for a goal, so he's due for at least another.
I understand all the concern for sure. But it was our 4th game in 5 nights....against a home team who desperately needed a point. I’ll take it.
My starting point is always to play for a medal. By finishing in the Top 2 of the group, they’ve definitely put themself in position to do that.
My starting point is always to play for a medal. By finishing in the Top 2 of the group, they’ve definitely put themself in position to do that.
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
What is it with all you Ducks fans that instantly have hot takes on Turcotte and Caufield?
How about we root for all our players and don't play the "my team drafted another player" game?
Because thats exactly what it looks like. Zegras has been our standout forward this tournament. Everyone is happy to see him playing well. But let's not criticize some other highly drafted players just because they haven't been as good. This is a short tournament, and it's highly unpredictable and sometimes fluky who plays well and who doesn't.
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
I don't think it matters that much. What's the big difference between Switzerland and Slovakia? Do you have a preference? I don't. I only wanted to avoid Finland and Sweden.
William H Bonney
Registered User
Smart take and good reminder!
They have the next 2 days to just practice. If they spend time on anything besides the PP/PK I'll be disappointed. If the PK was good this tournament like it was last tournament, we'd all be cheering about how dominant the team looked.
I'd like to see some more line shuffling as well, PP units included.
- Apr 27, 2005
- 36,345
- 36,483
Yeah not a great game, but you could tell they were on dead legs. 4 in 5 nights is brutal, and yesterday vs russia was a really exhausting effort.
But for the love of god, Zegras needs to play more.
But for the love of god, Zegras needs to play more.
migi
Registered User
- Feb 25, 2015
- 4,422
- 2,923
It’s kind of funny that Bobby Brink is the playmaker in first PP unit. Put Zegras there and make Brink to play the Zegras spot in second unit in the middle.
Also I think the 2nd unit needs to be the first unit but yeah. The puck dies with Wahlstrom a lot.
Also I think the 2nd unit needs to be the first unit but yeah. The puck dies with Wahlstrom a lot.
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
I think its based on who plays well with who. I don't think there's the same PP1/PP2 type units people keep mentioning. I think Zegras plays where he does because he's more familiar with the players he's on a unit with. And it seems like the coaching staff would prefer to have Caufield and Kaliyev on the half wall for one timers instead of using playmakers in those spots. If thats the type of chances you want from the unit, I don't think it's tactically a bad decision, but it ends up being that we don't have a good spot on the unit for Zegras.
Happy to clinch 2nd place. Puts us in great shape to make the semis.
The team has enough talent to compensate for dopey player utilization in the preliminary round, but not in the semis and final. None of the wins have been impressive. I have a bad feeling the staff is in "ain't broke, don't fix" mode, and we'll suffer for it eventually.
Hopefully Caulfield gets hot now. Knight needs to be better.
I think Emberson has been our 2nd best player.
The team has enough talent to compensate for dopey player utilization in the preliminary round, but not in the semis and final. None of the wins have been impressive. I have a bad feeling the staff is in "ain't broke, don't fix" mode, and we'll suffer for it eventually.
Hopefully Caulfield gets hot now. Knight needs to be better.
I think Emberson has been our 2nd best player.
It could be Finland if Switzerland upset them tomorrow. Last team i want to face. Always tough for us. Switzerland beat Slovakia 7-2. It was only one game but it is pretty clear that Slovakia is best option. This is not best year for Switzerland but they are still tougher than Slovaks.
AmericanDream
Thank you Elon!
the defense has been sound, few giveaways and brain farts, exactly what we needed..the transition game from the blue line isn't great, but it is good enough to get those forwards going in the o zone. Jones and Harris both look great out there skating wise and instincts wise. Miller has always been hit or miss for me, and he has missed a lot this tourney for a returning player for my liking.
to think we are where we are without much scoring from guys like Turcotte, Caufield, Brink and even Zegras with 0 goals is pretty damn good. this team is deep and has the heart and soul players to hold down the fort long enough for the offense to strike.
I will be absolutely disappointed with anything but a Gold this year..
to think we are where we are without much scoring from guys like Turcotte, Caufield, Brink and even Zegras with 0 goals is pretty damn good. this team is deep and has the heart and soul players to hold down the fort long enough for the offense to strike.
I will be absolutely disappointed with anything but a Gold this year..
Zegs2sendhelp
Registered User
- Jul 25, 2012
- 44,244
- 42,046
I don't really think it looks that way at all.. a simple observation from an American fan standpoint would suggest the team def needs Turcotte + Caufield to be bigger factors for USA. I don't think they are not cheering for Turcotte/Caufield to do well(not sure how caufield fits in with what your suggesting in the first place), simply just pointing out the obvious... I think coming into the tourney Caufield/Turcotte/zegras/whalstrom were expected to be big part of usas success, and if usa wants to be in contention for the gold... they all need to play better. Considering they both play together at wisconson they should have the best chemistry on ice. Zegras needs to not take lazy penalties.
As a Habs fan, I've been very impressed with Harris. Great skater with a solid first pass.
Zegs2sendhelp
Registered User
- Jul 25, 2012
- 44,244
- 42,046
I think people make too much of a big deal about the PP... both units are pretty good... the only thing I find a little weird on the 2nd unit is when zegras slides into the middle of the ice... I assume that would be a better spot for a shooter like kaliyev/caufield, and it seems odd to me that zegras goes to that area(he hasn't really done much shooting). Just seems like a weird position for him to be when he seems so dangerous from the halfwall to below the net.
Big guys Samuelsson and Miller was much better against Russia. Makes you think that back to back was a major factor why they struggled today. It is not good sign because semi-final and final are back to back too and we need those guys to be at their best.
Sojourn
Registered User
- Nov 1, 2006
- 50,523
- 9,377
You might have a point if I was always hyping up Zegras. I've pretty much said f*** all about Zegras all tournament, except perhaps on the Ducks board which is pretty damn appropriate since he's an Anaheim prospect. This is about the US team being successful. Did it ever occur to you that being an Anaheim fan also means I'm a US fan? If Zegras were playing for team Canada, I'd still want the US to win. I can cheer for a prospect and want my nation's team to do well.
I also complimented Turcotte last game, which may have escaped you, so you have nothing to stand on here. And I certainly hold no blame if all you do is latch on to the negative stuff. Saying that Caufield needs to be better in regulation isn't exactly trying to bring him down. He hasn't had a good tournament. Other people are saying it too, who have nothing to do with Anaheim, so this calling out Anaheim fans is really just you trying to make something out of nothing.
Bottom line? Get off your f***ing high horse.
Sojourn
Registered User
- Nov 1, 2006
- 50,523
- 9,377
It's easy to talk about the optics when you're only posting quotes that directly prove your point.
Let me show you everything I've posted on Caufield and Turcotte in this tournament on this board. It's a long list too, so be ready.
The context of this was after a shift by the 2nd unit, and about putting Zegras and Caufield on the 1st unit because they got the puck down low and were dangerous.
I really don't appreciate you picking out that single post from me, and then trying to use it to make your point, while clearly ignoring everything else I've said. I haven't said a lot about individual players, obviously, but I think what I have said is pretty fair and not anti-any prospect that isn't Anaheim's. I'm here to cheer on the team. I've said enough on this, and we can get back to talking about hockey.
King'sPawn
Enjoy the chaos
- Jul 1, 2003
- 23,225
- 24,184
To @Sojourn and @Getz2noone s credit, they are very fair in their assessments and I've never heard them talk **** about a Kings prospect just because it's a Kings prospect.
Turcotte hasn't had the points, but I think he's still competing fairly hard and creating chances. The lack of production is a bit disappointing, but there are far bigger issues. But Zegras has definitely earned the recognition of being the top US player.
Turcotte hasn't had the points, but I think he's still competing fairly hard and creating chances. The lack of production is a bit disappointing, but there are far bigger issues. But Zegras has definitely earned the recognition of being the top US player.
My god how many horrible neutral zone passes can Drury have that miss an open guy and end up with icing.
Turcotte would have a better stat line if the coach wasn't hampering him.
FLYguy3911
Sanheim Lover
- Oct 19, 2006
- 55,573
- 92,114
It's Peewee stuff. Really annoying. At one point there were overlapping penalties and Wahlstrom started the 4 on 4, stayed on for the US PP, and then casually skated to the bench as the Czechs went in on a 2 on 1 SH chance. 2 minute shift from the one "Pro" on the team.
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Sean Garrity
Quack Quack Quack!
Honestly, reading the comments, I'm not sure I'm seeing the same game as many others writing up here.
I think USA has played solid hockey against Russia and the Czech. They had more scoring chances than the opponents in each game. The result was disappointing against the Czech and thinking back USA probably played safe in the 2nd half of the 3rd period to get at least a point (which put them assuredly before Russia) which made the end of the game more "boring".
The Wahlstrom-Pinto-Robertson line has been the most consistent for USA during the past two games. Against the Czech, those three had 13 shots. They spend most of their time in the offensive zone as they play very well in the neutral zone. They force giveaways and often break up the opponent's offense before it starts. The other lines have had more spectacular shifts but haven't been as consistent in driving the play.
There is a lot of skepticism towards Sandelin, and I was in the lot, especially against Canada. However, despite Turcotte and Caufield struggling (up to that OT shift) and a non-existent 4th line, the team played solid defensive hockey. While defensive hockey isn't spectacular, it often wins games in these tournaments. They were bad defensively against Canada which resulted in their only loss. Looking at other teams, Russia was very good defensively against Canada and they won.
I think USA has played solid hockey against Russia and the Czech. They had more scoring chances than the opponents in each game. The result was disappointing against the Czech and thinking back USA probably played safe in the 2nd half of the 3rd period to get at least a point (which put them assuredly before Russia) which made the end of the game more "boring".
The Wahlstrom-Pinto-Robertson line has been the most consistent for USA during the past two games. Against the Czech, those three had 13 shots. They spend most of their time in the offensive zone as they play very well in the neutral zone. They force giveaways and often break up the opponent's offense before it starts. The other lines have had more spectacular shifts but haven't been as consistent in driving the play.
There is a lot of skepticism towards Sandelin, and I was in the lot, especially against Canada. However, despite Turcotte and Caufield struggling (up to that OT shift) and a non-existent 4th line, the team played solid defensive hockey. While defensive hockey isn't spectacular, it often wins games in these tournaments. They were bad defensively against Canada which resulted in their only loss. Looking at other teams, Russia was very good defensively against Canada and they won.
Deuce22
Registered User
Lecturing people on who they should be rooting for doesn't work for me. I can root for my country's team, another country's team that I like, my team's prospects, or prospects of another team that I enjoy watching.
