WJC: 2021 Team USA Roster Talk

[Rabid Ranger]

There's no conspiracy where Robertson is concerned. He, like Jack Hughes simply didn't want to participate. This junk about preparing for the NHL season or being available for their team's training camp is nonsense. It wouldn't have hurt them to play, especially this year-but that's fine. Let's move on. We still have a very good team from goal out and with some good coaching I think we can do well.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Sanderson-Thrun
York-Helleson

Sanderson is the top D and should get a ton of minutes.

I'm not going to say I know exactly what the coach will do, but this makes no sense if you've followed how USAH operates in these tournaments and how these players have paired previously.

Every year we go through this with the 18 year old defensemen that make the team because they are high picks. Fans want them to play bigger roles than the less highly touted 19 year old defensemen. I actually think that Sanderson will play the biggest role we've seen in recent years of an 18 year old defenseman and I think top 4 is certainly a reasonable expectation, but the highest pick defensemen on the team last year was the 7th defensemen. He barely saw the ice all tournament.

And your pairings completely ignore that York-Thrun is one of the most experienced pairings there will be in this tournament. They've played a lot of hockey together, and done so very successfully. I don't coach the team, so I can't say for sure, but I think its highly likely that you are very wrong here.

 

[Statsy]

I'm not going to say I know exactly what the coach will do, but this makes no sense if you've followed how USAH operates in these tournaments and how these players have paired previously.

Every year we go through this with the 18 year old defensemen that make the team because they are high picks. Fans want them to play bigger roles than the less highly touted 19 year old defensemen. I actually think that Sanderson will play the biggest role we've seen in recent years of an 18 year old defenseman and I think top 4 is certainly a reasonable expectation, but the highest pick defensemen on the team last year was the 7th defensemen. He barely saw the ice all tournament.

And your pairings completely ignore that York-Thrun is one of the most experienced pairings there will be in this tournament. They've played a lot of hockey together, and done so very successfully. I don't coach the team, so I can't say for sure, but I think its highly likely that you are very wrong here.

Yep. I drafted York in my pool expecting the premier prospect with the high end offensive ability to run the power play and be a key piece. They instead gave him the role of second waterboy. They didn’t trust him in any situations at all and he hardly got off the bench.

With a different coach maybe we could have a different perspective, but everything I’ve heard about Leaman screams to be a repeat of last year, this time with Sanderson in that role.

 

[IHaveNoCreativity]

Seriously i don't get this. Both Beecher and Bordeleau should been able to get tested and stay with the team after negative tests. Fact that healthy players are out of the tournament shows how amateurish IIHF protocols are.

It’s probably a health Canada protocol.

the entire country right now is on a serious lockdown, some provinces have been locked down for over 2 months. They’ve changed the rules here to wanting you to quarantine for 2 weeks even if you test negative.

 

[FLYguy3911]

Leaman said York, Thrun, and Sanderson were locks (and Vlasic was right behind them). That's probably your top 3 and fill in the gaps around them.

York-Thrun
Sanderson-Helleson
Johnson-Faber
LaCombe

Kleven
Skinner

I think Lacombe is one of the best six but based on the breadcrumbs he may be left without a dance partner. He could play on PP2 and he does play RD as a LH shot so he could fill in as an extra if someone stumbles. I guess it's possible Kleven could find his way in there to fill the size quota that Vlasic was apparently going to fill but that...would be a mistake.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Leaman said York, Thrun, and Sanderson were locks (and Vlasic was right behind them). That's probably your top 3 and fill in the gaps around them.

York-Thrun
Sanderson-Helleson
Johnson-Faber
LaCombe

Kleven
Skinner

I think Lacombe is one of the best six but based on the breadcrumbs he may be left without a dance partner. He could play on PP2 and he does play RD as a LH shot so he could fill in as an extra if someone stumbles. I guess it's possible Kleven could find his way in there to fill the size quota that Vlasic was apparently going to fill but that...would be a mistake.

If you saw Kleven play with UND before getting the call, you would not say that imo. He's surpassed my expectations for sure.

 

[FLYguy3911]

If you saw Kleven play with UND before getting the call, you would not say that imo. He's surpassed my expectations for sure.

I actually did see him play in the Pod so thanks for the assumption. Three games, two of which against Miami and Western Michigan, playing cushy 3rd pair minutes on the deepest team in the country doesn't wipe away the track record. The kid wasn't even an impact player at the u18 level last year but sure he'll jump into a best-on-best u20 tournament and make an impact. But I get it. Your team foolishly traded up for him in the second round (ahead of his partner Faber who outplayed him handedly last year) so you feel the need to tell me how great he is.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

I actually did see him play in the Pod so thanks for the assumption. Three games, two of which against Miami and Western Michigan, playing cushy 3rd pair minutes on the deepest team in the country doesn't wipe away the track record. The kid wasn't even an impact player at the u18 level last year but sure he'll jump into a best-on-best u20 tournament and make an impact. But I get it. Your team foolishly traded up for him in the second round (ahead of his partner Faber who outplayed him handedly last year) so you feel the need to tell me how great he is.

I personally was totally against the trade up. Thanks for the assumption. I am just saying don't count him out. He is better than a lot of pundits gave him credit for. I never said he was great lol.. typical hf response

 

[FLYguy3911]

I personally was totally against the trade up. Thanks for the assumption. I am just saying don't count him out. He is better than a lot of pundits gave him credit for. I never said he was great lol.. typical hf response

Don't count him out of what exactly? He's an 18 year old who wasn't on the original camp roster and is only on the roster because another college team got wiped out and they needed replacements. I don't think labeling him as an extra and saying it would be a mistake to play him over seven other guys is exactly a hot take.

 

[scallionjj11]

Don't count him out of what exactly? He's an 18 year old who wasn't on the original camp roster and is only on the roster because another college team got wiped out and they needed replacements. I don't think labeling him as an extra and saying it would be a mistake to play him over seven other guys is exactly a hot take.

Feeling a little insecure little buddy?

 

[FLYguy3911]

Feeling a little insecure little buddy?

Enjoy the ride my friend.

 

[William H Bonney]

Who cares what role Kleven plays. He's not Vlasic, which automatically makes whatever role he's in an upgrade.

 

[PuckProspects]

I'm not going to say I know exactly what the coach will do, but this makes no sense if you've followed how USAH operates in these tournaments and how these players have paired previously.

Every year we go through this with the 18 year old defensemen that make the team because they are high picks. Fans want them to play bigger roles than the less highly touted 19 year old defensemen. I actually think that Sanderson will play the biggest role we've seen in recent years of an 18 year old defenseman and I think top 4 is certainly a reasonable expectation, but the highest pick defensemen on the team last year was the 7th defensemen. He barely saw the ice all tournament.

And your pairings completely ignore that York-Thrun is one of the most experienced pairings there will be in this tournament. They've played a lot of hockey together, and done so very successfully. I don't coach the team, so I can't say for sure, but I think its highly likely that you are very wrong here.

Don't know why I thought York normally played with Helleson during their U18 season so you're right on having York play with Thrun. I am much higher on Sanderson then you are and do think he is going to have a big tournament despite his age especially in defensive matchups. Not saying York won't be a huge part of the back end and will be the number 1 PP guy but I think Sanderson is going to be relied on much more than you think.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

I'm not going to say I know exactly what the coach will do, but this makes no sense if you've followed how USAH operates in these tournaments and how these players have paired previously.

Every year we go through this with the 18 year old defensemen that make the team because they are high picks. Fans want them to play bigger roles than the less highly touted 19 year old defensemen. I actually think that Sanderson will play the biggest role we've seen in recent years of an 18 year old defenseman and I think top 4 is certainly a reasonable expectation, but the highest pick defensemen on the team last year was the 7th defensemen. He barely saw the ice all tournament.

And your pairings completely ignore that York-Thrun is one of the most experienced pairings there will be in this tournament. They've played a lot of hockey together, and done so very successfully. I don't coach the team, so I can't say for sure, but I think its highly likely that you are very wrong here.

I think because of how Sanderson plays defense at some point he will get the opportunity to take 2nd pairing minutes. I would be surprised to see him on the top pair, but because he is stable in his own zone, he is the kind of prospect you trust with more minutes and usually earns more.

Having trouble remembering did McAvoy and Jones both play big roles in their post-draft year?

 

[FLYguy3911]

Having trouble remembering did McAvoy and Jones both play big roles in their post-draft year?

Jones was in the NHL and McAvoy was 19 in his D+1.

 

[Peasy]

I think because of how Sanderson plays defense at some point he will get the opportunity to take 2nd pairing minutes. I would be surprised to see him on the top pair, but because he is stable in his own zone, he is the kind of prospect you trust with more minutes and usually earns more.

Having trouble remembering did McAvoy and Jones both play big roles in their post-draft year?

McAvoy did.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

It's not about hindsight, it's about foresight. The WJC right now is actually scheduled and happening. The NHL season, and its training camps, happening at the proposed time are tentative at best. Choosing to pass up a guaranteed development opportunity in hopes of attending something that may not even require missing the WJC is why it'd be funny if the NHL season/camps get pushed back. Of course, the NHL may actually resume here shortly and the Leafs / Robertson may be glad he skipped the WJC, but right now they're betting on the less likely developmental opportunity. If the NHL start was locked in, choosing the NHL team over the WJC is normal and understood, but if it was me, I'd rather align my 19-year-old prospect to the guaranteed opportunity to play high-level, high-intensity hockey right now, and that's the WJC.

I mean it is also like getting an extended training camp and getting in game shape. So what if he misses the first couple days, he is going to come in terrific hockey shape, ready to play. Oh well, it was an interesting move I wish him the best as I do think he makes the Leafs third line this year.

We have enough to win gold, we can wish for a better team and some other guys. But the guys we have are good enough to accomplish the goal. We are getting deeper, USA hockey is getting a lot better. Excited to see this group, we need Knight to play like we know he is capable of and this group should have a lot of winning elements.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I think because of how Sanderson plays defense at some point he will get the opportunity to take 2nd pairing minutes. I would be surprised to see him on the top pair, but because he is stable in his own zone, he is the kind of prospect you trust with more minutes and usually earns more.

Having trouble remembering did McAvoy and Jones both play big roles in their post-draft year?

McAvoy was a late birthday. He was one of the best players at the tournament his post-draft year as a 19 year old, but was on the team the year before as a 18 year old with a smaller role behind guys like Werenski and Carlo. He didn't play a very big role his first year. Jones was also a late birthday, but only played once, his draft season as an 18 year old. He was great.

The last few years our 18 year old defensemen have included York, Miller, Samuelsson, Anderson, Fox, and Lindgren. York was the 7D. Miller, Samuelsson, Anderson, and Lindgren all played small roles as 18 year olds. I think Fox might've played a mid-sized role his 18 year old year, but McAvoy was clearly the best defenseman on that team. Hughes is the only late birthday of the bunch. He barely played his draft-season, and played a big role his 19 year old year, but he actually played pretty bad that year.

Maybe Sanderson is the exception, but we haven't had an 18 year old play a really big role on defense in a long time. The last was Seth Jones.

 

[Canada4Gold]

I mean it is also like getting an extended training camp and getting in game shape. So what if he misses the first couple days, he is going to come in terrific hockey shape, ready to play. Oh well, it was an interesting move I wish him the best as I do think he makes the Leafs third line this year.

We have enough to win gold, we can wish for a better team and some other guys. But the guys we have are good enough to accomplish the goal. We are getting deeper, USA hockey is getting a lot better. Excited to see this group, we need Knight to play like we know he is capable of and this group should have a lot of winning elements.

Apparently he would need to quarantine for 7 days once he gets back to Toronto after the WJC(Per Bobby Mac) which if they make the SF will mean January 13th is the first day he could join the team which is the planned 1st day of the season. For someone who isn't assured a spot but is essentially trying out for the team(Unlike Dach for example), that would likely mean he's not going to make the team after missing all of camp. So I can see why they might make that choice. I'd like to see him here but I get it.

 

[SK94]

Knight
Wolf
Stein

York-Thrun
Sanderson-Helleson
Johnson-Kleven
Faber

Skinner-Lacombe

Boldy-Turcotte-Kaliyev
Brisson-Zegras-Caufield
Moynihan-Beniers-Brink
Berard-Farinacci-Colangelo
Slaggert

 

[SanDogBrewin]

Don’t recall if WJC games have been played on Christmas day.

 

[Gold Standard]

Don’t recall if WJC games have been played on Christmas day.

I think you got to go all the way back to Gretzky's day to find a game played on Christmas day. If I recall ( a little bit before my time. I only started watching in the mid-80s.) but I believe Gretzky's coming out was a big Christmas Day game vs Czechoslovakia in '78.

but since I started watching this tournament in '86 Hamilton tournament. I don't ever remember a game on Christmas day.

 

[Statsy]

Don’t recall if WJC games have been played on Christmas day.

They have but it’s been a while. 2005 was the last time.

 

[Statsy]

I think you got to go all the way back to Gretzky's day to find a game played on Christmas day. If I recall ( a little bit before my time. I only started watching in the mid-80s.) but I believe Gretzky's coming out was a big Christmas Day game vs Czechoslovakia in '78.

but since I started watching this tournament in '86 Hamilton tournament. I don't ever remember a game on Christmas day.

You’re right about Gretzky’s big day, and I was going to reference that in my post as his tournament debut, but interestingly it looks as though the 1978 event actually started on December 22nd. Weird!

 

[Gold Standard]

They have but it’s been a while. 2005 was the last time.

really? they played on the 25th in '05? I don't recall that...but in August '04 I moved overseas for a stint. I did come back for Christmas that year, but I guess the travel really did play with my memory. I remember the tournament pretty vividly. just not else of that Christmas.