WJC: 2021 Team USA Roster Talk

[JiricekSaveUs]

This is why Turcotte is a stud, he's a positive game in and out because of what he does away from the puck.

I agree. Smart player with good speed and skill, but I see him as more of a 2C in the NHL on a championship team.

 

[bsu]

This is why Turcotte is a stud, he's a positive game in and out because of what he does away from the puck.

He is good away from the puck but him losing all those faceoffs and having the line chase the puck the entire shift is not good especially when one of the wingers is a slug.

 

[NyQuil]

This is why Turcotte is a stud, he's a positive game in and out because of what he does away from the puck.

Unfortunately, his face-offs were also away from the puck.

 

[William H Bonney]

The first 3 goals may not necessarily be his fault, but you need your goalie to make some saves, some of which are difficult

Yeah, Knight made zero saves. He gave up 4 goals on 12 shots and none of these were empty netters, except the one he passed to Russia. The 2nd goal was also on Knight. His puck handling and turnovers were dreadful all game and he turned the puck over to start the possession for Russia's 2nd goal, too.

 

[JiricekSaveUs]

His thought process is puzzling. He finally get's a line starting to churn chances in Z-Turcotte-CC, but then he goes back to switching Kaliyev for CC and both lines go invisible after CC was actually playing well. I don't understand...

I don't know. They churned for 2 shifts at the end of the 2nd, but did nothing for a few shifts in the 3rd. the Boldy-Beniers-CC line was better, I thought

 

[The Head Crusher]

The first 3 goals may not necessarily be his fault, but you need your goalie to make some saves, some of which are difficult

True, but I don't think you should throw him under the bus when it is against the biggest rival you will have in your pool in the first game, especially when you can make the argument that the Russians were more game-ready coming into this tournament. If this had been against the Czechs or the Swedes there would be a stronger argument for going with Wolf.

 

[Sasso09]

I agree. Smart player with good speed and skill, but I see him as more of a 2C in the NHL on a championship team.

That's exactly how I see him as well

 

[Sean Garrity]

I don't know. They churned for 2 shifts at the end of the 2nd, but did nothing for a few shifts in the 3rd. the Boldy-Beniers-CC line was better, I thought

I agree, I'm just confused as why he then decided to put Kaliyev back on that line when, in essence, Kaliyev killed 2 lines. I really like Boldy's game. Puck possession, or lack-thereof, was huge though. That first line needs the puck and team USA was outclassed in that department.

 

[GTA]

Play Wolf to gold. Knight is a scrub and no good.

Dude it was 1 game. He’s still very likely the guy moving forward, despite you wanting your teams prospect in net.

 

[Sasso09]

He is good away from the puck but him losing all those faceoffs and having the line chase the puck the entire shift is not good especially when one of the wingers is a slug.

For sure, the entire line had a rough game tonight

 

[Sasso09]

Unfortunately, his face-offs were also away from the puck.

Faceoffs aren't away from the puck though? You're literally fighting for the puck....

Lol nvm I get it now

 

[William H Bonney]

True, but I don't think you should throw him under the bus when it is against the biggest rival you will have in your pool in the first game, especially when you can make the argument that the Russians were more game-ready coming into this tournament. If this had been against the Czechs or the Swedes there would be a stronger argument for going with Wolf.

Knight was also incredibly shaky in the exhibition. It's not about throwing him under the bus, it's about going with who's played well thus far, and that's Wolf. You don't have time to let players, especially goalies, figure it out. Your tournament could be over in 5 games. You go with who's playing well.

 

[NyQuil]

Faceoffs aren't away from the puck though? You're literally fighting for the puck....

It was just a lame joke.

 

[KaseMeOutside]

This is why Turcotte is a stud, he's a positive game in and out because of what he does away from the puck.

Well he was away from the puck alot because he kept losing faceoffs

 

[Sasso09]

It was just a lame joke.

Nah it actually made me laugh after I thought about it

 

[The Head Crusher]

Knight was also incredibly shaky in the exhibition. It's not about throwing him under the bus, it's about going with who's played well thus far, and that's Wolf. You don't have time to let players, especially goalies, figure it out. Your tournament could be over in 5 games. You go with who's playing well.

I get that, again I am mostly hoping they go back to Knight for my World Junior Draft's sake.

 

[KaseMeOutside]

True, but I don't think you should throw him under the bus when it is against the biggest rival you will have in your pool in the first game, especially when you can make the argument that the Russians were more game-ready coming into this tournament. If this had been against the Czechs or the Swedes there would be a stronger argument for going with Wolf.

He will get a chance to play again, but I want to see Wolf play tomorrow. Wolf gave the team a chance to win

 

[RAlfie35]

Here’s my assessment after watching the win over Finland in the pre-tournament and the loss tonight to Russia. Feel free to comment your thoughts!

I’ve seen each pre-tournament game and all of today’s games and so far I believe the US has looked the best. They dominate at times that I don’t see the other teams doing. They have this gear that I haven’t seen from the other teams yet.

Spencer Knight has looked shaky. I didn’t think he was good against Finland and obviously had a tough one tonight. I would start Wolf against Austria and go back to Knight against Czechs.

Cam York has been outstanding. He’s thrown his name into the conversation as a dark horse D of the tournament candidate. I’ve also liked Thrun, Faber and Helleson. I thought Sanderson got better as the game went on and was great in the 3rd. It was a tough night for LaCombe and Johnson. LaCombe had several turnovers that resulted in the 2nd goal being scored (tried a pass through several players) and the brutal giveaway in the 3rd that resulted in the Chinakhov breakaway.

Zegras is my favourite to win tournament MVP. He reminds me of Patrick Kane. He has such an ability to control a game. Caufield had a few nice rushes and I liked Turcotte’s defensive game tonight. I also liked Beniers, Boldy, Brisson and the line of Farinacci, Berard and Brink had a great game, consistently generating chances while they were on the ice. It’s noticeable that Kaliyev hasn’t played. He looked tired especially as the game wore on.

If Knight makes the saves he should, the US wins this game. They were the better team for most of the night. Russia scored on almost every chance they had aside from the breakaway in the 3rd. Askarov also looked shaky and got a couple bounces (2 posts)

 

[JiricekSaveUs]

I agree, I'm just confused as why he then decided to put Kaliyev back on that line when, in essence, Kaliyev killed 2 lines. I really like Boldy's game. Puck possession, or lack-thereof, was huge though. That first line needs the puck and team USA was outclassed in that department.

Yeah I'm not sure. I think Kaliyev needs to be bumped out of the top 6. I would probably play Boldy-Zegras-Caufield together and Beniers-Turcotte-Brisson together. Its a tough job, and losing Robertson really, really hurt.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

This is why Turcotte is a stud, he's a positive game in and out because of what he does away from the puck.

Hardly noticed him except for the goal and then the slash on the empty net goal. Finished -3. Along with the Slaggert hit mentioned above - which it was disappointing to hear the announcers complimenting - it was one of several borderline dirty plays that teams do when they're undisciplined and/or overmatched.

In fairness to the US team, much of tonight's game can be attributed to the inactivity during the fall months - while most of the Russian players were playing games - but the lack of productivity from the team "veterans" from Knight through the PP units and particularly the Zegras line is definitely disconcerting.

 

[Sean Garrity]

Yeah I'm not sure. I think Kaliyev needs to be bumped out of the top 6. I would probably play Boldy-Zegras-Caufield together and Beniers-Turcotte-Brisson together. Its a tough job, and losing Robertson really, really hurt.

This line x1,000. I've said it before, but I also think that both Zegras and Turcotte will benefit playing away from each other. Kaliyev has done nothing but score for team USA, so I think it's difficult to bump him from the top 6 completely, but who knows. You can play Turcotte with Kaliyev as Turcotte's all around game can maybe "cover" for Kaliyev's weaknesses. I'm just not super impressed overall with Turcotte, I mean I don't see it. He's sound in all 3 facets of the game, but I don't think he should be relied upon to center a top line, especially if he's not going to get his skilled wingers the puck.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

This loss is on Knight. Wolf is the starter until we have reason to believe he shouldn't be. He played well once he came into the game. Knight might be the best goalie in the tournament, but he's not bigger than the team. If Wolf is playing better now, he's gotta play. And it almost seems like Knight has a mental block when he goes against Askarov. He loses every game he plays against Askarov, and usually plays his worst games against Askarov. It's almost like he knows that Askarov is slightly higher rated by most, and he's trying to try to show him up, but instead he plays terrible.

The fourth goal was ridiculous. Can't make a play like that. And I thought all the other goals he let up were savable. It would've required some tough saves and I'm not blaming him for those first three goals necessarily, but if Knight is the best goalie in this tournament, he has to stop one or two of those shots. 4 goals on 12 shots is not good enough.

I thought the defense were really bad, and they were coughing the puck up the whole game. Lacombe was a trainwreck. He's not talented enough with his skating and offense if he's going to play like that. He needs to be scratched the next game. Sanderson wasn't much better. How many times does it need to be said that we haven't had an 18 year old defenseman play really well since Seth Jones? Doesn't mean Sanderson is a bad prospect, but draft status is irrelevant towards winning games. He needs to play better or he needs to play less.

I liked the first pair and Faber among the defenseman. They all had a few shaky moments and none of them were great, but they at least on the balance were making more good plays than bad plays. And I guess Johnson and Helleson were okay. I barely noticed them. When the defense plays terrible and a player isn't noticeable that isn't a bad thing.

I thought that our forwards were very weak in puck battles. Players such as Kaliyev, Caufield, Zegras, Brink were liabilities in this regard. This is the difference between skilled junior/college guys, and these Russian defensemen that play against men. They are stronger, more physical, and have a little more tactical nous in knowing how to make winning plays in a close checking game. Among the forwards, I liked the top six guys that play really hard, so it was Boldy, Turcotte, and Beniers. They competed and provided the real threats to Russia by hitting them, making them work, and going to the net. The grinders were pretty good, as well. Berard, Farinacci, and Slaggert were all good. I thought Berard was especially good.

I think the main difference in this game was Knight/Askarov, but I also think we need to be careful of thinking thats the only issue. The defensemen really struggled with giving the puck away in their own zone. They need to be smarter about their breakouts, and some of the forwards playing against a bigger, more physical, stronger, and more experienced team really didn't match the intensity the game needed. I wouldn't make wholesale changes, but I do think a few little tweaks to keep the players working for their spots is needed.

There were some positives to take out of the game. I think it's hard to know exactly how you stack up to teams before the games are played, but I thought we were the more skilled and talented team of the two. Russia played on the counter, and most of their goals were due to our mistakes or really nice plays on the counter. We initiated play, and played a puck possession game. If we meet them later in the tournament, play the same way, but be a little harder on the forecheck, limit the mistakes moving the puck out of the zone, and the goalie is going to need to stop some shots.

We have the capability to be good, and there were instances in this game that I thought we did a good job, but Russia looked like the better schooled team at the moment. Maybe its because they've played more games and are less rusty, but if we want to win this tournament it cannot continue. We need to play better.

This is what I'd roll out next game.

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

York-Thrun
Sanderson-Helleson
Johnson-Faber
Skinner

Wolf
Knight

 

[William H Bonney]

Faber was mostly good and I imagine he'll move up in the lineup. He played almost 9 minutes in the 3rd.

 

[Sean Garrity]

People are also forgetting that York had an unforgivable blunder just like Sanderson. There's no reason he shouldn't have been in position to stop that breakaway. Now, I think York and Sanderson were ok overall, but I thought the defense as a whole struggled. Especially when it came to transitioning from deep in the d-zone. It was f***ing atrocious, can none of these defenders skate the puck out or connect a pass? It was either throw it up the boards right to the Russians, or throw it to the center of the ice which lead to consistent chances by the Russians. I'm not a hockey guru, so I don't know whether that's more on the Fs or the D, I just know it sucked. It seemed like all of the defenseman needed to take a deep breath and look at their options instead of pigeon holing their options.

 

[RAlfie35]

For what it’s worth, Nate Leaman said after the game that he would stick with the original plan for the goalies. Have to think Wolf starts tomorrow against Austria and Knight goes back in Tuesday afternoon against Czech Republic. All players interviewed raved about Knight’s ability to bounce back