I know it’s more popular to bash Kaliyev at the moment, but I’ll say this from watching the game last night. He looked like he woke up the last 30 mins or so. There were multiple occasions where he fished a puck out of a scrum and used his body to protect the puck despite a defender checking him. Then he made a perfect pass to relieve pressure. The enabled the US to live in the offensive zone for shifts at a time. This happened multiple times. I guess I didn’t realize how big he was until last nights game- he definitely played up to his 6’2” size on the cycle. I’ll admit he looks slow in transition, but we have Turcotte to lug the puck up ice.
WJC: 2021 Team USA Roster Talk
- Thread starter Jaykay
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I do think part of it with him is that he just doesn’t look in game shape at all due to his circumstances before the tournament. He looked significantly livelier at last year’s tournament.
MuckOG
Registered User
- May 18, 2012
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I think this is very true when it comes to Caufield. He was a bit snake bit to start but thats led to him pressing which has resulted in him being a detriment out there. Kaliyev OTOH has looked like he's been asleep for the entire tournament.
I respect the decision to try to let those guys play themselves into finding their games but their leashes need to be short from here on out. Can't risk going home in what is now a one and done tournament because you're trying to let Cole Caufield find his game
kilowatt
the vibes are not immaculate
- Jan 1, 2009
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That third period was definitely his best of the tournament so far. I'm not ready to heap praise on him, but I hope it's a sign that he's found his legs and will start finding his spots more often.
No one else on the team besides Zegras finishes consistently enough to replace them. Kaliyev and Caufield are the snipers. If they don't break out USA won't last long.
US is a good team however from what i have seen if you can contain Zegras you can contain the US team. There is no real depth on this team (at least not seen so far) but Zegras is amazing. What a player. I am really interested in seeing how he will be able to maintain this game in the NHL.
ORRFForever
Registered User
- Oct 29, 2018
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Why are Zegras and Turcotte on the same line? Doesn't Turcotte QB any line he's on? Why not let them have their own line?
Kaliyev Zegras Beniers
Caufield Turcotte Boldy
Replace any weak links with Brisson or Brink
Kaliyev Zegras Beniers
Caufield Turcotte Boldy
Replace any weak links with Brisson or Brink
Turcotte along with Beniers is one of the two best zone breakers the US have. More clean entries- more time with the puck on Zegras’ stick in the OZ.
Beniers is also better defensively than Zegras. Playing him on the wing wastes a little of what he’s best at, and playing Zegras at C gives him a shorter leash offensively.
bsu
"I have no idea what I am doing" -Pat VerBleak
- Sep 27, 2017
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I just want to say Beniers made a play on the PK in the 2nd period after being on the ice for a long ass time, I couldn't believe it. He poke checked someone then had the hockey IQ to put his stick in the right place and stole the puck and cleared it for a change. He was out there skating so hard and still was able to do it. I was so impressed with him I want him for the Ducks so bad.
bsu
"I have no idea what I am doing" -Pat VerBleak
- Sep 27, 2017
- 28,539
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I think that would be better but I don't see them changing the lines this late in the tournament.
I mean, what does this really accomplish? The top line is playing great and Zegras and Turcotte have good chemistry. Despite not scoring a lot, so is the second.
Do Zegras and Turcotte usually QB the lines they are on? I just thought they may both be more effecitve if the play is run by them.
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
No, they don't. Zegras is the only real QB on the team. Turcotte and Boldy are skilled players, but more all-arounders offensively that do some of everything. Caufield and Kaliyev are shooters. Beniers is a grinder with underrated offensive ability.
I'm not against changing things up to put Zegras with Caufield. And if you want, you could even switch the centers having Zegras-Beniers-Caufield as one line, and Boldy-Turcotte-Kaliyev as another, but there's no reason that Zegras and Turcotte have to be split. They don't get in each others way. Their games compliment each other.
The thought before the tournament was that Zegras would probably play center because he projects as a center and is one of our two best centers. That was when we expected Robertson to be on the team at winger, and Beniers was projected as the third line center. With Beniers moved up to the top six, it makes some sense to move Zegras to wing. The other two are better with the extra duties that a center gets that a winger doesn't. It also frees him up to play more offensive. If you are going to put Zegras at center, I'd prefer one offensive line and one defensive line with Kaliyev-Zegras-Caufield as one line and Beniers-Turcotte-Boldy as the other.
Kudo Shinichi
Registered User
- Apr 20, 2012
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The Boldy - Beniers - Caufield line has scored 2 goals in the tournament so far. Thats very little considering the amount of goals the US has scored. They just dont click offensively.
The way Zegras is playing, why would anyone suggest changing that line? I don't care if Kaliyev is awful (not saying he is), you don't change a thing the way that the line is rolling.
That being said, if/when Zegras' line stops generating offense, then maybe you consider a change. But until then, if it aint broke, don't fix it.
That being said, if/when Zegras' line stops generating offense, then maybe you consider a change. But until then, if it aint broke, don't fix it.
Canucks LB
My Favourite, Gone too soon, RIP Luc, We miss you
- Oct 12, 2008
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If you are going to change anything, you just swap Caufield and Kaliyev. Seems kind of weird to do anything at this point , though. USA lost one game by one goal. Not time to panic. USA could probably really use Bordeleau right now. He has some pretty slick hands, and I think he and Brisson could chip in some secondary scoring. I like Brisson's play, but he is the sort of guy who needs to be fed pucks, similar to Kaliyev and Caufield. The guy can shoot.
They’re generating chances at a solid rate, they’re just not going in the net much. That happens with great players in the NHL all the time, too.
It’s why I take issue with so many on here who claim x player is playing like shit because he doesn’t have a bunch of points in what is essentially a 5 game sample size.
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
I think Brisson can also generate some offense himself, but thats been lacking so far in this tournament.
It is hard not to think what could have been with Bordeleau and Beecher. Berard-Farinacci-Brink has been really good third line but it could have been best fourth line in a whole tournament. Third line could have been Beecher-Bordeleau-Brisson. Pointless to think about it of course. Both of those guys was totally robbed tho. Least Bordeleau can still play next year.
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