WJC: 2022 Team USA Roster Talk
- Thread starter Jaykay
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Can we enjoy the win for ten minutes at least? lol
Knies is doing nothing this year so he'll need to get going if he's going to steal one of the rare non-NTDP spots.
Kaiser won't surprise too many people because by the end of this college season everyone will knows he's a star.
Knies is doing nothing this year so he'll need to get going if he's going to steal one of the rare non-NTDP spots.
Kaiser won't surprise too many people because by the end of this college season everyone will knows he's a star.
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William H Bonney
Registered User
Kaiser is probably going to play a really big role on next year's team. I think Eamon Powell is an underrated guy who could make noise, too.
The defensive core should be very strong if Sanderson is back. There's a lot of depth right now in next year's defensive player pool.
The goalies won't be as good, but Commesso is a worthy #1 right now.
The forward group with definitely be less heralded with less star power, but you don't have to have star power up front to necessarily be successful offensively here.
Interested to see if some CHL guys like Jack O'Brien, Ty Voit, Avery Hayes, Simon Motew, Bruce Montgomery, etc. make a strong play for the team. With all these guys sitting right now, it's hard to get a read on where they stand at this point.
The defensive core should be very strong if Sanderson is back. There's a lot of depth right now in next year's defensive player pool.
The goalies won't be as good, but Commesso is a worthy #1 right now.
The forward group with definitely be less heralded with less star power, but you don't have to have star power up front to necessarily be successful offensively here.
Interested to see if some CHL guys like Jack O'Brien, Ty Voit, Avery Hayes, Simon Motew, Bruce Montgomery, etc. make a strong play for the team. With all these guys sitting right now, it's hard to get a read on where they stand at this point.
William H Bonney
Registered User
It's not likely. USAH is really averse to moving up young players outside of the U18s / within the NTDP. In really recent years, you have to absolutely destroy it with the NTDP to get consideration.
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
Samoskevich-Beniers-Coronato
Knies-Bordeleau-Lucius
Duke-Smilanic-Pastujov
Berard-Slaggert-Berard
Boucher
Sanderson-Powell
Kleven-Faber
Kaiser-Hughes
Behrens
Commesso
Grannan
Mbereko
Goalies: Commesso should be one of the better goalies at this tournament. Past that, it gets very questionable. I think Grannan could put together a good performance or two. I'm not convinced he's anywhere near good enough to lead us to a Gold Medal, but if all he needs to do is play one game against a weak team, he should be good enough for that. I don't like any of the 2003 goalies. I guess I'd go with Mbereko over Homer. I know Homer is a lot bigger and has the late birthdate so he's probably a better draft prospect, but Mbereko is the better goalie from what I've seen. This position should be good for us as long as we don't need to go past Commesso when the games matter.
Defense: I think this will be the strongest part of the team. I think those first two pairs are going to be very key for us. Those guys have played together for years, and pair very well. None are the flashiest, but they all get the job done. I think it could be similar to this year's defense that was effective. They didn't need to be stars, and I also wouldn't rule out that Sanderson could be a star next year at this tournament. Having Hughes on the third pair shows the depth on defense. I wouldn't be surprised if he was good enough for a bigger role, but start him out on the third pair. Kaiser is also a solid player. For the 7th spot, I think it makes sense to bring Behrens. Those first 6 don't have a great PP QB. I think Behrens is better at that than any of them. Have him QB the first PP or at least the second one. And he's a good player outside of the PP. Other defensemen I think could be in contention for this team include Ufko, Hreschuk, Schmidt, Gallagher, Dunbar, Peart.
Forwards: I like our top 6. There aren't many teams that are going to have a better 1-2 down the middle than Beniers-Bordeleau. I know some are going to suggest Samoskevich at center, but I would not trust the guy at center in an elimination tournament. He's still learning the position. Let him play the Zegras role. He absolutely has that type of offensive performance in him. Coronato on the other wing gives us more of a understated offensive game. They should pair well with Beniers. I think Bordeleau could have a big tournament. He might be our best player next year. I know some won't even have Knies on the team after his weak start, but I still buy into his game. I think he's going to play a key role for this team next year. He's similar to a player like Boldy. Maybe a little worse of a skater. Lucius on the other wing gives two skilled skilled playmakers a goal scorer.
3C is one of the main question marks. I'm not sure there's a great answer for that position. I don't think Smilanic is a C long-term, but I think he could do the job in this tournament. He's a good player, and can fill a Farinacci type of role for this team. I also would like to see him playing with Pastujov and Duke, two of the better 2003's. Of all the 2003 NTDP forwards, those two play the best together. If they are both on the team, they need to be on the same line. I also like this fourth line. It shows depth that Berard could go from 3rd line this year to 4th next year. Slaggert can play 4C again, and hopefully play the role even better. Janicke needs to be on this team. He's such an effective player. Arguably the most underrated player in the 2021 draft. He'll be a key penalty killer, brings speed, and a pretty good scorer.
For the 13th F spot, I think you cannot keep Boucher off the team. He brings such a different style to the game than any player you see at this level. He can single-handedly change the momentum of the game. I would not give him a regular role to start out because he can absolutely lose his team the game with one bad hit, but I want him on the team. Other players in consideration for spots could be Hughes, Savage, Hanas, O'Brien, Doan.
Knies-Bordeleau-Lucius
Duke-Smilanic-Pastujov
Berard-Slaggert-Berard
Boucher
Sanderson-Powell
Kleven-Faber
Kaiser-Hughes
Behrens
Commesso
Grannan
Mbereko
Goalies: Commesso should be one of the better goalies at this tournament. Past that, it gets very questionable. I think Grannan could put together a good performance or two. I'm not convinced he's anywhere near good enough to lead us to a Gold Medal, but if all he needs to do is play one game against a weak team, he should be good enough for that. I don't like any of the 2003 goalies. I guess I'd go with Mbereko over Homer. I know Homer is a lot bigger and has the late birthdate so he's probably a better draft prospect, but Mbereko is the better goalie from what I've seen. This position should be good for us as long as we don't need to go past Commesso when the games matter.
Defense: I think this will be the strongest part of the team. I think those first two pairs are going to be very key for us. Those guys have played together for years, and pair very well. None are the flashiest, but they all get the job done. I think it could be similar to this year's defense that was effective. They didn't need to be stars, and I also wouldn't rule out that Sanderson could be a star next year at this tournament. Having Hughes on the third pair shows the depth on defense. I wouldn't be surprised if he was good enough for a bigger role, but start him out on the third pair. Kaiser is also a solid player. For the 7th spot, I think it makes sense to bring Behrens. Those first 6 don't have a great PP QB. I think Behrens is better at that than any of them. Have him QB the first PP or at least the second one. And he's a good player outside of the PP. Other defensemen I think could be in contention for this team include Ufko, Hreschuk, Schmidt, Gallagher, Dunbar, Peart.
Forwards: I like our top 6. There aren't many teams that are going to have a better 1-2 down the middle than Beniers-Bordeleau. I know some are going to suggest Samoskevich at center, but I would not trust the guy at center in an elimination tournament. He's still learning the position. Let him play the Zegras role. He absolutely has that type of offensive performance in him. Coronato on the other wing gives us more of a understated offensive game. They should pair well with Beniers. I think Bordeleau could have a big tournament. He might be our best player next year. I know some won't even have Knies on the team after his weak start, but I still buy into his game. I think he's going to play a key role for this team next year. He's similar to a player like Boldy. Maybe a little worse of a skater. Lucius on the other wing gives two skilled skilled playmakers a goal scorer.
3C is one of the main question marks. I'm not sure there's a great answer for that position. I don't think Smilanic is a C long-term, but I think he could do the job in this tournament. He's a good player, and can fill a Farinacci type of role for this team. I also would like to see him playing with Pastujov and Duke, two of the better 2003's. Of all the 2003 NTDP forwards, those two play the best together. If they are both on the team, they need to be on the same line. I also like this fourth line. It shows depth that Berard could go from 3rd line this year to 4th next year. Slaggert can play 4C again, and hopefully play the role even better. Janicke needs to be on this team. He's such an effective player. Arguably the most underrated player in the 2021 draft. He'll be a key penalty killer, brings speed, and a pretty good scorer.
For the 13th F spot, I think you cannot keep Boucher off the team. He brings such a different style to the game than any player you see at this level. He can single-handedly change the momentum of the game. I would not give him a regular role to start out because he can absolutely lose his team the game with one bad hit, but I want him on the team. Other players in consideration for spots could be Hughes, Savage, Hanas, O'Brien, Doan.
William H Bonney
Registered User
We're in a tough group again next year:
Group A
USA
Russia
Sweden
Slovakia
Switzerland
Group B
Canada
Finland
Germany
Czech Republic
Austria
Group A
USA
Russia
Sweden
Slovakia
Switzerland
Group B
Canada
Finland
Germany
Czech Republic
Austria
William H Bonney
Registered User
SanDogBrewin
Righteous bucks!
I actually like that the group will be tough. No false illusions after preliminary play. Intense puck battles and discipline will have happened. Then you know what you have.
- Apr 27, 2005
- 36,194
- 36,160
Yep. Look at what happened to Canada.
Jaykay
Registered User
Think there's any chance Sanderson leaves UND after a year? I would be pretty surprised by that, but I guess I shouldn't be considering his draft position.
Rabid Ranger
2 is better than one
It would be the merc play but he's a talented scorer. Would love to have him on the team but like you are unsure if he would entertain it.
William H Bonney
Registered User
It's possible. I would hope Ottawa leaves him at UND for a 2nd year to evolve his offense since they're not competitors anyway.
NyQuil
Big F$&*in Q
I really like the L/R D pairings, I know Team USA probably doesn’t roll with it so my team will be off... I’ll also admit that there’s a lot of people here way more in tune with the US prospects then I am so they admittedly know more than I do. With that said, this is what I’d send.
Pastujov- Beniers- Samoskevich
Duke- Bordeleau- Lucius
Berard- Smilanic- Coronato
Tuch- Slaggert- Peterson
O’Brien, Knies
Sanderson- Powell
Hughes- Faber
Kleven- Schmidt
Kaiser- Gallagher
Commesso
Tynan
Homer
Pastujov- Beniers- Samoskevich
Duke- Bordeleau- Lucius
Berard- Smilanic- Coronato
Tuch- Slaggert- Peterson
O’Brien, Knies
Sanderson- Powell
Hughes- Faber
Kleven- Schmidt
Kaiser- Gallagher
Commesso
Tynan
Homer
Pretty bummed that New Year's Eve game against Canada is not happening that often anymore.
Knight and Wolf were locks last year and Drew Commesso is in a similar position now. Clear favourite even things can change a lot specially with goalies. Gibson Homer has the size but the level is not there right now. Kaidan Mbereko and Homer has the advantage because of NTDP ties but what they can do next year? Problem is that they both are going to play in USHL. Then there are OHL trio Xavier Medina, Aidan Campbell and Tucker Tynan. My bet is that one of these guys are going to make it. Noah Grannan is a another long shot but it is interesting what happens next year when he is going to play for Wisconsin. Braden Holt is another dark horse but he played well last year with Everett.
Knight and Wolf were locks last year and Drew Commesso is in a similar position now. Clear favourite even things can change a lot specially with goalies. Gibson Homer has the size but the level is not there right now. Kaidan Mbereko and Homer has the advantage because of NTDP ties but what they can do next year? Problem is that they both are going to play in USHL. Then there are OHL trio Xavier Medina, Aidan Campbell and Tucker Tynan. My bet is that one of these guys are going to make it. Noah Grannan is a another long shot but it is interesting what happens next year when he is going to play for Wisconsin. Braden Holt is another dark horse but he played well last year with Everett.
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
Tynan is the one name I thought of today that I forgot yesterday. I think he has a good chance to make the team, as long as he can rebound from that injury.
William H Bonney
Registered User
Someone pointed it out in the 2021 thread, but Leaman's earned the 2022 coaching gig again if he wants it. It would be interesting, too, because the makeup of that team will be more similar to what he's used to at Providence.
It is likely that Leaman is doing it again but i also think it is rather sooner than later when Ted Donato leads Team USA to the WJC.
What are the rules to players playing for a country? Is it just tracing back ancestry (I think that's how Olympic basketball was) and then committing to that country?
William H Bonney
Registered User
Citizenship, must not have represented another country yet in an IIHF event, and must have played nearly 2 years of hockey in the country in recent years. It's more complicated than that but that's the gist.
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
The guy that Starman claims said the four best natural centers in this age group weren’t on this team. I don’t know if I want him coaching this team.
He already did. I don't say he is my wish for coaching job but i am sure that he is high on that list when USA Hockey thinks their options.
Jaykay
Registered User
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