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WJC: 2023 Team USA Roster Talk

SK94 said:
I am not sure that I agree with guys who downplay our chances this year. Augustine has been on fire this year, defence looks solid as F and even we need many younger guys to step up in offence, I am optimistic that it happens. 2004 group is an extremely talented group and many of them look excellent during their first NCAA season.
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I agree, I don’t think this team is bad. We have one of the better teams this year. I don’t see where we are weak. It’s a little bit of a younger team, but not too young. We might not win and the team could always be terrible, but I’m not down on our chances two weeks out.
 
Pavel Buchnevich said:
I agree, I don’t think this team is bad. We have one of the better teams this year. I don’t see where we are weak. It’s a little bit of a younger team, but not too young. We might not win and the team could always be terrible, but I’m not down on our chances two weeks out.
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I think this is going to be a team that plays very up tempo and pushes the pace from the d out. Will also likely be very good on the cycle. Just hope we can finish out chances!
 
SK94 said:
I am not sure that I agree with guys who downplay our chances this year. Augustine has been on fire this year, defence looks solid as F and even we need many younger guys to step up in offence, I am optimistic that it happens. 2004 group is an extremely talented group and many of them look excellent during their first NCAA season
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Underage goalies are rarely good in wjc no? Feels like it at least.
 
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king89 said:
Underage goalies are rarely good in wjc no? Feels like it at least.
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He probably won’t be the starter. Likely to be Mbereko. Mbereko is having a great season in college hockey. He wasn’t drafted playing at the NTDP, so he’s not some incredible goalie, but I don’t think he’s going to lose it for us, if he plays. In August he might’ve, but that was his U19 World Juniors. It’s usually easier as a U20. And if Augustine plays, I’m confident in what he can do. I don’t think the other countries have much better options in goal. We could have the best goaltending.
 
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Pavel Buchnevich said:
He probably won’t be the starter. Likely to be Mbereko. Mbereko is having a great season in college hockey. He wasn’t drafted playing at the NTDP, so he’s not some incredible goalie, but I don’t think he’s going to lose it for us, if he plays. In August he might’ve, but that was his U19 World Juniors. It’s usually easier as a U20. And if Augustine plays, I’m confident in what he can do. I don’t think the other countries have much better options in goal. We could have the best goaltending.
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Lindbom who will start for Sweden is very good but yeah not the best wjc in terms of goalie talent.
 
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Pavel Buchnevich said:
He probably won’t be the starter. Likely to be Mbereko. Mbereko is having a great season in college hockey. He wasn’t drafted playing at the NTDP, so he’s not some incredible goalie, but I don’t think he’s going to lose it for us, if he plays. In August he might’ve, but that was his U19 World Juniors. It’s usually easier as a U20. And if Augustine plays, I’m confident in what he can do. I don’t think the other countries have much better options in goal. We could have the best goaltending.
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Who are the top goalies in your opinion from the nominations? Feels like there is no 'Walstedt' type this year.
 
Czechboy said:
Who are the top goalies in your opinion from the nominations? Feels like there is no 'Walstedt' type this year.
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Yeah, there’s almost no one. Lindbom from Sweden is pretty good. Milic and Mbereko from USA and Canada are undrafted for obvious reasons, but should be capable of playing well at this tournament. Kokko from Finland is pretty good. And then probably Augustine from USA is one of the better 2023 draft-eligible goalies.

Not many goalies drafted that will be at this tournament, and of the ones that have, not many having success.
 
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I’m thinking Muszelik, Casey, Behrens, Devine, Leonard, and Lipkin are on the chopping block, but possible it’s Oke, Ufko, and Brindley instead.

I would’ve liked to see Smith make the team, but it’s difficult for the first year draft eligibles to make it, and that much more difficult when they are coming to the WJC pre-selection camp injured.
 
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SK94 said:
Sending Smith home feels like a typical USA Hockey things.
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He's been ill this week. They probably figured he was one of the guys that really needed to play his way on to the team and he hasn't even been able to step on to the ice at camp.
 
I really don't have a problem with it, if you're a 17 year old and you're not Connor Bedard you really have to earn your way onto to the team and he didn't have a chance to do that.
 
SK94 said:
I am not sure that I agree with guys who downplay our chances this year. Augustine has been on fire this year, defence looks solid as F and even we need many younger guys to step up in offence, I am optimistic that it happens. 2004 group is an extremely talented group and many of them look excellent during their first NCAA season.
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On paper the team looks a little underwhelming compared to what they were abe to ice in the past few years but they absolutely can contend for gold.
 
Corso said:
On paper the team looks a little underwhelming compared to what they were abe to ice in the past few years but they absolutely can contend for gold.
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This team is better than the August team on paper, as long as the last few cuts aren’t anyone too surprising.
 


Not too happy about Buium. This roster is going to lack in size and even more so in defense.
 
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SK94 said:
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No surprises other than Buium. We're not going with size on defense. The Muszelik invite made no sense as it was obvious who the 3 goalies would be. Devine isn't good enough for this level. Leonard is good but he's only 17 and they're already going to have a lot of 18 year old forwards.
 
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Extremely stupid rule. IIHF is doing IIHF things. Either it is 23 players or then you can give game time for all 25 and rotate if you want to.
 
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FLYguy3911 said:
Love the mindset on D. Undersized, but all of those guys can make plays with the puck. This team will need depth scoring.
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Exactly. If the team cut skill guys for players that have size but not much else, then people would be bitching about that.
 
mphmiles said:
This is my main concern. If both, or even one of the top 2 lines have an off night, the US may be in trouble.
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Could say that for most teams really. Canada probably has the best two lines in the tournament but filled out the bottom of their roster with big guys and/or guys that fit hard roles, rather than loading up on skill that only they could.

This isn't the most talented roster but they may be able to get some offense from the blueline and just generally keep plays alive that could swing a toss up game.
 
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