WJC: 2024 Team USA Roster Talk

[Kudo Shinichi]

 

[Jaykay]

I think people are overreacting. It wasn't a great performance but it wasn't awful. It was an uneven game against a talented and very large Czechia team. Both teams were counterpunching well and Czechia made some key adjustments after they were dominated in the opening period to muck up the flow of the game. When USAH watches the tape back, they're going to rue how many quality chances they wasted, in particular guys like Gauthier and Snuggerud. I think the adversity is good for a team that hasn't lost yet and is playing in the weaker pool.

In general, the team needs to keep things simpler offensively. They're trying to be too cute and snipe everything top corner, so often killing offensive pressure as they're missing the net a lot. Get the puck on the net and use your speed to wear out the opposition.

Hutson was much improved today. Still not at the level he needs to be at but he looked more himself on the offensive end and was better (but not good enough) defensively.

I don't get the ragging on Chesley in this one. He wasn't good in the exhibitions but he's progressively gotten better each game and had a pretty good one today. I think people don't appreciate how much pressure he's under on a pair with Hutson, especially when Lane has been so poor in the tournament. When Hutson's riverboat gambling is working, it's terrific, but it hasn't been so far, and that continually puts Chesley in tough situations to cover for the pair.

Nazar was a constant threat again and has been our best forward. He needs more ice time.

McGroarty needs to be off the top line. He's the boat anchor. Try Howard, Moore, or Finley on that line as we saw working well in the exhibitions.

Staff needs to do a better job getting all the forward lines into the game. Overloaded the top line today which wasn't playing well and didn't get enough ice time to other lines to keep them engaged.

Pohlkamp needs to have a full-time role locked in by now. He's been so steady and while he's not vertically the biggest guy, he's the strongest and most physical defenseman on the team.

Let's end the Buium - Rinzel pairing. They were a trainwreck today individually and as a pairing. When Casey is back, Rinzel should be the extra defenseman even if Buium has been on the polar performance extremes. His upside on the ice is higher than Rinzel's.

Fowler was just okay. He hasn't done anything in his 2 games to steal the net from Augustine, who will remain the #1 unless he falters big time.

Your assessment of the D is right in line with what I saw today. I thought Hutson and Chesley were pretty good. Hutson had some bad moments on D but made up for it in the O zone.

Buium and Rinzel cannot continue to be a pairing.

Pohlkamp has been rock solid.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Losing is more beneficial if you get technical about it, Germany then Sweden is a better path than Finland then Canada. 1st place has a worst case scenario sort of path to win Gold the way the other group shook out.

I'm sure they won't throw or anything, but just goes to my earlier point that the group games are very low stakes.

 

[WarriorofTime]

On top of that, you have an injured player in McGroarty who is just returning and contributing very little.

McGroarty has been a passenger for the whole tournament. I don't even know if I've heard his name called. That line is pure Gauthier and Snuggerud, with an anchor.

It's why it's a stupid decision to wait for injured players to jump into short term tournaments. By the time he finds his game and gets his timing, the tournament is over. And you certainly don't play them on the first line.

While not wrong, he was the captain of the 04s USNDTP team, a 1st round pick and a returning player. There is politics in this stuff and there was no way they weren't going to bring him and play him first line if he was deemed healthy enough to play. Same with not promoting Hagens off the 06 NDTP team right now and bringing him as a 13th forward sparkplug type or whatever when there are good forwards from the 04 and 05 classes to bring available. They could consider a line shakeup I suppose.

 

[SanDogBrewin]

I think people are overreacting. It wasn't a great performance but it wasn't awful. It was an uneven game against a talented and very large Czechia team. Both teams were counterpunching well and Czechia made some key adjustments after they were dominated in the opening period to muck up the flow of the game. When USAH watches the tape back, they're going to rue how many quality chances they wasted, in particular guys like Gauthier and Snuggerud. I think the adversity is good for a team that hasn't lost yet and is playing in the weaker pool.

In general, the team needs to keep things simpler offensively. They're trying to be too cute and snipe everything top corner, so often killing offensive pressure as they're missing the net a lot. Get the puck on the net and use your speed to wear out the opposition.

Hutson was much improved today. Still not at the level he needs to be at but he looked more himself on the offensive end and was better (but not good enough) defensively.

I don't get the ragging on Chesley in this one. He wasn't good in the exhibitions but he's progressively gotten better each game and had a pretty good one today. I think people don't appreciate how much pressure he's under on a pair with Hutson, especially when Lane has been so poor in the tournament. When Hutson's riverboat gambling is working, it's terrific, but it hasn't been so far, and that continually puts Chesley in tough situations to cover for the pair.

Nazar was a constant threat again and has been our best forward. He needs more ice time.

McGroarty needs to be off the top line. He's the boat anchor. Try Howard, Moore, or Finley on that line as we saw working well in the exhibitions.

Staff needs to do a better job getting all the forward lines into the game. Overloaded the top line today which wasn't playing well and didn't get enough ice time to other lines to keep them engaged.

Pohlkamp needs to have a full-time role locked in by now. He's been so steady and while he's not vertically the biggest guy, he's the strongest and most physical defenseman on the team.

Let's end the Buium - Rinzel pairing. They were a trainwreck today individually and as a pairing. When Casey is back, Rinzel should be the extra defenseman even if Buium has been on the polar performance extremes. His upside on the ice is higher than Rinzel's.

Fowler was just okay. He hasn't done anything in his 2 games to steal the net from Augustine, who will remain the #1 unless he falters big time.

"They're trying to be too cute and snipe everything top corner, so often killing offensive pressure as they're missing the net a lot. Get the puck on the net and use your speed to wear out the opposition."

What's been bugging the most about the US in this years tourney.

 

[Joe Zanussi]

I still think we’ll win it…or at least have as good a shot as anybody. Today, as frustrating as it was, was an improvement I own-zone coverage. That’s good. We know we can always score. That’s good. we’ll get our best G and a top Dman back….thats good. We’re ok

 

[SI90]

Just keep winning baby! Respect to the Czechs. They really brought it. Was an entertaining game that could have gone either way.

Also, if Augustine is feeling better does he start or do we roll with Fowler? Fowler played damn good today.

 

[gritdash60]

Is this the most talented U-20 USA team in the last let's say 10 years? I will be surprised if they don't win it.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

The offense was much better today, but it would be great if he could stop becoming a defensive liability.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Is this the most talented U-20 USA team in the last let's say 10 years? I will be surprised if they don't win it.

This or the team that won a few years ago.

 

[SI90]

Is this the most talented U-20 USA team in the last let's say 10 years? I will be surprised if they don't win it.

Up front they’re as fast and as skilled as I ever remember. Defensively they’ve been deeper in prior years but this forward group is insane

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I think it’s good that we can play so disjointed and still win, but this game has to be a wake up call. This team hasn’t looked like a Gold Medal favorite yet, like expected.

I feel like Gauthier, Snuggerud, and McGroarty hasn’t worked. McGroarty isn’t Cooley. You can’t substitute him into that line, move Gauthier to center, and expect it’ll all work.

The BC line has been good, as has the third line. The fourth line is struggling, but we aren’t going to throw any of those guys onto the first and send a first liner down. It creates a tough mix with the forwards. I would probably keep them the same and put Moore in Hayes place.

The defensive pairings are what needs work. I’ve felt like Hutson, Chesley, Pohlkamp have been good. Hutson is getting way too much hate. It’s like people don’t understand how he plays. He’s not going to be perfect with no mistakes. Buium hasn’t been bad, but defensively still makes some mistakes. Casey wasn’t bad and potentially he was playing sick the first two games, but has been disappointing so far, given the expectations. Rinzel and Fortescue haven’t been good. Rinzel has been surprisingly very bad. Fortescue looks in over his head, as expected. I think you have to try to shelter Fortescue on the third with Casey. Rinzel can sub in for one of them when we need more physicality. Pohlkamp can play with Buium on the second pair, although I once again state I wouldn’t be against splitting up Hutson-Chesley.

And it’s definitely Augustine’s net now. Fowler hasn’t been that bad, but also kind of mediocre. He needed to be better than that, considering Augustine has been good so far.

 

[bigdog16]

While not wrong, he was the captain of the 04s USNDTP team, a 1st round pick and a returning player. There is politics in this stuff and there was no way they weren't going to bring him and play him first line if he was deemed healthy enough to play. Same with not promoting Hagens off the 06 NDTP team right now and bringing him as a 13th forward sparkplug type or whatever when there are good forwards from the 04 and 05 classes to bring available. They could consider a line shakeup I suppose.

Yeah, he seems to be extremely well liked and respected by his teammates and coaches. There was no way they were leaving him home. He seems like the guy who will ride passenger for a majority of the tournament and then score a huge goal in the medal round at some point and be the hero

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

I think it’s good that we can play so disjointed and still win, but this game has to be a wake up call. This team hasn’t looked like a Gold Medal favorite yet, like expected.

I feel like Gauthier, Snuggerud, and McGroarty hasn’t worked. McGroarty isn’t Cooley. You can’t substitute him into that line, move Gauthier to center, and expect it’ll all work.

The BC line has been good, as has the third line. The fourth line is struggling, but we aren’t going to throw any of those guys onto the first and send a first liner down. It creates a tough mix with the forwards. I would probably keep them the same and put Moore in Hayes place.

The defensive pairings are what needs work. I’ve felt like Hutson, Chesley, Pohlkamp have been good. Hutson is getting way too much hate. It’s like people don’t understand how he plays. He’s not going to be perfect with no mistakes. Buium hasn’t been bad, but defensively still makes some mistakes. Casey wasn’t bad and potentially he was playing sick the first two games, but has been disappointing so far, given the expectations. Rinzel and Fortescue haven’t been good. Rinzel has been surprisingly very bad. Fortescue looks in over his head, as expected. I think you have to try to shelter Fortescue on the third with Casey. Rinzel can sub in for one of them when we need more physicality. Pohlkamp can play with Buium on the second pair, although I once again state I wouldn’t be against splitting up Hutson-Chesley.

And it’s definitely Augustine’s net now. Fowler hasn’t been that bad, but also kind of mediocre. He needed to be better than that, considering Augustine has been good so far.

Lol at playing Casey on the 3rd pair. His absence today was noticeably painful. But since he's a devils prospect I realize you have to hate him.

 

[thedjpd]

I think it’s good that we can play so disjointed and still win, but this game has to be a wake up call. This team hasn’t looked like a Gold Medal favorite yet, like expected.

I feel like Gauthier, Snuggerud, and McGroarty hasn’t worked. McGroarty isn’t Cooley. You can’t substitute him into that line, move Gauthier to center, and expect it’ll all work.

The BC line has been good, as has the third line. The fourth line is struggling, but we aren’t going to throw any of those guys onto the first and send a first liner down. It creates a tough mix with the forwards. I would probably keep them the same and put Moore in Hayes place.

The defensive pairings are what needs work. I’ve felt like Hutson, Chesley, Pohlkamp have been good. Hutson is getting way too much hate. It’s like people don’t understand how he plays. He’s not going to be perfect with no mistakes. Buium hasn’t been bad, but defensively still makes some mistakes. Casey wasn’t bad and potentially he was playing sick the first two games, but has been disappointing so far, given the expectations. Rinzel and Fortescue haven’t been good. Rinzel has been surprisingly very bad. Fortescue looks in over his head, as expected. I think you have to try to shelter Fortescue on the third with Casey. Rinzel can sub in for one of them when we need more physicality. Pohlkamp can play with Buium on the second pair, although I once again state I wouldn’t be against splitting up Hutson-Chesley.

And it’s definitely Augustine’s net now. Fowler hasn’t been that bad, but also kind of mediocre. He needed to be better than that, considering Augustine has been good so far.

Yeah agreed. On the top line, McGroarty isn’t Cooley for sure. An injured one is even worse. He’s dragging the line down big time IMO but not sure what the solution is as the other lines have chemistry from playing together prior to the tournament.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Yeah agreed. On the top line, McGroarty isn’t Cooley for sure. An injured one is even worse. He’s dragging the line down big time IMO but not sure what the solution is as the other lines have chemistry from playing together prior to the tournament.

This is why not taking Hagens was stupid. We are almost certainly locked into Gauthier, Smith, and Nazar as our top three centers.

Because if you move Nazar or Gauthier off center, you are inserting Moore or someone at 3C, and then you have to demote someone who isn’t ready to play 4th line. It’d have to be like Leonard or Brindley moved there, and those guys aren’t among the biggest forward problems right now. Another option would be demoting Howard to 13F, but he’s also playing well. The problems are Gauthier and McGroarty, who we kind of need to keep giving chances, given their status on the team.

My attempt to build different lines, but I doubt we’re going to change much.

McGroarty-Gauthier-Nazar
Perreault-Smith-Snuggerud
Howard-Moore-Brindley
Finley-Nelson-Leonard
Hayes

 

[WarriorofTime]

Is this the most talented U-20 USA team in the last let's say 10 years? I will be surprised if they don't win it.

The 2021 team is USA's best world juniors team (core of 01 USNDTP team, minus Hughes who was in NHL, with some good 02 callups in Faber and Sanderson on Defense). This group might be able to rival up front but much weaker on the blue line and in goal.

Thank god they didn't choke against the Finns in the Semis (3-1 to 3-3 late in the 3rd period, then 4-3 before regulation ended), that would have been pretty devastating.

2017 deserves a lot of credit though, undefeated with 2 wins over Russia and Canada each (bronze and silver medalists), although both semis and final went to shootouts.

2013 was their best blue line for sure and backed by one of the best goalies to come through the USNDTP in Gibson, that was a lockout year and so the usual Canadian whining about "but our best players are in the NHL" whenever they lose wasn't applicable, and U.S. put a 5-1 whooping on them in the semis (regulation losses in the group stage to both Canada and Russia though).

 

[FrankieC]

While the performance has been somewhat underwhelming at the team level, this team has quite a few bright spots who are very entertaining to watch.

Their was a significant difference in creativity and game IQ compared to the Czechia team who seemed average in both categories

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

The offense was much better today, but it would be great if he could stop becoming a defensive liability.

Well he wasn't a defensive liability. He played 26 min, wasn't on ice for any goals against, and didn't do any notable defensive mistakes.

 

[TLEH]

Well he wasn't a defensive liability. He played 26 min, wasn't on ice for any goals against, and didn't do any notable defensive mistakes.

He was better today. It wasn’t some statement game though. Not shocking that someone with him as their profile picture would be biased though.

 

[sigx15]

This is why not taking Hagens was stupid. We are almost certainly locked into Gauthier, Smith, and Nazar as our top three centers.

Because if you move Nazar or Gauthier off center, you are inserting Moore or someone at 3C, and then you have to demote someone who isn’t ready to play 4th line. It’d have to be like Leonard or Brindley moved there, and those guys aren’t among the biggest forward problems right now. Another option would be demoting Howard to 13F, but he’s also playing well. The problems are Gauthier and McGroarty, who we kind of need to keep giving chances, given their status on the team.

My attempt to build different lines, but I doubt we’re going to change much.

McGroarty-Gauthier-Nazar
Perreault-Smith-Snuggerud
Howard-Moore-Brindley
Finley-Nelson-Leonard
Hayes

Ya I've been saying for a while now, I just don't see Gauthier as a center. He's fine there but his ceiling is a lot higher as a winger. Having Hagens with him setting him up, it would just free up a lot of what's happening. Just felt like they over thought the whole physicality aspect, especially on an olympic surface

Also, no shot I'd take Leonard off a line with Smith & Perrault. The exact same thing happened with this trio, that's happening right now, at the beginning of the season with BC. It felt like Leonard was at a different pace than Smith and Perrault. Once they settled in after a couple games, they took off. I'm expecting the same the next few games. I know you're trying to find a home for Snuggerud and Nazar but I just don't break up the BC line

 

[EveryDay]

He was better today. It wasn’t some statement game though. Not shocking that someone with him as their profile picture would be biased though.

I guess the coaches who decides to play him over 26 min today must be biased as well.

Thanks for the input.

 

[TLEH]

I guess the coaches who decides to play him over 26 min today must be biased as well.

Thanks for the input.

What part of, he was better today, didn’t you read.

He’s been bad defensively this tournament. This game was a step in the right direction.

 

[Gritty]

Does USA have to beat Slovakia in regulation to win group B?

I thought todays game was very entertaining, but I have a feeling this next one will top it. Goodluck, hope USA beats the Slovaks.

 

[ORRFForever]

Does USA have to beat Slovakia in regulation to win group B?

No. They just have to win.