WC: 2024 Team USA

[AmericanDream]

As a Sharks fan who just watched Kunin all year on that complete dumpster fire of a team...yes seeing Kunin over Smith makes me want to throw up.

One of my least favorite players this year.

Well, this isn't the Sharks & Smith isn't capable of playing that 4th line role we need Kunin to do right now. You will have plenty of time to puke next year over the Sharks, save it for that please...

It's between Smith and Leonard for ice time imo...

 

[one2gamble]

Well, this isn't the Sharks & Smith isn't capable of playing that 4th line role we need Kunin to do right now. You will have plenty of time to puke next year over the Sharks, save it for that please...

It's between Smith and Leonard for ice time imo...

Found Kunins account

 

[WarriorofTime]

My order of preference for World Championships:

Top 9 NHL talent > college kids > 4th line plugs > AHL guys (sorry Rocco, you still did great last year)

 

[Wedontneedroads]

Well, this isn't the Sharks & Smith isn't capable of playing that 4th line role we need Kunin to do right now. You will have plenty of time to puke next year over the Sharks, save it for that please...

It's between Smith and Leonard for ice time imo...

Can't wait to hear more about this impossible 4th line role that only the great Luke Kunin can play.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Can't wait to hear more about this impossible 4th line role that only the great Luke Kunin can play.

The college kids can beat the France/Polands of the world already. At least they have potential to make an Olympic team even if down the line. The 4th line plugs are just there. There is some desperation at play in inviting them but if your best college guys are willing to, I'd have them in more important roles.

 

[Joe Zanussi]

I’m tired of losing this tourney. Build the best team for THIS year. When we consistently send a team that can win, we’ll have the luxury of choosing younger guys over vets…or grinders over youngsters…or whatever. For now, just build a team that can win

 

[AmericanDream]

Can't wait to hear more about this impossible 4th line role that only the great Luke Kunin can play.

Smith isn't suited for a 4th line grinding role. Why the hell would you want him there to begin with? As the tourney goes on, he or Leonard could really surprise and earn more opportunity. Make the kids earn it..

 

[AmericanDream]

The college kids can beat the France/Polands of the world already. At least they have potential to make an Olympic team even if down the line. The 4th line plugs are just there. There is some desperation at play in inviting them but if your best college guys are willing to, I'd have them in more important roles.

We have brought plenty of college kids the past few years...we don't seem to get over that hump with them either. I prefer skill and talent, but this tournament is just different. Need to build a team that can handle all situations, these refs and these crowds. Some of these kids aren't ready for big roles in this setting.

I am happy a few kids are here, let them earn their way instead of being given roles right out the gate because we couldn't fill out a damn roster like years prior. This team has the best of both worlds. Proven NHL talent with top young prospects to mix in. Hopefully this is finally the mix and year to put it all together.

 

[Wedontneedroads]

Smith isn't suited for a 4th line grinding role. Why the hell would you want him there to begin with? As the tourney goes on, he or Leonard could really surprise and earn more opportunity. Make the kids earn it..

Why wouldn’t you want your top prospects competing against some of the best players in the world? If he can’t cut it send him back to BC for another year. I would have loved for Celebrini to stick with Canada.

Smith finished with a goal and an assist vs Slovakia. Not bad and maybe deserves another game.

Every line should be able to score in a tournament like this. The classic “grinder” 4th line is unnecessary. Just play your best players.

This is getting too deep. I absolutely have an irrational dislike of Kunin after watching him play hockey for 82 games, but if he is legit significantly better than Smith (he’s not) then absolutely play him. If it’s at all close the go with the kid who has an insanely higher upside.

 

[one2gamble]

4th line grinder roles shouldn't exist anywhere let alone a tourney

 

[SK94]

Some people want to be so modern that they think fourth-line grinders and SH specialists are no longer needed. Still, every NHL team that is successful has these players. They are not going anywhere. You need players for every situation.

I'm not saying Smith or Brindley can't earn their spot in the top 9 as the tournament progresses. That's the thing though. They have to earn it. As schoolboys, they shouldn't get anything for free.

 

[usahockey22flyers]

Just realized that I cut the cord a couple of months ago and won't be able to watch.

Not an illegal streamer tbh - need to figure out something else lol

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

4th line grinder roles shouldn't exist anywhere let alone a tourney

Don't watch the Stanley Cup playoffs, do you? That is the ultimate hockey tournament.

 

[AmericanDream]

Some people want to be so modern that they think fourth-line grinders and SH specialists are no longer needed. Still, every NHL team that is successful has these players. They are not going anywhere. You need players for every situation.

I'm not saying Smith or Brindley can't earn their spot in the top 9 as the tournament progresses. That's the thing though. They have to earn it. As schoolboys, they shouldn't get anything for free.

Exactly. Why do some people think this is an all star game? Handing set roles to college kids who have proven nothing against professional athletes is asinine. And one of the problems we have had here because many of the top college kids were forced into roles to fill out lines...whether they earned it or not...

 

[AmericanDream]

Just realized that I cut the cord a couple of months ago and won't be able to watch.

Not an illegal streamer tbh - need to figure out something else lol

Sometimes Slìng offers a 7 day trial...might want to check that.

 

[AmericanDream]

Sweden has a tough team here, very talented group. Their defense might even rival ours. This is going to be a great test right out the gate...

 

[Eye of Ra]

Sweden has a tough team here, very talented group. Their defense might even rival ours. This is going to be a great test right out the gate...

u guys have a great team, gonna be a tough game

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Some people want to be so modern that they think fourth-line grinders and SH specialists are no longer needed. Still, every NHL team that is successful has these players. They are not going anywhere. You need players for every situation.

I'm not saying Smith or Brindley can't earn their spot in the top 9 as the tournament progresses. That's the thing though. They have to earn it. As schoolboys, they shouldn't get anything for free.

I wouldn't feel that comfortable putting Smith out there to kill penalties or defend leads late in the game, but I see no reason why the 4th line can't be more of a skilled line vs a grinding line - we'll probably have a fair amount of physical/grinding players in our top 9 (Tkachuk, Boldy, Nelson, Leonard, Pinto). There's no reason we couldn't run a Smith - Hayes - Brindley or Eyssimont - Smith - Brindley type of 4th line.

But Brindley is the type of guy who can excel in pretty much any role - he was even used a role player during his first WJC stint. His skating, intelligence, and intensity would make him the easy choice over Kunin if I were setting the lines. If he's not getting regular shifts by the end of the tournament, I think it's a mistake.

But I don't expect Hynes to play Brindley or Smith all that much. He's been pretty allergic giving younger forwards meaningful roles in the NHL. Example - during Hynes' last 2 seasons in NJ (up through Dec 3rd, when he was fired), Jesper Bratt was T-1st on the team with an impressive 2.19 5v5 p/60 (tied with Hall). That's 1st line production, yet his 5v5 deployment was that of a 3rd/4th line player. He was 11th among Devils forwards in avg 5v5 TOI and avg total ice time (>300 mins). He was getting less 5v5 minutes than guys like Kenny Agostino, Stefan Noesen, and Wayne Simmonds DESPITE being the most productive player on the team.

 

[Obvious Fabertism]

I wouldn't feel that comfortable putting Smith out there to kill penalties or defend leads late in the game, but I see no reason why the 4th line can't be more of a skilled line vs a grinding line - we'll probably have a fair amount of physical/grinding players in our top 9 (Tkachuk, Boldy, Nelson, Leonard, Pinto). There's no reason we couldn't run a Smith - Hayes - Brindley or Eyssimont - Smith - Brindley type of 4th line.

But Brindley is the type of guy who can excel in pretty much any role - he was even used a role player during his first WJC stint. His skating, intelligence, and intensity would make him the easy choice over Kunin if I were setting the lines. If he's not getting regular shifts by the end of the tournament, I think it's a mistake.

But I don't expect Hynes to play Brindley or Smith all that much. He's been pretty allergic giving younger forwards meaningful roles in the NHL. Example - during Hynes' last 2 seasons in NJ (up through Dec 3rd, when he was fired), Jesper Bratt was T-1st on the team with an impressive 2.19 5v5 p/60 (tied with Hall). That's 1st line production, yet his 5v5 deployment was that of a 3rd/4th line player. He was 11th among Devils forwards in avg 5v5 TOI and avg total ice time (>300 mins). He was getting less 5v5 minutes than guys like Kenny Agostino, Stefan Noesen, and Wayne Simmonds DESPITE being the most productive player on the team.

Hynes on MN this year had no problems playing the youth, Faber and Rossi each saw TOI increases under him compared to Evason. He said he learned a lot from his previous gigs so maybe that was a lesson learned.

I don’t have a strong opinion either way for the 4th line, I am also not much of a Kunin fan, but he’s been a leader with team USA before and his only real skill does play better with talented players vs his situation with the Sharks. He is a good net front guy, on a team expected to shoot a lot, he has decent value.

 

[AmericanDream]

Hynes on MN this year had no problems playing the youth, Faber and Rossi each saw TOI increases under him compared to Evason. He said he learned a lot from his previous gigs so maybe that was a lesson learned.

I don’t have a strong opinion either way for the 4th line, I am also not much of a Kunin fan, but he’s been a leader with team USA before and his only real skill does play better with talented players vs his situation with the Sharks. He is a good net front guy, on a team expected to shoot a lot, he has decent value.

Agreed. Kunin has a place on this team but by no means is he a lock to play every game if he struggles out there. A kid like Smith or Brindley could very easily overtake him on the depth chart...but that doesn't happen right away. College kids have struggled to make a serious impact here for us in many instances. Smith and crew could be the exception this year and hopefully if that is the case, the coaching staff can recognize it.

But Kunin still does a number of things well that we lack overall and what these kids lack as well. He has a role here and you reward those who answer the call at least initially to start this tourney.

 

[AmericanDream]

Why wouldn’t you want your top prospects competing against some of the best players in the world? If he can’t cut it send him back to BC for another year. I would have loved for Celebrini to stick with Canada.

Smith finished with a goal and an assist vs Slovakia. Not bad and maybe deserves another game.

Every line should be able to score in a tournament like this. The classic “grinder” 4th line is unnecessary. Just play your best players.

This is getting too deep. I absolutely have an irrational dislike of Kunin after watching him play hockey for 82 games, but if he is legit significantly better than Smith (he’s not) then absolutely play him. If it’s at all close the go with the kid who has an insanely higher upside.

Sorry I missed this post, would have responded back to you.

I am going to assume you watched the World Championships before.

Do you understand how hard it has been to get NHL talent to show up? Can you also see how bad the optics are if you sit a proven NHLer for a college kid right out the gate? That is not the look you want to give your professional athletes who have answered the call, taken their time to be here. Regardless of their skill level, that just isn't happening right away. Kunin has played against grown professional athletes for the past 5 plus years...Smith has not.

Now let me also ask you this. How many top young players play 4th line roles on their NHL squads? I can give you that answer but let's hear yours first...

And whatever answer you come up with, the truth is there is a reason for that and that same reason applies here. Smith and most every young top player shouldn't play a 4th line role as there are different expectations for that line...it typically doesn't suit skilled players well. Even in a tournament like this, those "grinder" roles are still needed. Now I am not saying at some point Smith or Brindley can't overtake Kunin, but I think the odds of that happening aren't that great because it puts that kid in a tougher position that he isn't accustomed to (more so Smith).

If Kunin costs team USA a Gold medal, I will happily eat crow and buy you a beer, but players like him seem to do well here when paired with some talent and they stick to their role. Let's see how the tourney progresses and what players need more/less ice time.

 

[AmericanDream]

 

[king89]

Do you guys know who's playing on the PP

 

[AmericanDream]

Let's go boys!!!!!!

Lyon with some saves already....

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Gaudreau - Nelson - Boldy is going to be a really good line for us. Such a tough mix of players to match up against. Love how quickly they were moving it around, and how well they supported the puck.