WJC: 2025 Team USA Roster Talk

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Emery isn’t ready to be a top defensemen at the World Juniors, so it’s not egregious, but the issue is there are many worse players (including multiple plugs with no NHL future) who made it, so kind of a bummer.

 

[Frenzy31]

Emery isn’t ready to be a top defensemen at the World Juniors, so it’s not egregious, but the issue is there are many worse players (including multiple plugs with no NHL future) who made it, so kind of a bummer.

Who are the plugs that made it that have no NHL future?

 

[Salva Mea]

Is Aram Minnetian ethnic Armenian ?

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I would have liked Will Smith and another stud d-man, but to me, this is the most well-rounded roster we could have come up with. Better on ice than on paper. I think countries are going to have a tough time with our top six forwards.

 

[SK94]

I don't like at all that both Emery and Fiddler were cut. Kleber over Fiddler is laughable in my books. NCAA bias.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I don't like at all that both Emery and Fiddler were cut. Kleber over Fiddler is laughable in my books. NCAA bias.

Perhaps, but with the larger rosters all three of these guys were on the outside looking in for playing time.

 

[WarriorofTime]

They gotta make sure to recruit Fiddler for the U18 (his WHL team will be out by then), I'm sure Canada will try as well. He can still go either way until he plays in an IIHF tournament, being in a training camp doesn't mean anything for that.

 

[SK94]

They gotta make sure to recruit Fiddler for the U18 (his WHL team will be out by then), I'm sure Canada will try as well. He can still go either way until he plays in an IIHF tournament, being in a training camp doesn't mean anything for that.

Another reason why it would have make sense to least include him on this roster. He deserved it and there are not better options to be stand in guys either.

 

[Wieters]

Is Aram Minnetian ethnic Armenian ?

Yes, he is.

Minnetian has taken a big step forward at BC this year. I would argue he has been better than Fortescue, although Fortescue has also improved. Excited to see Minnetian at the WJC since he didn't make it last year.

 

[Mathieukferland]

They gotta make sure to recruit Fiddler for the U18 (his WHL team will be out by then), I'm sure Canada will try as well. He can still go either way until he plays in an IIHF tournament, being in a training camp doesn't mean anything for that.

He said at the prospects game he had made up his mind and that he grew up in the states and feels more America, I wouldn’t worry.

 

[SanDogBrewin]

Captains and Alternates named.

 

[SK94]

Leonard was the only right choice.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Leadership group completely expected and no surprises.

Did you play for the NTDP?

Did you make the WJC team the prior year?

If yes, you likely get a letter.

 

[Jaykay]

Excited to see what Leonard can do in this tournament, I think he and Buium should be two of the better players in the tournament and I can see Leonard being a guy that other teams and fan bases really hate when it's over.

 

[jj cale]

Excited to see what Leonard can do in this tournament, I think he and Buium should be two of the better players in the tournament and I can see Leonard being a guy that other teams and fan bases really hate when it's over.

Sounds like my kind of guy.

 

[William H Bonney]

Without fail every year the masses always overrate the usefulness of choosing really young players for the WJC team. Just because a player has better draft prospects, potential, or upside does not mean they're a better choice for the WJC.

 

[Leviathan899]

Excited to see what Leonard can do in this tournament, I think he and Buium should be two of the better players in the tournament and I can see Leonard being a guy that other teams and fan bases really hate when it's over.

As a Canadian, I already hate Leonard, as far as hockey goes lol just the prototypical American, uber good looking, fast, strong, high skill and a high level of cockiness, he’s a pain in the ass to play against. I admire his game, but dislike him strongly when playing against him.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Without fail every year the masses always overrate the usefulness of choosing really young players for the WJC team. Just because a player has better draft prospects, potential, or upside does not mean they're a better choice for the WJC.

But at the same time it seems like it's also a mistake to believe that just because some stuffy hockey executive or some coach (that may or may not coach said player in their NCAA team) picked a player that they are deserving and have earned their spot on the team.

It goes both ways. I think there should be room to say that some of the players left off might've not been complete locks and there was a realistic scenario where they didn't earn a spot on the team, while also saying that some of the players who got selected didn't deserve their spot.

 

[William H Bonney]

But at the same time it seems like it's also a mistake to believe that just because some stuffy hockey executive or some coach (that may or may not coach said player in their NCAA team) picked a player that they are deserving and have earned their spot on the team.

It goes both ways. I think there should be room to say that some of the players left off might've not been complete locks and there was a realistic scenario where they didn't earn a spot on the team, while also saying that some of the players who got selected didn't deserve their spot.

I'm not saying either side has infallibility. I've certainly found myself on both sides of the argument. But the "take the really young guy because he's more hyped or has a higher draft position projection" crowd (and again, I have been this person) continually undersell how much age and physical and mental maturity matter for junior tournaments. That's not to say the top tier young guys can't overcome it (they often do), but the team and roster decisions aren't bad just because guys who have little NHL draft prospect hype are making it over guys who have more. It matters very little.

 

[WarriorofTime]

I feel like this a direct shot at Pavel for flipping out last year when Hagens got cut for OHL players that he said were terrible. The other consideration is you want guys that you feel good about in a fourth line role when looking at 11th/12th/13th/14th forward. Penalty killers. Sand paper types. Not necessarily the scorer who won’t be about to score much in that kind of role without powerplay time except against the really bad teams anyways.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Fiddler would have either been chewed up this tournament or not played. He'll get his shot next year.