AmericanDream
Thank you Elon!
We already know that he will be available lol....he hopefully shows up. He is legitimately in the running for a spot next few tournaments.
Olympics: 2026 U.S. Olympic Team
- Thread starter Rabid Ranger
- Start date
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Dr Jan Itor
Registered User
Should probably be noted that Boldy was 5th in shifts amongst forwards, 3 shifts behind 4th place, with the top 4 being B. Tkachuk, Eichel, Matthews and Larkin. So very likely wasn't a "coach's decision", but had some extended shifts.
Doesn't take half a brain to put those pieces together.
Doesn't take half a brain to put those pieces together.
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HockeyWooot
Registered User
- Jan 28, 2020
- 2,686
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Tkachuk Eichel Hughes
Boldy Matthews Tkachuk
Connor Miller Tuch
Guentzel Cooley Larkin
Hughes McAvoy
Slavin Faber
Werenski Fox
Sanderson
Hellebyuck
Oettinger
Swayman
Boldy Matthews Tkachuk
Connor Miller Tuch
Guentzel Cooley Larkin
Hughes McAvoy
Slavin Faber
Werenski Fox
Sanderson
Hellebyuck
Oettinger
Swayman
CowbellConray
Registered User
- Sep 8, 2010
- 2,591
- 1,744
As an outsider into this conversation, this is about the most forgiving review of the play to Fox as you can get.
He reads Miller going to the bench for the tip and misses the pass (when it’s the tournament of the best, you can’t accept a “b-“ pass. Fox mad a bad pass for that moment. He also could have circled back around and flip out if he needed. Miller was lazy too, he should’ve expected the pass and made a better effort, but it wasn’t a hard crisp pass for Miller on the tape.
Fox then is slow to pivot back, although I don’t think that mattered much in the scheme of things.
Nelson is coming from the left to Marner, while Hughes is working from the right. Fox, potentially from his slow pivot, steps to the center to attack Marner while Mitch is coasting in from the blue line. Too much gap is given to Bennett, who walks in and puts it short side. If Fox stays central between Bennett and Marner, Hughes comes in and back checks Marner to attack worst for the US a shot from the top of the circles. Which Helly is squared to.
Fox is the central culprit. His less than stellar pass and slow pivot + his unnecessary pressure to Marner opened the lane for Sam. Match it to Slavins play on the 3 on two when he matched the shooter and shifted to the secondary player only to then “hero play” the shot block, and Fox leaves a lot to be desired.
My opinion of course, but not a pretty play by Adam
Long Live Lyle
Registered User
Obviously, there’s a lot of hockey between now and Milan, but I think McAvoy, Quinn Hughes, Werenski and Slavin are the “core four” defensively for the next 3+ years (you can probably throw Faber in there too if you hate rhyming and want a “core five”).
I think it’s very likely Fox will be there… but I don’t think it’s a lock, and I’m of course even more uncertain that he’ll be a regular in the lineup even if he’s on the roster. Which, if you would’ve said that about Adam Fox in reference to the 2026 Olympics at literally any time from spring 2021 through last week, would’ve sounded absolutely insane.
I think it’s very likely Fox will be there… but I don’t think it’s a lock, and I’m of course even more uncertain that he’ll be a regular in the lineup even if he’s on the roster. Which, if you would’ve said that about Adam Fox in reference to the 2026 Olympics at literally any time from spring 2021 through last week, would’ve sounded absolutely insane.
Deep Blue Metallic
Modestly successful comedian.
- Mar 5, 2021
- 5,574
- 7,053
We're beating this to death perhaps, but ...
It wasn't a good pass by Fox, but he put it off the boards to hit Miller on his forehand side. The biggest mistake, which led to the entire tying goal sequence, was Miller not chipping the puck cleanly past Bennett right here.
Eye of Ra
Grandmaster General of the International boards
I would include Robertson instead of Nelson. Outside of that i dont see any need for changes.
NWWisconsinDuck
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- Jun 28, 2023
- 318
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That bottom six isnt very impressive. Also same with the bottom pairing dmen.
Comparing Canada top 6 its vastly superior to US.
No one in their right mind is taking a Tkachuks over McKinnon and point.
Cooley is ahead of Knies and Beniers to make the cut. And Pesce and Hanifin over Werenski? lol
The discourse around Fox is going to go on all year. As a Rangers fan I just want to add he has not looked himself since his knee injuries. He is not the player who won the Norris right now. That doesn't mean he's not still an elite NHL defensemen. But in a best on best, only 6 spots you need to build out the most well rounded D core you can. If Hughes and Werenski are healthy, I think they fill the offensive QB needs. A slightly diminished Adam Fox might not be what is needed, but rather someone else who might be bigger, faster, or more physically imposing.
They will prbably carry 8 Dmen. Luke Hughes and maybe John Carlson added.
Hanifin probably not there.
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Dr Jan Itor
Registered User
I do wonder if they go with some younger guys as their extras, to get them some experience in that kind of environment in advance of 2028 and 2030. Maybe 1 vet and 1 young player for each forwards and defensemen. Hughes would be a top candidate for that. Probably Cooley for the forwards.
Obvious Fabertism
Registered User
I thought Boldy played a very strong tournament, positionally he was excellent throughout, played with tremendous pace and mixed in aggressive physicality at times. A couple of puck bobbles came into play but he was highly involved in generating US possession and chances against the top competition that was also very defensively sound.
My main takeaway for the roster is that speed is going to remain paramount for success. It was very obvious who the underperforming players were and they pretty much all had the same issue being below the pace. For that reason, I just don’t think it’s likely Robertson makes the team even with a torrid scoring pace. I do think Tuch could get a shot and play a depth role well, but would need to see him at the WCs making an impact and also would want him getting in a lot of PK practice.
I think the forwards were more of an issue than the defensemen when push came to shove, a few guys were just out of their depth with the effort and pace required for this level of competition. JT Miller is a lot closer to a cut than a lock for me based on that, he was far too soft on the puck in the neutral zone. Jack Hughes needs to improve his battling skills between now and the Olympics. Nelson won’t be back, Kreider shouldn’t be either.
Keller won’t make this team based on playstyle and past attitude toward USA hockey. Tage is not a Guerin style player but may get a better shot next year, needs to add more truculence to his game though. Cooley and Beniers are the guys I think could be very interesting adds but may be a few more years away.
Hard to go too wrong on the roster with the core here, team is going to be challenging for gold on paper and should be right in the mix for best we have seen at this level.
My main takeaway for the roster is that speed is going to remain paramount for success. It was very obvious who the underperforming players were and they pretty much all had the same issue being below the pace. For that reason, I just don’t think it’s likely Robertson makes the team even with a torrid scoring pace. I do think Tuch could get a shot and play a depth role well, but would need to see him at the WCs making an impact and also would want him getting in a lot of PK practice.
I think the forwards were more of an issue than the defensemen when push came to shove, a few guys were just out of their depth with the effort and pace required for this level of competition. JT Miller is a lot closer to a cut than a lock for me based on that, he was far too soft on the puck in the neutral zone. Jack Hughes needs to improve his battling skills between now and the Olympics. Nelson won’t be back, Kreider shouldn’t be either.
Keller won’t make this team based on playstyle and past attitude toward USA hockey. Tage is not a Guerin style player but may get a better shot next year, needs to add more truculence to his game though. Cooley and Beniers are the guys I think could be very interesting adds but may be a few more years away.
Hard to go too wrong on the roster with the core here, team is going to be challenging for gold on paper and should be right in the mix for best we have seen at this level.
Rabid Ranger
2 is better than one
After watching the Four Nations and knowing who the U.S. management team for the Olympics will be, I find it hard to believe they will change all that much. I think some tweaks in personnel and pairings/lines are in order though. My current 25 man roster:
Goaltenders (x3):
Connor Hellebucyk-starter
Jake Oettinger-backup
Jeremy Swayman
Other possibilities include Demko and Wolf.
Defensemen (x8):
Hughes/Charlie McAvoy
Jaccob Slavin/Brock Faber
Zach Werenski/Jake Sanderson
Adam Fox/Noah Hanifin
Other possibilities include Vlasic, Carlson, and Pesce.
I think with the expanded roster, Fox will make it, but there's no guarantee he will be a regular with Hughes and Werenski in the lineup. I can live without Hanifin and so can see him replaced.
Forwards (x14):
Kyle Connor/Jack Eichel/Matt Boldy
Matthew Tkachuk/Auston Matthews/Jake Guentzel
Brady Tkachuk/Jack Hughes/JT Miller
Tage Thompson/Dylan Larkin/Alex Tuch
Clayton Keller/Logan Cooley
I wish we had a little more playmaking on the winger. Most of our forwards are more of the goal scoring variety (although that didn't manifest itself as much as I would have liked in this tournament. Does Kane get a shot if he's playing at a high-level next year? Will they consider a guy like Keller? Whatever the case, I don't want to see the black hole that was our 4th line at the Four Nations.
Overall, we'll be a gold medal contender, but we need better finishing, and certain guys have to step up. A guy like Matthews can't be content with being a Danault like player and Jack Hughes has to morph into 2nd stage Dean Youngblood.
Goaltenders (x3):
Connor Hellebucyk-starter
Jake Oettinger-backup
Jeremy Swayman
Other possibilities include Demko and Wolf.
Defensemen (x8):
Hughes/Charlie McAvoy
Jaccob Slavin/Brock Faber
Zach Werenski/Jake Sanderson
Adam Fox/Noah Hanifin
Other possibilities include Vlasic, Carlson, and Pesce.
I think with the expanded roster, Fox will make it, but there's no guarantee he will be a regular with Hughes and Werenski in the lineup. I can live without Hanifin and so can see him replaced.
Forwards (x14):
Kyle Connor/Jack Eichel/Matt Boldy
Matthew Tkachuk/Auston Matthews/Jake Guentzel
Brady Tkachuk/Jack Hughes/JT Miller
Tage Thompson/Dylan Larkin/Alex Tuch
Clayton Keller/Logan Cooley
I wish we had a little more playmaking on the winger. Most of our forwards are more of the goal scoring variety (although that didn't manifest itself as much as I would have liked in this tournament. Does Kane get a shot if he's playing at a high-level next year? Will they consider a guy like Keller? Whatever the case, I don't want to see the black hole that was our 4th line at the Four Nations.
Overall, we'll be a gold medal contender, but we need better finishing, and certain guys have to step up. A guy like Matthews can't be content with being a Danault like player and Jack Hughes has to morph into 2nd stage Dean Youngblood.
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