WarriorofTime
Registered User
- Jul 3, 2010
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Unless it's in a reserve capacity, wonder if you can really have him while Quinn is still around. With a 4.5 year age gap, he does feel like a natural successor at the least.
2026 U S Olympic Team
- Thread starter Rabid Ranger
- Start date
AmericanDream
Thank you Elon!
Yeah he's likely not in the running next year but for the 28' world cup he is very much in line for top 6 if he continues this next few years.
Just wanted to give his overall play a shout out as he isn't one dimensional at all. Very impressive.
AmericanDream
Thank you Elon!
Red Wing players including Larkin, Kane and Debrincat wearing Johnny Hockey USA jerseys today. So cool....
Kane's having a good push to finish the year. If he's healthy and producing next season I wonder if they give him a long look? I also think Knies may be a factor. Shoot, play Kane with Matthews and Knies!
There’s a long list of players that USA Hockey will be calling before Kane. Robertson, Keller, Thompson, Debrincat, Caufield, Tuch, Cooley off the top of my head. With that being said, they may decide they just want him there
Here's NHL.com's projection: NHL.com projects U.S. roster for 2026 Olympics | NHL.com
Can't say I disagree with much.
Can't say I disagree with much.
Czechboy
Easy schedules rule!
- Apr 15, 2018
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It could be argued that the US goalie pipe has caught Russia.
Helle is most likely Vezina winner. Wolf looks to be unbelievable. feels like USA has a lot of goalie depth.
Helle is most likely Vezina winner. Wolf looks to be unbelievable. feels like USA has a lot of goalie depth.
Pavel Buchnevich
Drury and Laviolette Must Go
Hellebuyck still needs to prove himself in big games. He was kinda mediocre in the Four Nations Final.
Czechboy
Easy schedules rule!
- Apr 15, 2018
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Agree.. he has yet to have a big moment. But I think USA has like 6 starters right now that could win a best on best.
Hellebuyck was more than adequate in the tournament. Would like to see him step up in the playoffs. We need our stars to step up period.
SanDogBrewin
Righteous bucks!
Pavel Buchnevich
Drury and Laviolette Must Go
He got outplayed in the final by Binnington, and I think both of those goals were very savable, especially the first one.
TheBeastCoast
Registered User
Thing I have always argued with the goalies thing is...it is the position that having depth matters the least. Each team is looking for that one guy that can win you the game. Having the best 6th goalie isn't helping you win a tournament.
Czechboy
Easy schedules rule!
- Apr 15, 2018
- 21,647
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Totally agree but the depth is nice to have. Creates competition. Can handle an injury or a slump easier.
Here's who they have:
DEFENSEMEN (8)
Brock Faber, Minnesota WildAdam Fox, New York Rangers
Noah Hanifin, Vegas Golden Knights
Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks
Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins
Jake Sanderson, Ottawa Senators
Jaccob Slavin, Carolina Hurricanes
Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets
GOALIES (3)
Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg JetsJake Oettinger, Dallas Stars
Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins
SanDogBrewin
Righteous bucks!
My bad, I didn't finish my thought. LoL meant to say, "don't see any changes to the D and goaltending from this years 4Nations tourney".
The back end truly is built to win a Gold Medal. Just solid all the way through. Great depth!
It looks like the first six players for each team are to be announced in June. Who will it be for the U.S.? Probably similar to the Four Nations:
Hellebuyck
Q. Hughes
Werenski
Matthews
Eichel
M. Tkachuk
Hellebuyck
Q. Hughes
Werenski
Matthews
Eichel
M. Tkachuk
I don't think he makes the 2026 team, but a player to watch for me going forward is Jackson Blake. At 21 he's an elite defensive forward already with some skill to go with it, and Brind'Amour seems to love him. Ice time in Carolina the last 2 months has taken a big jump.
I think he's destined to play on the PK eventually which the US really needs in young wingers.
I think he's destined to play on the PK eventually which the US really needs in young wingers.
TheBeastCoast
Registered User
Almost entirely based on whether or not he PK's eventually. Hard yes if he does, no if he doesn't. This team really needs heir-apparents to Kreider, Nelson, and Miller as bottom 6 guys that can play wing and kill, as those guys are all getting up there in age and there's not many obvious replacements right now.
novisor
Registered User
With 8 defensemen they will take him, but does anyone else think Adam Fox will not be a top-6/starting D? Slavin, McAvoy, Werenski, Hughes, and Faber are your top 5 guys - zero debate to be had there. Then I think it's a competition between Sanderson and Hanafin for that last spot, edge to the Senator. Fox didn't look great at the 4 Nations and I could easily see him being the odd guy out.
Pavel Buchnevich
Drury and Laviolette Must Go
There actually is plenty of debate to be had there.
Four non-Norris winners and then Hughes. I don’t think anyone debates Hughes.
I do think many of us have a problem with not picking an in-his-prime Norris winner.
TheBeastCoast
Registered User
The Americans don’t need to worry about their penalty kill. Larkin, Matthews, Eichel, and Trochek are all capable of killing penalties and are there for the foreseeable future.
Boldy could probably play the PK effectively too if given the chance. Beniers is another young guy that thrives on the PK.
Part of the problem for the Americans was bringing too many Nelsons, Millers and Kreiders. Their star players are all capable of filling in checking and PK roles. I understand bringing one of those guys, but they should look at Tage, Caufield, Debrincat and Keller for the other spots.
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You can't have what are likely your 4 C's all be the penalty killers. It completely messes up line changes and minute management. Some wingers have to do it.
And I agree that in the past the US was far too obsessed with size, speed, and physicality- but that doesn't mean that you don't still have to fill in roles. Killing penalties effectively isn't something just anyone can do when they never even practice it.
