World Cup: 4 Nations Tournament- Team USA (2025)

[abj]

I'd rather have Larkin, personally.

 

[William H Bonney]

Jack Hughes may not make this team, and if he does, he's not really playing center.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Trocheck would be a good choice for Penalty Kill.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Jack Hughes may not make this team, and if he does, he's not really playing center.

Fine with him on Wing because he sucks at Faceoffs, but leaving him off entirely would be hilariously stupid and some extreme overreaction. He's at 1.2 PPG since 2022-23.

 

[William H Bonney]

Fine with him on Wing because he sucks at Faceoffs, but leaving him off entirely would be hilariously stupid and some extreme overreaction. He's at 1.2 PPG since 2022-23.

If he were to be left off it would have nothing to do with his PPG. It would be his style of play and the roles they want to have on the team. I don't think they'll actually leave him off the team (he'd have to be playing really poorly for an extended period or be injured), but people are going to be surprised when they don't take all the smaller offensive guys they think they should.

 

[WarriorofTime]

If he were to be left off it would have nothing to do with his PPG. It would be his style of play and the roles they want to have on the team. I don't think they'll actually leave him off the team (he'd have to be playing really poorly for an extended period or be injured), but people are going to be surprised when they don't take all the smaller offensive guys they think they should.

Sure but there's a big difference between Jack Hughes and say, Cole Caufield.

USA did leave Phil Kessel off the 24 and Overs Team in 2016, so I guess you can never discount potential idiocy.

 

[William H Bonney]

Sure but there's a big difference between Jack Hughes and say, Cole Caufield.

USA did leave Phil Kessel off the 24 and Overs Team in 2016, so I guess you can never discount potential idiocy.

Oh for sure, but it's not also just Hughes vs Caufield. A guy like Guentzel is in the same consideration group and he's safer to be on the team than Hughes. They're going to take a few smaller offensive guys, but I can already envision the endless whining that the team won't have all of Hughes, Keller, Guentzel, Caufield, Debrincat, etc.

I'd be shocked if Hughes didn't make it, but USAH would be stupid to leave behind top centers just because Hughes plays a hybrid center role. Hughes would do better here in a complimentary winger role.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Oh for sure, but it's not also just Hughes vs Caufield. A guy like Guentzel is in the same consideration group and he's safer to be on the team than Hughes. They're going to take a few smaller offensive guys, but I can already envision the endless whining that the team won't have all of Hughes, Keller, Guentzel, Caufield, Debrincat, etc.

I'd be shocked if Hughes didn't make it, but USAH would be stupid to leave behind top centers just because Hughes plays a hybrid center role. Hughes would do better here in a complimentary winger role.

I'd be OK if some or all those guys were left off

 

[Rabid Ranger]

If he were to be left off it would have nothing to do with his PPG. It would be his style of play and the roles they want to have on the team. I don't think they'll actually leave him off the team (he'd have to be playing really poorly for an extended period or be injured), but people are going to be surprised when they don't take all the smaller offensive guys they think they should.

They should leave Kane off and have Hughes play his role as a playmaking wing on one of the top two lines. For me, the four centers are Matthews, Eichel, Miller, and Trocheck. I do think Larkin makes the team as well as Miller can also play wing. Might even see Thompson. Good problem to have.

 

[William H Bonney]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1847833438738321412

RD is loaded, but Faber looks like he's going to force his way onto this team this year. Helps that Guerin is the GM, of course.

If he's not a lock already (he should be), he's got to be close. He's got size, elite IQ, and he's already one of the elite 200-foot defenseman in the NHL. Very similar to Doughty when he made Team Canada for the 2010 Olympics and played a huge role.

 

[William H Bonney]

They should leave Kane off and have Hughes play his role as a playmaking wing on one of the top two lines. For me, the four centers are Matthews, Eichel, Miller, and Trocheck. I do think Larkin makes the team as well as Miller can also play wing. Might even see Thompson as well. Good problem to have.

Agreed. I think they want Kane to make it, and it'd be hard to leave him off if he's producing given how he shows up in big moments, but he's not at this point. Hurts his chances too that we have an abundance of smaller, highly skilled offensive players to pick from for a few spots.

Miller is a lock. Trocheck should be there for his versatility. Larkin should be there too. I'd take at least 1 more center beyond those guys that you'd feel comfortable taking a regular center shift as well.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Boeser
Boldy
Caufield
Connor
DeBrincat
Eichel
Guentzel
Hughes
Kane
Keller
Kreider
Larkin
Matthews
Miller
Nelson
Robertson
Schmaltz
Thompson
M. Tkachuck
B. Tkachuck
Trocheck
Tuch

22 Forwards by my count, these are the ones I'd put "in the hunt", I'd build your 13 out of this group.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Agreed. I think they want Kane to make it, and it'd be hard to leave him off if he's producing given how he shows up in big moments, but he's not at this point. Hurts his chances too that we have an abundance of smaller, highly skilled offensive players to pick from for a few spots.

Miller is a lock. Trocheck should be there for his versatility. Larkin should be there too. I'd take at least 1 more center beyond those guys that you'd feel comfortable taking a regular center shift as well.

I agree that they would like to name Kane. There's time for him to get going, but I don't think he's best on best worthy at this point though. Another guy that may be a shock exclusion is Connor. A guy that may be a shock add is Tuch. He's big, tough, skilled, and produces.

 

[Golden_Jet]

All I want to know is why the Czechs weren't included there are some fine talented players developed by Czechia...some are top flight upper Elite World wide

It’s an NHL tournament, I don’t think they have 23 NHLers.

 

[WarriorofTime]

It’s an NHL tournament, I don’t think they have 23 NHLers.

24 have played in nhl so far this year but five are goaltenders.

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

It’s an NHL tournament, I don’t think they have 23 NHLers.

Really? Vladar,Vanecek,Dostal,Vejmelka,Hronek,Rutta,Gudas,Jiricek,Pastrnak,Necas,Zacha,Hertl,Palat,Faksa, Vrana,Chytil, Kulich,Kubalik,Nosek,Kampf,Klapka,Lauko,Zahorna...Lots of top flight Forwards and some outstnding Goaltenders but a little light on D-men

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

Boeser
Boldy
Caufield
Connor
DeBrincat
Eichel
Guentzel
Hughes
Kane
Keller
Kreider
Larkin
Matthews
Miller
Nelson
Robertson
Schmaltz
Thompson
M. Tkachuck
B. Tkachuck
Trocheck
Tuch

22 Forwards by my count, these are the ones I'd put "in the hunt", I'd build your 13 out of this group.

That American squad is stacked...probably the first time in many years that only a couple of those players have a Canadian background with their Pop's being Oh Canada...and you didn't include the great Goaltenders they have produced in Oettinger,Demko(hurt)Gibson(ditto)Hellebuyck and Swayman...wow just wow!!!

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

What does everyone expect the team to look like?

Keller-Matthews-Matt Tkachuk
Robertson-Eichel-Hughes
Connor-Miller-Brady Tkachuk
Kreider-Trocheck-Larkin
Guentzel

Slavin-Fox
Hughes-McAvoy
Werenski-Faber
Sanderson

Swayman
Hellebuyck
Oettinger

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I think that's the team, although its likely Boldy makes it. Not sure who the cut would be (Connor?).

 

[Nucks2001]

I think that's the team, although its likely Boldy makes it. Not sure who the cut would be (Connor?).

likely Connor, Kreider or Trochek. Boldy adds an aspect to the team that it’s missing. Kreider does the same, but is older. Trochek is expendable as a center if you have Larkin on the line already.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

likely Connor, Kreider or Trochek. Boldy adds an aspect to the team that it’s missing. Kreider does the same, but is older. Trochek is expendable as a center if you have Larkin on the line already.

Yeah, I think Kreider is a possible cut and I'm skeptical they take both Trocheck and Larkin. Aren't these expanded rosters though?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

The problem with Boldy is he’s probably top 9 only. Most of those spots are going to be taken. You have to take some guys who can play on the fourth line, in defensive zone situations, and PK. Trocheck is not expendable. He’s the best face off guy in the league, very good defensively, and he’s also like a PPG player right now, so he’s on the team. No questions asked to me.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

The problem with Boldy is he’s probably top 9 only. Most of those spots are going to be taken. You have to take some guys who can play on the fourth line, in defensive zone situations, and PK. Trocheck is not expendable. He’s the best face off guy in the league, very good defensively, and he’s also like a PPG player right now, so he’s on the team. No questions asked to me.

I'd rather have Boldy than Connor (for instance). I think in a vacuum he's better than Keller as well. I agree on Trocheck and believe he's on the team. Not sure if it's at the expense of someone like Larkin though. The U.S. finally has some decisions to make at center.

 

[Nucks2001]

The problem with Boldy is he’s probably top 9 only. Most of those spots are going to be taken. You have to take some guys who can play on the fourth line, in defensive zone situations, and PK. Trocheck is not expendable. He’s the best face off guy in the league, very good defensively, and he’s also like a PPG player right now, so he’s on the team. No questions asked to me.

Trochek is expendable when your center core is Matthews, Eichel, Hughes, Miller and Larkin and you’re moving some of those players to the wings. Agree that Trochek should be on the team, but he’s the first to go from the guys mentioned. Especially when you consider that Eichel and Larkin are excellent 2-way forwards and face-off takers in their own right.

 

[Czechboy]

What does everyone expect the team to look like?

Keller-Matthews-Matt Tkachuk
Robertson-Eichel-Hughes
Connor-Miller-Brady Tkachuk
Kreider-Trocheck-Larkin
Guentzel

Slavin-Fox
Hughes-McAvoy
Werenski-Faber
Sanderson

Swayman
Hellebuyck
Oettinger

So funny because on the yzerplan thread on mains there is a big argument that Larkin is as good and maybe better than. Eichel. Eichel at 2C and Larkin moved to bottom line wing.

Anyways . This team is insanely stacked. No real weakness.