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

[TheDoldrums]

The World Cup of Hockey is scheduled for 2028 btw

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

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.

You realize Eichel is 44.7% for his career, has never hit 50%, and the last three years is right above 45%?

So no, Eichel is not a good face-off guy. I still don't get your point. Do you plan to play Boldy or Connor on the fourth line? Are they going to be on the ice for the defensive zone face-offs?

 

[WarriorofTime]

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

Figured we start the talk about this team since we are watching the World Championships right now with a likely number of players potentially making this squad. My early prediction for the squad as of today: Brady Tkachuk (A) - Auston Matthews - Matthew Tkachuk Jason Robertson - J.T. Miller -...

forums.hfboards.com

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

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.

The issue is that Eichel can not be a bottom line player with how he plays. Larkin can. Larkin is very good though, so it's a good problem to have. I would take Eichel between the two though.

 

[Czechboy]

The issue is that Eichel can not be a bottom line player with how he plays. Larkin can. Larkin is very good though, so it's a good problem to have. I would take Eichel between the two though.

Agree both are very good.

 

[mphmiles]

I'll echo the Boldy over Connor sentiment. Connor is a better goal scorer and maybe a little better puck carrier, but the rest of this team doesn't lack for either of those things at all. Boldy is better at pretty much every other aspect of the game, especially as a two way player. Not to mention, Guerin's the GM- and we know the guys that build these teams like size.

In my head I threw around the idea of playing Miller with Hughes, and having Miller take the faceoffs, but otherwise keeping the C responsibilities with Jack. (Similar to what Edmonton used to do with McDrai) However, the lines and special teams roles may just shake out better by leaving him at wing.

I think where they put Jack and how well he fits is going to be really important.

 

[William H Bonney]

The issue is that Eichel can not be a bottom line player with how he plays. Larkin can. Larkin is very good though, so it's a good problem to have. I would take Eichel between the two though.

Yes he can. Eichel is an elite 200-foot center that can play anywhere in a best-on-best roster. He's not good at face-offs but that's about it. He won't be on a bottom line but he certainly could be if needed and do it well.

 

[WarriorofTime]

On Defense, it feels rather obvious who the 7 will be if healthy

Faber
Fox
Hughes
McAvoy
Sanderson
Slavin
Werenski

4 LHD/3 RHD.

At least for me, only more of a question of who you'd call on if someone is injured. To the extent you're adding 6 more names to make up a "pool" maybe Carlson, Faulk and Jones on the Right, Hanifin, Miller and York on the Left.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

The issue is that Eichel can not be a bottom line player with how he plays. Larkin can. Larkin is very good though, so it's a good problem to have. I would take Eichel between the two though.

These are all-star teams. Players will play lower in the lineup than their NHL status/production would dictate. What I'm most interested in seeing is how many "role player" the U.S. brass goes for. Also, will they go "big"?

 

[Regal]

I think USA should ignore most of the smaller scoring wingers and focus on some of the bigger and/or more rounded players. Something like:

Hughes - Matthews - M.Tkachuk
Miller - Eichel - Robertson
B.Tkachuk - Trocheck - Boldy
Kreider - Larkin - Tuch

Take Guentzel, Keller, or Connor as an extra if they need to add some of that scoring, but they’re pretty stacked without it

 

[Regal]

On Defense, it feels rather obvious who the 7 will be if healthy

Faber
Fox
Hughes
McAvoy
Sanderson
Slavin
Werenski

4 LHD/3 RHD.

At least for me, only more of a question of who you'd call on if someone is injured. To the extent you're adding 6 more names to make up a "pool" maybe Carlson, Faulk and Jones on the Right, Hanifin, Miller and York on the Left.

I feel like Jones or Hanifin would be the likely two moving up if there’s an injury, depending on which handedness is more needed. Decent all around vets who are still relatively young and would also potentially be on the Olympics if there’s injuries then as well. With Sanderson and Faber pretty green and Hughes, Fox and McAvoy all still pretty young, I don’t think they’d go with someone really green like York, or bother with someone quite old like Carlson. Kind of crazy Jones was one of the first initial names for the 2022 Olympics before the NHL pulled out but now might not be on the team

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Tage Thompson playing well.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Hughes
Matthews
M.Tkachuk
Miller
Eichel
Robertson
Larkin
Trocheck
Boldy
B.Tkachuk
Thompson
Tuch
Connor

Fox
Hughes
Faber
McAvoy
Sanderson
Slavin
Werenski

 

[MOGlLNY]

I think if Thompson goes that Tuch will be there too. Built in chemistry and Tuch can play wherever and however you need him to.

Probably a both or none situation

 

[lordtrillson]

Mittlestadt should get a look the way he’s playing

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Mittlestadt should get a look the way he’s playing

Who would he boot? Kyle Conner heating up!

 

[WarriorofTime]

Neal Pionk playing well. USA could bring a strong “B” team this year.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Neal Pionk playing well. USA could bring a strong “B” team this year.

So could Canada, Finland and Czechs. Nothing uncommon.

 

[WarriorofTime]

So could Canada, Finland and Czechs. Nothing uncommon.

Not everything is meant to be an insult to anyone else.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

So could Canada, Finland and Czechs. Nothing uncommon.

....the Swedes?

 

[lordtrillson]

Who would he boot? Kyle Conner heating up!

I’m not even sure at this point, USA top 6 is so stacked and not sure Casey would be a fit on the bottom 6. But like you gotta at least take him as an extra skater if he keeps scoring at the pace he’s on.