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

[Rabid Ranger]

It looks like Caufield is on the outside looking in: Montreal Canadiens sniper Cole Caufield on outside looking in of Team USA 4 Nations roster | TSN

 

[MNRube]

I know a lot of people are putting Werenski and Carlson on their lists, but I'd much rather have elite defensive guys. We already have Hughes and Fox to QB a PP.

Slavin - Fox
Hughes - Faber
Vlasic - McAvoy
McDonagh

Vlasic is really incredible, at this point I think he's overtaken McDonagh. He's the best American defender aside from Slavin IMO. Vlasic - McAvoy would be an awesome shutdown 3rd pairing.

I still prefer Sanderson but I don’t hate the idea of bringing Carlo, McDonagh or Vlasic as a reserve if we need some snarl/size on the backend.

I’d prefer we leave Werenski & Carlson home

 

[Canucks LB]

It looks like Caufield is on the outside looking in: Montreal Canadiens sniper Cole Caufield on outside looking in of Team USA 4 Nations roster | TSN

It honestly makes sense, who can he realistically replaceThat’s not already on the team?

They have a lot of goals scoring already, I am legitimately curious

 

[Regal]

TBH, I don't have any real issues with selecting any of the guys you've listed other than maybe Tuch- but the reason for that is guys like Robertson, Thompson, Boldy, and to a lesser extent, Miller- aren't really "gritty" or physical players. They're just taller finesse players.

For today’s NHL Miller is pretty damn physical. He has 200+ hits each of the last two seasons.

 

[Regal]

I still prefer Sanderson but I don’t hate the idea of bringing Carlo, McDonagh or Vlasic as a reserve if we need some snarl/size on the backend.

I’d prefer we leave Werenski & Carlson home

I think McDonagh’s experience and ability to play both sides effectively might give him the inside track for a reserve spot. Though it’s possible they’d want to take more of the younger guys with eyes on 2026.

 

[MNRube]

I think McDonagh’s experience and ability to play both sides effectively might give him the inside track for a reserve spot. Though it’s possible they’d want to take more of the younger guys with eyes on 2026.

No issues with that. I think you build from the following 8 D

LHD: Hughes, Slavin, Sanderson, McDonagh
RHD: Fox, McAvoy, Faber, Carlo

Carlson & Werenski bring redundant skillsets to guys that are better than them. I can’t get over how awful Werenski was for USA last summer, so admittedly I’m using a small sample size. If we want a steady veteran, I like McDonagh’s game more than Carlson’s from a fit perspective.

 

[SillyRabbit]

I think JT Miller should be more in a shut down role, he’s going to be a huge factor against McDavid, Basically his counter.

This USA team though is unbelievable

Miller is tailor made for a tournament like this, just like how Kesler showed up big time in 2010. (Miller being more talented than Kesler at that).

But he's playing through injury right now and by his standards, he looks pretty bad out there.

If he's back to 100% by February, then I'd be interested in seeing him on a line with Eichel, matched up against the top lines of other teams.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Miller is tailor made for a tournament like this, just like how Kesler showed up big time in 2010. (Miller being more talented than Kesler at that).

But he's playing through injury right now and by his standards, he looks pretty bad out there.

If he's back to 100% by February, then I'd be interested in seeing him on a line with Eichel, matched up against the top lines of other teams.

Yeah, he looks pretty banged up and that is going to be a factor in this tournament and where depth comes in. If you envision him at center, you would then to consider the likes of Trocheck and Nelson for what would probably be a 4th line role.

 

[Xspyrit]

lol that first line is scary

Brady Tkachuk - Auston Matthews - Matthew Tkachuk

That defense and goaltending is also quite Elite. Brock Faber has to be there too

They are favorites IMO.

It looks like Caufield is on the outside looking in: Montreal Canadiens sniper Cole Caufield on outside looking in of Team USA 4 Nations roster | TSN

Is there people surprised by this? Caufield is really useless if not scoring, USA already has plenty of scoring ability

In the lineup on the first page, Kyle Connor, Jake Guentzel, Clayton Keller, Brock Boeser, Vincent Trocheck, Alex DeBrincat, Alex Tuch, Casey Mittelstadt are not even there. Gaudreau (RIP) was there so there's one more Top-14 spot to fill but is Caufield one of the best choices among all these guys? Not even close.

Same thing if you decide to replace Patrick Kane and/or Brock Nelson by a better option.

 

[MNRube]

Miller is tailor made for a tournament like this, just like how Kesler showed up big time in 2010. (Miller being more talented than Kesler at that).

But he's playing through injury right now and by his standards, he looks pretty bad out there.

If he's back to 100% by February, then I'd be interested in seeing him on a line with Eichel, matched up against the top lines of other teams.

Agree 100%. I think Boldy-Eichel-Miller is an extremely intriguing two-way line. Be a complete nightmare to play against

 

[Rabid Ranger]

With Demko injured and Swayman struggling our depth in goal is a bit thinner than it was to start the season. Hellebucyk and Oettinger is still a great tandem though. On defense I think both Werenski and Carlson will get long looks. Sanderson is probably on the outside looking in. At forward, not a ton of surprises although you hope the likes of Matthews, Miller, and Thompson get healthy. I think they find a way to fit Guentzel in and Keller is probably on the fringe at this point.

 

[WarriorofTime]

With Demko injured and Swayman struggling our depth in goal is a bit thinner than it was to start the season. Hellebucyk and Oettinger is still a great tandem though.

Not like you need 4 goalies for a four game thing.

If you had Hellebuyck and then like Anthony Stolarz came along as the Backup, it'd be chill.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Not like you need 4 goalies for a four game thing.

If you had Hellebuyck and then like Anthony Stolarz came along as the Backup, it'd be chill.

That's true. I think we're also fortunate that most of the favorites for the team are having good/great seasons so far. Some exceptions would be a guy like Jason Robertson who isn't putting up the points.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Well, Matthews is in Munich seeing a specialist and Miller has taken an indefinite leave of absence! I'd actually strongly consider Caufield. His game is rounding into form and for a small guy is feisty with a lot of grit. Put him with a bigger center and some muscle on the other wing (like a Tkachuk) and he'd be good.