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

[Joe Zanussi]

I don’t know if there’s anything that I hate more than the “we could ice two medal teams” stuff. It’s very possible that the Finns beat the US or Canada’s number one team.

 

[MOGlLNY]

Leaving off Tage for "gritty" type of players but then taking 3 guys who haven't been better than Alex Tuch this year is

 

[Bleedred]

The people who run Team USA Hockey are still a bunch of idiots, just like Poile, Burke and Lombardi when it came to these international tournaments.

I'm surprised Dan Bylsma isn't on the coaching staff. I'm slightly surprised Justin Abdelkader isn't on the team.

 

[shenmue16]

Mind boggling to leave Thompson and Caufield at home. The entire point of this tournament is to get experience for young guys before 2026, why would you bring vets who are pretty unlikely to make an Olympic roster? Why would you not take the best available players and just try to find a scheme that works around them?

 

[Mathieukferland]

18 Vlasics and another pair of Vlasics in net we'll have this thing wrapped up.

 

[mphmiles]

The US has done some incredibly stupid things in roster building over the years, (Ironically for my argument here, being obsessed with size, physicality, and veteran presences) but no one should be surprised they're not taking Caufield.

At this stage in his career, he's a not-great two way player that has 16 goals because he's shooting an unsustainable 25.4%- not because he's dominating play- and is a power play specialist that wasn't going to play on the first unit. There were just better and more well-rounded players to choose from that also can score goals.

Tage I probably would have tried to fit in as a winger somewhere, or as a 13th forward. He's been dominant both ways this year.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Thompson I would say is the biggest omission of all the teams I’ve seen so far, I would have had him on his off hand side on the first power play and playing a mid six role to add depth scoring

 

[William H Bonney]

Mind boggling to leave Thompson and Caufield at home. The entire point of this tournament is to get experience for young guys before 2026, why would you bring vets who are pretty unlikely to make an Olympic roster? Why would you not take the best available players and just try to find a scheme that works around them?

Because that's not the entire point of the tournament, nor are Thompson and Caufield definitive members of the best available 13 forwards.

 

[SillyRabbit]

Sounds like there's been communication between Team USA and the Miller camp, which means he's almost certainly going to be named to the team otherwise they wouldn't inquire.

 

[HairyKneel]

I would take Vlasic over both Hughes brothers in a tournament like this. But with the way Luke has played this year, he should absolutely be in the conversation to make this team.

Slavin - Fox
Hughes - Faber
Vlasic - McAvoy
McDonagh or Hughes

That's the group I would go with.

What a horrendous take.

 

[ORRFForever]

It's hard not to wonder if Johnny Gaudreau would have made the team.

 

[shenmue16]

Because that's not the entire point of the tournament, nor are Thompson and Caufield definitive members of the best available 13 forwards.

it's a mickey mouse tournament. it's just clearly a precursor to the Olympics, essentially serving as a tune-up/marketing tool because the NHL hasn't been involved in best-on-best international hockey tournament since 2016, and hasn't been to the Olympics in over a decade. Smarter thing to do is to give roster spots to people who will actually be on the 26 roster. I highly doubt team USA is going to take any of the three veterans in 2026.

 

[HairyKneel]

This is the team I'd choose as of now. A gold medal favorite no doubt, although Canada is the team to beat in best-on-best until someone else proves otherwise. Nevertheless, if this team doesn't win gold, it's a USAH failure. I look forward to how USAH will probably do something inevitably stupid and overthink this.

Forwards (x13):

Kyle Connor - Jack Eichel - Matt Boldy
J.T. Miller - Auston Matthews - Matthew Tkachuk
Jack Hughes - Dylan Larkin - Alex Tuch
Brady Tkachuk - Vincent Trocheck - Jake Guentzel
Brock Nelson

Defense (x7):

Quinn Hughes - Charlie McAvoy
Jaccob Slavin - Adam Fox
Ryan McDonagh - Brock Faber
John Carlson

Goalies (x3):

Connor Hellebuyck
Jake Oettinger
Jeremy Swayman
​

Forwards:

• There is no need to go small here with the rest of the picks. Take the most elite small guy (Hughes) and the most proven clutch performer (Guentzel) and stop. If Kane was still prime he'd be here too. And I think USAH in their hearts wants him here, but it's too much of a stretch.​
• There are plenty of USAH teams in the past that would have needed more small guys like Keller, Caulfield, Debrincat, etc. either but this isn't one of those teams.​
• For now, I'm including Miller because if he's back in time and game shape, he has to be on the team. By all reports, it seems like that's the plan, so name him now, and if he remains out, replace him later. If we do lose him, it's a huge loss.​
• Other forwards I think are probably in some consideration: Kreider, Thompson, Boeser, Robertson, Caufield, Keller, Debrincat, Cooley, Garland, Mittelstadt, Rust, etc.​
• Kreider, Boeser, and Robertson were all guys I've had on prior iterations of my team and not now. I just don't see how you can justify Roberston if he's not playing at his best given his heavy feet. Boeser would normally make our teams but we have plenty of goal-scoring and can choose more versatile guys over him. Kreider is the one who I think should be most likely to still make it. Yes, he's had a slow start, but he's got size, and speed, can play the PK and PP, and can fit into almost any role you need.​
• For now, I've gone center heavy (8 guys who could play center) but ideally, you don't have Hughes or Thompson do it, and versatile guys are key and we have plenty.​
• I fully expect at least one veteran will make it and cause a lot of people to cry foul. I have Nelson as that guy (although he's a worthy selection). I just hope it's a guy like Nelson and not someone more off-the-wall like Copp, Hartman, Rust, etc. Nothing will top the off-the-wall picks of the past, right? Right?​

Defense:

• The choices are hard here. Faber and Slavin should be locks. And after that, you can go so many different ways.​
• There are a lot of other guys you can make cases for to be on this team: Werenski, Hanifin, Pionk, Sanderson, Vlasic, Pesce, etc.​
• I'd be pretty surprised if there's not at least 1 veteran of prior "top" USAH squads here. Carlson and McDonagh are the clear standout options in that category. Right now I have both here because they're both top players, and I think USAH loves deferring to experience. McDonagh can anchor a PK tandem and bring a steady veteran presence to a young pair partner. And Carlson because he's a veteran, well-rounded, and a top 4 American RHD.​
• Werenski is hard to leave off. I went back and forth with putting him over McDonagh or Carlson. That's probably more likely to happen. But I suspect USAH may lean toward the veteran, experienced, defensive defenseman over the highly offensive rover in Werenski because Guerin has talked endlessly about certain players making it for certain roles, the defense isn't hurting for offensive weapons, and if you have Werenski playing a regular shift, you want him with a steady stay-at-home guy like if we had a right-handed Slavin (maybe Pesce if he had more time to rebound). That said, I think a Werenski - Faber third pairing is a strong pairing, too, and I wouldn't be mad if that happens.​
• Hanifin and Sanderson have been boutique picks in a lot of mocks I've seen (including some of my prior iterations), but I question whether they'll get the nod. They are both very similar players and one of them could easily find their way here. Neither is a PP guy at this level nor are they top PK options, either -- at least yet. They're well-rounded players no doubt, but this team isn't hurting for the well-rounded defenseman, and I suspect the staff is going to lean more toward guys who excel at a specific role a la defensively (Slavin, McDonagh) or offensively (Werenski).​

Goalies:

• Helle and Otter are the most obvious of obvious picks.
• It's too bad Demko has been out so long and Swayman is having a very slow start after his holdout, otherwise, we'd have four #1 options in the net.
• It doesn't matter who we choose for the #3 role, but I'd go with the young #1 (Swayman) just for the experience.

Canada is the gold medal favorite. Goaltending is the only position they are weaker at.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Leaving Thompson off is so dumb. He's averaged a 43 goal 83 point pace the last 3 years playing for the Buffalo Sabres and we couldn't find a spot for him?

Among Americans, only Matthews has scored goals at a higher rate in that span.

Oh yeah, and he's 6'6, can play C and W, has a bomb of a left circle one timer, and is an excellent skater with soft hands. And his all around game has significantly improved.

Guy is the closest stylistic comp to Mario Lemieux the US has ever produced and we decided we need Trocheck instead?!?

Canada is the gold medal favorite. Goaltending is the only position they are weaker at.

The US defense is better than Canada's, and I don't think it's particularly close. Canada's got some good puck movers, but really lack solid shut down dmen.

Centers
Canada >> USA

Wingers
USA ~ Canada

Defense
USA >> Canada

Goaltending
USA >>>> Canada

 

[HairyKneel]

Leaving Thompson off is so dumb. He's averaged a 43 goal 83 point pace the last 3 years playing for the Buffalo Sabres and we couldn't find a spot for him?

Among Americans, only Matthews has scored goals at a higher rate in that span.

Oh yeah, and he's 6'6, can play C and W, has a bomb of a left circle one timer, and is an excellent skater with soft hands. And his all around game has significantly improved.

Guy is the closest stylistic comp to Mario Lemieux the US has ever produced and we decided we need Trocheck instead?!?

The US defense is better than Canada's, and I don't think it's particularly close. Canada's got some good puck movers, but really lack solid shut down dmen.

Centers
Canada >> USA

Wingers
USA ~ Canada

Defense
USA >> Canada

Goaltending
USA >>>> Canada

You're 2/4. The last time the US won a best on best was 1996. Benedict Arnold from North Van scored the winner, Fred Flinstone ran the Canadian team while Mario, Patrick and Kariya didn't play.

Canada has better skaters. US has the goaltending.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

You're 2/4. The last time the US won a best on best was 1996. Benedict Arnold from North Van scored the winner, Fred Flinstone ran the Canadian team while Mario, Patrick and Kariya didn't play.

There's been what, 4 best on bests since then? One of which we lost in the final in overtime on Canadian soil? Another we lost to Canada by 1 in the semis?

Not like it's relevant, as the USA started pumping out much more talent since the last best on best over a decade ago. Before Eichel, Matthews, and Hughes, our go to top centers were guys like Backes, Kesler, and Gomez for god's sake. This isn't your grandpa's USA

Since 2010, the USA has won 5 of 15 WJC golds after winning 1 in the prior 36 years. All those players who dominated the international stage as juniors are all finally getting a shot to compete in a best on best.

Canada has better skaters.

I'd probably call the skaters a draw, though leaving off Thompson certainly helps Canada. Canada is definitely better up front, USA is definitely better on D.

US has the goaltending.

I think that goes without saying. USA has at least 7 goalies better than Canada's best.

 

[SanDogBrewin]

Canada is the gold medal favorite. Goaltending is the only position they are weaker at.

Canadas defense is not as good as it has been in the past.

 

[Northerner]

it's a mickey mouse tournament. it's just clearly a precursor to the Olympics, essentially serving as a tune-up/marketing tool because the NHL hasn't been involved in best-on-best international hockey tournament since 2016, and hasn't been to the Olympics in over a decade. Smarter thing to do is to give roster spots to people who will actually be on the 26 roster. I highly doubt team USA is going to take any of the three veterans in 2026.

Shouldn't even be called a tournament, should be called a series.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

I don’t know if there’s anything that I hate more than the “we could ice two medal teams” stuff. It’s very possible that the Finns beat the US or Canada’s number one team.

I'm not saying that whatsoever. My reason is to evaluate more players and expand this to incorporate the entire O6.

 

[William H Bonney]

Canada is the gold medal favorite. Goaltending is the only position they are weaker at.

Thank you for saying what my post already said.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Canada is the gold medal favorite. Goaltending is the only position they are weaker at.

Once the two countries are officially named, I'm confident they will be comparable.

I had Robertson penciled in, but I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't on the team. Very average year and his skating is even more labored. Maybe a guy like Tuch takes his place.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

According to this article: Patrik Laine expected to make Team Finland, Cole Caufield appears set to miss out on Team USA | TSN

Caufield and Thompson are out and Kreider, Trocheck, and Nelson are in. I can see Jack Hughes and J.T. Miller on the wing with Matthews, Eichel, and Larkin the top three centers and Nelson/Trocheck the 4th line center. Perhaps one of them is the 13th forward. Maybe the forward group looks like this:

M. Tkachuk/Eichel/Boldy
B. Tkachuk/Matthews/J. Hughes
Connor/Larkin/Miller
Kreider/Nelson/Guentzel
Trocheck

That would mean no Tuch. It makes me wonder if Connor is at risk.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

According to this article: Patrik Laine expected to make Team Finland, Cole Caufield appears set to miss out on Team USA | TSN

Caufield and Thompson are out and Kreider, Trocheck, and Nelson are in. I can see Jack Hughes and J.T. Miller on the wing with Matthews, Eichel, and Larkin the top three centers and Nelson/Trocheck the 4th line center. Perhaps one of them is the 13th forward. Maybe the forward group looks like this:

M. Tkachuk/Eichel/Boldy
B. Tkachuk/Matthews/J. Hughes
Connor/Larkin/Miller
Kreider/Nelson/Guentzel
Trocheck

That would mean no Tuch. It makes me wonder if Connor is at risk.

Honestly can't see Nelson on this team ahead of Thompson. You have a couple of extra wingers who are center so why the need for him? Thompson is a mire impact ful player and your leaving him off? Not a swipe at Nelson who is a very good player and if you went 14F I can see him making it.

 

[BHawk21]

According to this article: Patrik Laine expected to make Team Finland, Cole Caufield appears set to miss out on Team USA | TSN

Caufield and Thompson are out and Kreider, Trocheck, and Nelson are in. I can see Jack Hughes and J.T. Miller on the wing with Matthews, Eichel, and Larkin the top three centers and Nelson/Trocheck the 4th line center. Perhaps one of them is the 13th forward. Maybe the forward group looks like this:

M. Tkachuk/Eichel/Boldy
B. Tkachuk/Matthews/J. Hughes
Connor/Larkin/Miller
Kreider/Nelson/Guentzel
Trocheck

That would mean no Tuch. It makes me wonder if Connor is at risk.

Thats a good team. I honestly dont have any issues. Caufield is a no for me. Thompson you could have fit in there instead of Nelson or Kreider but Im fine with it. I think they have a role for Nelson lined up.

 

[qc14]

My final roster (more of what I would do than a prediction, but definitely keeping in mind how these teams are likely to be built):

B Tkachuk - Eichel - M Tkachuk
Guentzel - Matthews - Miller
Connor - Hughes - Boldy
Tage - Larkin - Nelson
Kreider

Slavin-Fox
Hughes-Faber
Werenski-Carlson
McAvoy

Hellebuyck
Oettinger
Swayman

Forwards
- Last guys in: Tage, Larkin, Nelson, Kreider
- First guys out: Robertson, Keller, Trochek, Boeser
- With the combos I tried to go with a "matchup" first line, "scoring" 2nd and 3rd lines, and "matchup" 4th line but I think you really trust all 4 of these in any situation. There are really very few bad options with how to arrange the forwards though since the group is so good.
- At the bottom of the lineup I tried to go for more two-way guys without overthinking things. That means I'm taking Tage over Robertson and Larkin over Keller. Trocheck is having such a poor season that I'll ride the hotter hand in Nelson. I do think some international experience is important especially in a 13F role which gives Kreider the edge.
- If you want a real PK, faceoff, matchup specialist center, why not bring Nic Dowd?

Defenseman
- Last guys in: Werenski, Carlson
- First guys out: Sanderson, McDonagh
- Slavin/Fox and Hughes/Faber are locks and I think locks to be paired with one another. Two insanely great 1A and 1B pairs. You can also easily go Hughes/Fox if down late or Slavin/Faber if you're holding on to a lead.
- Werenski and Carlson have just played significantly better than every non-Hughes American defenseman this season (and honestly better than any non-Hughes or Makar defenseman period). Carlson is also despite his reputation a very good and practiced penalty killer. He's playing more shorthanded than any American defenseman except Slavin and significantly more than every other defenseman in contention except McDonagh. As with the forwards I want one more experienced hand too and Carlson has throughout his entire career come up clutch for Team USA.
- McAvoy drops down to the extra defenseman for me. Boston have been terrible and a big part of the reason why is his atrocious start to the season. His track record is good enough that I want him on the team regardless, but at some point you do have to take form into account.
- Hanifin is having a rougher start to the year as well and doesn't do any one thing good enough to move him into the picture. Sanderson has done basically all he could and would have a better shot if Werenski wasn't having such an insane season -- he'll have chances in the future though. McDonagh would be my pick if you wanted one more pure defensive guy but I just don't see how you can play him over any of the other seven. If you could take 8 though he'd be next in line.

Goalies
- Last guy in: Swayman
- First guy out: Stolarz
- Pretty self explanatory, Hellebuyck is the clear starter to me and Oettinger the clear 2. Swayman has stunk this year and Stolarz has been great, but their track records are long enough that I'll stick with Swayman. The good news is that our 7th goalie would probably be in contention to be Canada's starter.
- If you really wanted to go crazy though with the third goalie here's a name -- Jonathan Quick.