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

WarriorofTime

Registered User
Jul 3, 2010
31,969
21,286
The U.S. brass clearly wanted to have a defined top six (maybe nine) and then "role" players for the balance of the lineup. Guys like Caufield and Keller just didn't have a spot on this team. I probably would have made room for Thompson, but it was clear Guerin and co really wanted Nelson, Kreider, and Trocheck. Players that were at risk were actually guys like Connor.
It’s a no brainer. Not like they brought NHL bottom six players to do the same thing. Everyone they brought can score/produce, the latter just bring a bit more as the depth player roles and duties as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Deep Blue Metallic

Deep Blue Metallic

Bo knows hockey.
Mar 5, 2021
5,176
6,490
It’s a no brainer. Not like they brought NHL bottom six players to do the same thing. Everyone they brought can score/produce, the latter just bring a bit more as the depth player roles and duties as well.
In a best-on-best at the highest level, you have the luxury of star team players being "grinders". I'm happy they're exploiting that reality.
 

Rabid Ranger

2 is better than one
Feb 27, 2002
31,660
11,925
Murica
I've got no problem with role players like Nelson, Kreider, and Trochek, each of whom is offensively skilled in his own way. Not an Abdelkader to provide "toughness" among them.

Nelson's selection in particular is being questioned, but he's the all-round, plug-and-play insurance policy in case of injury at forward that Tage is not. With a larger roster, Tage has a spot.

As fans of American hockey we should be pleased that the wealth of talent available means a player as valuable as Thompson *doesn't* make the team.
Agreed. Guys like Trocheck and Nelson can "do it all" and are ideal for a bottom six role. It doesn't hurt they are great at faceoffs also.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Deep Blue Metallic

mphmiles

Registered User
Jan 1, 2017
783
1,431
Hughes is the center that moves to wing, with Matthews, Eichel, Miller and Larkin staying in the middle?
Hughes to wing, yes, but they wouldn't have brought Trocheck if he wasn't playing C IMO. Him being the 4th line C to eat PK minutes, play on a checking line, and be a 200 foot defensive presence is most of his value on this team, which is wasted on the wing. I'd bet heavily on:

Matthews
Eichel
Larkin
Trocheck
 
Last edited:

PanniniClaus

Registered User
Oct 12, 2006
11,440
5,080
The dichotomy that is Swayman vs Stolarz is hard to ignore. I am sure Stolarz is using it as fuel.

Guy looked like Hasek tonight.
 

TheDoldrums

Registered User
May 3, 2016
13,195
20,642
Newcastle, Ontario
The dichotomy that is Swayman vs Stolarz is hard to ignore. I am sure Stolarz is using it as fuel.

Guy looked like Hasek tonight.

Realistically the 3rd goalie shouldn’t matter in such a short tournament. But it does make things interesting for the future if Stolarz continues to outplay him in the lead up to the Olympics. With a longer tournament and higher stakes, it’s more important to get it right.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PanniniClaus

Regal

Registered User
Mar 12, 2010
26,936
16,988
Vancouver
Hughes to wing, yes, but they wouldn't have brought Trocheck if he wasn't playing C IMO. Him being the 4th line C to eat PK minutes, play on a checking line, and be a 200 foot defensive presence is most of his value on this team, which is wasted on the wing. I'd bet heavily on:

Matthews
Eichel
Larkin
Trocheck

Yea, talking Nelson as the likely 13th forward suggests Trocheck is the 4C. Hughes to Matthews’ wing makes sense and Miller is also an easy move to wing as he’s played a lot there.
 
Last edited:

FinRanger

Registered User
Jan 15, 2013
972
787
Kreider and Fox should be playing on the same powerplay unit. Fox looking for Kreider tip-ins is a cheat code and should be used in a short tournament like this.


First unit should be this:


Kreider​

Eichel Matthews J Hughes

Fox​


Second unit:


M Tkachuk​

Miller B Tkachuk Connor

Q Hughes​
 

Rabid Ranger

2 is better than one
Feb 27, 2002
31,660
11,925
Murica
I know we joked about a guy like Rust making the team, but he's actually having a great year and has a better case than some of the other forwards named.
 

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad