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

[Sdevils42]

To start I’ve been very critical of Adam Fox. Last night was an example why I don’t think he’s a true 1D on a Cup team. Was repeatedly pinned in D zone, trouble breaking it out, 3/4 TOs, 2/3 icings on clearances… vs Finland. Off of PP1, down a pair or 2 by the end of the game.

The defense as a whole was not good imo. They seemed to make quicker passes later in the game to clear the zone but imo they are susceptible to the forecheck. Canada will be a different beast.

Think it’ll be high scoring as I don’t think either team has a lockdown D corps. Hope it’s a good one.

Tkachuk bros were awesome to watch. These type of players shine in games like this, grit, skill, size, speed.
Hughes didn’t look great imo, couple nice plays w Matthews but at least 4/5 TOs and nearly killed McAvoy.

 

[shakes the clown]

Skating isn't Hanifin issue, its his decision making but I agree Sanderson should play in place of Hanifin and not Fox, Sanderson shoots left, not right.


Nope, Fox was worse.

I won't argue with that. he was definitely terrible and actually looked timid out there.


I wonder how much teh loss of Quinn is going to hurt the USA's gold medal hopes? So far it doesn't look like we have anyone else who can step up and fill the puck moving Makar role on this squad.

 

[William H Bonney]

People sure are throwing around the "terrible" classification pretty loosely about a game where Finland maybe generated 5 good scoring chances.

The whole team will need to improve but some of your expectations after 3 practices are wildly unrealistic.

Things are going to be all over the place in a 4 game tournament with almost no preparation. The team and staff did what you hope to see in that type of environment with the in-game responses on the score sheet and the coaching staff not being afraid to make changes.

 

[MNRube]

Don't agree with Trocheck\Larkin evaluation. Trocheck lost two D zone FO clean and I barely noticed him. Larkin barely saw the ice first half of the game so almost impossible to judge him. Personally I think Larkin should be one of the 4 Centers.

McAvoy was fine.

Thought Trocheck made some nice defensive plays, and was good on the PK. Neither Miller nor Larkin stood out at all. Not easy to do in a limited role but life ain’t fair

 

[AmericanDream]

Some very odd suggested lineup changes

Put up a 6 burger in their first game and some acting like we got shut out by France...

 

[SI90]

Mvp gets Johnny Hockeys jersey

 

[Dubi Doo]

Mvp gets Johnny Hockeys jersey

This is really cool and gives the team a bit more motivation to play for the win. Seems like they're pretty hyped up to play against Canada on Saturday. The Tkachuk brothers will likely be dialing up the buffoonery for that game.

 

[AmericanDream]

People sure are throwing around the "terrible" classification pretty loosely about a game where Finland maybe generated 5 good scoring chances.

The whole team will need to improve but some of your expectations after 3 practices are wildly unrealistic.

Things are going to be all over the place in a 4 game tournament with almost no preparation. The team and staff did what you hope to see in that type of environment with the in-game responses on the score sheet and the coaching staff not being afraid to make changes.

This is odd I know, but this entire team is basically top line/pairing players who many now have to adjust to not being "the guy". I know this is a crazy thought that players need a bit of time adjusting to not seeing 20-25 minutes plus a night while figuring out what their role is here. Chemistry takes time. Familiarity with each other takes time. It blows my mind how some folks think on here after an absolutely dominating performance by a group that have barely practiced together.

 

[Jets 31]

To all of the posts i just finished reading in the GDT, playoff Helly, pull him he's awful, overrated goalie.....

 

[CaviarAndRinkFries]

 

[SanDogBrewin]

Maker would be a big loss if he can't get over his illness. Bennett drawing in is going to very spicy. He and Brady must be on the ice at the same time.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

The team misses Q. Hughes, even though I thought Werenski played that role well. He's an exceptional offensive defenseman that has a lot of shake & bake. I'd probably sit Hanifin and try out Sanderson but not sure they will do that coming off a win. At forward, I'd like to see more out of Connor. I don't think he accomplished much. Maybe try him with Larkin and a defensively sound winger with size. I thought Matthews with Hughes and Guentzel was good and Eichel with the Tkachuks was great.

 

[Beerz]

I think Jake McCabe would have been a better option than Hanifin.

 

[TakeTheBody]

Dominating.

In Montreal.

Angering The Crowd.

Sacrebleu

 

[William H Bonney]

I think Jake McCabe would have been a better option than Hanifin.

The takes continue to get worse

 

[Ratsreign]

The takes continue to get worse

 

[Aquilon]

Same I didn't think Faber was his best, but Hanifin was the guy I'd swap out for Sanderson if you're going to make a move.

Hanifin had the toughest game for sure imo, only guy w/ negative +/- for the game. He started 3rd pair and Sully kept him buried in sparing minutes all game bc he lost most of his battles. I'd like to see Sanderson but I wouldnt actually do it, especially against Canada. Theyre already committed to playing one 22yr old with Faber and I dont like the idea of playing (2) of them vs Canada. Besides Hanifin will probably bounce back anyway.

I dont entirely get the Faber criticism. He was fine and moderately good? He lost a couple of battles I'd like to see him win and obviously passed on shooting on that one chance but he won a lot of other tough battles and sprung a couple rushes. He started on the 3rd pair and got bumped up to the 2nd with Slavin bc Fox wasnt accomplishing much good or bad. I think Fabers ice time wouldve been a lot higher but seemed Sully stopped playing him in the 3rd when the game was in hand, presumably to get Fox going. Also I suppose once Finland was trailing and forced to open things up you can argue it became a better environment for playing Fox rather than Faber.

Edit: Also I think there might be some people who confused #15 (Hanifin) for #14 (Faber) last night.

 

[Beerz]

The takes continue to get worse

I knew I would get that reaction.

But I stand by it. Jake is a warrior. He may not be able to transition the puck very well but he would make it hard to come inside the dots to opposing team.. punish them on the boards and sacrifice his body for blocked shots.

 

[William H Bonney]

I knew I would get that reaction.

But I stand by it. Jake is a warrior. He may not be able to transition the puck very well but he would make it hard to come inside the dots to opposing team.. punish them on the boards and sacrifice his body for blocked shots.

Apologize for your transgressions

 

[Mirka the Turka]

This competition will prove that Canada is simply Americas hat

 

[nucks88]

****

 

[MNRube]

Hanifin had the toughest game for sure imo, only guy w/ negative +/- for the game. He started 3rd pair and Sully kept him buried in sparing minutes all game bc he lost most of his battles. I'd like to see Sanderson but I wouldnt actually do it, especially against Canada. Theyre already committed to playing one 22yr old with Faber and I dont like the idea of playing (2) of them vs Canada. Besides Hanifin will probably bounce back anyway.

I dont entirely get the Faber criticism. He was fine and moderately good? He lost a couple of battles I'd like to see him win and obviously passed on shooting on that one chance but he won a lot of other tough battles and sprung a couple rushes. He started on the 3rd pair and got bumped up to the 2nd with Slavin bc Fox wasnt accomplishing much good or bad. I think Fabers ice time wouldve been a lot higher but seemed Sully stopped playing him in the 3rd when the game was in hand, presumably to get Fox going. Also I suppose once Finland was trailing and forced to open things up you can argue it became a better environment for playing Fox rather than Faber.

Edit: Also I think there might be some people who confused #15 (Hanifin) for #14 (Faber) last night.

Faber typically plays a lot better than that. He’s built for a tournament like this. I was critical of performance bc I’ve been watching him at the U of MN and the Wild for last 5 years and that was an uncharacteristically shaky performance.

I strongly believe he belongs on the team and is a better fit than Carlson. Just want him to have a vintage Faber game where he plays like prime Deion Sanders. But he’s the 2nd youngest guy in this tournament and the nerves are to be expected.

Not sure how I feel about Fox. He’s crafty as hell but in a short tournament, cerebral guys are risky.

 

[Hazy Little Thing]

Hughes-Matthews was dynamite. As was Tkachuks + Eichel. I’d maybe move Boldy up for Guentzel bc he’s a better puck retriever than Guentzel, but then again Guentzel is a better finisher and has experience playing with elite talent.

Connor was our worst forward. Wouldn’t be surprised if he sits

Tkachuk-Eichel-Tkachuk
Hughes-Matthews-Guentzel
Miller-Larkin-Boldy
Connor/Kreider-Trocheck-Nelson

Guentzel has no place in the top 6, he handicaps the elite skill guys. But also doesn’t really fit the bottom 6. Sullivan for ya though.

 

[Bozo Nicholson]

Guentzel has no place in the top 6, he handicaps the elite skill guys. But also doesn’t really fit the bottom 6. Sullivan for ya though.

He’s definitely been handicapping Kuch and Point this year. Total bum.

I doubt he’ll even get a sniff at the back of the net in this tourney.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Guys having one bad international game and being deemed as awful picks for the competition is completely asinine. I thought Faber/Hanifin had a rough start to the game the other night v Finland but they settled down as the game went. Also the Fox being bad take is insane, the guy won gold for them on their best WJC team in probably the past decade in terms of talent.

The only thing is maybe Tage being left off that's still dumb in hindsight but he'll be in Italy next year. Guys like Robertson, Luke Hughes could also be knocking on the door for the lower part of the roster too. I'm not going to lose my mind over this roster when the core is essential there for the next decade with the Tkachuks, Hugheses, Matthews, Fox, Werenski, etc.

Guentzel has no place in the top 6, he handicaps the elite skill guys. But also doesn’t really fit the bottom 6. Sullivan for ya though.

Literally what? He's been a perfect finisher his entire career + shows up in big moments.

What the f*** are these takes in this thread lol