GDT: Four Nations Face-Off

[Double-Shift Lasse]

I thought I recalled a play in OT (maybe it was in the latter stages of the third) where Zach played a soft puck toward the net that might have hit the crossbar or deflected off someone in front? I was sleepy so who knows? Anyone?

I feel like if he had scored the winner in OT he would have won MVP.

 

[koteka]

JT Miller

Real life pulled me away from most of the game last night, but I thought Miller played really well in the first Canada game. He was getting back and disrupting the Canadian offense.

 

[Long Live Lyle]

I thought I recalled a play in OT (maybe it was in the latter stages of the third) where Zach played a soft puck toward the net that might have hit the crossbar or deflected off someone in front? I was sleepy so who knows? Anyone?

I feel like if he had scored the winner in OT he would have won MVP.

If it’s the play I remember, it was in OT, and I think it was kinda an innocent puck thrown toward the net with a LOT of traffic in front, but I don’t think it ever got to Binnington (or past him off the post). But it’s possible if it snuck through that crowd, maybe he wouldn’t have seen it and it would’ve snuck past him into the net.

I don’t think there’s any way he wouldn’t have been the MVP if he scored the OT winner. He finished as the tournament’s leading scorer regardless (as a defenseman…) then you add another point to his total and it happens to be the goal that wins the entire tournament in OT? I think it’d be 95% he’d have won the MVP.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

Real life pulled me away from most of the game last night, but I thought Miller played really well in the first Canada game. He was getting back and disrupting the Canadian offense.

He was active for sure. Maybe I was a little harsh on him but when I compare him to the top Canadian forwards I see a scrub.

 

[Long Live Lyle]

On the front end, Jack Hughes and Trocheck, Nelson, Kreider and JT Miller weren't good enough to compete at this level. The Canadians won because of their forward strength which is far superior to that of the US. Jack Hughes was simply abysmal-he needs to left off the next international roster.

I completely agree about Fox. So bleeping overrated-like so many players from the New York area. But Slavin was stupid good and Z made a great case that he is the most versatile and talented defenseman in the world.

If I'm not mistaken, M Tkachuk played a regular first period shift. If I'm correct on that, I'll differ with you on this. However, Connor was a much better option than several of the forwards who dressed. All that said, the US staff was able to get a less talented roster (overall) to a final game OT vs. the best hockey country in the world and I call that a job well done.

J Hughes was awful this tournament, but there’s no way you can leave him off the roster moving forward. As strong as the U.S. is defensively and in net, the forward group isn’t quite there yet. You can’t leave off a mid-20s guy who’s scored 294 points in his past 246 NHL games. Even Canada probably couldn’t, but the U.S. definitely can’t. Just have to hope it was a fluke / he was a victim of small sample size and not that he’s a poor international player overall.

McAvoy - Q Hughes - Slavin - Z should likely be the U.S. top 4 (in some combination) through the 2028 World Cup, possibly through the 2030 Olympics, although McAvoy, Z and (especially) Slavin might age out by that point. After that, I think everyone that was on this roster plus a few others could make a run for a roster spot / 3rd pair playing time. Despite being a former Norris winner, I think Fox can no longer be considered a definitive part of “the core” defensemen after this tournament.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

J Hughes was awful this tournament, but there’s no way you can leave him off the roster moving forward. As strong as the U.S. is defensively and in net, the forward group isn’t quite there yet. You can’t leave off a mid-20s guy who’s scored 294 points in his past 246 NHL games. Even Canada probably couldn’t, but the U.S. definitely can’t. Just have to hope it was a fluke / he was a victim of small sample size and not that he’s a poor international player overall.

Point well taken.

I would like to see his stats vs. COL/EDM/VGK and other top teams. If they're dramatically poorer vs. top competition in his past 246 games then he may warrant a very hard look on his worthiness to play in a best vs best competition if such a trend should continue.

 

[Long Live Lyle]

Point well taken.

I would like to see his stats vs. COL/EDM/VGK and other top teams. If they're dramatically poorer vs. top competition in his past 246 games then he may warrant a very hard look on his worthiness to play in a best vs best competition if such a trend should continue.

Point well taken, as well. I’m not gonna do that math haha, but not a bad thing for Team USA to look at. I will note he had 11 points in 12 playoff games in 2023, which seems pretty good, even if a bit under his regular season pace.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

If it’s the play I remember, it was in OT, and I think it was kinda an innocent puck thrown toward the net with a LOT of traffic in front, but I don’t think it ever got to Binnington (or past him off the post). But it’s possible if it snuck through that crowd, maybe he wouldn’t have seen it and it would’ve snuck past him into the net.

I don’t think there’s any way he wouldn’t have been the MVP if he scored the OT winner. He finished as the tournament’s leading scorer regardless (as a defenseman…) then you add another point to his total and it happens to be the goal that wins the entire tournament in OT? I think it’d be 95% he’d have won the MVP.

Yeah that’s the play. I thought I saw a replay that made it seem a lot closer than on first look. In any case…

Thanks.