Is USA hockey's window smaller than we think ?

[Summer Rose]

Of course.

The O.P. meant the U.S.'s window to be on the same level as Canada, like they were at the 4NC, is small.

In 2030, many of us, including the OP, expect Canada to jump ahead.

I think it’ll ebb and flow over time for decades to come unless something drastic (that we can’t actually predict) changes. That’s all I can realistically hope for. We will only ever be slight favorites over Canada from time to time as the pendulum swings back and forth (and other countries also go through their respective rises and falls). There will also be tournaments where we’re on par with Canada, and tournaments where Canada is the favorite. What I do think is here to stay, however, is than even in years where Canada has a team that’s better than us on paper, it won’t be by nearly as much as it was in older times, leaving us within striking distance in short tournaments where upsets can and do happen.

 

[ORRFForever]

I think it’ll ebb and flow over time for decades to come unless something drastic (that we can’t actually predict) changes. That’s all I can realistically hope for. We will only ever be slight favorites over Canada from time to time as the pendulum swings back and forth (and other countries also go through their respective rises and falls). There will also be tournaments where we’re on par with Canada, and tournaments where Canada is the favorite. What I do think is here to stay, however, is than even in years where Canada has a team that’s better than us on paper, it won’t be by nearly as much as it was in older times, leaving us within striking distance in short tournaments where upsets can and do happen.

Of course. The U.S. has strong teams and, with a bounce or two, can win a tournament.

 

[Summer Rose]

Of course. The U.S. has strong teams and, with a bounce or two, can win a tournament.

Yep. At no point in the foreseeable future do I see us going into a tournament with the experts just about all agreeing that we have no shot at a medal whatsoever. Granted, one of the times it that happened, we proved them all wrong and won a gold medal anyway. It just took some major upsets (including one of the most famous upsets in the history of international hockey) along the way.

 

[Peiskos]

Quite frankly we need to reassess this entire question... I'm not even sure if there is a window there at all! To me it appears like nothing but a stone wall.

0 wins at the senior level since 1996, the US is the only major hockey playing country in the world without a win at the mens level in this current century. Some may say this is a bold take but I don't think that's a coincidence, pushing 3 decades of utter futility at the highest level is not a coincidence, it can't be. It points to a systemic failure. There is no window.

Even tiny Slovakia has managed to win a mens level tournament in this century.

Another day, another opportunity for USA Hockey to head back to the drawing board.

 

[ORRFForever]

Quite frankly we need to reassess this entire question... I'm not even sure if there is a window there at all! To me it appears like nothing but a stone wall.

0 wins at the senior level since 1996, the US is the only major hockey playing country in the world without a win at the mens level in this current century. Some may say this is a bold take but I don't think that's a coincidence, pushing 3 decades of utter futility at the highest level is not a coincidence, it can't be. It points to a systemic failure. There is no window.

Even tiny Slovakia has managed to win a mens level tournament in this century.

Another day, another opportunity for USA Hockey to head back to the drawing board.

Assuming NO injuries, the U.S. will have an AMAZING team in 2026 and 2028.

 

[Peiskos]

Assuming NO injuries, the U.S. will have an AMAZING team in 2026 and 2028.

Therein lies the difference -- Canada will have amazing teams in 2026 and 2028 even WITH injuries. We literally hear this every time for the US in tournaments, a culture seemingly centred around the phrase "Just wait until next time you'll see!" yawn

 

[Summer Rose]

Therin lies the difference -- Canada will have amazing teams in 2026 and 2028 even with injuries. We literally hear this every time for the US in tournaments, a culture seemingly centred around the phrase "Just wait until next time you'll see" yawn

I will agree that I think there’s a culture/attitude problem with USA Hockey. We’re also 0 for 3 in the championship game so far this century, going down to Canada all three times. We should be a contender for the foreseeable future but it’s still up in the air whether we actually win a damn thing this time, and history is not at all on our side.


…maybe this is how Leafs fans feel?

 

[ORRFForever]

I will agree that I think there’s a culture/attitude problem with USA Hockey. We’re also 0 for 3 in the championship game so far this century, going down to Canada all three times. We should be a contender for the foreseeable future but it’s still up in the air whether we actually win a damn thing this time, and history is not at all on our side.


…maybe this is how Leafs fans feel?

Exactly how the Leafs feel.

Therein lies the difference -- Canada will have amazing teams in 2026 and 2028 even WITH injuries. We literally hear this every time for the US in tournaments, a culture seemingly centred around the phrase "Just wait until next time you'll see!" yawn

I hope you're right and Canada wins in both 2026 and 2028.