GDT: Quarterfinal • Jan. 2 • USA vs. Russia • II [MOD #571]

[BigBen]

Some scouts were saying Matthews would be in the discussion with Mac and Eichel this year, sorry to say but I saw nothing as to where he'd be in the discussion, nothing and I watched every US game. Another case of an overrated player prior to his draft year. I'd love to eat crow come draft time in 2016 but the guy simply did not impress me at all.

As far as Eichel goes, he seems to be more style rather than substance, the Getzlaf comparisons suddenlydon't make sense, Getz is an elite playmaker, Eichel wouldn't pass the puck unless his life depended on it.

Eichel made a way bigger impact last year than Matthews did this year. I wouldn't say Matthews is in the Eichel/McDavid tier. That 2016 draft eligible finish guy looks to be the real deal though.

 

[Get North]

One player has a grinder and a very young and very raw powerforward as his linemates. That player is a captain, is consistently matched up with the opponents' best, and is the only consistent offensive threat on his whole team.

This other player plays behind an elite two-way center who was a recent top-2 pick. He never has to play against the opponents' best. He plays on a line with his team's 19 year old two-way captain, who is a natural center and has 30 games of NHL experience, and another recent top-10 pick.

These players perform at about the same level, except one is roasted alive and the other is celebrated. I'll let you guess which player is which.

That's all I gotta say. I'm not disappointed in the US's play outside of the very stupid penalties, particularly the Collins one that resulted in the 5v3. The game-winner was a flukey own-goal. If we had to lose I'm glad it was to the Russians, whom I always root for. The coaching could have been better, the line combos could have been better, the roster selection process could have been better, but it is what it is. While I'm disappointed with the result, I'm not disappointed in how the team played. Anything can happen in a single-elimination tournament and that's what happened today. Bad luck. Oh well. Move on.

And stop blaming Eichel, for god's sake.

You forgot that McDavid doesn't play with his team's best wingers.

 

[IHaveNoCreativity]

Eichel made a way bigger impact last year than Matthews did this year. I wouldn't say Matthews is in the Eichel/McDavid tier. That 2016 draft eligible finish guy looks to be the real deal though.

Pulajarvi !!! I liked Matthews, thought he was pretty good.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

When people call you a generational talent and everyone talks about how you will dominate the tournament, the expectations are a bit higher than normal.

MacKinnon had 1 point in 6 games in the WJC of his draft year. A lot of people are saying he was a better draft prospect than Eichel. Stamkos had 6 points in 7 games in the WJC of his draft year. He was hyped up a lot also. McDavid is having a pretty bad WJC. He has been called a generational talent.

People put too much weight into the WJC. Eichel wasn't even bad. He just didn't average over 2PPG for the tournament like Tavares did in his draft year. Play the tournament again in a few weeks, and maybe he does. Thats just the way it goes with these generational talents. They could have a bad few games and still be close to a PPG for that stretch and look dominant at times.

 

[Dynamo81]

The problem is, except against Switzerland, there has been no offense. The puck was in the Russian zone because we couldn't get it out and bring it down to the American zone. Good goaltending prevented a loss, which is becoming the continuing story when Russia doesn't lose.

I thought they did quiet well against the Swedes, there best performance. Poor finishing and dumb penalties cost them.

However, bunkering like a classic Finnish side but with players who can convert chances on the break seems to work against the USA and Canada. Russia has won 4 of their last 5 matches against both the USA and Canada at the WJC

Russia just doesn't have the teams to control matches against the USA and Canada.

 

[Alerion]

MacKinnon had 1 point in 6 games in the WJC of his draft year. A lot of people are saying he was a better draft prospect than Eichel. Stamkos had 6 points in 7 games in the WJC of his draft year. He was hyped up a lot also. McDavid is having a pretty bad WJC. He has been called a generational talent.

People put too much weight into the WJC. Eichel wasn't even bad. He just didn't average over 2PPG for the tournament like Tavares did in his draft year. Play the tournament again in a few weeks, and maybe he does. Thats just the way it goes with these generational talents. They could have a bad few games and still be close to a PPG for that stretch and look dominant at times.

MacKinnon was our 13th forward, Spott benched him for seemingly no reason. He got roughly 5 minutes TOI per game if I remember correctly. I agree that the WJC isn't a good predictor for NHL success though.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

You forgot that McDavid doesn't play with his team's best wingers.

Before the tournament if you asked me which group of wingers is better between Domi/Duclair and Lazar/Virtanen, I would have said they are even, and this is coming from someone who is Rangers fan, so I'm biased towards Duclair. To complain about McDavid's wingers is comical. He plays with an NHL'er and another very good player.

 

[Startseva]

Seen only 1st period. Then had to leave. Now see the result. Anyways, RUSSIA GO GO GO
I dont like style of play from defence...

 

[Mattilaus]

Before the tournament if you asked me which group of wingers is better between Domi/Duclair and Lazar/Virtanen, I would have said they are even, and this is coming from someone who is Rangers fan, so I'm biased towards Duclair. To complain about McDavid's wingers is comical. He plays with an NHL'er and another very good player.

to be fair before last game he spent most of his time with Ritchie instead of Virtanen and Ritchie isn't fast enough as was quite evident. I think most people who have watched Canada will agree McDavid has looked a lot better with Virtanen on his line because he's not a pylon.

 

[New User Name]

It wasn't right, but let's not get into that. My point is that one call was the difference.

It was the right call according to experts I've listened to.

For arguments sake though, let's say you're right and the goal was called off. Canada was still leading 2-1. Just because Larkin scored to make it 3-2 at 17:26 doesn't mean he scores if that goal didn't count.
Canada was still taking the play to the US, why's it not possible that Canada doesn't score again?

 

[OttawaRoughRiderFan*]

My take on the game...

Russia : I have NO idea how you are winning. The team is awful and you were dominated. But, just like against Canada, you hung on and won. It baffles me.

I am very worried about a repeat of the Canadian exhibition game where we outshoot you 50-15, yet you win. Anyway, I hope Sweden beats you because if Canada doesn't win Gold, Russia will.

U.S. : You guys are sooooo overrated. All the bragging and posturing about your U17/U18 Dream Team and the prospects that should be 4 of the Top 5 players in this year's draft. What a joke. These players play in a glorified beer league ("but they play against men!!!") and then can't compete against the best from other countries. An American player gets 5 points against the Sisters of The Poor and we never hear the end of it. Come to the CHL is you are really that good.

The U.S.

Struggled against Slovakia.
Should have been beaten by the Fins.
Canada smoked you.
Russia beat you playing terrible hockey.

Last point...

You won Gold twice when no one saw you coming - in 2010 and 2013. When teams do, like this year, more often than not you are lucky to finish fourth. Welcome to Canada's world of being a team to beat. The difference, we can handle the pressure - comes from being the best.

[MOD]

 

[thrillhous]

Eichel is a great player and showed it again today. However, I've seen him play better than today and the other players continued to defer to him far too much just like they did all tournament. There was so much skill on that American team that there was no reason for there to be so much deference to one player.

 

[OttawaRoughRiderFan*]

Is it just me, or do these American squads always seem out of place when considered favorites? Always seem better when they are slightly out of the crosshairs.

THIS!!!!!

I said the same thing above. When the going gets tough, the U.S. team gets going - and NOT in a good way.

Welcome to Canada's world. It's not easy being a team EVERYONE guns for, is it?

 

[Get North]

Before the tournament if you asked me which group of wingers is better between Domi/Duclair and Lazar/Virtanen, I would have said they are even, and this is coming from someone who is Rangers fan, so I'm biased towards Duclair. To complain about McDavid's wingers is comical. He plays with an NHL'er and another very good player.

Lazar hasn't been the same as last year he seems less talented than he was last year probably because he can't dominate the NHL and deke around sniping and is a bit rusty on that part. Domi has been way better than Virtanen, he's probably Canada's best forward after Reinhart. Duclair so far has been better than Lazar without a doubt.

Trust me, it's not that close have you even seen how Duclair and Domi have been playing? Especially Domi.

 

[New User Name]

My take on the game...

Russia : I have NO idea how you are winning. The team is awful and you were dominated. But, just like against Canada, you hung on and won. It baffles me.

I am very worried about a repeat of the Canadian exhibition game where we outshoot you 50-15, yet you win. Anyway, I hope Sweden beats you because if Canada doesn't win Gold, Russia will.

U.S. : You guys are sooooo overrated. All the bragging and posturing about your U17 Dream Team and the prospects that should be 4 of the Top 5 players in this year's draft. What a joke. These players play in a glorified beer league ("but they play against men!!!") and then can't compete against the best from other countries. An American player gets 5 points against the Sisters of The Poor and we never hear the end of it. Come to the CHL is you are really that good.

The U.S.

Struggled against Slovakia.
Should have been beaten by the Fins.
Canada smoked you.
Russia beat you playing terrible hockey.

Last point...

You won Gold twice when no one saw you coming - in 2010 and 2013. When teams do, like this year, more often than not you are lucky to finish fourth. Welcome to Canada's world of being a team to beat. The difference, we can handle the pressure - comes from being the best.

wow...so much wrong with your post Kevy

and even if it was true (which it definitely isn't) why would you say anything when so many Americans are hurting (and it doesn't justify it, if you say they'd do the same)

 

[Hunter Gathers]

For this American team to lose to this Russian team is pretty disgraceful. Ugh.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Very disappointed in the U.S. effort. Some serious questions need to be asked and answered in Ann Arbor.

 

[vippe]

My take on the game...

Russia : I have NO idea how you are winning. The team is awful and you were dominated. But, just like against Canada, you hung on and won. It baffles me.

I am very worried about a repeat of the Canadian exhibition game where we outshoot you 50-15, yet you win. Anyway, I hope Sweden beats you because if Canada doesn't win Gold, Russia will.

U.S. : You guys are sooooo overrated. All the bragging and posturing about your U17/U18 Dream Team and the prospects that should be 4 of the Top 5 players in this year's draft. What a joke. These players play in a glorified beer league ("but they play against men!!!") and then can't compete against the best from other countries. An American player gets 5 points against the Sisters of The Poor and we never hear the end of it. Come to the CHL is you are really that good.

The U.S.

Struggled against Slovakia.
Should have been beaten by the Fins.
Canada smoked you.
Russia beat you playing terrible hockey.

Last point...

You won Gold twice when no one saw you coming - in 2010 and 2013. When teams do, like this year, more often than not you are lucky to finish fourth. Welcome to Canada's world of being a team to beat. The difference, we can handle the pressure - comes from being the best.

Sorry to say but this is a pretty bad post.

 

[BobDobolina]

wow...so much wrong with your post Kevy

and even if it was true (which it definitely isn't) why would you say anything when so many Americans are hurting (and it doesn't justify it, if you say they'd do the same)

He takes the game way way too seriously. It's cute and funny.

 

[winnipegger]

I thought Russia played well in the last half of the third. Kept everything to the outside.

Eichel is going to be a beast, I see him as a Ryan Getzlaf type player. Big strong and good hands. Getting past his 20th birthday will do wonders for his game, people need to remember what it's like to be an 18 yearold. I was certainly more of a dumbass at that age haha

 

[aufheben]

Stop trying to make this thread about Team Canada.

 

[jacks*]

Jack who?

 

[New User Name]

at the end of the day, it's a damn hockey game played by mostly teenagers still in high school, sheesh

 

[OttawaRoughRiderFan*]

USA will ice a much better team next year.

$
We hear that every year.

This USA WJC team was overrated from the beginning.

Yes.

wow...so much wrong with your post Kevy

and even if it was true (which it definitely isn't) why would you say anything when so many Americans are hurting (and it doesn't justify it, if you say they'd do the same)

It's honest. Every word of it. So tired of the overrate U.S. players and teams. They couldn't even shoot straight.

Sorry to say but this is a pretty bad post.

Oh well.

 

[Cellee]

My take on the game...

Russia : I have NO idea how you are winning. The team is awful and you were dominated. But, just like against Canada, you hung on and won. It baffles me.

I am very worried about a repeat of the Canadian exhibition game where we outshoot you 50-15, yet you win. Anyway, I hope Sweden beats you because if Canada doesn't win Gold, Russia will.

U.S. : You guys are sooooo overrated. All the bragging and posturing about your U17/U18 Dream Team and the prospects that should be 4 of the Top 5 players in this year's draft. What a joke. These players play in a glorified beer league ("but they play against men!!!") and then can't compete against the best from other countries. An American player gets 5 points against the Sisters of The Poor and we never hear the end of it. Come to the CHL is you are really that good.

The U.S.

Struggled against Slovakia.
Should have been beaten by the Fins.
Canada smoked you.
Russia beat you playing terrible hockey.

Last point...

You won Gold twice when no one saw you coming - in 2010 and 2013. When teams do, like this year, more often than not you are lucky to finish fourth. Welcome to Canada's world of being a team to beat. The difference, we can handle the pressure - comes from being the best.

[MOD]

I feel you are TSN's key demo.