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Olympics: Team USA 2022

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If Knight can keep his momentum going through early next year and is somewhat splitting starts, I'd love to see him as the 3rd goalie at the Olympics. 3rd goalie hopefully never plays, but it'd be a great grooming for the next Olympics in 2026. He has arrived much sooner than expected and shutting down the reigning Stanley Cup Champs in an elimination game is crazy. Think it'd be awesome to bring him for the experience.
 
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JiggsNY said:
If Knight can keep his momentum going through early next year and is somewhat splitting starts, I'd love to see him as the 3rd goalie at the Olympics. 3rd goalie hopefully never plays, but it'd be a great grooming for the next Olympics in 2026. He has arrived much sooner than expected and shutting down the reigning Stanley Cup Champs in an elimination game is crazy. Think it'd be awesome to bring him for the experience.
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He looks excellent and I think long term will likely be our best goaltender. We certainly have some excellent options leading into the Olympics next year, led by Hellebucyk who is in beast mode.
 
Rabid Ranger said:
U.S. will have a ton of options at forward. You could easily swap in guys like Pacioretty, Wheeler, Gaudreau, Oshie, Boeser, Trocheck, J.T. Miller, etc.
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I think USA Hockey likes Chris Kreider and his speed
and size are appealing against Canada, Russia and Sweden.

I doubt Pesce gets any consideration unless two of
Fox, Jones, McAvoy, Petry, Carlson and Trouba are hurt.

D

Werenski Jones
Slavin McAvoy
Suter Fox
Hughes Carlson

C

Matthews
Eichel
Larkin
Trocheck
Nelson

W

Kane
Miller
M Tkachuk
DeBrincat
Pacioretty
Tuch
Krieder
Pavelski
Guentzel
 
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JZCislesHockey said:
I think Lee makes it if he comes back strong from knee surgery, he was on pace for a career year when he went down and he captains one of the best teams in the league. Brock Nelson and, if he keeps trending upwards, Oliver Wahlstrom could also be dark horses.
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No chance Wahlstrom gets consideration. At least
25 Forwards would be considered ahead of him.

He would be USA C or D Team.
 
AmericanDream said:
Gibson
Hellebuyck
Bishop -if healthy

Jones - C
Carlson
McAvoy
Werenski
Trouba
Hughes
Slavin
Suter - taxi

Kane - A
Debrincat
Matthews
Eichel
Larkin - A
Dvorak
Gaudreau
M. Tkachuk
Connor
Boeser
Guentzel
Tuch
Pavelski
Kreider- taxi

Alex Debrincat - Auston Matthews - Patty Kane
Kyle Connor - Jack Eichel - Brock Boeser
Johnny Gaudreau - Dylan Larkin - Matty Tkachuk
Jake Guentzel - Christian Dvorak - Alex Tuch
Joe Pavelski

Jaccob Slavin - John Carlson
Zach Werenski - Seth Jones
Quinn Hughes - Charlie McAvoy

Ben Bishop- if healthy
John Gibson

Wild cards: Miles Wood, J.T Miller, Jordan Greenway & Torey Krug- really like Wood for a 4th line role.

No Wheeler or Kessel..too much younger talent. Sorry Trochek, you likely would be my 4th C unfortunately you have given zero shits to represent the US so no thanks.

Brady Tkachuk would slot in for Guentzel if I had to put a pain in the ass 4th line together... Jack Hughes, Joel Farabee and Trevor Zegras not just yet...

This team is playing for the Gold.
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This was on March 1st I did this...and honestly wouldn't change much.

Nobody is talking about Ben Bishop here but he is getting back to health and could be his typical beast self next year. Bishop, Hellboy and Gibson would be insane...if Bishop isn't back to form Demko ,Needle or Petersen get my pick to run with that 3rd spot. Lots of depth in goal, going to be a strength again for a decade plus.

Names that I didn't have originally but now would: Adam Fox. I wanted some beef on the blue line which is why Trouba is there but Fox and Hughes might be one heck of a battle for that role. Fox has to duplicate it which is always the hardest thing to do but as much fun as it would be to see both those kids on the point, think we can only take one of them. I know that Hughes is LD and Fox RD- but not sure there is room for both IMO.

Jeff Petry with the way he has played this year might have taken a spot on the right side over Trouba for me.

I went with Christian Dvorak for my 4th center as a player who can pk...after this year I think that would be tough to add.

I like Pavelski and Larkin splitting those pk duties and would swap out Dvorak for Jack Hughes. The last dozen games from Hughes were impressive and a lot of growth from him. I am fine with him getting that 3C spot now as the jump he makes next year will be absolutely shocking to some.

Gaudreau still makes my team as he has been one of the best offensive players in the league past 6 years but others are on his heels and a he can become redundant with Kane here so he is now my 13th forward and power play specialist
 
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Updated Team USA

Goalies X3
Connor Hellebuyck
John Gibson
Ben Bishop - if healthy
Thatcher Demko

Defense X8
John Carlson -RD
Seth Jones -RD
Adam Fox -RD
Charlie McAvoy -RD
Zach Werenski -LD
Jaccob Slavin -LD
Quinn Hughes -LD
Brian Dumoulin -LD

Forwards X14
Patrick Kane
Alex Debrincat
Jack Eichel
Auston Matthews
Kyle Connor
Dylan Larkin
Matthew Tkachuk
Brady Tkachuk
Jack Hughes
Jake Gunetzel
Joe Pavelski
Brock Boeser
Alex Tuch
Johnny Gaudreau

Slavin - Carlson
Dumoulin - McAvoy
Werenski - Jones
Hughes - Fox - only 1 dressed per game

Debrincat - Matthews - Kane
Connor - Eichel - Boeser
Guentzel - J. Hughes - M. Tkachuk
B. Tkachuk - Larkin - Tuch/Pavelski
Gaudreau -ex

This team is very skilled and talented. Right defense is crowded, Petry just couldn't crack the top 8 for me...went with both Quinn Hughes and Fox- f*** it, a tournament like this, you need skill, pace and pressure coming out of your backend, both of them are capable of controlling the play which we have lacked for years. Our defense has many different options available as well - but I really do like the balance of that top 8..and Ryan Suter, Jeff Petry, Brett Pesce, etc all right there too. I went with Dumoulin in that LD role because he is solid, plays big minutes and has a lot of playoff hockey experience as well- you can make a case for Ryan McDonaugh there as well- I am fine either way, but I think Dumoulin is very well liked within USA Hockey and Guerin is very familiar with him as well...I think he might be that surprise pick on the blue line that just plays that steady two way game we need- our LD depth is a bit shallow IMO.

Offense is really great, plenty of names like Kreider, Miller, Lee, Robertson, Wheeler, Kessel, Oshie, Nelson, etc etc are all there too..but this group has a ton of balance for me, some pkers, power play horses and a few wild card kids that IMO are going to really bust out next year in Jack Hughes and Brady Tkachuk. That 3rd line makes me smile just thinking about what they could do out there as well as the support the Tkachuk brothers would give to Jack in some tough battles.
EDIT- I moved Guentzel to 3LW to play with Hughes and Matty Tkachuk, dropped Brady Tkachuk to play 4LW- likely better balance as Hughes needs a scorer like Guentzel on his wing - and as much as I want to see the Tkachuk brothers destroy on the same line, spacing them out might be even better overall for the team...

Goaltending has plenty of options as well, Hellboy and Gibson are the top 2, my money is on Bishop bouncing back and being a top 10 goalie again, but if not, Demko, Petersen, Oettinger, Needle and Knight are all ready for a chance at #3G....love the depth there again.

Overall, this team should be playing for the Gold- too balanced, too much talent at every position not to be- goaltending looks to be top 2 in the world and team defense has many ways you can go to be elite as well- all great strengths for short tournaments. Just need the right coach that can get everyone to buy in quick enough.
 
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If I'm building this team for big ice, I'd be prioritizing speed first, second, and third for the forward group. This would mean skating speed/quickness but also puck speed and a motor.

Connor - Eichel - Kane
Gaudreau - Matthews - Garland
Guentzel - Larkin - Rust
B Tkachuk - Coleman - Kreider
Hughes, Miller

So no M Tkachuk, Debrincat, Pavelski, Oshie etc. That's a faaaast forward group that should be able to put a lot of pressure on opposition defenseman.

Defense is pretty straightforward IMO:

Slavin - Fox
Werenski - Jones
Dumouly - McAvoy
Hughes, Pesce

Gibson / Hellebyuck
 
Also - are people really talking about leaving Gaudreau off the roster or as a 14th forward? The guy has 21 goals 45 points in 42 games played between the WC, the WJC, and the World Cup. How many Americans have that sort of success in international play?

It's amazing how underrated this guy is - do people know he had 22 points in his final 16 games of the season (he was stapled to Monahan for the first 40 games). He had 14 assists in those 40 games with Monahan and then popped off 16 apples in those 16 games away from Monahan. That should give you an indication of how detrimental Gaudreau's primary center was. If he had anywhere near the same offensive support as guys like Guentzel, Debrincat, Connor, Boeser, he'd be scoring 100+ points on a routine basis.

He's very easily a top 2 winger for this country. But beyond that, this guy has consistently answered the bell to play in the World Championships when he didn't have to. It would be monumentally stupid to leave him off the teams two top lines.
 
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WhiskeyYourTheDevils said:
Also - are people really talking about leaving Gaudreau off the roster or as a 14th forward? The guy has 21 goals 45 points in 42 games played between the WC, the WJC, and the World Cup. How many Americans have that sort of success in international play?

It's amazing how underrated this guy is - do people know he had 22 points in his final 16 games of the season (he was stapled to Monahan for the first 40 games). He had 14 assists in those 40 games with Monahan and then popped off 16 apples in those 16 games away from Monahan. That should give you an indication of how detrimental Gaudreau's primary center was. If he had anywhere near the same offensive support as guys like Guentzel, Debrincat, Connor, Boeser, he'd be scoring 100+ points on a routine basis.

He's very easily a top 2 winger for this country. But beyond that, this guy has consistently answered the bell to play in the World Championships when he didn't have to. It would be monumentally stupid to leave him off the teams two top lines.
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Gaudreau, despite some struggles over the past couple of seasons is still one of the best playmaking wingers in the game and has a scorer's touch. Put him in the Marner role with someone like Matthews and I think he would be very successful.
 
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WarriorofTime said:
Really lacking firepower after Matthews and Kane. It's a capable roster that could upset Canada on a good day but if they played 10 times, Canada would likely win 8 or 9 times.
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It all depends on Eichel's neck - that's a REAL concern and could be the difference between winning Gold and finishing 2nd - or lower. Unless you read the Eichel thread in the Buffalo forum, you don't realize how much of a concern his neck, and his future, is.

The U.S. ALWAYS has wonderful wingers. Still do. But the center is often weak. Of course, Matthews is a BIG step in the right direction.

Many posters are also leaving a LOT of points behind (MaxP, Wheeler, Oshie, Etc.) by moving to a younger lineup. I'd make that choice, too, considering the older players have <bleeped> the bed in the past.

Canada needs to move to younger forwards (we have on the back end) but most posters have put it off because Crosby, Bergeron, Marchand don't seem to age.

The U.S. has the 2nd best line up. However, I think Russia will surprise. They are due and will be motivated to make one BIG push for Ovi and Malkin.
 
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WhiskeyYourTheDevils said:
Also - are people really talking about leaving Gaudreau off the roster or as a 14th forward? The guy has 21 goals 45 points in 42 games played between the WC, the WJC, and the World Cup. How many Americans have that sort of success in international play?

It's amazing how underrated this guy is - do people know he had 22 points in his final 16 games of the season (he was stapled to Monahan for the first 40 games). He had 14 assists in those 40 games with Monahan and then popped off 16 apples in those 16 games away from Monahan. That should give you an indication of how detrimental Gaudreau's primary center was. If he had anywhere near the same offensive support as guys like Guentzel, Debrincat, Connor, Boeser, he'd be scoring 100+ points on a routine basis.

He's very easily a top 2 winger for this country. But beyond that, this guy has consistently answered the bell to play in the World Championships when he didn't have to. It would be monumentally stupid to leave him off the teams two top lines.
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The issue is he is a smaller forward and is a bit redundant as Patrick Kane does what Johnny does but at an even better level.

Johnny's last two World Championship tournaments were anything but special.. in fact he looked pretty rough in that last one very frustrated and maybe that's on the officiating but he is a player that can be shut down and his numbers have been declining..we now have a lot of bigger skilled forwards that we are ready to unleash and give that chance to. There are so many talented wingers on this team, hell I didn't even add Wheeler here and I think he is a near lock to make the team.

I love Johnny Hockey and he still makes my team, but this isn't 90 points Johnny right now and if he isn't that there are others who produce as much as he does AND can perform away from the puck.

Going to be a lot of tough calls and upset players IMO.
 
Rabid Ranger said:
The U.S. will have great goaltending, probably the best defense in the tournament, and tremendous goal scoring depth on the wings. We don't have Canada's depth at center but Matthews and Eichel aren't a bad one/two punch.
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I mean, the US has 7 of the top 20 goal scorers this year lol... And the #1 & #3 overall goal scorers. 6 of the top 7 goal scorers make my team as only Patches is a no thanks from me.

So not sure what more firepower is needed when 35% of the top 20 goal scorers are Americans...Canada has 6 of the top 20 goal scorers fyi....lol
 
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Rabid Ranger said:
probably the best defense in the tournament
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???

I'm predicting the U.S. will win Gold - Canada is due for a loss (best on best), but I don't think the U.S. is as good on paper up front or on defense. In fact, I think there is a gap.

The U.S. does have wonderful goaltending.
 
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AmericanDream said:
I mean, the US has 7 of the top 20 goal scorers this year lol... And the #1 & #3 overall goal scorers. 6 of the top 7 goal scorers make my team as only Patches is a no thanks from me.

So not sure what more firepower is needed when 35% of the top 20 goal scorers are Americans...Canada has 6 of the top 20 goal scorers fyi....lol
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Yeah, not so much worried about guys capable of finishing/putting pucks in net, but worried more so about a lack of creative playmaking forwards. Aside from Kane, the next 3 Americans on the NHL assist total are Defensemen and then you have Guentzel who I like as a player but admittedly gets a lot of points by virtue of playing alongside Crosby, it's great to have defensemen that can pass it around and move the puck up ice but I do think you're going to need more playmaking from your forwards as well... which is why I think it's crazy that there are some people that are actually talking about leaving Gaudreau off. Also another reason Eichel's health is of utmost importance for USA to have a chance, they really need him to be the guy manning the 2nd line.
 
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