Olympics: Team USA 2022

[Gurglesons]

He had 12 points in 20 games, is that a big deal?

Guentzal had 21 points in 25 games as a rookie, next season he had 21 points in 12 games. No one would have put him on team USA

I'm not so sure about that. But Caulfield didn't score 13 goals in the playoffs his rookie year.

 

[majormajor]

He had 12 points in 20 games, is that a big deal?

Guentzal had 21 points in 25 games as a rookie, next season he had 21 points in 12 games. No one would have put him on team USA

I think Guentzel might have been put on it after his second season. And Caufield might end up surprising and making the Olympic team too. But you're right, 12 pts in 20 games is not the sort of pace that is going to do it, the U.S. team is loaded on the wings.

 

[jfc64]

Gaudreau - Matthews - Kane
Robertson - Eichel - Zegras
Connor - Larkin - Boeser
Mackachuk - Hughes - Coleman
DeBrincat - Brackachuk


Werenski - Jones
Chychrun - Fox
Slavin - Carlson
Krug - McAvoy


Helley
Knight
Gibson

 

[flyerslducks]

Chychrun represents Canada internationally.

i wish chychrun and couts did USA. Would be awesome to have a selke in our lineup and another lhd

 

[TheHelmet]

NO to Blake Wheeler

This guy has checked out and is just mailing it in at this point in his career for winnipeg.

 

[Mathieukferland]

The assistant coach selections are curious at best, baffling at worst. Much better coaching talent available, LaViolette, Leaman, D. Granato all come to mind

 

[Rabid Ranger]

The assistant coach selections are curious at best, baffling at worst. Much better coaching talent available, LaViolette, Leaman, D. Granato all come to mind

I don't have a problem with the coaching staff. If these are Sullivan's guys and they can execute so be it.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

TSN projected the U.S. roster and it looks pretty good to me: Projecting potential Canada, U.S. 2022 Olympic hockey rosters - TSN.ca

Their blurb about Kevin Hayes' chances doesn't make much sense but I've seen past U.S. teams with their fair share of headscratchers. If we we end up icing this team I'll be happy.

 

[majormajor]

TSN projected the U.S. roster and it looks pretty good to me: Projecting potential Canada, U.S. 2022 Olympic hockey rosters - TSN.ca

Their blurb about Kevin Hayes' chances doesn't make much sense but I've seen past U.S. teams with their fair share of headscratchers. If we we end up icing this team I'll be happy.

Kaplan's list is almost identical to mine, so of course I like it. I agree with you that Hayes would be a headscratcher.

 

[Snippit]

It's going to be quite a race for Eichel to get healthy in time for this. *If* he gets the fusion surgery, the recovery time is something like 6-9 months. Even if he's ready in time he's going to be quite rusty.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Kaplan's list is almost identical to mine, so of course I like it. I agree with you that Hayes would be a headscratcher.

I guess if Eichel is out his chances might go up as we're not super deep at center.

 

[majormajor]

I guess if Eichel is out his chances might go up as we're not super deep at center.

I'd still have a few ahead of him. For instance my impression is that Brock Nelson has raised his stock ahead of Hayes'.

 

[Folignos Helmet]

It's going to be quite a race for Eichel to get healthy in time for this. *If* he gets the fusion surgery, the recovery time is something like 6-9 months. Even if he's ready in time he's going to be quite rusty.

Man will he be pissed, apparently the surgery he wants has a recovery more like 6 weeks, i guess hold out hope for a trade and the new team is ok with the surgery he wants, and it works.
I'd be guessing you won't see Eichel their regardless which sucks when you want to see best on best.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I'd still have a few ahead of him. For instance my impression is that Brock Nelson has raised his stock ahead of Hayes'.

Yes. I like Nelson a lot and wouldn't bat an eye if he filled the 4th line center role.

 

[RangerDoggo]

I don't have a problem with the coaching staff. If these are Sullivan's guys and they can execute so be it.

Hynes and Quinn are terrible coaches. In particular, Hynes has been in charge of defense for USA Hockey before, and he runs one of the most aggravating systems that I’ve ever seen.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Hynes and Quinn are terrible coaches. In particular, Hynes has been in charge of defense for USA Hockey before, and he runs one of the most aggravating systems that I’ve ever seen.

I don't think they are terrible coaches or hockey minds. On a larger staff like this where they will be one voice as part of a collective I think they will be fine. We certainly won't lose because these are guys are on the staff. My biggest concern is player health, especially up the middle. That's going to be the biggest factor IMO.

 

[M2Beezy]

Hopefully NHL is not in these China game's must be boycotted. And in Olympics i think they should not even play regular hockey pond hockey 4v4 with best amateurs would be good.

No politics

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I guess my big question is what happens if Eichel can't go because of injury/recovery? Matthews is of course a lock and one of the best players in the league but after that it gets interesting. Here's who I would have my eye on:

* JT Miller. Can play both center and wing. I actually wouldn't mind him on the team as is as I think he would be really good in a 3rd or 4th line role. A bit of a hothead
* Dylan Larkin. Another player I really like although the past couple of years have been a mixed bag. Not the most creative player so would look good next to a playmaking winger
* Vince Trocheck. Has had a bit of a resurgence with the Canes. A good all-around player who doesn't stand out all that much
* Joe Pavelski. Another guy that can play both center and wing. Is still very productive and is great on special teams. My concern is his speed at this stage of the game in this kind of tournament
* Brock Nelson. Similar player to Larkin IMO with more size. Not the most creative guy but great tools. Another guy that would look good with a playmaking winger
* Jack Hughes. He took some strides this past season but this might be too much, too soon. Great playmaker so that might weigh in his favor
* Trevor Zegras. Similar to Hughes. Probably too much too soon

If Eichel can't go and with the expanded rosters I would probably find room for Miller, Larkin, Pavelski, and Nelson.

 

[Calgarybrutalist]

I think Quinn Hughes has to be on the team. This guy is unbelievably good. Yes his D sense needs some work, but he controls the game with the puck so well that it would be a mistake to leave him off.

McDongah - McAvoy
Slavin - Fox
Hughes - Jones
Werenski
Carlson
Petry

 

[Makaveli]

M.Tkachuk-Matthews-Kane
Pacioretty-Eichel-DeBrincat
Connor-Larkin-Boeser
B.Tkachuk-Miller-Guentzel
Hughes/Roberston

Slavin-Jones
McDonagh-Fox
Hughes-McAvoy
Werenski/Carlson

Hellebuyck
Gibson
Campbell

 

[Stewie Griffin]

Who's the captain for USA? Kane, McDonagh, Pavelski, or Carlson must be the favourites.

 

[bert]

TSN projected the U.S. roster and it looks pretty good to me: Projecting potential Canada, U.S. 2022 Olympic hockey rosters - TSN.ca

Their blurb about Kevin Hayes' chances doesn't make much sense but I've seen past U.S. teams with their fair share of headscratchers. If we we end up icing this team I'll be happy.

Imagine having Yanni Gourde ahead of Mark Stone in a defensive role haha.

i wish chychrun and couts did USA. Would be awesome to have a selke in our lineup and another lhd

They're Canadian...

Guentzel	Matthews	Kane
Tkachuk	Eichel	Tkachuk
Connor	Larkin	Debrincat
J.T Miller	Nelson	Tuch
Gaudreau	Wheeler	Pacioretty
Hughes	Norris	Robertson
Werenski	Jones
Mcdonough	Carlson
Slavin	Fox
Hughes	McAvoy
Suter	Petry
	Trouba
Hellybuyck
Gibson
Quick

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Why do people keep putting Matthew Tkachuk on this team? The guy lacks the foot speed to be effective in a best on best like this, and he was pretty awful this year in Calgary.

 

[majormajor]

I think Quinn Hughes has to be on the team. This guy is unbelievably good. Yes his D sense needs some work, but he controls the game with the puck so well that it would be a mistake to leave him off.

McDongah - McAvoy
Slavin - Fox
Hughes - Jones
Werenski
Carlson
Petry

Hughes is currently closer to Tyson Barrie than a real #1D. This is where we need to separate the infatuation with young players from who the currently best players are. There's no reason to take a dynamite offensive / defensive liability when the team has so many guys to choose from that are dynamite in both ends.

 

[ORRFForever]

I guess my big question is what happens if Eichel can't go because of injury/recovery? Matthews is of course a lock and one of the best players in the league but after that it gets interesting. Here's who I would have my eye on:

* JT Miller. Can play both center and wing. I actually wouldn't mind him on the team as is as I think he would be really good in a 3rd or 4th line role. A bit of a hothead
* Dylan Larkin. Another player I really like although the past couple of years have been a mixed bag. Not the most creative player so would look good next to a playmaking winger
* Vince Trocheck. Has had a bit of a resurgence with the Canes. A good all-around player who doesn't stand out all that much
* Joe Pavelski. Another guy that can play both center and wing. Is still very productive and is great on special teams. My concern is his speed at this stage of the game in this kind of tournament
* Brock Nelson. Similar player to Larkin IMO with more size. Not the most creative guy but great tools. Another guy that would look good with a playmaking winger
* Jack Hughes. He took some strides this past season but this might be too much, too soon. Great playmaker so that might weigh in his favor
* Trevor Zegras. Similar to Hughes. Probably too much too soon

If Eichel can't go and with the expanded rosters I would probably find room for Miller, Larkin, Pavelski, and Nelson.

Whether Eichel plays will determine how strong a chance the U.S. has at Gold. Without him (at 100%) the U.S.'s chances at Gold drop considerably - you end up with the same type of U.S. rosters you've had in the past - with STRONG wings and a weak center.

From what I've read...

Eichel wants a new (for athletes) type of surgery that will take 6(?) weeks to recover - but it is risky.

The Sabres want Eichel to get his spine fused and that can take 6 to 9 months to heal, so we have entered the window where fusion surgery means Eichel will not be in China. Of course, Jack playing in China is the least of the Sabres concerns.

Unless Jack wants to void his contract, the Sabres get the final say on the type of surgery.

What a mess.