TheGoldenJet
Registered User
I think it will hurt their chances significantly to lose him, unless Larkin/Hughes can somehow elevate their game to a top 10 NHL Center level of play.
Olympics: Team USA 2022
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I think it will hurt their chances significantly to lose him, unless Larkin/Hughes can somehow elevate their game to a top 10 NHL Center level of play.
Rabid Ranger
2 is better than one
I don't see it that way, but you may be right. Personally, I think a guy like J.T. Miller could step in at center and the difference between he and Eichel wouldn't be that stark in a short tournament.
jackjohnson
Registered User
- Feb 9, 2021
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Why have both Tkatchuks? Boeser should be on the team instead of Brady as he is a lethal sniper.
Rabid Ranger
2 is better than one
He has him on the team as an extra forward. The reality is with the expanded rosters there is room for both. I think Matt Tkachuk for sure makes it. He's looking motivated this pre-season and is the perfect compliment to a guy like Matthews as he's a great playmaker and a grinder. Brady is also a strong possibility as long as his contract stalemate with Ottawa is resolved.
ORRFForever
Registered User
- Oct 29, 2018
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Rabid Ranger
2 is better than one
I don't have the "last word." Keep talking about if you want (not that you need my permission). At this point, I think the Eichel talk is beating a dead horse until something new happens.
Rabid Ranger
2 is better than one
Canada is the favorite-no doubt. In a seven game series against the U.S., Russia, Finland, and Sweden they wouldn't lose. Too much depth up front. That said, in a single game elimination event I think they are vulnerable. Goaltending could be a concern and I'm not enamored with their defense. I think it could break down under strong forechecking pressure.
Rabid Ranger
2 is better than one
I know we have some concerns at center if certain players don't play we have some excellent wingers. A guy I think might make a strong play is Anders Lee. He looks great this pre-season.
Rabid Ranger
2 is better than one
I think another player that will get strong consideration is Oshie. He's a vet but still does a lot of things well and is a winner.
Mathieukferland
Registered User
Oshie and Pacioretty with impressive opening games; Petry and Jones with poor performances to start the campaign. I had Pacioretty off my roster knowing how in Montréal/Internationally he would disappear in big games, but he certainly can look to claim a spot. Have a feeling he is competing for a role that will have him in direct competition with Boeser and Wheeler
I think this is pretty wrong. Sure Canada is the favorite, but beating them is entirely plausible for USA, Finland, Sweden and Russia.
Even besides those top teams, the rest would be underdogs, but far from impossible
Rabid Ranger
2 is better than one
I agree. Canada is the favorite but in a single game elimination tournament with several top teams it's not a foregone conclusion they win.
Rabid Ranger
2 is better than one
I'm not inclined to hold the past against players. Pacioretty has been a top goal scorer his entire career and while he had some hiccups in the fish bowl that is Montreal he has stepped up with Vegas. He's also a good two-way player. I would agree that he's likely competing with guys like Wheeler and Boeser. If given a choice of the three I'd probably go with Wheeler and Pacioretty as they are very good skaters.
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Bixby Snyder
IBTFAD
You can be white and Mexican, Mexican is a nationality, not a race. Matthews' mother looks mestizo so she herself is probably a mix of white and indigenous.
The Zetterberg Era
Ball Hockey Sucks
I was referring to hispanic/latino and not nationality in my post, which is why I selected heritage when addressing it...
Canadian here, and I’ll say Canada has flirted with disaster in 2010 and 2014. We lost to team USA in the regulation round in 2010 convincingly and needed an overtime goal in the gold medal game. We won 1-0 in 2014 vs team USA. And if you look at team Canada’s history in best on best, we screw up from time to time and when we do, we really screw up like not even medaling in 1998 or 2006. I predict team USA will take gold and Canada comes second. Not because I think team USA has the better overall team, but because they are certainly capable and team Canada is due for an upset.
ORRFForever
Registered User
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Bixby Snyder
IBTFAD
I'm thinking Jack Hughes is making the team.
Bixby Snyder
IBTFAD
With no Price and Weber Canada won't medal.Me, too.However, I predict Canada will lose in the semis.
Rabid Ranger
2 is better than one
ORRFForever
Registered User
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And then we'll kick butt in 2026.With no Price and Weber Canada won't medal.
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Pacioretty out injured 6 weeks, not that he was a lock but he's an option. Him, Tuch and Eichel all going to be dealing with injuries. Emily Kaplan on ESPN said whenever Eichel gets his surgery it'll be 6 weeks until he's on the ice, but 3 months until he's game ready. So I think that is all but shutting the door completely from Eichel. If a trade happens tomorrow and he get's surgery the next day, 3 months takes him to mid January. Unless he has a faster than expected recovery I find it hard to believe whatever team he goes to will let the Olympics be his first action back.
Really excited about Jack Hughes though, he looks like he's taken big steps each season now and he could really claim his spot on this team with the lack of depth at C.
Really excited about Jack Hughes though, he looks like he's taken big steps each season now and he could really claim his spot on this team with the lack of depth at C.
ORRFForever
Registered User
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I still think Eichel will be available for China but it's getting tight.
Then it will be up to USA Hockey to decide if they want a player who hasn't played in a year.
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William H Bonney
Registered User
USAH never disappoints. Jones is a bubble player and yet he's one of our first 3 chosen.
