Olympics: Team USA 2022

[Rabid Ranger]

USAH never disappoints. Jones is a bubble player and yet he's one of our first 3 chosen.

Yeah, he's not showing much so far. This is purely Stan Bowman. I mean, what would have been the harm in naming someone like Adam Fox first or even another shoo-in at forward and waiting to see how a guy like Jones fares in the first few months of the season? I mean, Jones isn't the only problem with the Hawks defense, but this seems like a clear case of GM bias. On a somewhat related note Werenski is looking good so far....

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

USAH never disappoints. Jones is a bubble player and yet he's one of our first 3 chosen.

Seth is one of the most overrated players in the league.

 

[ORRFForever]

Yeah, he's not showing much so far. This is purely Stan Bowman. I mean, what would have been the harm in naming someone like Adam Fox first or even another shoo-in at forward and waiting to see how a guy like Jones fares in the first few months of the season? I mean, Jones isn't the only problem with the Hawks defense, but this seems like a clear case of GM bias. On a somewhat related note Werenski is looking good so far....

I don't want to open up a can of worms or get in trouble with the mods but...

Is there a chance he was named because he is a player of colour?

 

[usahockey22flyers]

If you told me in 2015 Petry would be considered for this team I'd say you were crazy. Much credit to him, game is on another level.

 

[William H Bonney]

I don't want to open up a can of worms or get in trouble with the mods but...

Is there a chance he was named because he is a player of colour?

I highly doubt it. It's not like Jones is some recognizable star to the casual fan. As @Rabid Ranger said, it's almost entirely because Stan Bowman is GM. This feels more like trying to justify the trade and contract.

 

[William H Bonney]

Did anyone else miss the coaching assistants or was that just me?

John Haynes, Todd Reirden, David Quinn, and Ryan Miller.

Some uninspired choices.

 

[SanDogBrewin]

Seth is one of the most overrated players in the league.

False! Jones is an excellent defenseman.

 

[iginlafan77]

False! Jones is an excellent defenseman.

Thank you for proving that he's overrated

 

[SanDogBrewin]

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.

And has been great in the beginning of the season.

 

[bsu]

John Gibson is actually trying again this season, he seems like he wants the #1 spot. We will see how long it is before he says f*** this.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Did anyone else miss the coaching assistants or was that just me?

John Haynes, Todd Reirden, David Quinn, and Ryan Miller.

Some uninspired choices.

Yeah, I saw that announcement. Sullivan is a good coach so I'm not too worried about the assistants.

 

[SanDogBrewin]

If you told me in 2015 Petry would be considered for this team I'd say you were crazy. Much credit to him, game is on another level.

Love stories like this. Fought his way up.

 

[SanDogBrewin]

I'm thinking Jack Hughes is making the team.

Looks so much so much stronger and confident.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

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.

Kreider if he stays healthy is 50/50 to grab a spot.
Larkin and Kreider had good chemistry and together
form a line to utilize against McDavid's.

G Gibson Helleybuyck Peterson

D Slavin McAvoy
Werenski Jones
McDonagh Fox
Carlson

C- Matthews Larkin Miller Nelson

W- Pacioretty Tuch Kreider Oshie Connor Kane DeBrincat M Tkachuk Hughes

Good mix of skill and grit up front which is needed
against Canada. Clearly 4-5 forwards you could swap out for guys
like Tuch, Kreider, Nelson and Pacioretty.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Should we be looking at Zegras as a dark horse to make the team of he has a good start? Looking at some of the projections we might need a bit more skill on the roster. I know he's young but could you find a role for him as a pp specialist/4th liner type?

As of today there is zero chance. Probably 30 forwards
with better chance than Zegras.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

As of today there is zero chance. Probably 30 forwards
with better chance than Zegras.

I think Zegras was going to compete with a guy like Jack Hughes for a spot, in particular if Eichel is a no go. Only room for one though and Hughes is having the stronger start. I think if we did Matthews, Miller, Larkin, and Hughes down the middle we would be okay.

 

[TheDoldrums]

John Gibson is actually trying again this season, he seems like he wants the #1 spot. We will see how long it is before he says f*** this.

Jack Campbell on top early. He's been so, so good since he got to Toronto. At this point I really think he should make the team as the third goalie behind Helle and Gibson. If you know anything about his personality and what a great teammate he is, he's basically the perfect third goalie who will be great in the locker room and practices regardless on if he dresses.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Jack Campbell on top early. He's been so, so good since he got to Toronto. At this point I really think he should make the team as the third goalie behind Helle and Gibson. If you know anything about his personality and what a great teammate he is, he's basically the perfect third goalie who will be great in the locker room and practices regardless on if he dresses.

Hellebucyk has been getting shelled early on so it will be good to have a couple good backup options.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Good mix of skill and grit up front which is needed
against Canada.

Good roster but when Dean Lombardi built a roster using this philosophy it didn’t go so well, you can’t build a team with one (at most two) games in mind

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Good roster but when Dean Lombardi built a roster using this philosophy it didn’t go so well, you can’t build a team with one (at most two) games in mind

There are no Abdelkaders or Dubinsky's on that roster.
You can sub out say Kreider for Guentzel or Gaudreau
but regardless Matthews, Larkin, Miller, Nelson down the middle is better than 2016 w/o a doubt. Kane,
Connor, DeBrincat and Hughes give you solid skill.
Add Guentzel or Gaudreau in place of Kreider/Patches if you want but that forward group I listed is more skilled
than any US forward group since 1996/98 which remains the best.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

I think Zegras was going to compete with a guy like Jack Hughes for a spot, in particular if Eichel is a no go. Only room for one though and Hughes is having the stronger start. I think if we did Matthews, Miller, Larkin, and Hughes down the middle we would be okay.

That center corp is about the best they will do
skill wise w/o Eichel but I would have Nelson
as 4th C and Hughes a PP specialist or if behind
in the 3rd.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Jack Campbell on top early. He's been so, so good since he got to Toronto. At this point I really think he should make the team as the third goalie behind Helle and Gibson. If you know anything about his personality and what a great teammate he is, he's basically the perfect third goalie who will be great in the locker room and practices regardless on if he dresses.

Peterson looks good also and 3rd goalie is usually
meaningless so they may reward Peterson for
the WC.

 

[danj7]

There are no Abdelkaders or Dubinsky's on that roster.
You can sub out say Kreider for Guentzel or Gaudreau
but regardless Matthews, Larkin, Miller, Nelson down the middle is better than 2016 w/o a doubt. Kane,
Connor, DeBrincat and Hughes give you solid skill.
Add Guentzel or Gaudreau in place of Kreider/Patches if you want but that forward group I listed is more skilled
than any US forward group since 1996/98 which remains the best.

Totally agree .. plus the power forwards you named can all really skate - Kreider can fly, Tuch too, Pacioretty is a good skater. Really only Tkachuk is not a fast skater. Then the skill guys can all fly - Hughes, Debrincat, Connor. Even Oshie is a good mix of skill & grit. Really like this roster think it could adapt to all opponents.

 

[danj7]

In net, I have a feeling Gibson is going to claim #1, Hellebuyck would be 1B and then I really like the idea of Jack Campbell as the #3. Great locker room guy, experienced as a true backup if needed and tons of international experience.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

In net, I have a feeling Gibson is going to claim #1, Hellebuyck would be 1B and then I really like the idea of Jack Campbell as the #3. Great locker room guy, experienced as a true backup if needed and tons of international experience.

Gibson and Campbell both beat Canada on the way to
Gold in the WJC also.