WC: Team USA 2025 - Golden

[MTU34]

So Cole was there just to bring Lane and it didn't work out. Not necessary a greatest thing for the future when it comes to Cole or any Hutson's but great to have Werenski obviously.

If it’s Cole going home I’m sure he understands to an extent. I mean we’re talking about Zach Werenski here. Not like they’d be sending him home for Nick Leddy

 

[William H Bonney]

But initially, Verensky refused, and then he apparently saw the news that Crosby would play at the World Championships...

He's got a weird history with this tournament. IIRC he's been announced by USAH before and then not played. And then there was the 2019 WC where he was announced as a late add after Columbus was knocked out of the NHL playoffs on May 6, which was 4 days before the WC started. But then he didn't join the team until the May 21st game against Canada (team's final preliminary round game), missing 6 preliminary round games that he could have been made it for, before the team was knocked out in the QF. He ended up showing up for 2 games, it was very odd.

 

[William H Bonney]

So Cole was there just to bring Lane and it didn't work out. Not necessary a greatest thing for the future when it comes to Cole or any Hutson's but great to have Werenski obviously.

This is a huge assumption

 

[William H Bonney]

This team has a fighting chance to get to the gold medal game.

Your optimism is cute when we are dealing with a SF curse that cannot be cured.

 

[AmericanDream]

If it’s Cole going home I’m sure he understands to an extent. I mean we’re talking about Zach Werenski here. Not like they’d be sending him home for Nick Leddy

I mean...Buium doesn't even have to get registered yet...he might be the odd man out and they promised him a trip here?

I just don't know how it works with the preliminary game as Howard played and would likely be registered. Hutson didn't. So if it's him or Buium, what player do you want here more? Both had stellar collegiate years.

 

[ORRFForever]

we are dealing with a SF curse that cannot be cured.

Good one.

 

[William H Bonney]

I mean...Buium doesn't even have to get registered yet...he might be the odd man out and they promised him a trip here?

I just don't know how it works with the preliminary game as Howard played and would likely be registered. Hutson didn't. So if it's him or Buium, what player do you want here more? Both had stellar collegiate years.

Preliminary game doesn't matter when it comes to registration.

I'd take Buium over Cole Hutson quite easily

 

[Kuracmugger]

What would be the best possible roster the USA could ice if there were no declines for the WC this year?

 

[AmericanDream]

Your optimism is cute when we are dealing with a SF curse that cannot be cured.

Our best goaltender in the past 6 years was Cory Schneider who was playing on one leg back then lol...(I kid, I kid...well, not really lol)...
we have a shot here, roster has skill. Can coaching live up for once? Can goaltending not sink us? Those have been our major downfalls in this tourney

 

[Playmaker82]

Damn, Werenski in. Great add for you. Hutson out then i guess.

KELLER - COOLEY - THOMPSON
GAUTHIER - BENIERS - SMITH
PINTO - NAZAR - GARLAND
O'CONNOR - MCCARRON - EYSSIMONT
HOWARD, DOAN

Or do Pinto slot into 3C, with Nazar going down to 4C?

Any suggestions for the D-pairing?

 

[WarriorofTime]

Pinto Center, Nazar Wing

 

[wetcoast]

Man, good shit on Werenski. This team needed an offensive dynamo on the backend.

Absolutely.

I'm guessing they're sending home Cole Hutson. We're 1 over the limit right now. Unless someone else is now out.

Scratch that had the wrong Hutson.

 

[Playmaker82]

Btw. Would guess Eyssimont got his spot after Mathieu Olivier from CBJ had to decline due to injury.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Werenski is a huge get and love the addition of Pinto. This is a quality team.

 

[tade]

Do you guys still expect one big name (forward), or is the forward group now set with addition of Pinto?

 

[AmericanDream]

Pinto is the only add from a playoff team. That kid might not be on the bubble for the Olympics but at least he has the heart to show up again even after a tough series.

Zach was sitting at home (did play 4 Nations). Same for Eyssimont. The only one who played even more tough playoff hockey answered the call.

Need more like him...

 

[Rabid Ranger]

it sounded like Olivier was open to playing for the U.S. minus the injury. Budget Tom Wilson in the making.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Btw. Would guess Eyssimont got his spot after Mathieu Olivier from CBJ had to decline due to injury.

Mathieu Oliver suiting up for the USA would have been hilarious, him and Bordeleau both are QC rednecks

 

[AmericanDream]

Pinto coming really is a big deal imo.

It helps allow us to load up that top line.
Keller - Cooley - Thompson

That line can stay together now, at least until medal round to carry the load. We can spread them out if we run into trouble, but Pinto helps balance out that 2nd and 3rd lines.

We will have to see what chemistry forms here but what I would like to see is:

Keller - Cooley - Thompson
Gauthier - Pinto - Smith
Nazar - Beniers - Garland
O'Connor - McCarron - Eyssimont
Doan/Howard

Each line has an offensive weapon on it, they all also have a burner or someone who can absolutely skate out there.

Playing Nazar and Smith out of position might not be the best thing, but for now we can see how it looks and adjust as Smith looked wayyyyy better last year when they moved him to center over wing where he struggled in my eyes.

 

[Mogi]

Werenski really took his time thinking about this tourny, why..? Well at least he gets to be easily the number one guy compared to Four Nations.

 

[William H Bonney]

Do you guys still expect one big name (forward), or is the forward group now set with addition of Pinto?

They are out of spots if they register everyone. We are already 1 skater over what we can actually register for the tournament.

 

[Summer Rose]

Pinto coming really is a big deal imo.

It helps allow us to load up that top line.
Keller - Cooley - Thompson

That line can stay together now, at least until medal round to carry the load. We can spread them out if we run into trouble, but Pinto helps balance out that 2nd and 3rd lines.

We will have to see what chemistry forms here but what I would like to see is:

Keller - Cooley - Thompson
Gauthier - Pinto - Smith
Nazar - Beniers - Garland
O'Connor - McCarron - Eyssimont
Doan/Howard

Each line has an offensive weapon on it, they all also have a burner or someone who can absolutely skate out there.

Playing Nazar and Smith out of position might not be the best thing, but for now we can see how it looks and adjust as Smith looked wayyyyy better last year when they moved him to center over wing where he struggled in my eyes.

I don't love Cooley on the top line, but he might be the best center we have anyway, and there's something to be said about the chemistry he has by playing with Keller all season in Utah.

It wasn't us but it's similar to how I wouldn't have loved the Kunitz selection for Sochi 2014, but there was something to be said about chemistry with Crosby in Pittsburgh, and it ended up working for them as they won the gold medal.

 

[SK94]

If it’s Cole going home I’m sure he understands to an extent. I mean we’re talking about Zach Werenski here. Not like they’d be sending him home for Nick Leddy

Actually it is Buium who is sending him home. Not a great look in my opinion.

 

[Wildabeast]

I don't love Cooley on the top line, but he might be the best center we have anyway, and there's something to be said about the chemistry he has by playing with Keller all season in Utah.

It wasn't us but it's similar to how I wouldn't have loved the Kunitz selection for Sochi 2014, but there was something to be said about chemistry with Crosby in Pittsburgh, and it ended up working for them as they won the gold medal.

Cooley is really, really good. If he wasn't playing in Utah, he would have way more notoriety with fans at this point

 

[Summer Rose]

Cooley is really, really good. If he wasn't playing in Utah, he would have way more notoriety with fans at this point

He was great to watch this year and I really like how he's coming along. While I do see him as being our long-awaited franchise center, I'm just not sure he's completely ready for that kind of role yet. Hopefully he can step into that role for the USA! He has big shoes to fill!