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WC: Team USA 2025 - Golden

I didn’t watch the game (6:20am start on a Sunday… no thanks) so obviously I have no opinion about the events of the game or the performance of individual players. Not pleased to hear anyone rate Clayton Keller’s performance as lazy. Unfortunate if true.

On the other hand, I don’t see any reason to complain about winning 6-0 against a team like Hungary.
Everything in RED sums up why the World Championships don't catch on in North America.
 
I continue to be impressed with Nazar after a really good rookie season. Think he’s going to be a real player maybe as soon as next year.
 
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Everything in RED sums up why the World Championships don't catch on in North America.
Add the game on big ice is slow with no physicality. Play on proper sized ice would make the games more enjoyable to watch. It’s too much like soccer on the big ice.
The USA would have a good shot at winning on normal ice.
 
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Also watching Beniers actually getting to play with some scoring talent is quite the culture shock from watching him in Seattle.
 
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Absolutely based af!!🔥
20250511_103310.jpg
 
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Also something pretty wild about this team. Take a look at all the players who won Gold at the WJC 21, 24, 25 teams that are here.

If you are going to bring "the kids" you bring the ones who went into enemy lands in hostile barns and won the Gold. These kids won't fold.

Beniers
Gauthier
Smith
Nazar
Howard
LaCombe
Buium
Hutson
Slukynsky

All Gold medal winners. That is wild. The only name here that isn't an established NHLer that didn't win the Gold is Doan.
 
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Also something pretty wild about this team. Take a look at all the players who won Gold at the WJC 21, 24, 25 teams that are here.

If you are going to bring "the kids" you bring the ones who went into enemy lands in hostile barns and won the Gold. These kids won't fold.

Beniers
Gauthier
Smith
Nazar
Howard
LaCombe
Buium
Hutson
Slukynsky

All Gold medal winners. That is wild. The only name here that isn't an established NHLer that didn't win the Gold is Doan.
the US have a good team and are fun to watch but WJC gold medals don't mean anything this is a whole different beast. But I'm looking forward to tomorrow's game I expect an entertaining game with an extremely high pace
 
Hard to read too much into games where the talent is that lopsided. I would like to see the team come out better to start their next game. I like the depth and versatility we have on the first 3 lines. While the Olympics are likely one tournament too soon, Cooley wouldn't be out of place there. He's such a well rounded player already.
 
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Hard to read too much into games where the talent is that lopsided. I would like to see the team come out better to start their next game. I like the depth and versatility we have on the first 3 lines. While the Olympics are likely one tournament too soon, Cooley wouldn't be out of place there. He's such a well rounded player already.
He’s got a shot. I think. If Larkin is playing bad to start next season and Cooley well (and faceoffs continue to improve), I wouldn’t be opposed to him taking his spot.
 
Add the game on big ice is slow with no physicality. Play on proper sized ice would make the games more enjoyable to watch. It’s too much like soccer on the big ice.
The USA would have a good shot at winning on normal ice.

Even then, on a somewhat related note, even if we managed to win gold at this tournament, I doubt any major news outlets would even acknowledge that we did.
 
Hard to read too much into games where the talent is that lopsided. I would like to see the team come out better to start their next game. I like the depth and versatility we have on the first 3 lines. While the Olympics are likely one tournament too soon, Cooley wouldn't be out of place there. He's such a well rounded player already.
Definitely agree on the game starts. Man that 3rd line is going to be a handful.
 
He’s got a shot. I think. If Larkin is playing bad to start next season and Cooley well (and faceoffs continue to improve), I wouldn’t be opposed to him taking his spot.
Maybe I am alone here but I think Beniers elevates his game and is in the running. A better 200ft player would make sense..but a nice problem to have if both truly take the next step next year.
 
Also would be shocking if Werenski plays tomorrow. Pinto got there Friday and didn't play until today. Hard to imagine a dude just flying in playing that same afternoon. Stranger things have happened but as much as I want Werenski to play as it will be one of the toughest matchups, just doesn't seem logical. Damn shame we need to see what we have out there from top to bottom.
 
I haven't had much time to comment around here in general, but so far so good! Granted, no challenges so far, but Switzerland is always a tough out at the World Championships, so this should be a good gauge. I never watch Thompson in the NHL, but it's fascinating to see where his game has come across all the years from when he was an afterthought during his year at the NTDP. Even comparing his prior US World Championship play to how he plays this year is night and day in style and approach.

Speaking of not much time to comment, and without reading on different takes/perspectives about various aspects, I have to say it was just great to have some best-on-best hockey at the 4 Nations after all these years that really ended up surprising and engaging fans. There's an opportunity here, and I hope all those involved continue to build on it over the coming years. I've been desperate for that for so long.
 
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Hard to read too much into games where the talent is that lopsided. I would like to see the team come out better to start their next game. I like the depth and versatility we have on the first 3 lines. While the Olympics are likely one tournament too soon, Cooley wouldn't be out of place there. He's such a well rounded player already.
A lot of time between now and then. I think Cooley makes it.
 
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A lot of time between now and then. I think Cooley makes it.
He's looked unreal, looked dominant at times in the NHL this season too. He struck me as a late bloomer in terms of physical maturity during his draft year, and he appears to have grown a fair amount since.

He doesn't look small or weak in the least bit now. And his skating is even more explosive than I ever projected.

I don't know how you leave such a talented, well rounded guy off a best on best roster.
 
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I can easily see Cooley as a point per game player next season. That said, I still very much doubt that he can force himself to Olympic Team next year. 2
 
He's looked unreal, looked dominant at times in the NHL this season too. He struck me as a late bloomer in terms of physical maturity during his draft year, and he appears to have grown a fair amount since.

He doesn't look small or weak in the least bit now. And his skating is even more explosive than I ever projected.

I don't know how you leave such a talented, well rounded guy off a best on best roster.
Looking at the 4Nations roster, Kreider is definitely to be replaced, I think then Trocheck, J.T Miller, Dylan Larkin, and Brock Nelson are the next 3 or 4 that could get picked off by younger guys.

Idk. Certainly not saying he WILL make it, but I think if he has a PPG season next year and some other, older guys take a step back, I could see it.
 
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Looking at the 4Nations roster, Kreider is definitely to be replaced, I think then Trocheck, J.T Miller, Dylan Larkin, and Brock Nelson are the next 3 or 4 that could get picked off by younger guys.

Idk. Certainly not saying he WILL make it, but I think if he has a PPG season next year and some other, older guys take a step back, I could see it.
I'd take him over everyone above, save maybe Larkin. I think he and Thompson should both get long looks.
 

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