GDT: USA Vs Czech Republic | 12/29 @ 2PM ET | TSN/NHLN

[Tralfamadore]

Good thing he scored on top of having an assist then huh. It's almost as if you ignored that.

Yes he did indeed pickup a secondary assist on a loaded powerplay unit against a weak and depleted penalty kill.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Not just the US broadcast, because Button on TSN also praised Brink's physical game and even compared with to Ryan Callahan

Thats a joke.

 

[bsu]

AHL would be better. You'd rather have him playing top line, first PP against worse players in his first games as a pro than thrown into probably a third line role in the NHL where he'll probably be used as a winger, might not get big minutes or situations, and is learning the pro game on the fly.

The Ducks have no reason to rush him.

The Ducks top 9 forwards all play the same, there is no top line. We basically have 3 2nd lines.

 

[SotasicA]

Maybe in your wet dream.

 

[SFKingshomer]

AHL would be better. You'd rather have him playing top line, first PP against worse players in his first games as a pro than thrown into probably a third line role in the NHL where he'll probably be used as a winger, might not get big minutes or situations, and is learning the pro game on the fly.

The Ducks have no reason to rush him.

I think they would like him to play center and I’m not sure he’s ready for that yet.

 

[Leonardo87]

AHL would be better. You'd rather have him playing top line, first PP against worse players in his first games as a pro than thrown into probably a third line role in the NHL where he'll probably be used as a winger, might not get big minutes or situations, and is learning the pro game on the fly.

The Ducks have no reason to rush him.

Have you seen Anaheim’s depth? Sheltered mins for Zegras would be like 17 mins a game, lol.

 

[PanniniClaus]

Forgot to give props to Spencer Knight. Not overly busy but he looked sharp on everything.

 

[admiralcadillac]

Yes he did indeed pickup a secondary assist on a loaded powerplay unit against a weak and depleted penalty kill.

I see. I guess he should’ve gotten nothing at all then eh?

Would you say the same thing about the points other players are getting against lesser teams or is it a one-way street?

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

AHL would be better. You'd rather have him playing top line, first PP against worse players in his first games as a pro than thrown into probably a third line role in the NHL where he'll probably be used as a winger, might not get big minutes or situations, and is learning the pro game on the fly.

The Ducks have no reason to rush him.

Honestly he prob is out top center already

steel hasn’t showed he’s ready to take big mins
Henrique is a 2/3 c
The corpse of getzlaf is a 2/3c

but I agree let him play in AHL.

 

[Tralfamadore]

I see. I guess he should’ve gotten nothing at all then eh?

Would you say the same thing about the points other players are getting against lesser teams or is it a one-way street?

I do. For example I don't put too much stock into Newhook's 3 points against Germany. I choose to pay more attention to their game from shift to shift at even strength.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

AHL would be better. You'd rather have him playing top line, first PP against worse players in his first games as a pro than thrown into probably a third line role in the NHL where he'll probably be used as a winger, might not get big minutes or situations, and is learning the pro game on the fly.

The Ducks have no reason to rush him.

Zegras didn't leave college to play in the AHL lol.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Zegras didn't leave college to play in the AHL lol.

I think you're right, but I'm not convinced the results are going to be as great as everyone wants in the NHL. I know he's having a great tournament once again, like last year, but he wasn't this dominant in college hockey. He's a very good prospect, but still has things to work on. What happens when he steps into the NHL with a smaller role, in his first test of professional hockey, against bigger, stronger, more physical players that take away some of his time and space he'll get in a tournament like this?

I think he's good enough to adjust and have a respectable first season, if he was to play in the NHL, but I think he'd benefit from a season where he can play a bigger role and try out what works and doesn't work in pro hockey. And the Ducks have absolutely no reason to rush him. They aren't going to be competitive this year. Contractually it might make more sense, as well. I'm sure all players would prefer to play in the NHL as soon as possible and I think Zegras is capable of it, but the Ducks should take the decision out of his hands and have him play this season in the AHL.

 

[SotasicA]

At this point it seems like US can only score on a fluke. Czechs not giving US guys time and space to make skilled plays. Shouldn’t a top coach know how to beat a stifling defense team/make in game adjustments? (I’m looking at you US coach)

Nate Leaman is expecting an apology.

 

[TwzKing]

7-1

Maybe in your wet dream.

>.>

 

[funky]

One thing we have to remember about Kaliyev. He missed the development/ selection camp because he had Covid. Once recovered he has spent time in LA with there development staff. The kid has saw no live action until this tournament. Hopefully as the tourney continues we see him get better because he is definitely a big step behind.

 

[phil162888]

I'm sorry, but that's an atrocious take.

I credit Brink for having a great game, but the US broadcast has really oversold his grit because he plays on a line with two guys who have grit. He's as perimeter as it gets. He's as small as Caufield, and a slower skater. Avoids contact. Caufield's game has a much better chance of translating to the NHL.

[MOD] really any Flyer prospect you love to slam.. Brink has been doing great along the boards and driving the net all Tournament... Stop with your bias bs. Caufield is a great offensive prospect (true sniper) Brink is more of a playmaker (excellent offensive awareness) and does whatever it takes to win. Honestly both could be great NHLers or never be front line players. Players that size your never 100% sure until they end up playing NHL sized dman and see how they handle it. Compete level is usually determining factor which definitely bolds well for Brink but his skating (which has improved is still not impressive similar to Mike Richards). To say he's a perimeter player is nonsense (at least while playing for US last yr, this year and at the U 18's)

 

[phil162888]

I've been watching this tournament for the past 35 years. Zegras is one of the most talented players i've seen. He's right up there with Forsberg, Bure, Mogilny, Lindros. He's that impressive and i'm usually no fan of team USA tbh. I will be stunned if he's not a Superstar.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

[MOD] really any Flyer prospect you love to slam.. Brink has been doing great along the boards and driving the net all Tournament... Stop with your bias bs. Caufield is a great offensive prospect (true sniper) Brink is more of a playmaker (excellent offensive awareness) and does whatever it takes to win. Honestly both could be great NHLers or never be front line players. Players that size your never 100% sure until they end up playing NHL sized dman and see how they handle it. Compete level is usually determining factor which definitely bolds well for Brink but his skating (which has improved is still not impressive similar to Mike Richards). To say he's a perimeter player is nonsense (at least while playing for US last yr, this year and at the U 18's)

More conspiracy theories. I think I've been accused of hating every team in the NHL this year, including my own favorite team. I can never keep up. Do I slam the Flyers prospects when I talk positively about York or does that not count because it might ruin the conspiracy theory?

So you think Brink is anywhere near as good as Caufield? He's really not. I actually liked how Brink played today, and mentioned that. I've probably been more critical of him than any player. He's not necessarily the worst player on the team, but as a returner whose expected to play an important secondary role, I expect some type of secondary impact. I expect him to be better than one of the few worst players on the team, which he had been before today. Today he was good, but no, he absolutely is not as good as Caufield. Thats a ridiculous suggestion. It's possible he has a better career, but right now Caufield is the better and more impactful player.

I hope Brink proves me wrong, but I think he's tailor-made for the European leagues where there's more space. Brink is absolutely a perimeter player. Always has been when I've seen him play going back many years. As I said previously, there's this faulty narrative out there that he's some grinder because he's on a line with two. He's playing with grinders because he's not among the top 6 skill guys. He's really not suited for a grinder style, but I do credit that he was willing to play a little grittier today. Thats probably why he played better today.

 

[NorCalhockey]

I hope you're joking. They more than earned spots on the team. They could throw the puck into their own net each game, and they'd have earned spots on the team.

It’s not just this year’s tournament, they were pretty quiet last year too, especially Caufield.

The Ducks have no reason to rush him.

Agree. Not only do Ducks not need to push Zegras into the NHL, depending how many games they’d actually play him, do they wanna blow one year of his ELC on a shortened season where it’s HIGHLY unlikely the Ducks win the Cup?

Nate Leaman is expecting an apology.

Ok, sure but I’m still not sold on him as a head coach. Let’s see what gameplan he comes up with against another Top Five team.

One thing we have to remember about Kaliyev. He missed the development/ selection camp because he had Covid. Once recovered he has spent time in LA with there development staff. The kid has saw no live action until this tournament. Hopefully as the tourney continues we see him get better because he is definitely a big step behind.

I didn’t know that about him. That may explain his slow start, but now that US have played their 4th (three which really count), he needs to step it up. Hope his goal today starts a gold rush for him and also Caufield.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I've been watching this tournament for the past 35 years. Zegras is one of the most talented players i've seen. He's right up there with Forsberg, Bure, Mogilny, Lindros. He's that impressive and i'm usually no fan of team USA tbh. I will be stunned if he's not a Superstar.

Come on, thats just ridiculous. Right up there with the Dach will surpass Forsberg's point total comments.

Zegras is really good, but you are setting an impossible bar to reach. Either he's a HHOF'er or he's disappointed. Absolutely not fair to him and quite frankly very unrealistic for him or anyone whose not a generational prospect to reach. He could have a very good career where he reaches his ceiling and get nowhere near that.

People really love their overreactions with this tournament.

 

[NorCalhockey]

NHL Network promo for WJC makes me laugh. They actually used the words “hockey super powers” to promote the Russia - Austria game later tonight! Hey, good news Austria - you guys are hockey super powers now.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

It’s not just this year’s tournament, they were pretty quiet last year too, especially Caufield.

I'm not disagreeing, but they've earned spots on the team. I don't think that can really be in dispute, and a two week snapshot of the season doesn't make them worse players. They are two of the higher-end prospects from this team.

 

[NorCalhockey]

Come on, thats just ridiculous. Right up there with the Dach will surpass Forsberg's point total comments.

Zegras is really good, but you are setting an impossible bar to reach. Either he's a HHOF'er or he's disappointed. Absolutely not fair to him and quite frankly very unrealistic for him or anyone whose not a generational prospect to reach. He could have a very good career where he reaches his ceiling and get nowhere near that.

People really love their overreactions with this tournament.

Yeah, I think it’s the extremely rare player whose performance we see in the WJC and can definitely say he’ll do X in the NHL. I recall hearing that Evgeni Malkin was pretty average (bordering on underwhelming) in his WJC yet not too many would call his NHL career “average”.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Yeah, I think it’s the extremely rare player whose performance we see in the WJC and can definitely say he’ll do X in the NHL. I recall hearing that Evgeni Malkin was pretty average (bordering on underwhelming) in his WJC yet not too many would call his NHL career “average”.

I like this tournament, but these are the most unbearable weeks of the year on this website. It's like pulling teeth reading the hot-takes, and trying to reason with these takes. Every year without fail it's the same thing.

 

[GettingYourMoms]

It was 7:0 not 7:2 lol.