World Cup 2016 Thread

[major major]

Really? I kept reading on twitter from multiple people (albeit early in the game) that Jones was really struggling.

(I didn't watch)

I missed at most a few shifts while I was cooking something. I have no idea what that critique might be about. He wasn't struggling at all for what I saw (most of his shifts). They're Team NA's shutdown duo so maybe I'm more forgiving.

Edit: I found it, had missed it earlier. Just a rough couple shifts in the first for Jones. No problem at all in his play after that. Didn't play much in the third, but the team needed a goal scorer not a shutdown guy.

When Team NA are taking a draw in their own end, and you know who the Russians are going to put out there, Murray-Jones are the duo that Mclellan goes to. I think they really are turning into defensive gems (although I'd also commend Ekblad and Parayko).

On the other hand, I can totally understand cutting back on their ice time when the team is trying to score. Murray-Jones are noticeably less aggressive offensively compared to Rielly, Parayko, and especially Ghost-Ekblad. They don't have the killer instinct.

 

[Old Guy]

Edit: I found it, had missed it earlier. Just a rough couple shifts in the first for Jones. No problem at all in his play after that. Didn't play much in the third, but the team needed a goal scorer not a shutdown guy.

When Team NA are taking a draw in their own end, and you know who the Russians are going to put out there, Murray-Jones are the duo that Mclellan goes to. I think they really are turning into defensive gems (although I'd also commend Ekblad and Parayko).

On the other hand, I can totally understand cutting back on their ice time when the team is trying to score. Murray-Jones are noticeably less aggressive offensively compared to Rielly, Parayko, and especially Ghost-Ekblad. They don't have the killer instinct.

You captured well what I observed. It's easy to see that these two have the ability to provide the CBJ something they have never had before. You have to wonder if the team (CBJ) will be better when they are together or if you split them up and have one of them on the ice for about 45-47 minutes a game. Depends upon Werenski I guess.

I would be just fine if they never get their name called by the announcers. That means they are not getting beaten, are in proper position and never turning the puck over.

 

[Fro]

found it funny that ppl on twitter were bashing NA for only playing Jones/Murray 3 shifts in 3rd...of course they weren't going to play much, they were down goals and needed the more offensive GhostBear in there more...

I thought 3/27 played incredibly well...were poised, and great handling of the puck...the 120 ft tape to tape pass by Murray....WOW...

 

[Nanabijou]

Torts scratching JJ and Dubi tonight.

 

[Cowumbus]

Torts scratching JJ and Dubi tonight.

Let's not beat around the bush, they are the two worst players on team USA and should be the ones scratches for the game. Come on big Buff.

Edit: After thinking, yes Duby should not be on team USA but on this team USA i would prefer him to play rather than Abdelkader

 

[BluejacketNut]

Ive got a feeling Canada is just going to dismantle the USA. There's no home country advantage on this one and im sure Canada remembers that scrimmage at Nationwide. I, for one would not mind leaving Torts in Canada and starting over on the coaching side, as most have already concluded, this team isnt going to do much this year

 

[JohnnyJacket13]

I thought Jones struggled a bit last night. I think it was the first Russian goal, but he badly misplayed the puck on a chip in through the neutral zone which led to the scoring chance. Murray was excellent, and has been all tournament (including the exhibition games). His play is giving me a lot of hope for the future. I sort of think he may be better than Jones simply because he is so cerebral and can do it all.


Off topic, but in today's puckrakers blog, Porty speculates that Johnson could be slotted in on the right side and play with Werenski. I really don't see that happening (with Werenski, that is), but how would these pairing end up looking?

Murray-Johnson
Werenski-Jones
Goloubef-Savard

It's pretty balanced, as Johnson and Murray can eat a TON of minutes if necessary, and Jones and Werenski could eventually be the top-pairing of the future. I know it slides Savard down to the third pair, but the minutes could be much more balanced (and also take Prout out of the lineup).

 

[Tulipunaruusu*]

I, for one would not mind leaving Torts in Canada and starting over on the coaching side, as most have already concluded, this team isnt going to do much this year

I wouldn't be so quick to judge, especially after only one game against a good side. After all not everyone's a tournament coach who can in a small timeframe inject his ideas into the team. Tortorella's favoured style requires some commitment and belief in the cause. Getting the geezers to buy those ideas then leaves for the gazers to judge.

I belief in disasters and seeing the forest from the trees. After all, a forest which is burned down provides some excellent soil for plants to grow on. Maybe John Tortorella or Brad Shaw will return with new pages written for their future play.

 

[Fro]

murray just left practice grimicing...

 

[EspenK]

Torts scratching JJ and Dubi tonight.

Well so much for the Dubi's role on the team is to harass Crosby.

 

[major major]

I thought Jones struggled a bit last night. I think it was the first Russian goal, but he badly misplayed the puck on a chip in through the neutral zone which led to the scoring chance. Murray was excellent, and has been all tournament (including the exhibition games). His play is giving me a lot of hope for the future. I sort of think he may be better than Jones simply because he is so cerebral and can do it all.


Off topic, but in today's puckrakers blog, Porty speculates that Johnson could be slotted in on the right side and play with Werenski. I really don't see that happening (with Werenski, that is), but how would these pairing end up looking?

Murray-Johnson
Werenski-Jones
Goloubef-Savard

It's pretty balanced, as Johnson and Murray can eat a TON of minutes if necessary, and Jones and Werenski could eventually be the top-pairing of the future. I know it slides Savard down to the third pair, but the minutes could be much more balanced (and also take Prout out of the lineup).

I thought the goal against Rielly-Jones wasn't really Jones fault. The Russians sent two down his side and Rielly didn't come over to help. When that switch happens the closest D is usually supposed to take the puck carrier and the other D should take the guy charging the net.. Guess which D didn't do their job?

And no, I find the idea of Johnson playing two lines above Savard to be ridiculous. Savard is a RHD and I'd say better than Johnson anyways. Put him in that role.

Werenski - Jones
Murray - Savard

Here's the gif of the Rielly-Jones goal. Jones didn't field the puck well but his positioning was correct IMO, unlike Rielly's.

 

[CBJx614]

Yeah that looked like it was Rielly trying to play the strong side when Jones already had it covered and the Russian forward slipped by both of them.

 

[Samkow]

All the good vibes from Murray/Jones are getting eaten up every time I'm reminded that we're stuck with a washed up assclown for a coach.

What a terrible performance.

 

[Nanabijou]

Canada is totally taking advantage when Buff is out on the ice.

 

[Samkow]

Canada is totally taking advantage when Buff is out on the ice.

Johnson too.

 

[Nanabijou]

Painful listening to Hull and Chelios every intermission.

 

[2minpenalty]

All the good vibes from Murray/Jones are getting eaten up every time I'm reminded that we're stuck with a washed up assclown for a coach.

What a terrible performance.

I'm watching the Canadian feed and they just commented that U.S. Game plan of dump and chase doesn't work when you are playing the best puck handling goalie in the league. At a boy Torts, great game plan. Keep sending Abdelcater over the boards!

 

[Viqsi]

All the good vibes from Murray/Jones are getting eaten up every time I'm reminded that we're stuck with a washed up assclown for a coach.

What a terrible performance.

Yeah, that's pretty much exactly where I am too.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Honestly this is what I wanted. For one, I'm glad Torts will never coach Team USA again. For two, he now can focus on our training camp exclusively. Now just need to hope for Russia, Europe, and NA to lose.

 

[Nanabijou]

Honestly this is what I wanted. For one, I'm glad Torts will never coach Team USA again. For two, he now can focus on our training camp exclusively. Now just need to hope for Russia, Europe, and NA to lose.

Why Europe? You mean Finland - they are already done.

As a Canadian, I'm of course happy Canada won. But as a Jackets fan, I'm really worried about Torts ability to coach in this new NHL era. I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt last year, but this tourney suggests he's still stuck in the '90s. Who knows, maybe the players just bailed on him.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Why Europe? You mean Finland - they are already done.

Brad Shaw.

 

[Tulipunaruusu*]

All you Tortorella critics have time and again forgotten to break out why. Everyone can read the results but it does not help our understanding if you just say he has lost it. Nobody does it better.

 

[major major]

All you Tortorella critics have time and again forgotten to break out why. Everyone can read the results but it does not help our understanding if you just say he has lost it. Nobody does it better.

As usual, I am not sure what you are saying. But it sort of sounds like what I came here to post.

Torts has already mismanaged the team by benching Buff.

Case in point. Buff's errors today were costly.

I am not defending Torts or his performance. I have no idea what happened, and I don't follow Team USA closely. I'm just pointing out that the critiques I've read here and on the mains are often contradictory or uninformed. Come to think of it, a lot of the on-air critiques have been as well.

 

[Eikka]

Sigh. As if the twittersphere didn't already think everything related to CBJ blows ***. Can't put the blame solely on Torts but the mob effect is in full swing. "Tortorella is the worst coach in the history of hockey. I don't know who he is but he blows. I know this because people say so. I don't actually follow hockey outside my favorite team. Go ______ (insert canadian NHL team)."

Playing against Canada in this tournament is like going to a nascar race with a Fiat Uno.

Everything will be fine and meaningful hockey starts soon.

 

[Old Guy]

As usual, I am not sure what you are saying.

^ What he said.

Also........This is not hard to figure out. Scoring two goals in the last four games does not get it done.


And finally.........Coach Tortorella was all concerned about how to "be in two places at once". CBJ camp opens Friday. Looks like he found a solution.