World Cup: World Cup: 2016 World Cup — Team USA Part III

[Kranix]

Burke would probably even leave Gaudreau off team USA.

 

[GirouxDaMan]

That lineup could give TC a run for their money NOW...never mind a year and a half from now...and this coming from a Canuck

Yeah, Yeah...ppl gonna argue Matthews isn't ready. I watched him at World Championships and here...I say, He IS!

***
PS: Don't throw Quick under the bus...he wasn't to blame for 6 odd man rushes , including 2-0 breakaway, in first period vs Team Euro...Had bad puck luck vs Canada...it happens...

No no and no they would not give TC a run for their money. You've already penciled Mathews as your number 1 center. Uh why? He hasn't proven crap let alone played an Nhl game. Mathews is still very young and raw with no Nhl experience so let's make him our #1 center. Yet, you have Ghost who played last year, did some pretty incredible things as a rookie defenseman and also led Team North America in points in this tourney penciled in as your seventh defenseman.

 

[The Gloaming]

Dean Lombardi saying he'd pick Dubinsky, Backes, Abdelkader again over Kessel and Okposo. I hope his idiotic comments seal his fate and he's never allowed to make roster decisions again with USA Hockey. What a clown

Really just pathetic. The old boys club is so stuck in their ways that no degree of failure would make them even reconsider, let alone make changes.

Ryan can't spell "intense?" Pretty sure it's actually that Abdelkader, Dubinsky, Backes can't spell "talent" and "ability."

 

[AmericanDream]

No no and no they would not give TC a run for their money. You've already penciled Mathews as your number 1 center. Uh why? He hasn't proven crap let alone played an Nhl game. Mathews is still very young and raw with no Nhl experience so let's make him our #1 center. Yet, you have Ghost who played last year, did some pretty incredible things as a rookie defenseman and also led Team North America in points in this tourney penciled in as your seventh defenseman.

are you for real?

you do know the roster I put out is in a hopeful 2 years time...are you really suggesting that in 2 years Matthews won't be the top center for the US?

the 1991 Canada Cup had Mike Modano and Jeremy Roenick as our top 2 centers along with Pat Lafontaine, both Roenick and Modano were barely 2 plus years in to their careers at the time....Matthews is as elite as those guys were at the same age, if there is an Olympic showing, Matthews will be in the top 2 centers.

you can also flip between Eichel and Matthews for the top center, but Gaudreau and Eichel didn't click hence Matthews slotting in that top spot with Kaner..

 

[AmericanDream]

Really just pathetic. The old boys club is so stuck in their ways that no degree of failure would make them even reconsider, let alone make changes.

Ryan can't spell "intense?" Pretty sure it's actually that Abdelkader, Dubinsky, Backes can't spell "talent" and "ability."

amazing isn't it?

these clowns are getting torched everywhere, from social media, to ESPN and Yahoo writers....they are gutless cowards who owes every USA Hockey fan an apology for this embarrassing showing, yet nothing is coming, in fact like you said they are sticking to their guns. this is the most pathetic showing I have ever seen, and everyone of these clowns needs to burn. show some humility and understanding of the frustrations that everyone is seeing - apologize and move forward and promise this result will never happen again.

you damn well know Canada would be doing that, hell they did after 2006.

 

[xxxx]

For those blaming Torts and some of the players selections....Who would've made this team among forwards, Eichel, Gaudreau? Maybe T.Johnson, or Kessel? Would they make the difference? People are acting like there was no Pavelski, no Kane, no Wheeler, no Pacioretty, no Suter, no Byfuglien. But they are. The game against Europe, which was the downfall of the tournament, they didn't lose because J.Johnson and Dubinsky and Abdelkader played bad. They lost because everyone played a bad game. Kane made a mistake that resulted in a goal. McDonagh made mistakes. They were giving up 2on1 3on1 rushes every three minutes in the first 30 minutes. They had pretty good players, but they all played bad in that game. Pavelski and Wheeler were invisible. Where were they? And if someone wants to blame Tortorella, those 2on1 rushes, that has nothing to do with Torts, if you watch Columbus or if you watched NYR, this is not something you would see from the teams he's coached. It's the players who play the game. Players make mistakes or good plays. If someone thinks that with Sullivan as the head coach, or Laviolette, and Gaudreau and Eichel and Gostisbehre in the line up, the team would suddenly win the game against Europe....what about the rest of the bech? Those 20 players? They are just going to get better, just like that? Because you change a coach? Nah, I don't buy that. I know that some of you think that with different coach there would be different style, etc., but again, it's the players who play the game. I don't believe for a second that the reason why Pavelski, Byfuglien, Wheeler, Pacioretty, Kane, and basically everyone there sucked because of the coach. It was them who were playing on the ie against Europe. Not the coach. Some of you make it seem like Tortorella is holding players' hands like they were children, telling them exactly what to do and how to play, making plays on the ice, like they don't have "freedom" on the ice to make something happen.

 

[jj cale]

Said before the tournament that Gaudreau was their biggest loss from that NA team, nothing has changed my mind on that.

Eichel on the team would have been negligible IMO, he is not ready to carry a big load on team U.S.A yet.

 

[jj cale]

No... I have to believe you are being sarcastic.

Will they be in contention... yes. Up there with Canada... no.

Canada is miles ahead now and will be adding better players so I am not sure of your math.

You strike me as being a little overconfident.

let's come back in 4 years and see how it works out o.k? As it stands right now you are acting like what you say is gospel and it isn't.

 

[Cult of Hynes]

For those blaming Torts and some of the players selections....Who would've made this team among forwards, Eichel, Gaudreau? Maybe T.Johnson, or Kessel? Would they make the difference? People are acting like there was no Pavelski, no Kane, no Wheeler, no Pacioretty, no Suter, no Byfuglien. But they are. The game against Europe, which was the downfall of the tournament, they didn't lose because J.Johnson and Dubinsky and Abdelkader played bad. They lost because everyone played a bad game. Kane made a mistake that resulted in a goal. McDonagh made mistakes. They were giving up 2on1 3on1 rushes every three minutes in the first 30 minutes. They had pretty good players, but they all played bad in that game. Pavelski and Wheeler were invisible. Where were they? And if someone wants to blame Tortorella, those 2on1 rushes, that has nothing to do with Torts, if you watch Columbus or if you watched NYR, this is not something you would see from the teams he's coached. It's the players who play the game. Players make mistakes or good plays. If someone thinks that with Sullivan as the head coach, or Laviolette, and Gaudreau and Eichel and Gostisbehre in the line up, the team would suddenly win the game against Europe....what about the rest of the bech? Those 20 players? They are just going to get better, just like that? Because you change a coach? Nah, I don't buy that. I know that some of you think that with different coach there would be different style, etc., but again, it's the players who play the game. I don't believe for a second that the reason why Pavelski, Byfuglien, Wheeler, Pacioretty, Kane, and basically everyone there sucked because of the coach. It was them who were playing on the ie against Europe. Not the coach. Some of you make it seem like Tortorella is holding players' hands like they were children, telling them exactly what to do and how to play, making plays on the ice, like they don't have "freedom" on the ice to make something happen.

Other players that could have been on the team over players like Parise, Backes, Dubinsky, Abdelkader (why was he here?) and even Oshie. Kessel, Tyler Johnson, Bobby Ryan, Kyle Okposo, Kreider, Craig Smith, Brock Nelson. Guys that could have been on defense over Erik Johnson, Jack Jonhson and Niskanen. Fowler, Faulk, Leddy, Shattenkirk. Immediately that team is faster, more talented, actually bigger in size as well and brings more offense.

 

[GirouxDaMan]

are you for real?

you do know the roster I put out is in a hopeful 2 years time...are you really suggesting that in 2 years Matthews won't be the top center for the US?

the 1991 Canada Cup had Mike Modano and Jeremy Roenick as our top 2 centers along with Pat Lafontaine, both Roenick and Modano were barely 2 plus years in to their careers at the time....Matthews is as elite as those guys were at the same age, if there is an Olympic showing, Matthews will be in the top 2 centers.

you can also flip between Eichel and Matthews for the top center, but Gaudreau and Eichel didn't click hence Matthews slotting in that top spot with Kaner..

Hmm, no where in my post did I suggest Mathews won't be a number 1 center. I wrote that he needed more experience. You're the one with the assumptions not me. You've watched him in a couple of games in a ridiculous tourney and he's already USA'S best center. For you its a sure thing, for myself, I would rather see him play a bit more.

 

[Cult of Hynes]

Hmm, no where in my post did I suggest Mathews won't be a number 1 center. I wrote that he needed more experience. You're the one with the assumptions not me. You've watched him in a couple of games in a ridiculous tourney and he's already USA'S best center. For you its a sure thing, for myself, I would rather see him play a bit more.

Who is the is the best center for the USA currently? Stepan? This tournament alone Matthews has shown himself to be better than him. Talent wise it's not a question that Matthews and Echiel are the best centers for the US. If you're talking resume, well then yea gotta wait.

 

[InGusWeTrust]

Who is the is the best center for the USA currently? Stepan? This tournament alone Matthews has shown himself to be better than him. Talent wise it's not a question that Matthews and Echiel are the best centers for the US. If you're talking resume, well then yea gotta wait.

Pavelski is pretty good.

 

[Juppy61]

I guess Torts doesn't want any former players or fans criticizing this US team so you better stop it guys.

“I just don’t understand players that have been in this situation, players that have played for USA Hockey, not only Phil [Kessel] but some of the other guys speaking out,†Tortorella said Thursday in advance of his club’s final game against the Czech Republic.

“To me, it’s a little self-serving, and quite honestly, it doesn’t make USA Hockey look any better either. It’s self-serving, and I think the people that are doing it, it really doesn’t help them eiher.â€

 

[Cult of Hynes]

Pavelski is pretty good.

I'm used to him as a winger with San Jose. Kind of forgot about him.

 

[InGusWeTrust]

I'm used to him as a winger with San Jose. Kind of forgot about him.

True. However in 4 years USA will be pretty solid team down the middle.

 

[JustGivingEr]

I love how the USA management group keeps saying they focused too much on trying to beat Canada as some sort of excuse for why they're out. Especially since the game with Canada wasn't even particularly close.

 

[Sky04]

I love how the USA management group keeps saying they focused too much on trying to beat Canada as some sort of excuse for why they're out. Especially since the game with Canada wasn't even particularly close.

This, should've owned up to player selection instead, it's clear that both ideas were failures but they'll only admit to one. You have a plethora of offensive talent and you choose to build a glorified NHL club team with an NHL grinding style game?

I don't care what team you're building, as a Lightning fan anyone taking Ryan Callahan over Tyler Johnson to win a hockey game needs to get their head checked.

 

[GirouxDaMan]

Who is the is the best center for the USA currently? Stepan? This tournament alone Matthews has shown himself to be better than him. Talent wise it's not a question that Matthews and Echiel are the best centers for the US. If you're talking resume, well then yea gotta wait.

I guess that's the difference between you and I. I'm not going to let a few games in a meaningless tournament influence my opinion on who is better than who. Is Mathews better than Stepan? Probably. Is Mathews going to be USA'S top center in two years? Could happen. But after watching only a few games I'm not gonna spew garbage like most Leaf fans that Mathews is already so much better than Eichel. Let's give it time and see how things play out.

 

[Sky04]

Canada is great as expected, no-one is saying they are not and will not be going forward.

But to suggest they will always be THE dominant team is being far too optimistic and premature IMO.

There have already been instances in the past where they were not.

Uh yeah not in the past 6 years and not looking like it in the next 4 either, no ones saying Canada will be the best for the next 20 years, but for the near future there's no one close to topping the talent level Canada is producing. In 2 years time, they'll have a prime Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid on the same roster, think about that.

 

[InGusWeTrust]

Canada should have just put up another team. Like Canada "eh" vs Canada B...lol

Sweden is a much better team than USA currently. So IDK why we are even comparing USA to Canada in terms of hockey and their skill.

Yes, USA has improved in the depth of talent over the last 5 years or so. The only thing we have that has been good for a while I think is goaltending. We have always lacked real depth at defense and down the middle. The only player on our current team that has a chance at making Team Canada is Patty Kane IMO.

 

[JustGivingEr]

This, should've owned up to player selection instead, it's clear that both ideas were failures but they'll only admit to one. You have a plethora of offensive talent and you choose to build a glorified NHL club team with an NHL grinding style game?

I don't care what team you're building, as a Lightning fan anyone taking Ryan Callahan over Tyler Johnson to win a hockey game needs to get their head checked.

And the whole idea of a grinding team to beat Canada is stupid on it's face. Maybe it would work against North America but Canada's team is full of men, all of whom have been playing against grinders in the NHL for years. Off the top of my head I can't think of a single player on Canada who would be rattled by playing against grinders in a tournament of this magnitude. Is a guy like Getzlaf or Thornton, or Bergeron, or anyone else not going to be able to deal with some hitting?

 

[Bixby Snyder]

Agreed, so USA adds Gaurdeau, Eichel, Matthews, and Canada possibly adds McDavid, Mackinnon, Drouin, Ekblad, RNH, to a roster that is already levels ahead of team USA.

Not really sure how it's close unless you're insinuating that the future USA players are levels ahead of the Canadians enough to make up for the current gap.

Claude fricken Giroux would be the American's 1st line center and he's a healthy scratch for Team Canada. Anyone of Tavares, Thornton, Getzlaf, Crosby, Duchene Giroux or Stamkos would've been their 1st line center and most of those guys are depth scorers on Canada.

USA will be drastically improved with the inclusion of the younger players compared to Canada. Canada is at it's peak, Canada's young elite players will be replacing older elite players, in comparison the young elite Americans will be replacing older good to average players.

 

[DJsquared]

This, should've owned up to player selection instead, it's clear that both ideas were failures but they'll only admit to one. You have a plethora of offensive talent and you choose to build a glorified NHL club team with an NHL grinding style game?

I don't care what team you're building, as a Lightning fan anyone taking Ryan Callahan over Tyler Johnson to win a hockey game needs to get their head checked.

I don't see running names through the mud after the fact would make things better. Not everything needs to be aired out publicly. Not saying your wrong about player selection.

 

[jj cale]

Uh yeah not in the past 6 years and not looking like it in the next 4 either, no ones saying Canada will be the best for the next 20 years, but for the near future there's no one close to topping the talent level Canada is producing. In 2 years time, they'll have a prime Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid on the same roster, think about that.

I think crosby is likely to decline pretty substantially in 4 years time.

Hey, you guys could be right but I think with Eichel,Matthews and Gaudreau leading that team going forward they have a good chance to be right there with Canada. The rest of the team fills up nicely with talent all over going forward also.

I hope not though.

 

[xxxx]

Canada is great as expected, no-one is saying they are not and will not be going forward.

But to suggest they will always be THE dominant team is being far too optimistic and premature IMO.

There have already been instances in the past where they were not.

always like 100 years from now? no one knows and that really would be premature to say. But you said "in 4 years time I think the U.S. will have a great chance of winning it, they might even be the favorite going in at that time."

The biggest favorite will be Canada. The United States might be second, but the gap will still be quite big.