Lots of new talent for the US team. Many players are world-class, but it is necessary to determine which player will make the best team. I am building my USA team to beat that of Team Canada. I want players who will be able to have puck time, but ideally a lot of big bohome who are able to win 1v1 battles. I also want a team that matches the speed of Canada. I start with my lock on the offensive.
Patrick Kane is a lock, biggest offensive threat, time possession and ability to slow down the pace and generate goal. Jack Eichel and Auston Matthews are another lock with their great shooting ability and their skillset. I have three of the best Half-Board specialist in the league, better than the Canada at this position on the PP. Kane is a Lefty but I play him on the right side. Eichel and Matthews could play center. I want Kane to have the puck on the first line so I want a lefty center to play with, so I put Matthews with him(Lefty center passe often on the forehand to the right)
Matthews - Kane
Eichel
Now I want two force on the face-off, one R, one L. I want my center to be able to play at the end of the game. I bring Joe Pavelski for that and the leadership factor. Matthews is a good center, but I have more confidence with JT Miller for the defensive aspect of the game. I don't know yet where he play, but I want him on my team
1- Matthews - Kane
2- Eichel
3- Pavelski
4-
X Jt. Miller
I will bring Johnny Gaudreau to play with Eichel. Gaudreau drive the play, and with a R Center with a great shot, they will be a good combinaison. On the other hand, I find my top 6 small with kane and gaudreau to play against team canada, it could be that gaudreau becomes an extra. Who to play with Matthews and Kane? I'll go with Matthew Tkachuk. For me, he was the closest player to be a lock on this team. Special player, intense player, great ability and he will create space for Matthews and Kane
1- Tkachuk Matthews - Kane
2- Gaudreau - Eichel
3- Pavelski
4-
X Jt. Miller
At this point, I have to find the best player to play with Gaudreau and Eichel. Blake Wheeler fit here obviously, although I am a little upset by what we hear from him about his leadership. He has good quality of passing and an interesting size. At this point, I need more of sand paper with great skating. I want Brady Tkachuk who fit very well here, on the third line or the fourth
1- Tkachuk Matthews - Kane
2- Gaudreau - Eichel - Wheeler
3 - Pavelski - Tkachuk *
4- Tkachuk*
X Jt. Miller
I have to look at the status of my special units and my needs before continuing
On the PP I have Pavelski and Tkachuk who are special in net presence. Kane Gaudreau Matthews and Eichel are the best on the half board, so Miller and Wheeler can't play on the PP. I have no Bumper specialist, so I will use a 1st PP with Pavelski on the bumper and a goal line player , and I will bring a PP with no goal player.
PP 1
?
Matthews - Pavelski - Kane
D
I like this combinaison. The X play on the Kaner side. Pavelski as a R player will be a one time menace, and high tip menace on the bumper slot. We will try to isolate Matthews for the shoot and kane will control the PP. I need a player on the goal line
PP 2
Tkachuk
Gaudreau- X (Left Player) Eichel
D
Tkachuk on the screen. Gaudreau control the play, I need a lefty bumper. Eichel will shoot on the other side.
So I need a solid bumper player. Oshie is great but R. Debrincat can fil the hole but R. I take the ability to shot of Kyle Connor and I work with him to a be good in that hole. I still need a solid left player for my first PP, with great passing ability. Larkin,Pacioretty,Guentzel are option but they don't fill the profile I need, so I put JT Miller on the first PP
I don't want Connor on a fourth line , so I put him above Tkachuk on my roster. Tkachuk will play with J.T Miller, who go in on my roster because of the PP. I need two more RW's with two extra.
1- Tkachuk Matthews - Kane
2- Gaudreau - Eichel - Wheeler
3 - Connor - Pavelski -
4- Tkachuk - Miller - Tuch
My PK guys now.
Miller -
Pavelski -
Wheeler can play, both Tkachuk can play but if I can solidify PK, I will do that. Eichel is great on shootout, Kane too so I don't think is a need.
Boeser, Debrincat, Larkin,Guentzel,Pacioretty,Oshie,Kessel,Hughes,Rust, JVR,Hayes, Tuch, Lee, Keller, Batherson, Coleman are my consideration. Alex Tuch is R player, with great size and speed and it's a need on my team. I want him to play with Tkachuk and Miller on a great two-way line. I like this combinaison and they could turn into my third line in the tournament. I need another R player and I feel that T.J Oshie could bring something different on my team
1- Tkachuk Matthews - Kane
2- Gaudreau - Eichel - Wheeler
3 - Tkachuk - Miller - Tuch
4- Connor - Pavelski - Oshie
Extra are Larkin. Could replace Gaudreau on my top 6, and lot of speed. Guentzel the other one.
My defence lock is Jeff Petry, Carlson, Jones and McCavoy. The problem? 4 RDs. Petry is strong, reliable, great skater and great on relance. Jones lack of offense but great skating and reliable defenseman. Carlson great offensive instinct and McCavoy solid two-way game. I will check my LD and look for great combinaison
Hughes Krug Suter Werenski Slavin Schmidt Mcdonagh Hanifin Fox.
Slavin and Hughes are my top player. Slavin could be with a solid offensive defenseman or with another shutdown to play big minutes. Now who I want on my first PP unit? Hughes or Carlson? I choice Hughes. Who is the best fit to play with Hughes? I put him with the Seth Jones, and Slavin with Petry
Slavin - Petry
Hughes - Jones
McCavoy
Carlsson
I put Werenski with Karlsson and Krug with mccavoy .Helle and Gibson are my goalie
1- Tkachuk Matthews - Kane
2- Gaudreau - Eichel - Wheeler
3 - Tkachuk - Miller - Tuch
4- Connor - Pavelski - Oshie
Guentzel/Larkin
Slavin - Petry
Hughes - Jones
Krug - McCavoy
Werenski - Carlsson
Hellebuyck
Gibson
PP 1
Miller
Matthews - Pavelski - Kane
Hughes
PP 2
Tkachuk
Gaudreau- Connor - Eichel
Carlsson/Werenski
PK
Miller - Tuch
Pavelski - Tkachuk
Tkachuk - Wheeler
