IIHF World ChampionshipDiscuss International Tournaments like the WJC, Olympics, and World Cup, as they take place, or discuss past tournaments. performances.
Its kind of funny you talk about how much I don't know in your third post, when in your first post of your latest sequence you simply assume the competition for that spot is better. I'm not sure what your obsession is with Biggs not being on the team but your need to insult instead of refuting any disagreement with solid content indicates plenty.
I'm not sure what his point is in general, or why he can't consolidate it in one post. Regardless of what he thinks about Biggs, he is in the mix. He's had a great year and brings some elements that are desirable. This skating issue is off-kilter as well. He's fine.
The fact the Biggs attended camp last year means that he has some experience. He didn't make the cut, but about 12 forwards that were ahead of him last year on the depth chart won't be back this year. I'm not saying he makes it, but I think his chances are good.
Not to knock down USA hockey but we are simply not talented enough to make a team of the 20 best skilled players and hope to win. We need Burke to come back to the team and set up his vision again...
Its about Artists and Plumbers. Top 6 fwds and top 4 dmen...Bottom 6 fwds, bottom 2 dmen... A well rounded team with superstars but also role players and specialists. Guys like Callahan, Malone, Drury and many maybe could say Backes were a shock in making USA roster but not only did they make the roster, they also helped team USA win silver in 2010.
Like Burke once said, we cannot act like Canada where they bring in the best players and ask them to fit their roles and their visions. It works for them but it cannot work for us. We will bring in plumbers, specialists and role players. Guys like Drury, were crucial to our success because they were in our teams vision. A hard working, grinding team. Bringin in centers who can win face offs, players who can kill penalties and 3rd and 4th liners who knew how to and were great at forchecking and backchecking.
All this without sacrificing too much skill. Top 6 bottom 6... im sure you all heard this before. So that is what USA needs come 2014.
Same goes for d-men. Top 4, bottom 2. 4 reliable all around hard hitting d-men. But then 2 hard working grinding d-men.
And with goalies like Quick, Miller and Howard all competing for goal. We should be oh so happy about our chances.
Right. All I'm saying is I don't think the lockout is going to do all that much for Canada this time around. Add in the fact the tournament is in Russia and the North American teams are behind the eight ball a bit. Should be a top-notch tourney though.
Its hard to say that. in 05 bergeron was the only addition (RNH)... guys like carter perry getzlaf richards would have been able to attend nhl camps much like schieffley strome huberdeau jenner and on Defense in 05 phaneuf seabrook webber would have been able to attend camp much like harrington hamilton reilley murray now.. so i know this time around the players arent on the level of the guys in 05. but a lot of the guys are drafted by bad teams and probably would have been in the nhl. So it doesnt seem like its much but the team is going to be loaded with (possible nhl caliber players now AND rnh) do you know what i mean? imho i think there is 9 teams battling for 2th-10th and gold is a lock for Canada.
Gold has NEVER been a lock for Canada. Well, maybe in 2005, but I think we can agree that was a "once in a millennium" team. In this tournament, even stacked teams need to work their butts off and get some breaks. Don't fall for the propaganda!
Gold has NEVER been a lock for Canada. Well, maybe in 2005, but I think we can agree that was a "once in a millennium" team. In this tournament, even stacked teams need to work their butts off and get some breaks. Don't fall for the propaganda!
Well said, I think we saw an example of that the last two years in this tournament. With the skill of players at the junior level increasing all over the world, and throw in the fact it's a short tournament and every game is crucial, anything can happen. I wouldn't say Canada has a lock for gold, no one does. But I will say that they will be one of the 3 best teams in the tournament. THAT is something that is always a lock.
Not to knock down USA hockey but we are simply not talented enough to make a team of the 20 best skilled players and hope to win. We need Burke to come back to the team and set up his vision again...
Its about Artists and Plumbers. Top 6 fwds and top 4 dmen...Bottom 6 fwds, bottom 2 dmen... A well rounded team with superstars but also role players and specialists. Guys like Callahan, Malone, Drury and many maybe could say Backes were a shock in making USA roster but not only did they make the roster, they also helped team USA win silver in 2010.
Like Burke once said, we cannot act like Canada where they bring in the best players and ask them to fit their roles and their visions. It works for them but it cannot work for us. We will bring in plumbers, specialists and role players. Guys like Drury, were crucial to our success because they were in our teams vision. A hard working, grinding team. Bringin in centers who can win face offs, players who can kill penalties and 3rd and 4th liners who knew how to and were great at forchecking and backchecking.
All this without sacrificing too much skill. Top 6 bottom 6... im sure you all heard this before. So that is what USA needs come 2014.
Same goes for d-men. Top 4, bottom 2. 4 reliable all around hard hitting d-men. But then 2 hard working grinding d-men.
And with goalies like Quick, Miller and Howard all competing for goal. We should be oh so happy about our chances.
I agree with this. Hard-work can overcome talent any day. If they bring in hard-working, gritty forwards like Matteau and Biggs, and they keep their legs moving every shift, they can easily play with the top teams. You want to be a team that's tough to play against, especially when skill is lacking.
USA for the 2014 Olympics will have some skilled, hard-working, gritty forwards like Backes and Callahan that they can put on their bottom six. Those guys can go up against the Crosby's, Thornton's, Spezza's and be checking forwards, while at the same time able to score when they are asked.
I think Vail will make the team. His Versatility will be very useful in such a tournament. He's a great PKer and pretty good in the circle too.
Also, I don't think USA can afford to let Erne aside. He's a complete player that works hard and he wouldn't look out of place on a 4th line, as he's fairly responsible defensively. He knows how to score goals, too.
do you guys think that thr tournament being on big ice helps any certain player? i realize it would hold maybe a big guy who isnt a great skater but is there a player this year that would thrive on the big ice that USA might take a look at?
I think Vail will make the team. His Versatility will be very useful in such a tournament. He's a great PKer and pretty good in the circle too.
Also, I don't think USA can afford to let Erne aside. He's a complete player that works hard and he wouldn't look out of place on a 4th line, as he's fairly responsible defensively. He knows how to score goals, too.
Don't know much about the American team but Erne is certainly a exceptional player. Last year, he was one of the best 16yo players I've seen (size and skill) watching the Q.
He's taken his game to the next level this season too.
I think Vail will make the team. His Versatility will be very useful in such a tournament. He's a great PKer and pretty good in the circle too.
Also, I don't think USA can afford to let Erne aside. He's a complete player that works hard and he wouldn't look out of place on a 4th line, as he's fairly responsible defensively. He knows how to score goals, too.
He is on the bubble in my mind. Vail that is. He is certainly playing well in Windsor. He's fighting with Trochek, Sean Kuraly for perhaps the final two spots at center. Kuraly hasn't played well, but he's a great skater and quite a physical presence. Trochek I think is close to having a spot written down in pencil at this point. If Housley decides to move Grimaldi that could open up the need for another center, so at this point I'd say Vail is certainly in the running with a good chance.
Well said, I think we saw an example of that the last two years in this tournament. With the skill of players at the junior level increasing all over the world, and throw in the fact it's a short tournament and every game is crucial, anything can happen. I wouldn't say Canada has a lock for gold, no one does. But I will say that they will be one of the 3 best teams in the tournament. THAT is something that is always a lock.
ok maybe saying they are a lock is going a bit far and ignorant there is always usa sweden and russia and the czechs or fins usually provide and upset or a darkhorse.. however with lockouts in the past canada has been dominant and i know this team doesnt match up with 05 but it will be really strong. i would say they are the hands down favourites but your right that doesnt mean anything the games still have to be played.
The Canadian thread is getting a lot of traction so I figured I'd make an American one. Who do people see making the team/camp? Players I can name off the top of my head would be Alex Galchenyuk, Johnny Gaudreau, Tyler Biggs, Seth Jones, Jacob Trouba, John Gibson, Jon Gillies
Shayne Gostisbehere (Flyers 3rd round 2012 pick) has a strong chance to make the team. Excerpt from United States of Hockey (US hockey blog):
"The U.S. also has a host of skill players that can create offensively from the defensive position, which is going to be especially important this year with some questions up front.
That’s a big reason I think Shayne Gostisbehere will be a potential top-two pairing defenseman for Team USA. He has poise with the puck and knows how to create. He’s great on the power play and has more than enough hockey sense to be effective in the D zone. He lacks physical strength, but he has that skill and speed to get away with it. Gostisbehere has also played on the big stage before, having been part of Union’s Frozen Four run last season."
He was a standout at the camp this past summer and has 10 pts in 11 NCAA games this year for Union.
This team looks like one that is going to have to play ol' time Hockey. They will be getting back to the traditional ugly style game because they simply lack the fire power that previous US teams had. However considering what happened to last year's team, which was supposed to be one of the deepest and most skilled US teams ever, that may be a good thing. American players seem to step up when they are brushed aside as also rans. Hopefully that is the case this year.
The guys who can get their passports ready, mail them to the embassy and have their bags packed are:
Johnny Gaudreau
Alex Galchenyuk
JT Miller
Jacob Trouba
Seth Jones
John Gibson
You can probably feel safe booking the one good hotel in Ufa for the family:
Rocco Grimaldi
Stefan Noesen
Guys who should make it but have question marks due to outside circumstances:
Nick Kerdiles
Mario Lucia
Guys in the mix at different positions
LW:
Jimmy Vesey
Stefan Matteau
Reid Boucher
RW:
Riley Barber
Tyler Biggs
Ryan Hartman
Adam Erne
C:
Brady Vail
Vince Trochek
Sean Kuraly
Defense is a real crap shoot with a lot of similar players in terms of talent.
Shayne Gostisbehere
Conor Murphy
Patrick Sieloff
Jack McCabe
Mike Reilly
Matt Grzelcyk
