IIHF World ChampionshipDiscuss International Tournaments like the WJC, Olympics, and World Cup, as they take place, or discuss past tournaments. performances.
The Miller and the Midgets line, I really didn't expect them to play together will be interesting to watch.
I don't think anybody expected them to pair Grimaldi and Gaudreau together considering their size. Perhaps the additional space on the big ice will make that combo a bit more feasible.
Galchenyuk on the wing is something nobody really anticipated either but given his success there recently it couldn't hurt to see how it works I guess.
So if they go with that...
Gaudreau-Grimaldi-Miller
Galchenyuk-Trocheck-Barber
Lucia-Kuraly-Biggs
Pietila-Bardreau-Hartman
Matteau or Vesey
I don't think anybody expected them to pair Grimaldi and Gaudreau together considering their size. Perhaps the additional space on the big ice will make that combo a bit more feasible.
Galchenyuk on the wing is something nobody really anticipated either but given his success there recently it couldn't hurt to see how it works I guess.
So if they go with that...
Gaudreau-Grimaldi-Miller
Galchenyuk-Trocheck-Barber
Lucia-Kuraly-Biggs
Pietila-Bardreau-Hartman
Matteau or Vesey
They had Matteau in Lucia's spot today on your lines. That line would be a load to handle but I'd prefer Lucia's skill on the third line.
__________________ "I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough." - Mark Twain.
still a bit shocked to see them not bring along Kerdiles with Noesen being ruled out. there simply isnt much competition going on for these roster spots, and having a kid like Kerdiles there would help stir the pot a bit more..heck he should be there anyway prior to the Noesen situation.
I do continually shake my head at some of the decisions USA Hockey makes, and a lack of competition in camp could be a huge one..look at how many kids Canada brought to camp compared to the US...
They had Matteau in Lucia's spot today on your lines. That line would be a load to handle but I'd prefer Lucia's skill on the third line.
I overlooked that. I really hope they reconsider that because this team is short on skill as it is and I wouldn't expect much offense from the bottom two lines with those configurations.
We have no idea. The lines that were given above could be wrong, and not what USAH is planning, or they could be ordered differently, with Galchenyuk's line being the 1st line and the Gaudreau/Grimaldi/Miller line being the second line
Any reason that USHL players Taylor Cammarata ,Justin Kloos, or Zachary Stepan didn't get invited to this camp. I mean Cammarata is small but putting up good numbers and Stepan has been outstanding to start the season with good size. I know the competition isn't as elite as the CHL or NCAA. I don't usually follow the American team so closely but this line has caught my attention. Is it the normal American strategy to overlook this league when looking at top U-20 players?
Any reason that USHL players Taylor Cammarata ,Justin Kloos, or Zachary Stepan didn't get invited to this camp. I mean Cammarata is small but putting up good numbers and Stepan has been outstanding to start the season with good size. I know the competition isn't as elite as the CHL or NCAA. I don't usually follow the American team so closely but this line has caught my attention. Is it the normal American strategy to overlook this league when looking at top U-20 players?
Cammarata is a 95. USA Hockey rarely takes players two years younger than the age limit unless they are truly an elite (and physically developed) prospect. Ex. Trouba and Jones last year. Even Adam Erne didn't get a real shot.
Kloos and Stepan I would argue just aren't better than any of the options already taken. I can't even recall the last time a USHL player who was really age eligible for the NCAAs was selected for this team. It might have happened, but it's slipping my mind.
Galchenyuk and Gaudreau seemed to have some trouble connecting with each other in the summer. I think the team wants to switch them up and put them on different lines and see how things materialize. These lines are still experimental, however even if they do go with them, I wouldn't look at it like a demotion for Galchenyuk. It would just be an attempt to spread out the scoring onto two lines. Much like how Malkin is technically a #2 center on Pittsburgh.
I've seen it time and again in youth tournaments in hockey and soccer. There is a player that the coach seems to be in love with. Fans complain and moan what the heck is he doing with that guy who is playing poorly? Sometimes it works out but it seems like 90% of the time it ends badly. I hope this time it works out.
Not real happy about that either. I will say this though that is a massive D for this level. Shortest guy is 6'1" and all of them are over 200lbs. I will keep saying it but I really want McCabe with Trouba or Jones, I prefer Jones but he should be up the lineup with one of the big two.
They played as a pair last season and were solid at the U18's. It's hard to say just what that'll amount to now though.
This is exactly why they are doing it, IMO. I think the staff wants to see if that chemistry is still there.
I wouldn't read too much into day 1 pairings. Gostisbehere, who is considered a near lock, is not even on that list. Relax everyone.
__________________
"Here we can see the agression of american people. They love fighting and guns. when they wont win they try to kill us all." -HalfOfFame
