IIHF World ChampionshipDiscuss International Tournaments like the WJC, Olympics, and World Cup, as they take place, or discuss past tournaments. performances.
I wouldn't make that switch just because I think it would be a mistake to only go into camp with 4 centers (Gally, Grimaldi, Trocheck, and O'Regan or DeBlouw). However, I do think Kerdiles gets an invite because I think they bring more than the 27 players that was initially reported.
If they bring 17 forwards I expect him there but to be honest he'll probably be there regardless. He's a loose canon and that's worrisome when every game means so much.?
__________________ "I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough." - Mark Twain.
On a serious note, I actually have been somewhat intrigued by the notion of putting Grimaldi on Galchenyuk's wing as they could probably rotate in and out of the center position depending on the situation. I've been worried about a Gaudreau and Galchenyuk combination, which many seem to have favored for a long time, as they didn't show much chemistry at the summer evaluation. There are a lot of options with Gally but it's harder for me to think of who Gaudreau would do best with.
On a serious note, I actually have been somewhat intrigued by the notion of putting Grimaldi on Galchenyuk's wing as they could probably rotate in and out of the center position depending on the situation. I've been worried about a Gaudreau and Galchenyuk combination, which many seem to have favored for a long time, as they didn't show much chemistry at the summer evaluation. There are a lot of options with Gally but it's harder for me to think of who Gaudreau would do best with.
Really liking this team, Gaudreau should be a beast. Hopefully Gally will be too.
I hope the best kids do get picked for this eval camp, and I agree with Bonney that we will see a complete wildcard pick at forward that nobody really saw coming..
I also think we might see the same again on defense ala the Brian Lashoff pick...maybe Dylan Blujus perhaps...
There is plenty of talent to go around as usual, but it comes down to how our goaltending holds up, and how hungry and physical this team can be...
Big ice or not, I think we need to have some hammers on this roster like 2010 who are going to play the tough areas and will outwork our opponents. I think we have a very solid group of possible players that fill that role: Biggs, Matteau, Jacobs, Samuelsson, Vail, etc...
We have tons of speed with Gaudreau, Grimaldi, Boucher, Trocheck, etc.. This squad could be very well balanced with size/grit and speed/skill players... We are a true wildcard team that if certain players click, we can be very very dangerous to play against.
I think our defense will be top 3 for this tourney as it has tons of size and skill as usual.. I just hope we can man the point on power plays much better then 2011 as Murphy, Jones and Trouba seem very capable of working the point on power plays...as well as Grzlecyk, and Gostisbehere...
Goaltending will be the concern if Gibson is out for any period of time.
It's probably between he and Gillies (if Gibson is out). Sparks has that "steal a game ability" so it would be interesting to see how he would fare.
I wouldnt mind seeing Matt Mahalak over Sparks to be honest. Though both are solid, and Sparks a Chicago boy, I think Mahalak would be a better fit imo.
I think Mahalak has played in big games, has a lot of pressure playing in Plymouth, and does enough to stop the pucks that he should which is exactly what you ask for in these tournaments.
I think the 3 goalies invited to camp assuming Gibson is healthy should be:
He's listed as a center for Connecticut but I haven't seen any of their games so I don't know how he's doing at the position. However, he only played wing during the Summer Evaluation Camp so I don't think they're planning on using him at center, although it's a possibility if they decide they want more size there and move Rocco to the wing.
Without first-hand viewing, it is my understanding that he's been playing wing almost exclusively the past two seasons.
you have to be pretty impressed with the year Robbie Russo is having as a sophmore for the Irish.
this kid has to be in contention for a invite as he has been awesome this year; leading the defense in scoring and tied for 2nd overall on the team in scoring... and from what I have seen in the few games I saw of the Illinois native, he looked pretty good in his own zone as well..
there are alwasy surprises come WJC evaluation camp and team picks. Canada not picking seth griffith to the camp surprised me and i hope team USA continues to surprise me and invite Adam Erne to the camp. would love to see him get a shot.
Also does anyone know why USA brings les people to camp than Canada. why not bring more people to get the competition up. I feel like that would benefit the team to have much more competition during the evaluation camp
If they bring 17 forwards I expect him there but to be honest he'll probably be there regardless. He's a loose canon and that's worrisome when every game means so much.?
It's not like he's just reckless, he has a good amount of offense to him. I would be more shocked to see Matteau miss it then Boucher. I can very well see if the US is concerned with Boucher's one-dimensional game. He's rounded it out a bit, but he's a shooter and not much else right now.
Matteau on the other hand is that guy that plays on the edge, pisses the opponent off, crashes the net, and can put in goals too. As long as he manages to walk the line, he should be fine and he and Biggs are the type of players they can use to get under the more offensive players of Canada, Russia, etc.
there are alwasy surprises come WJC evaluation camp and team picks. Canada not picking seth griffith to the camp surprised me and i hope team USA continues to surprise me and invite Adam Erne to the camp. would love to see him get a shot.
Also does anyone know why USA brings les people to camp than Canada. why not bring more people to get the competition up. I feel like that would benefit the team to have much more competition during the evaluation camp
It could be worse. It used to the final roster was named without the benefit of a pre-tourney evaluation camp. The reality is, the bulk of the roster is decided after the annual summer eval camp. Besides, the player pool to draw off of is considerably smaller than Canada's. This camp affords a handful of bubble players to make a case for their inclusion.
It could be worse. It used to the final roster was named without the benefit of a pre-tourney evaluation camp. The reality is, the bulk of the roster is decided after the annual summer eval camp. Besides, the player pool to draw off of is considerably smaller than Canada's. This camp affords a handful of bubble players to make a case for their inclusion.
good point. but i think that they're plan is to bring 15 forwards. i would like to see a little more competition than that
