World Cup: 2016 World Cup — Team North America (Part II)

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Assuming players will still be going to the Olympics the future is bright for Team USA, Gaudreau, Matthews, Eichel, Ekblad and Tkachuk to name a few young guys and there's plenty more.

Ekblad is Canadian

 

[613Leafer]

Assuming players will still be going to the Olympics the future is bright for Team USA, Gaudreau, Matthews, Eichel, Ekblad and Tkachuk to name a few young guys and there's plenty more.

Jones, Gostibehere, Hanafin, Werenski, Trouba, etc are the future of the US defence, Ekblad is Canadian though.

But yea, I think the US will be very very good in a few years. They already are quite good, but I think their depth will be better and they now have some legitimate potential superstar centres which they've lacked.

 

[L13]

Jones, Gostibehere, Hanafin, Werenski, Trouba, Parayko, etc are the future of the US defence, Ekblad is Canadian though.

But yea, I think the US will be very very good in a few years. They already are quite good, but I think their depth will be better and they now have some legitimate potential superstar centres which they've lacked.

Parayko is also Canadian

 

[613Leafer]

Parayko is also Canadian

Yep, my bad. Thought he was from Alaska, but just played there.

Regardless, I think they have a pretty solid future. The US for the last ~5+ years or so has had very very good wingers, pretty solid centre depth (but generally lacking superstar talent), and a top-heavy blueline that's had a weaker bottom pairing compared to countries like Canada/Sweden. Eichel/Matthews + those young blueliners have a good shot at addressing those holes.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Have we figured out that McDavid needs to be with Gaudreau? Every time they've been paired together they've created tons of chances. Then just give them the best natural finisher on the team in Matthews. He's got the best hands in tight and size to go with it. He's best positioned to finish all those net front chances McGaudravid create.

 

[al secord]

I have absolutely NOT been impressed with McDavid this tourny. I've had to actively look for him out there. Sad.

The "tourny" hasn't started yet.

 

[al secord]

I think Gaudreau and Matthews would definitely make team Canada if eligible.

Team Mexico too!

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

The "tourny" hasn't started yet.

His point still stands. McDavid has been less than impressive, especially when paired with Drouin.

 

[Johnny McBravo]

From the last period the McDavid/MAthews/Gaudreau line looked really good. I hope they play together again, and keep McDavid away from Mack and Drouin.

 

[InGusWeTrust]

I think McDavid could make Team USA if eligble

Sorry had to do it

 

[WTFMAN99]

I'm just going to throw out some lines for team NA.

Trochek-McDavid-Schiefele - Enough skill to keep up with him, work the boards.

Gaudreau-Matthews-Larkin - Try Matthews at C, one of the best so far.

Drouin-RNH-MacKinnon - No need to have broken up this line

Couturier-Eichel-Saad (Try Eichel back at C)

Miller - Draws the short straw, hasn't been bad.

Thoughts?

 

[Bixby Snyder]

I think McDavid could make Team USA if eligble

Maybe.

 

[InGusWeTrust]

I missed last nights game but looking at the recap..looks like Larkin was hardly used? Is he being used as strictly a shut down line in D zone faceoffs?

 

[Quiksilver*]

I'm just going to throw out some lines for team NA.

Trochek-McDavid-Schiefele - Enough skill to keep up with him, work the boards.

Gaudreau-Matthews-Larkin - Try Matthews at C, one of the best so far.

Drouin-RNH-MacKinnon - No need to have broken up this line

Couturier-Eichel-Saad (Try Eichel back at C)

Miller - Draws the short straw, hasn't been bad.

Thoughts?

Awful.

Trochek isn't moving to the top line. No chance. Zero.

In no way do you move Couturier (by far NA's best defensive forward) to the wing. Especially to accommodate Eichel, who has been non existent so far. Not to mention you have 2 right shots for wingers on the top line, and two lefties on both the 2nd and 4th line.

 

[AustonsNostrils]

 

[TIGERCOOL]

I missed last nights game but looking at the recap..looks like Larkin was hardly used? Is he being used as strictly a shut down line in D zone faceoffs?

Larkin was plenty involved. I actually think he found some real chemistry with drouin in the last period. They had some of the best chances and were instrumental in the first goal. Hell of a "third line" with all that speed and skill.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Awful.

Trochek isn't moving to the top line. No chance. Zero.

In no way do you move Couturier (by far NA's best defensive forward) to the wing. Especially to accommodate Eichel, who has been non existent so far. Not to mention you have 2 right shots for wingers on the top line, and two lefties on both the 2nd and 4th line.

Trochek is a good player, and he has enough talent to keep up with McDavid and plays a blue collar game, along with Schiefele, he won't stifle McDavid.

When Eichel is on, he's better then Couturier. Couturier has experience on LW, and Eichel has been ineffective on wing so may as well try something new.

Won't you end up with 2/3 of some kind of shot on any line unless the player has no curve and is ambidextrous?

 

[McMozesmadness]

This is what I'd go with:

J.Gaudreau - C.McDavid - M.Schiefele
J.Drouin - R.N.Hopkins - N.MacKinnon
B.Saad - S.Couturier - V.Trochek
D.Larkin - A.Mathews - J.Eichel
J.Miller

M.Rielly - A.Ekblad
R.Murray - S.Jones
S.Ghost - C.Parayko
J.Trouba

M.Murray
J.Gibson
C.Hellebuyck

 

[Curufinwe]

Trochek is a good player, and he has enough talent to keep up with McDavid and plays a blue collar game, along with Schiefele, he won't stifle McDavid.

When Eichel is on, he's better then Couturier. Couturier has experience on LW, and Eichel has been ineffective on wing so may as well try something new.

He's played center exclusively for years, and is the best faceoff guy on TNA.

 

[Quiksilver*]

This is what I'd go with:

J.Gaudreau - C.McDavid - M.Schiefele
J.Drouin - R.N.Hopkins - N.MacKinnon
B.Saad - S.Couturier - V.Trochek
D.Larkin - A.Mathews - J.Eichel
J.Miller

M.Rielly - A.Ekblad
R.Murray - S.Jones
S.Ghost - C.Parayko
J.Trouba

M.Murray
J.Gibson
C.Hellebuyck

I like those lines.

I'm still not sold on Ghost and would rather Trouba be in vs. the Canada's/US and Sweden's.

Weird, no ambidextrous players needed up front.

 

[Heldig]

The defense has been pretty error prone. Wonder if any shuffling will still happen? Pretty tough in a short tournament.

As for forwards, I really liked the Matthews - Scheifele pairing. Hope they keep them together. Reunite the Drouin - RNH - MacKinnon line.

Gaudreau - McDavid - Eichel
Matthews - Scheifele - Larkin
Drouin - RNH - McKinnon
Saad - Couturier - Trochek

 

[Whileee]

I like those lines.

I'm still not sold on Ghost and would rather Trouba be in vs. the Canada's/US and Sweden's.

Weird, no ambidextrous players needed up front.

I'd take Murray or Ghost out for Trouba. I think they need a bit more strength and defensive capability in their own zone.

Rielly-Ekblad
Trouba-Jones
Ghost/Murray-Parayko

 

[Quiksilver*]

Murray stays, IMO. While he appears to be somewhat limited offensively, he's be solid in the Dzone. He's one I wouldn't touch.

Only change I would like is Trouba in for Ghost vs. the top tier teams. Team NA has more than enough offence, they just need to limit the turnovers and tidy up their dzone coverage/play.

 

[Roo Mad Bro]

Gostisbehere has been on the ice for 1 goal against in 3 games. He's the teams #1 D option for the 1st PP unit.

You don't think he has gone up against physical teams in the NHL? Ok, swap him out for Trouba. You think Trouba has the ability to score the goal that Gostisbehere scored last night?

 

[McDavidbowie]

IMO

Saad-McDavid-Larkin
Gaudreau-RNH-MacKinnon
Drouin-Eichel-Matthews
Trochek-Couts-Scheif