Olympic 2018 Possible Rosters (25 man) if nhl players going

[djpatm]

Oshie-Matthews-Kane
Gaudreau-Eichel-Wheeler
Saad-Keller-Kessel
Tkachuk-Miller-Foligno

Eichel has been a black hole at international tournaments. I think you move him down.

 

[Hivemind]

Oshie-Matthews-Kane
Gaudreau-Eichel-Wheeler
Saad-Keller-Kessel
Tkachuk-Miller-Foligno

Oshie's been pretty exclusively a RW. I think I'd shuffle him down the line-up and put him on his natural wing. He can play a "grinder" game in the bottom six well enough, and still provide plenty of value on special teams (and the shootout).

 

[Hivemind]

Eichel has been a black hole at international tournaments. I think you move him down.

US isn't exactly flush with center options after Matthews.

 

[Flameshomer]

Personally I would split up Kane and Gaudreau, although that would be nasty.

Kane-Matthews-Wheeler
Gaudreau-Eichel-Kessel
Keller-Trochek-Saad?
I'm leaving out older guys lol their team would have been just as deep as Canada up front at least.

 

[Super Hans]

What's Kessel doing on any of these lists?

 

[Hivemind]

What's Kessel doing on any of these lists?

Putting up points.

His omission from the WCoH roster was a joke.

 

[sparxx87]

Oshie's been pretty exclusively a RW. I think I'd shuffle him down the line-up and put him on his natural wing. He can play a "grinder" game in the bottom six well enough, and still provide plenty of value on special teams (and the shootout).

That’s why I like him there, though. He’s got the versatility to play any game and that line could even match up against the opponents best.

They could match up with anyone.

 

[Hivemind]

That’s why I like him there, though. He’s got the versatility to play any game and that line could even match up against the opponents best.

They could match up with anyone.

I don't think you ever play Kane's line as the match-up line. I think you spoonfeed Kane's line offensive zone starts.

 

[sparxx87]

I don't think you ever play Kane's line as the match-up line. I think you spoonfeed Kane's line offensive zone starts.

Not intentionally, no... I just mean they look good against almost anything Canada could put out.

 

[AD1066]

It feels like the US has really been coming into their own these past few years, and I'm very disappointed we won't get a chance to even the score (or at least begin to).

 

[Beautvillier]

nobody wants ders?

 

[Hivemind]

nobody wants ders?

I think there's still some healthy skepticism surrounding this total skillset, and the wing positions are awfully deep for the US. His goal scoring should earn him consideration for a spot, but the competition is tough. He'd be competing against the likes of Oshie, Foligno, Saad, Tkachuk. Brown, Larkin, van Riemsdyk, Miller, and Guentzel for the last few forward spots.

 

[sparxx87]

@Hivemind How would you set the lines?

 

[Hivemind]

@Hivemind How would you set the lines?

Obviously a fair bit of shuffling to see who had chemistry.

Gaudreau - Matthew - Kane (O Zone, pure scoring line)
Kessel - Eichel - Wheeler (Speedy, transition line)
Saad - Trocheck - Oshie (Two-way, match-up line)
Keller - Miller - Foligno/Lee/Tkachuk (Fast energy/"spare parts" line)

 

[Beerz]

Id actually like to see Eichel on Matthews wing in an international tournament

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Id actually like to see Eichel on Matthews wing in an international tournament

USA needs Eichel to center his own line for depth purposes. They can't really go with Trocheck as their 2C

 

[KoozNetsOff 92]

They have a sick group of forwards but people need to pump the brakes on this whole "better/beat Canada" thing. Matthews and Eichel is a nice 1-2 punch, but Crosby-McDavid is 10x better. That's the 2 best players in the world. In the bottom six Cs you're going to have some combination of Keller/Miller/Trochek/Statsny vs Getzlaf/Toews/Tavares/Giroux. That's even more lopsided for Canada. Also, other than Kane, Canada has the better offensive players too. Stamkos is the best goalscorer, Benn and Seguin have produced more than any American. Bergeron and Marchand are the best 2 way duo in the game. US has a nice team but Canada is OP.

 

[Beautvillier]

I think there's still some healthy skepticism surrounding this total skillset, and the wing positions are awfully deep for the US. His goal scoring should earn him consideration for a spot, but the competition is tough. He'd be competing against the likes of Oshie, Foligno, Saad, Tkachuk. Brown, Larkin, van Riemsdyk, Miller, and Guentzel for the last few forward spots.

i think having 8 in 8 last year with usa would help his chances

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

They have a sick group of forwards but people need to pump the brakes on this whole "better/beat Canada" thing. Matthews and Eichel is a nice 1-2 punch, but Crosby-McDavid is 10x better. That's the 2 best players in the world. In the bottom six Cs you're going to have some combination of Keller/Miller/Trochek/Statsny vs Getzlaf/Toews/Tavares/Giroux. That's even more lopsided for Canada. Also, other than Kane, Canada has the better offensive players too. Stamkos is the best goalscorer, Benn and Seguin have produced more than any American. Bergeron and Marchand are the best 2 way duo in the game. US has a nice team but Canada is OP.

Canada's defense is a lot stronger too

 

[bobholly39]

Not to derail this thread but fantastic roster us could assemble but in an Olympic matchup this year canada would still be an absolute HUGE favorite.
Not even close.

 

[DanM]

Id actually like to see Eichel on Matthews wing in an international tournament

Eichel needs to drive his own line for depth purposes, but having him and Matty on the same line would be something to watch!

 

[sparxx87]

Obviously a fair bit of shuffling to see who had chemistry.

Gaudreau - Matthew - Kane (O Zone, pure scoring line)
Kessel - Eichel - Wheeler (Speedy, transition line)
Saad - Trocheck - Oshie (Two-way, match-up line)
Keller - Miller - Foligno/Lee/Tkachuk (Fast energy/"spare parts" line)

I kept Kane, Gaudreau and Kessel separate to keep an elite skill/IQ winger on each line, Pair them with a complimentary winger on the other side.. I struggled with 3C, I think I agree and would prefer Trocheck. Him and Lee as 13/14 FWDs.. Big fan of Tkachuk but objectively I might take Lee or Keller.

 

[Beerz]

I would hate to watch a US Canada game without Ryan Kesler in there.


I haven' seen him play in awhile so not sure he has anything left...but I would still want to see him in there over Trocheck

 

[Man Bear Pig]

Thank you for reminding me of how much I hate Gary Bettman and I hate the Owners.

I love the Olympics and USA finally had a legit shot at beating Canada this time around.

I really don't understand the hate for Bettman. The guy represents the owners. Thats it. Hate the man all you want but he's just a puppet.

 

[Man Bear Pig]

nobody wants ders?

TIL that Lee is 'Murican. Always thought he was Swedish or European with that first name.