WC: USA Roster

[William H Bonney]

Matthews was coming off an injury-riddled season, he needs some time to rest. You can't blame him for not attending.

The point isn't any one player, it's that USAH could put together a team from all the declined invitees that would be run roughshod over our existing team. That needs to stop being an acceptable reality for the USAH brain trust.

 

[PucksOnNet]

The point isn't any one player, it's that USAH could put together a team from all the declined invitees that would be run roughshod over our existing team. That needs to stop being an acceptable reality for the USAH brain trust.

I agree. Just pointing out that in Matthews' case, his absence is warranted for this particular WC. He clearly wasn't 100% in the post-season after suffering a concussion and shoulder injuries.

 

[Zippy316]

I wouldn't blame USAHockey or the team put together.

USA put together a decent NHL-level team. They got some high-end NHL players to represent the team this time around. It was easily one of the better teams in the tournament and capable of winning the entire thing.

Team just didn't show up today. Canada lost with a stacked team as well, it's just the way the chips fall sometimes.

 

[AmericanDream]

Matthews was coming off an injury-riddled season, he needs some time to rest. You can't blame him for not attending.

I am blaming them all, everyone is coming off injuries, yet many are here for their countries...single out whoever you like, that entire group of youth is to blame, and every one of them need to look at themselves and figure out if representing the US is an honor as they robotically seem to say...Eichel came last year, but had nearly a month off, knew Kane was the Captain, and said "we will see"....well glad McDavid made it here and he didn't...it seems once players hit a certain contract level, many forget where they came from.

 

[AmericanDream]

I wouldn't blame USAHockey or the team put together.

USA put together a decent NHL-level team. They got some high-end NHL players to represent the team this time around. It was easily one of the better teams in the tournament and capable of winning the entire thing.

Team just didn't show up today. Canada lost with a stacked team as well, it's just the way the chips fall sometimes.

no offense, but we haven't won this thing in over 80 years!! Canada can do whatever they need as they have a track record of success here, we do not and despite the fact that we are gaining ground pound vs pound in talent with Canada we still can barely ice a team full of NHLers..it is a flat out shame that many of us are just tired of.

 

[Zippy316]

no offense, but we haven't won this thing in over 80 years!! Canada can do whatever they need as they have a track record of success here, we do not and despite the fact that we are gaining ground pound vs pound in talent with Canada we still can barely ice a team full of NHLers..it is a flat out shame that many of us are just tired of.

You can't play the games for them.

USA put together a roster that could've won. Years past, we couldn't say the same thing. It could've been better, but so could've every team that had NHLers who declined.

 

[SanDogBrewin]

agreed, and Ferraro called it out best - so many young Americans aren't here that should be here..

I hope Eichel, Keller, Schmaltz, Matthews, Dvorak, etc etc are looking hard at themselves...you don't need to come every year but when we get players coming after 2nd round exits, it is crazy that we couldn't get half the available YOUNG guys...Trochek and Bjugstad included.

USA Hockey has to start calling out the players that do not come, they have to start holding accountability here...and as Ferraro said, if you went though the USNDP and are not here, WTF??? They gave you the chance to be a star, you need to answer the bell when called upon like Larkin and Murphy have done so far.

There are plenty of good reasons why some players can’t come. If the players get called out it will alienate them even more. Pro athletes have long memories. Calling players out won’t change a thing. How do you hold them accountable ? How do you force them to play ? Call them un-American ? Players are free to do what they want after the NHL season is over.

They only thing that USA hockey can do is sit down with players and ask them if something happened in the past that is keeping them from coming, a grudge. Then make that right again. That’s it.

 

[AmericanDream]

You can't play the games for them.

USA put together a roster that could've won. Years past, we couldn't say the same thing. It could've been better, but so could've every team that had NHLers who declined.

I agree, I said this team should have done better, and after that first period should have been rewarded better...but it all boils down to the same things - we built a rag tag group one way or another...

think about this - can you imagine what this group would look like if guys didn't come from playoff eliminations? Would we even have a defense? Over 230 NHL Americans this year, and we had to wait until after game 7 of B's and Leafs to name a team...yes, a solid group of wingers came, but we had to get Alec Martinez, Will Butcher, and Charlie McAvoy to come after playoff loses to fill out our defense...now look at ALL the names who didn't come who missed the playoffs...it is sickening.

I am proud of everyone who comes to this and does so more than once...but as Bonney said, look at the names that simply said NO, and put that team to paper - it rolls this group hands down because it has top 2 defensemen on every pair, #1 goaltenders, and elite centers...

We have been bitching about this for a long time, but if Patrick Kane couldn't get guys to come out and represent their country, nothing will. (seems Lee and Atkinson came solely on Kaner though..)

 

[Zippy316]

I agree, I said this team should have done better, and after that first period should have been rewarded better...but it all boils down to the same things - we built a rag tag group one way or another...

think about this - can you imagine what this group would look like if guys didn't come from playoff eliminations? Would we even have a defense? Over 230 NHL Americans this year, and we had to wait until after game 7 of B's and Leafs to name a team...yes, a solid group of wingers came, but we had to get Alec Martinez, Will Butcher, and Charlie McAvoy to come after playoff loses to fill out our defense...now look at ALL the names who didn't come who missed the playoffs...it is sickening.

I am proud of everyone who comes to this and does so more than once...but as Bonney said, look at the names that simply said NO, and put that team to paper - it rolls this group hands down because it has top 2 defensemen on every pair, #1 goaltenders, and elite centers...

We have been *****ing about this for a long time, but if Patrick Kane couldn't get guys to come out and represent their country, nothing will. (seems Lee and Atkinson came solely on Kaner though..)

You're never going to get everyone to go to a tournament like this after an 82 game season plus factoring in family situations, contract situations, injuries, and also in-house team politics. You'd be foolish to expect an Olympic-level team to come to these tournaments every year.

Every country aside from Russia has the same problem with attracting NHL players to this tournament. The only difference is all of USA's main talent is in NA.

This time around, this was a quality team. If this type of turnout continues, US should have better luck soon. Will be interesting to see if the US brass can attract a similar team next year.

 

[AmericanDream]

There are plenty of good reasons why some players can’t come. If the players get called out it will alienate them even more. Pro athletes have long memories. Calling players out won’t change a thing. How do you hold them accountable ? How do you force them to play ? Call them un-American ? Players are free to do what they want after the NHL season is over.

They only thing that USA hockey can do is sit down with players and ask them if something happened in the past that is keeping them from coming, a grudge. Then make that right again. That’s it.

I respect you, but firmly disagree here. For many of these players USA Hockey has provided them a life that only few can dream of. Those that went through the USNDP have been given a shot to be NHL players far more than any other team or program in North America period. For those guys who went through that program, and still seem to find excuse after excuse not to play here, they should be notified that they will not be asked to represent their country for any further IIHF events.

Simply make a list and say you will not be representing us again: Who are you alienating - the guys that never come?? You don't think there are US players right now pissed at their fellow Americans that turn this down year after year? I am not talking about the guys who missed 1 time or had legit surgeries, we can go up and down those 230 plus players and name which ones said "nah"....those guys simply do not care to represent their country unless the spotlight is big enough or they are forced as in Olympic/World Cup participation.

I am not calling for a witch hunt at all, but dammit, keep track of those that decline, and when it is time for a World Cup or Olympics you notify them that they will not be in the running due to a lack of International participation, and notify the press as well as to why...make players regret saying NO over and over again (Trocheck, Galchenyuk, Saad, etc etc)...regardless who it is, I will support that 100%.

 

[AmericanDream]

You're never going to get everyone to go to a tournament like this after an 82 game season plus factoring in family situations, contract situations, injuries, and also in-house team politics. You'd be foolish to expect an Olympic-level team to come to these tournaments every year.

Every country aside from Russia has the same problem with attracting NHL players to this tournament. The only difference is all of USA's main talent is in NA.

This time around, this was a quality team. If this type of turnout continues, US should have better luck soon. Will be interesting to see if the US brass can attract a similar team next year.

I am not sure who is saying this?

I am not trying to beat a dead horse, but asking for guys like Slavin, Yandle, Faulk, Leddy, Skjei, Goligoski, etc - is that freaking Olympic caliber???? I don't think so, but it is damn good and what we should have built a top 4 around.

Sweden got so many of their top players to come after eliminations, same with the Czechs - there is 1 country that time and time again has issues getting players and it is the US.

Over 80 years we have shit the bed here, and from some of you I keep seeing what else could we do...and let's not punish the players here....aren't you embarrassed over this, or do some of you not care about this tournament like the players that routinely say no?

 

[syz]

I am not sure who is saying this?

I am not trying to beat a dead horse, but asking for guys like Slavin, Yandle, Faulk, Leddy, Skjei, Goligoski, etc - is that freaking Olympic caliber???? I don't think so, but it is damn good and what we should have built a top 4 around.

Sweden got so many of their top players to come after eliminations, same with the Czechs - there is 1 country that time and time again has issues getting players and it is the US.

Over 80 years we have **** the bed here, and from some of you I keep seeing what else could we do...and let's not punish the players here....aren't you embarrassed over this, or do some of you not care about this tournament like the players that routinely say no?

Proportionally the US is probably in the same boat as Canada in terms of the number of players who decline, so I dunno how much of it would really be any sort of rift between the players and the US organization. Players all have their reasons and they all weigh their reasons against what I imagine is a lower perception of the tournament relative to European players. Just means that players are going to feel less compelled to go to Europe for a couple of weeks and play through a nagging injury or give up time they could spend with family, etc.

 

[AmericanDream]

Proportionally the US is probably in the same boat as Canada in terms of the number of players who decline, so I dunno how much of it would really be any sort of rift between the players and the US organization. Players all have their reasons and they all weigh their reasons against what I imagine is a lower perception of the tournament relative to European players. Just means that players are going to feel less compelled to go to Europe for a couple of weeks and play through a nagging injury or give up time they could spend with family, etc.

again, I understand this, and with all due respect it is just another excuse that we allow the players to use.

I am positive some of these players every year have real injuries that need months of healing, or have family situations that take precedence over a silly little tournament...but for the rest, I just think there is no fear there to say NO. Currently they have all the power because USA Hockey has to beg each year for players to come, and when/if they do, we should be thankful when we get a Kane or Gaudreau every 5 years or so..

I guess it would to just be to implement a system - if you do not represent your country once every 3 years at the WC, you will not be considered for any other IIHF event. So outside of players consistently playing in the playoffs (the only exception), every player will fall under that and a case by case will be made for extenuating circumstances..

That does it for me, just let all the US hockey players young and old right now know you need to represent this country at least 1 time before the next Olympics at the World Championships- that solves a hell of a lot of this...

 

[Peiskos]

no offense, but we haven't won this thing in over 80 years!! Canada can do whatever they need as they have a track record of success here, we do not and despite the fact that we are gaining ground pound vs pound in talent with Canada we still can barely ice a team full of NHLers..it is a flat out shame that many of us are just tired of.

Damn that's a long drought, if I'm not mistaken they haven't been to the final either since winning it. I thought this American team was good enough to win the gold tbh. US just can't seem to find any success at this tournament, I was pretty shocked with the final score but I'm sure a US gold at this tournament is coming. Canada smoked Sweden 6-0 in the 2016 quarter final, it happens to everyone.

 

[SanDogBrewin]

I respect you, but firmly disagree here. For many of these players USA Hockey has provided them a life that only few can dream of. Those that went through the USNDP have been given a shot to be NHL players far more than any other team or program in North America period. For those guys who went through that program, and still seem to find excuse after excuse not to play here, they should be notified that they will not be asked to represent their country for any further IIHF events.

Simply make a list and say you will not be representing us again: Who are you alienating - the guys that never come?? You don't think there are US players right now pissed at their fellow Americans that turn this down year after year? I am not talking about the guys who missed 1 time or had legit surgeries, we can go up and down those 230 plus players and name which ones said "nah"....those guys simply do not care to represent their country unless the spotlight is big enough or they are forced as in Olympic/World Cup participation.

I am not calling for a witch hunt at all, but dammit, keep track of those that decline, and when it is time for a World Cup or Olympics you notify them that they will not be in the running due to a lack of International participation, and notify the press as well as to why...make players regret saying NO over and over again (Trocheck, Galchenyuk, Saad, etc etc)...regardless who it is, I will support that 100%.

No I don’t think players are pissed at other players for not coming. US born players have every right to stay home if they want. Players like Larkin and Lee would stop coming if they found out USA hockey were black listing other US players. It would back fire in heartbeat.

Brian Burke gets mad becuase Bobby Ryan’s agent was tough in negotiations. So what does Burke do ? Makes sure Ryan doesn’t go play for Olympic Gold. This is why other hockey Internationl organizations and fans make fun of USA hockey. If you start black listing that will get around and NHL players participation will dwindle to nothing. College players and AHL players.

So good plan trying to be tough like Brian Burke.

 

[FinPanda]

Kane has said that he won't decline anymore if he has a chance to represent the USA. I think that has been talked here, but still very nice.

 

[Dueling Banjos]

I don't know much about Neal Pionk but i just noticed he's had a successful debut for Rangers this year.

 

[Xokkeu]

Bronze is not good enough for USA hockey. It is embarrassing that USA has not been able to win this tournament since 1933. It is not good enough.

Yeah because the teams we’ve taken until now have been half euro league players. Only the last few years has the country produced a depth of players to even compete.

Now we can get up on our high horse and say bronze isn’t good enough. But then if we win today it would be the third bronze since 2013. Which would be more than we had 1962 to 2012. Fifty years. Two bronze medals.

I mean it wasnt even that long ago we finished in 13th place.

 

[Xokkeu]

Damn that's a long drought, if I'm not mistaken they haven't been to the final either since winning it. I thought this American team was good enough to win the gold tbh. US just can't seem to find any success at this tournament, I was pretty shocked with the final score but I'm sure a US gold at this tournament is coming. Canada smoked Sweden 6-0 in the 2016 quarter final, it happens to everyone.

I don’t remember when it changes but for decades until around 1990 there was no final.


Edit I believe it was changed in 1992

 

[SanDogBrewin]

I don’t remember when it changes but for decades until around 1990 there was no final.


Edit I believe it was changed in 1992

Gord Miller mentioned that in the 2nd period.

 

[glenwo2]

Kane has said that he won't decline anymore if he has a chance to represent the USA. I think that has been talked here, but still very nice.

That's all well and good....except that he's been a bit too turnover-prone(to be nice) lately and I wouldn't mind getting more skilled offensive players alongside him.

Hope we can get someone from the Caps/Jets(they're both getting eliminated, imo) soon....

 

[Xokkeu]

Gord Miller mentioned that in the 2nd period.

Lol I’m watching on some ghetto Russian feed. I actually went on Wikipedia to check

 

[Xokkeu]

That's all well and good....except that he's been a bit too turnover-prone(to be nice) lately and I wouldn't mind getting more skilled offensive players alongside him.

Hope we can get someone from the Caps/Jets(they're both getting eliminated, imo) soon....

Uh what

 

[FinPanda]

That's all well and good....except that he's been a bit too turnover-prone(to be nice) lately and I wouldn't mind getting more skilled offensive players alongside him.

Hope we can get someone from the Caps/Jets(they're both getting eliminated, imo) soon....

Not possible as tournament will be over tonight.

 

[SanDogBrewin]

Uh what

LoL Kane will probably lead the tournament in scoring but he is a “turnover prone”.