Who Would Make a Current U.S. Roster for the Olympics?
- Thread starter Rabid Ranger
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Czechboy
Easy schedules rule!
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WarriorofTime
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- Jul 3, 2010
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I assembled a 62 forward "watch list" which is meant to be very expansive. I'd expect the 14 forwards selected to be from this pool unless a prospect really busts on the scene quickly. Should be pretty easy to trim this list down over the next couple of years.
William H Bonney
Registered User
Finally, the NHL gets its head out of its ass and prioritizes international hockey again (for now).
I'm not going to predict a 2026 roster because so much will change by then but this is what I'd go with right now for the 4-Nations tournament in Feb 2025.
I'm not going to predict a 2026 roster because so much will change by then but this is what I'd go with right now for the 4-Nations tournament in Feb 2025.
Forwards (x14):
Jack Hughes - Auston Matthews - Matthew Tkachuk
Jason Robertson - Jack Eichel - Patrick Kane
Brady Tkachuk - JT Miller - Brock Boeser
Chris Kreider - Dylan Larkin - Jake Guentzel
Kyle Connor - Vincent Trocheck
Defense (x8):
Quinn Hughes - Charlie McAvoy
Jaccob Slavin - Adam Fox
Zach Werenski - Brock Faber
Jake Sanderson - Jacob Trouba
Goalies (x3):
Connor Hellebuyck
Thatcher Demko
Jeremy Swayman
NotesJack Hughes - Auston Matthews - Matthew Tkachuk
Jason Robertson - Jack Eichel - Patrick Kane
Brady Tkachuk - JT Miller - Brock Boeser
Chris Kreider - Dylan Larkin - Jake Guentzel
Kyle Connor - Vincent Trocheck
Defense (x8):
Quinn Hughes - Charlie McAvoy
Jaccob Slavin - Adam Fox
Zach Werenski - Brock Faber
Jake Sanderson - Jacob Trouba
Goalies (x3):
Connor Hellebuyck
Thatcher Demko
Jeremy Swayman
- Most definitely a team with the talent and depth to win gold but Canada will be the favorite nonetheless until someone takes the throne from them in a best-on-best.
- I would imagine at this point the head coach would be Sullivan or Laviolette.
- Please please please don't let the stupidity of USAH get in the way of building an elite team like when they named Seth Jones as one of the first 3 players on the canceled 2022 team. Guys like Jones and Gaudreau shouldn't even be on a preliminary list.
- Some of the other names worthy of consideration:
- Forwards: Clayton Keller, Alex Tuch, Tage Thompson, Brock Nelson, Bryan Rust, Joe Pavelski, Charlie Coyle, Joel Farabee, Matt Boldy, Cole Caufield, Troy Terry, Trevor Zegras, Alex DeBrincat
- Defense: John Carlson, Brandon Carlo, Noah Hanifin, K'Andre Miller, Ryan McDonagh, Brady Skjei, Brett Pesce, Mattias Samuelsson
- Goalies: Jake Oettinger
- A year or so ago guys like Thompson, Oettinger, Pesce, and Tuch looked to have inside tracks to spots. I am most definitely not holding my breath but hopefully, some of the guys looking to recover their games or make cases for the 4 Nations roster take the opportunity to play in the World Championships this summer.
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USA might actually have the edge on canada on paper but canada has too many game breakers at forward.
William H Bonney
Registered User
Canada is Canada and until they stop winning the best-on-best tournaments they're the favorite.
WarriorofTime
Registered User
- Jul 3, 2010
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Well by the time '26 comes around, '14 will have about as much relevance as 1980. But of course Canada has the widest player pool (their expansive forward watchlist would probably be about 90 deep) and as long as McDavid and MacKinnon are both available to go, that's the sort of 1-2 punch that requires everyone to just hold on tight and hope for the best.
William H Bonney
Registered User
Of course. The point is there is a reason why they continually win the best-on-best tournaments.
Dirtyf1ghter
Registered User
- Aug 7, 2019
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Mathieukferland
Registered User
If it were me
B.Tkachuk-J. Hughes-Connor
M. Tkachuk-Matthews-Miller
Robertson-Thompson-Kreider
Eichel-Larkin-Trochek
Fox-McAvoy
Q. Hughes-Slavin
Werenski-Sanderson
Hellebuyck
Demko
Quick
Best non-Canada team at a best on best I can remember since Russia 2010
B.Tkachuk-J. Hughes-Connor
M. Tkachuk-Matthews-Miller
Robertson-Thompson-Kreider
Eichel-Larkin-Trochek
Fox-McAvoy
Q. Hughes-Slavin
Werenski-Sanderson
Hellebuyck
Demko
Quick
Best non-Canada team at a best on best I can remember since Russia 2010
B.Tkachuk-Matthews-Keller
Jrob-Hughes-M.Tkachuk
Guenztel-Eichel-Connor
Miller-Larkin-Debrincat
EXTRAS: Boeser and Tuch
Hughes-McAvoy
Slavin-Fox
Werenski-Faber
Sanderson-Carlson
Helle
Demko
Otter
Tage can make this team ONLY IF he proves that he belongs on a team by 2026. The USA has gotten so good that they can leave “cold” players off their rosters. Pavelski and Kreider can play their way onto the team, but their age says others is. Tuch fills a lot of what Kreider would provide anyway and is better defensively.
I think Keller gets overlooked because he plays in Arizona, but he’s legitimately one of the best American forwards when you’re talking about pure offensive skills. Considering his chem with Matthews, he’s a lock.
Jrob-Hughes-M.Tkachuk
Guenztel-Eichel-Connor
Miller-Larkin-Debrincat
EXTRAS: Boeser and Tuch
Hughes-McAvoy
Slavin-Fox
Werenski-Faber
Sanderson-Carlson
Helle
Demko
Otter
Tage can make this team ONLY IF he proves that he belongs on a team by 2026. The USA has gotten so good that they can leave “cold” players off their rosters. Pavelski and Kreider can play their way onto the team, but their age says others is. Tuch fills a lot of what Kreider would provide anyway and is better defensively.
I think Keller gets overlooked because he plays in Arizona, but he’s legitimately one of the best American forwards when you’re talking about pure offensive skills. Considering his chem with Matthews, he’s a lock.
Give me Boldy, Tuch, Beniers etc over one-dimensional guys like Caufield, Kane, Gaudreau, Boeser etc.
When you rock Matthews, Eichel, Hughes down the middle you don’t need scoring specialists. You need a lineup full of guys that play in all zones. US now has a deep enough talent-pool to do that.
When you rock Matthews, Eichel, Hughes down the middle you don’t need scoring specialists. You need a lineup full of guys that play in all zones. US now has a deep enough talent-pool to do that.
Pavel Buchnevich
Drury and Laviolette Must Go
Hughes-Matthews-Tkachuk
Connor-Eichel-Robertson
Miller-Thompson-Boeser
Kreider-Larkin-Tkachuk
Guentzel-Trocheck
Slavin-Fox
Werenski-McAvoy
Hughes-Faber
Sanderson-Trouba
Hellebuyck
Swayman
Demko
This is a very good team. A few things I’m unsure about. Our LHD aren’t the best. Also, our winger depth needs work, which is incredible to say. A few years ago we had too many and not enough centers. I wouldn’t trust Hughes or Miller to play the middle, so that can solve some of our winger problems. I think Swayman is the guy in net, but I’ll let him take that spot from Hellebuyck over the next few seasons. I have a slight concern that Bruins make him look a little better than he is, and Helle is going to win the Vezina this year so you can’t go wrong with him right now.
Connor-Eichel-Robertson
Miller-Thompson-Boeser
Kreider-Larkin-Tkachuk
Guentzel-Trocheck
Slavin-Fox
Werenski-McAvoy
Hughes-Faber
Sanderson-Trouba
Hellebuyck
Swayman
Demko
This is a very good team. A few things I’m unsure about. Our LHD aren’t the best. Also, our winger depth needs work, which is incredible to say. A few years ago we had too many and not enough centers. I wouldn’t trust Hughes or Miller to play the middle, so that can solve some of our winger problems. I think Swayman is the guy in net, but I’ll let him take that spot from Hellebuyck over the next few seasons. I have a slight concern that Bruins make him look a little better than he is, and Helle is going to win the Vezina this year so you can’t go wrong with him right now.
Pavel Buchnevich
Drury and Laviolette Must Go
Can I choose none of the above for coaches? Good careers and all, but they don’t fit. Sullivan has been pretty bad the last few years. Surprised he’s not fired by now. Laviolette’s defensive system isn’t going to work in a short tournament. Not enough time for the players to learn. Can’t pick Torts. Too early for Cronin.
We don’t have the best coaching options. I might go with Lalonde.
Couple thoughts:
-Matthews PK'ing a little this year solves one previous issue with past mocks of this roster. Matthews + Larkin gives you two top centers that can play shorthanded. Miller also gives you some more flexibility there.
-Keller should be on this team over some of the RW's listed in here imo. Cumulatively, he's a PPG player the last two years on a team with really no other high end offensive talent to speak of. Behind the elder Tkachuk, there's probably not another guy on the right I'd for certain take over him.
-I don't really love Werenski on this squad, but as mentioned before, there's not currently a ton of obvious replacements for him. His best attribute is that of a PP QB, but that's kind of redundant on a team that already has Quinn and Fox on it. The hope is that at least one of Sanderson or Luke Hughes develop into high level 200 foot players in 2 years time. I think that's a relatively safe bet. Sanderson is a little closer, but Luke's been better defensively this year than I think the vast majority expected as well.
-Faber exploding onto the scene this year was great timing. RD is absolutely loaded with 3 guys who can do everything.
-Matthews PK'ing a little this year solves one previous issue with past mocks of this roster. Matthews + Larkin gives you two top centers that can play shorthanded. Miller also gives you some more flexibility there.
-Keller should be on this team over some of the RW's listed in here imo. Cumulatively, he's a PPG player the last two years on a team with really no other high end offensive talent to speak of. Behind the elder Tkachuk, there's probably not another guy on the right I'd for certain take over him.
-I don't really love Werenski on this squad, but as mentioned before, there's not currently a ton of obvious replacements for him. His best attribute is that of a PP QB, but that's kind of redundant on a team that already has Quinn and Fox on it. The hope is that at least one of Sanderson or Luke Hughes develop into high level 200 foot players in 2 years time. I think that's a relatively safe bet. Sanderson is a little closer, but Luke's been better defensively this year than I think the vast majority expected as well.
-Faber exploding onto the scene this year was great timing. RD is absolutely loaded with 3 guys who can do everything.
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WarriorofTime
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- Jul 3, 2010
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Sanderson and Hughes have two years. One will likely be ready by then and if at all close bring them for “4th pair” if nothing else for experience down the line.
therealdeal
Registered User
- Apr 22, 2005
- 4,637
- 263
The fact you don’t have Quinn Hughes playing top 4 minutes on your roster is disrespectful
Pavel Buchnevich
Drury and Laviolette Must Go
You could flip him and Werenski. I wouldn't be too fussed about that. Werenski and McAvoy were teammates, and I believe potentially line-mates at the NTDP. Hughes will definitely have his role, especially on the PP.
As a Canadian, this tournament is going to be so exciting to watch. From 1-14, the USA definitely has more skilled offensive options and are much younger than Canada. Having Hughes, the Tkachuks, Matthews, Jrob in your top 6 and being able to leave out guys like Eichel, Connor, Keller, Guentzel, Miller and Larkin is such a luxury.
Canada has 3 of the best players on the planet tho in McDavid, MacKinnon and Makar. You add in match-up guys who thrive in big moments like Point, Crosby, Stone and Marchand and it’s going to be one fun tournament to watch. A ton of speed, youth and skill in guys like Bedard, Marner, Thomas and Barzal too.
Goaltending is a joke tho lol
Canada has 3 of the best players on the planet tho in McDavid, MacKinnon and Makar. You add in match-up guys who thrive in big moments like Point, Crosby, Stone and Marchand and it’s going to be one fun tournament to watch. A ton of speed, youth and skill in guys like Bedard, Marner, Thomas and Barzal too.
Goaltending is a joke tho lol
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Can we have the top 2 D pairs be
Faber Faber
Faber Faber
I like everyone’s ideas otherwise
Faber Faber
Faber Faber
I like everyone’s ideas otherwise
I love that you include Coyle on the list. I think he’d be a perfect 4c for this team. He’s not the same guy people think he is. Watch him play….wins faceoffs, hounds the puck, controls the puck beautifully, and makes really smart decisions.
JimmyG89
Registered User
- May 1, 2010
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If Trocheck keeps this level of play he will be a lock for this roster. Dude is one of the best face-off guys. He's a great PK guy too. Perfect 13th forward. This type of player would have been on their 2nd/3rd lines in the past, shows how much better this forward group is to the last Olympic team.
If Hughes/Sanderson don't make the big jump, K'Andre Miller will be in the running for a spot. Him and Fox don't play a ton together, but when they do it's really good. I saw Trouba mentioned, he's not even one of the best 20 guys US could put back there.
If Hughes/Sanderson don't make the big jump, K'Andre Miller will be in the running for a spot. Him and Fox don't play a ton together, but when they do it's really good. I saw Trouba mentioned, he's not even one of the best 20 guys US could put back there.
Pavel Buchnevich
Drury and Laviolette Must Go
Miller is playing so bad the last few months that I don't think he's in real contention right now. His game goes up and down, so he might be more deserving soon.
Trouba by extension is going to get some of the same blame, and it's valid that he's dropped off a little in recent months after a good start, but he brings a different type of element that I don't think makes the case for him one of form. Miller is similar enough to the other options that he'll have to earn a spot by playing better. No defenseman in hockey brings what Trouba does. I also think Miller has been a lot worse between the two recently. Miller looks absolutely lost. Trouba just became a father, and it is hard to be partnered with Miller right now and be playing well.
JimmyG89
Registered User
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Every other defenseman on the team plays well with Miller except Trouba.
When Trouba is paired with someone on the team, they get worse.
Miller becomes and instantly better player the second he is away from Trouba, and it's not just with Fox.
Miller's game is only going to get better and Trouba is only going to get worse. He may have a physical side that he can bring, but when it comes to having to be on the ice against the best of the best, I'll take Miller 10/10 over Trouba.
The 4 nations team, I can see Trouba making it as the 4th RD, after that he's not making it. McAvoy, Fox, Faber, and Seth Jones should be their right shot guys.
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