Comparing Team Canada and Team USA up front - What gives??

[HabLover]

Canada appears to be the underdogs heading into the WJC in a few days, but if one were to compare the forward groups between Team Canada and Team USA, what would be the difference??

Head to head are the USA forwards better from top to bottom?

Do they have more skill than Canada? More grit? Are they bigger overall?

Can someone please explain the differences here?

I dont put a whole lot into the returning player from last year piece, as I think almost every team has more returning players up front than Canada this year, so you can throw that out the window.

Please help me figure this out.......

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[missinthejets]

Canada appears to be the underdogs heading into the WJC in a few days, but if one were to compare the forward groups between Team Canada and Team USA, what would be the difference??

Head to head are the USA forwards better from top to bottom?

Do they have more skill than Canada? More grit? Are they bigger overall?

Can someone please explain the differences here?

I dont put a whole lot into the returning player from last year piece, as I think almost every team has more returning players up front than Canada this year, so you can throw that out the window.

Please help me figure this out.......

but you probably should... older players tend to be better players and if a bunch of them played together already they've got a leg up in that regard too. It's always been that the older teams are favoured because a year can make a big difference at that age.

 

[bruinsfan46]

Canada has better centres, US has the better wingers. The US has a stacked returning group of wingers. Both sides are big, and both sides are very fast. As for grit, I'm not sure which side is more grittier but neither will get pushed around.

 

[New User Name]

I think the biggest advantage for the Americans is speed and to a lesser extent familiarity as many of the American players came through the NTDP.

 

[lakai17]

Canada has better centres, US has the better wingers. The US has a stacked returning group of wingers. Both sides are big, and both sides are very fast. As for grit, I'm not sure which side is more grittier but neither will get pushed around.

Yeah if they play each other, I see things getting nasty which is always nice.

 

[OttawaRoughRiderFan*]

Yeah if they play each other, I see things getting nasty which is always nice.

The US has twice as many retuning players but Canada has twice as many 1st round picks.

Translation... the upside to Canada's talent is much higher but the players may not be there yet.

As for the US being favourites... I don't buy it. I think they are co-favourites but TSN and Team Canada have been playing up "The US is number one" stuff to help with ratings and help Team Canada (IMO).

 

[OttawaRoughRiderFan*]

Canada appears to be the underdogs heading into the WJC in a few days, but if one were to compare the forward groups between Team Canada and Team USA, what would be the difference??

Head to head are the USA forwards better from top to bottom?

Do they have more skill than Canada? More grit? Are they bigger overall?

Can someone please explain the differences here?

I dont put a whole lot into the returning player from last year piece, as I think almost every team has more returning players up front than Canada this year, so you can throw that out the window.

Please help me figure this out.......

I don't get it either. Time will tell.

 

[Bolt32]

The US has twice as many retuning players but Canada has twice as many 1st round picks.

Translation... the upside to Canada's talent is much higher but the players may not be there yet.

As for the US being favourites... I don't buy it. I think they are co-favourites but TSN and Team Canada have been playing up "The US is number one" stuff to help with ratings and help Team Canada (IMO).

Yeah you dont win the last 5 to 6 WJC and not be considered the favorite. I'm sorry, but the Americans are not the favorite, returning champs or not. Canada has a stacked team as they do every year. Think about it, last year was considered a disapointment for them. They Lost in the gold medal game, in over time against a very good American squad. And that was disappointing....

 

[Jesus Christ Horburn]

Honestly, you just cannot compare these two teams/countries. It's that close.

They played two games last year and one went to a SO while the other went to OT.

It's a complete toss up between them IMO.

 

[leafsfuture]

Yeah you dont win the last 5 to 6 WJC and not be considered the favorite. I'm sorry, but the Americans are not the favorite, returning champs or not. Canada has a stacked team as they do every year. Think about it, last year was considered a disapointment for them. They Lost in the gold medal game, in over time against a very good American squad. And that was disappointing....

Considering only one player on these two teams played a WJC before last year, those 5 previous golds are irrelevant.

 

[wjhl2009fan]

Considering only one player on these two teams played a WJC before last year, those 5 previous golds are irrelevant.

No the 5 previous gold are not irrelevent at all as for beeing underdogs no canada is not a underdog in any way.

 

[WickedWrister]

No the 5 previous gold are not irrelevent at all as for beeing underdogs no canada is not a underdog in any way.

Yes, they are irrelevant. If you're simply comparing the two teams for the 2011 WJC, previous golds are completely irrelevant. Does it matter that Canada won a gold when Calvin De Haan was 14?


Now, if you want to compare the countries history, Canada blows US out of the water.

 

[connellc]

Yes, they are irrelevant. If you're simply comparing the two teams for the 2011 WJC, previous golds are completely irrelevant. Does it matter that Canada won a gold when Calvin De Haan was 14?


Now, if you want to compare the countries history, Canada blows US out of the water.

I will agree that the streak is irrelevant, however, the 2006 Gold medal team were major underdogs and only had one returning player and a bunch of grinders on the team. They were really well coached though (Sutter) and really bought into the program. U.S and Russia were considered far supiror then them.

 

[member 30781]

Here is my take on the differeces between the two teams.

Canada's top end forward talent is more elite than the USA's. Having said that, USA's depth is far more impressive. They can roll out all 4 lines and do some serious damage.

Canada wins in the defense department by a pretty good margin, and the USA wins the goalie department by an even bigger margin.

A Canada/USA game will definitely be a treat to watch.

 

[MerryJ99]

How many US eligible players are playing in the NHL compared to Canadian eligible players? I know if you added some of the Canadian eligible players team Canada would be really strong on offence, but I don't know enough about any of the US eligible players to form an opinion.

 

[magic school bus]

How many US eligible players are playing in the NHL compared to Canadian eligible players? I know if you added some of the Canadian eligible players team Canada would be really strong on offence, but I don't know enough about any of the US eligible players to form an opinion.

Cam Fowler.

 

[SMoneyMonkey]

Cam Fowler.

I believe we're talking about forwards. That being said, of course this is almost Canada's B team, doesn't really matter. And US isn't missing too much upfront, no.

 

[HabLover]

Here is my take on the differeces between the two teams.

Canada's top end forward talent is more elite than the USA's. Having said that, USA's depth is far more impressive. They can roll out all 4 lines and do some serious damage.

Canada wins in the defense department by a pretty good margin, and the USA wins the goalie department by an even bigger margin.

A Canada/USA game will definitely be a treat to watch.

Anyone remember this thread???