Quote:
Originally Posted by saillias
the funny thing is about that quote, the US already tried and failed this approach at Sochi. Burke argued it was built as a toolbox team, but not the most talented. So,they got their ass whooped and what do they do at the next best on best tourney...? Go all in on grit over talent.
|
Maybe. I know it's tantalizing to see this and wonder about the whole "surround your talent with beef" philosophy that the Flames evidently employ.
But the issue with USA is, and arguably with the Flames is, you only have so much elite talent. Do you take more "skilled" players who are less skilled than Canada's 3rd and 4th lines, or do you try to take some sandpaper guys?
Guys that Canada is sticking on their 3rd and 4th lines are as skilled as anybody the USA has save maybe Kane. So you can't out-skill Canada. Furthermore, most guys on Canada are also pretty big and are, if not gritty, at least hard to push off the puck. So you can't really outhit or outmuscle them either.
So do you take skilled 25-25-50 guys, or do you take grittier 15-20-30 guys like Abdelkader? The problem is you're pretty much damned if you do, damned if you don't. Canada is just waaay too deep.
I think too much is being made over this strategy. You might as well try something.
(None of this excuses not having Kessel on your team. That was sheer stupidity.)