Quote:
Originally Posted by GranteedEV
Matthews and Eichel would both be the #1C on Team USA. So would Tyler Johnson.
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They will be in the future, no doubt about it. But Eichel was a 50 point forward who struggled. He's not displacing Pavelski, an absolutely underrated beast.
Johnson should have been on the team, that's pretty much my point, and I would have had him under Pavelski as the number 2. Kesler still is a more rounded player than the rookie Eichel, especially as you can play him in that shutdown role. And Matthews hasn't played an NHL game. When was the last time team USA took a player with 0 games experience to a true best on best tournament? And it's not like they have no one else to chose from, Stepan is still a quality center.
What they will be in the near future is not what they are today, and team USA is (or should be) good enough that they don't have to rely on rookies and just drafted players.
Actually CHL posted his version of team USA and it's pretty close to what I'm saying the team should have been:
Quote:
Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague
Actual team USA, selected properly:
Pacioretti Pavelski Kane
Gaudreau Johnson Kessel
Parise Kesler Wheeler
JVR Stepan Okposo
Saad (You could make an argument for Palmieri, maybe Eichel as 13th forward but probably not yet.)
Byfuglien Suter
McDonaghn Shattenkirk
Faulk Carlson
Gostisbehere
Schneider
Bishop
Quick
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Gaudreau obviously making the team, Gostisbehere, Saad/Eichel as extras. Personally I take Backes over Saad or Eichel, just as a more utility belt player. E. Johnson or Yandle over Gostisbehere wouldn't be too surprising given the limited amount Gostisbehere has played. Not exactly losing out on 4 of their top players.