True, but most of those guys are slower. The Canada roster will likely skate circles around the Americans.
If the U.S. is up by a goal in the third period and taking a defensive zone draw against the McKinnon or McDavid line, I guarantee they’ll be more confident putting Miller and Trochek on the ice than they would be Caufield and Robertson. If those guys NHL coaches don’t trust them with that role, I don’t know why we’d expect the coaches of the Olympic team to.
These teams ice lines with roles, just like NHL teams do. If a player isn’t good enough to crack the top six, they need be able to kill penalties and take defensive assignments against top lines.
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Originally Posted by fotze
If this day gets you riled up, you obviously aren't numb to the disappointment yet to be a real fan.
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Backlund's hot streak may have come a bit too late. Hard to criticize any of those selections over Backlund, other than Holmberg (and even then, it makes sense to bring a younger guy over as an extra forward).
I don't think Backlund's getting a deep playoff run before his contract runs out. He might be a guy like Conroy, chasing a cup in management to do what he couldn't as a player.
If the U.S. is up by a goal in the third period and taking a defensive zone draw against the McKinnon or McDavid line, I guarantee they’ll be more confident putting Miller and Trochek on the ice than they would be Caufield and Robertson. If those guys NHL coaches don’t trust them with that role, I don’t know why we’d expect the coaches of the Olympic team to.
These teams ice lines with roles, just like NHL teams do. If a player isn’t good enough to crack the top six, they need be able to kill penalties and take defensive assignments against top lines.
Robertson is probably the US best winger though - are any of Boldy, Connor, Keller, etc really better than him?
Over the past 3 seasons Robertson is second among US born players in points (behind only Matthews), 5th in Goals, and 3rd in +/-.
He's easily better both offensively and defensively than Keller if you just have to pick just one name to replace on the US roster.
13 points in 19 games. 70 in 81 last year. Backlund has never had more than 60 points in his entire career.
My bad - I didn’t look at games played. But I still would put Backs on over Lindholm. There will be a need for a checking centre who doesn’t take penalties when doing his job. I trust Backlund over most of the players on that team to check a McDavid.
I hope for his sake Tkachuk doesn't go out on the ice knowing he won't make it through a game. Robs someone else of a spot and hurts the team. I guess we'll see if he plays today in the classic or before the plane leaves for Milan.
I wouldn't be surprised if he pushes it and takes a spot from a more deserving player. We already saw it once in Four Nations.
If the U.S. is up by a goal in the third period and taking a defensive zone draw against the McKinnon or McDavid line, I guarantee they’ll be more confident putting Miller and Trochek on the ice than they would be Caufield and Robertson.
One can hope
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Honestly can't believe US left those guys off. Knies has speed and grit and can scrap and go through guys. Robertson is a scoring machine this year. Hutson is the new Fox but with defensive prowess. Caulfield can score and is quick. I'm mostly shocked about Knies and Robertson. Both those two guys being left off is inexcusable.
