Still all of the currently published "All Stars"-lineups will be 'revised' by injuries and the usual 4th-liners "you need to have". The US-team posted above definitely also looks competitive.
- VeryModernMan

Yeah to your 4th line comment that’s my big worry that they’ll bring in Wheeler and Oshie for leadership purposes and block some much better forwards.

I'm really excited to see a new Era of USA hockey with all the high end young talent we have. Obviously not on Canada's level, but I can see us being a Sweden-like team in this generation that's capable of challenging despite lesser talent.
- Victoro311

One of the highlights of the NHL-less Olympic tournament 2018 was indeed the level some of the young non-CAN/US/SWE/FIN/RUS/CZE-teams could play... never ever have i seen a German team with so much speed/desire, being able to execute an efficient PP. And speed again will be especially important with the wider rink size.

I think who they decide is going to be a center is really going to affect this, particularly the right side. Our three best centers are Mathews, Eichel, and Larkin, but if you remember back to the World Cup, Gaudreau-Eichel-Larkin was a really, really good line. Larkin is also one of six best forwards. So do you move Larkin into the top 6 and reunite that line and have the bottom two centers be some combination of Trochek, Hayes, and Miller? Or do you go for center depth and keep Larkin at C? I think the first option might be the way to go, especially because I’m really high on Trochek, who surprisingly isn’t making a lot of these roster projections. Something like

Conner-Matthews-Kane
Gaudreau-Eichel-Larkin
Guentzel-Trochek-Boeser
Pacioretti/Tkatchuk-Hayes-Tkatchuk
Miller
- Victoro311

I forgot about Conner, definitely want the Tkachuk Bros playing with Hayes as the center. That can be a really annoying line lol. I agree with Larkin at wing, lots of speed. Feds would probably say he sucks at center anyways haha. I actually love your line combos.

There is also nice D (Fox/ McAvoy/Werenski/Carlson/Hughes/Jones/Krug/Slavin) and G (Hellebuyck/Gibson/Demko).

I forgot about Conner, definitely want the Tkachuk Bros playing with Hayes as the center. That can be a really annoying line lol. I agree with Larkin at wing, lots of speed. Feds would probably say he sucks at center anyways haha. I actually love your line combos.
- 668710

I actually think that Feds has said he didn’t become a top tier talent until he became a full time center.

I actually think that Feds has said he didn’t become a top tier talent until he became a full time center.
- Victoro311

Ahh, well I guess we have to see.

There is also nice D (Fox/ McAvoy/Werenski/Carlson/Hughes/Jones/Krug/Slavin) and G (Hellebuyck/Gibson/Demko).
- VeryModernMan

Yea Helly is damn good. And the defense is solid.

Bart is a local kid who has family in the Pgh area. If he is going to be in the AHL, (rumor has it) he prefers WB/S to Iowa. Not a crazy signing, he loves to play, not high risk, is ok to be in the AHL and who knows what could happen. Maybe the pens trade someone (i.e. matheson or pettersson) to free up some cap space.

Bart is a local kid who has family in the Pgh area. If he is going to be in the AHL, (rumor has it) he prefers WB/S to Iowa. Not a crazy signing, he loves to play, not high risk, is ok to be in the AHL and who knows what could happen. Maybe the pens trade someone (i.e. matheson or pettersson) to free up some cap space.
- i'mjustafan

He's a dirtbag, and he sucks

Just read the new TIOPS article and it kind of confirms some things. Obviously it's TIOPS, so grain of salt, but here's the gist...

Pens ownership wants to start laying the groundwork now for the post-Crosby era and believes they can do that without going into a full rebuild. JR was wanting ownership to open the purse and keep draining the cupboard, but they had enough of that. Here's one actual quote.

While many have their doubts, Ownership believes the team can still toe the line of competing for Stanley Cup now, while putting themselves in position to be competitive post-Sidney Crosby on a yearly basis, which is why there's a much different style of General Manager in the No.1 decision making seat.

While this is TIOPS, I feel this is congruent with what we've seen so far from Hextall, so I tend to believe this report.

Can't wait to see US claiming to be favorites and then rampaging another locker room after another early exit.
- VeryModernMan

USA are going to have an amazing team. Once you get past the round robin its single game eliminations and hockey has so much random variance in it from shift to shift. I'm not going to say the USA aren't going to win it all, I think its totally possible they could.

I forgot about Conner, definitely want the Tkachuk Bros playing with Hayes as the center. That can be a really annoying line lol. I agree with Larkin at wing, lots of speed. Feds would probably say he sucks at center anyways haha. I actually love your line combos.
- 668710

Your team will have some really good skill guys who also have grit/big pants/truculent in the forwards. Might end up being the hardest team to play against, physically.

Letang just missed getting into the "runner up" category but I think he should at least be there...at least..but it is hard to slot him in the 6 best D-men available out of this pool of players.
- MattStrat

Just curious...if you say that it's hard to slot him in as one of the 6 best d-men (or best 12, by the scores you posted), why should he be there? Letang is a very good player, and were this maybe 5 years ago, I'd say he deserves it. I just don't think he's in that elite category at the moment.

Just curious...if you say that it's hard to slot him in as one of the 6 best d-men (or best 12, by the scores you posted), why should he be there? Letang is a very good player, and were this maybe 5 years ago, I'd say he deserves it. I just don't think he's in that elite category at the moment.
- jmatchett383

I said I feel he should be in the runner up section. As the 3rd highest overall scoring D-man in the league this past season, 2nd highest scoring Canadian d-man, being runner up to Barrie in that regard who I think Letang is better than overall, he should be in the runner up category over some of the other ones there but it would be hard to put him in the 6 best for me.

I said I feel he should be in the runner up section. As the 3rd highest overall scoring D-man in the league this past season, 2nd highest scoring Canadian d-man, being runner up to Barrie in that regard, who I think Letang is better than overall, he should be in the runner up category over some of the other ones there but it would be hard to put him in the 6 best for me.
- MattStrat

Okay, sorry, misread how you worded it. Yeah, I'd say he's still top-12 Canadian defenseman (sorry Pelech and Spurgeon), but it would take a healthy dose of injuries or opt-outs to make the roster.

Okay, sorry, misread how you worded it. Yeah, I'd say he's still top-12 Canadian defenseman (sorry Pelech and Spurgeon), but it would take a healthy dose of injuries or opt-outs to make the roster.
- jmatchett383

I believe that to be true as well...and really, I was just nit pickin' over a poll that means nothing hahah

If this is accurate, two things about this trade...

1. 4 firsts for Eichel? Really? Really!?!?

2. Anyone that thought Gibson could be had on the cheap is wrong....

https://www.thepuckers.com/?no=54889&s=100

If this is accurate, two things about this trade...

1. 4 firsts for Eichel? Really? Really!?!?

2. Anyone that thought Gibson could be had on the cheap is wrong....

https://www.thepuckers.com/?no=54889&s=100
- Beatnic57

Kevyn Adams can want 4 1st rounders all he wants. He can also want to get Conner McDavid for a 7th rounder, but it's not happening.

I don't think anyone said Gibson could be had "on the cheap." Of course it would be expensive to get a top-5 goalie, and no, Tristan Jarry would not be the centerpiece of the trade.

If this is accurate, two things about this trade...

1. 4 firsts for Eichel? Really? Really!?!?

2. Anyone that thought Gibson could be had on the cheap is wrong....

https://www.thepuckers.com/?no=54889&s=100
- Beatnic57

I chuckled when I saw the name of the site you linked hahah...never heard of them before...I'm going to say its not accurate.

Kevyn Adams can want 4 1st rounders all he wants. He can also want to get Conner McDavid for a 7th rounder, but it's not happening.

I don't think anyone said Gibson could be had "on the cheap." Of course it would be expensive to get a top-5 goalie, and no, Tristan Jarry would not be the centerpiece of the trade.
- jmatchett383

People were saying Jarry, Petterson, and a 2nd should get it done.

Kevyn Adams can want 4 1st rounders all he wants. He can also want to get Conner McDavid for a 7th rounder, but it's not happening.

I don't think anyone said Gibson could be had "on the cheap." Of course it would be expensive to get a top-5 goalie, and no, Tristan Jarry would not be the centerpiece of the trade.
- jmatchett383

If there's any truth to this proposed trade I think it's bad on both sides. Four firsts is lunacy, but BUF has no need for Gibson. Clearly BUF is going into another full rebuild, so major roster pieces don't make sense. If ANA isn't willing to part with one of their top prospects then they aren't being realistic either.

People were saying Jarry, Petterson, and a 2nd should get it done.
- Beatnic57

Which "people" were saying that?

Which "people" were saying that?
- Rinosaur

I can't access the archived replies, but it was "people" here...

I can't access the archived replies, but it was "people" here...
- Beatnic57

Ah, well personally I don't think that trade would get it done. ANA should and would likely be asking for at least a 1st included in the deal. I'm sure they'll want a prospect as well.

If ANA moves Gibson then they're finally acknowledging it's time to rebuild. They'll want some good futures.

If there was package from the Pens for Gibson, and mind you this all depends on if they even like any of the Pens prospect, but I think you're looking at a 1st, Jarry and their choice of whoever basically. Pettersson? I guess that depends on if they need to fill an LD spot. Who knows if Lindholm bounces.