I'm Canadian. Seems like a good of enough reason not to hate the U.S. team.

A) Finland didn't compete, they're going home
B) Horrible roster choices aside. EASILY the biggest mistake the US made was starting Quick over Schneider. But hey, as a Canada fan, thanks?

Torterella is a legit crazy person, but he's also a pretty decent hockey coach. I think you nailed it with #3. The Americans were hooped when they couldn't bring their best young players.
- Hunkulese

Except of the players named, who could possibly make a difference against Canada. Gaudreau, that's it.

Maybe Matthews but let's all say its because I'm drinking the koolaid.

Ek ypur player swap is terrible. Why would you remove Stepan? Jack Johnson was not the only bad choice on defense. Picking Big Buff was a terrible selection. Players like Shattenkirk weren't chosen but Erik and Jack Johnson were???? Dubynski?

One wonders why a team Nrth America was really created? Comare the talent of Canadians and Maericans on that team and it is obvious which nation gt screwed utterly there. But...but that would not have mattered. I doubt they would have included Matthews, even though the only player better than him is McDavid. McDavid would have made Canada better as well but not as much as adding the American dmen, Matthews and a number of other Americans who are better right now than most of the players chosen to play on USA were when they were in their primes and most have mved beyond that.

Except of the players named, who could possibly make a difference against Canada. Gaudreau, that's it.

Maybe Matthews but let's all say its because I'm drinking the koolaid.
- SameOld

look at the defense and that is a big answer. There are a lot of other forwards as well.

But even if they were available the gm and coach would have still screwed up the selection and olayer use.

look at the defense and that is a big answer. There are a lot of other forwards as well.

But even if they were available the gm and coach would have still screwed up the selection and olayer use.
- BluemanGuruu

No question. As awful as Tortorella is, blame should be laid on Lombardi.

But still, how does Torts start Quick over Schneider....

kessel is a douche.

he burns his peers when they are feeling their lowest.... and oh yeah... does he not remember that he wasnt selected because he had offseason shoulder surgery?

oh right.... facts.

i am so damn happy he isnt a leaf anymore.
- Dozzer

This entire post.

The existence of Team NA is a lame excuse for why USA did as badly as they did. Even eliminating the U23 guys, USA could have still put together a leagues better roster than it did. Guys like Callahan, Dubinsky, Abdelkader, and Jack Johnson shouldn't have ever even gotten a call. Guys like Kesler, Backes, and Parise obviously are no longer players that can be relied upon to play significant roles on the national teams. Yet, Lombardi and management continues to try to recreate the gritty magic of 2010 Vancouver and keeps building the team around the guys that gave Canada a run for their money six years ago. The collateral? Faulk, Tyler Johnson, and Kessel never got a call. Faulk should have been on the top pairing with McD. Tyler Johnson and Phil Kessel would have made up the core of the second line. Missing a top pairing defenseman and two second liners is a HUGE hit towards the overall competency of the team.

Assuming NHL participation next Olympics, USA has a chance to put a very competitive roster with a new guard of young American superstars geared around a core of Matthews, Eichel, Gaudreau, and Faulk along with some other young up and comers like Trochek, Saad, Jones, and Gostisbehere to go along with vets like Kane, Paccioretti, McD, Carlson, and JVR to round out the roster. If Pavelski, Suter and Kessel are still playing at high levels then you throw them in too and you have a roster with serious goal scoring punch, speed, and enough XP to give Canada the best run for their money we have ever given them.

That said, for the above roster to come into reality, USA hockey needs to take a step in the right direction and change the way it fundamentally looks at roster construction. Hopefully this tournament is a wakeup call. Like I said, wasn't expecting to win it all, but not advancing when the other two teams in your side of the bracket are Europe and the Czechs is inexcusable given the talent USA could have drawn from. Hopefully this embarrassment of a tournament and the fact that many die hard USA fans essentially boycotted the team and cheered for North America instead starts a change.

No question. As awful as Tortorella is, blame should be laid on Lombardi.

But still, how does Torts start Quick over Schneider....
- SameOld[/quote]

Not sure why everyone is bagging this decision. He had a great game in the prelim game & if he didn't start & the U.S. Lost, would everyone be asking why Quick didn't start after he beat Canada already??

USA hockey management that picked the team and Torts as coach have got to never be asked to do anything again for team USA. Ever. Jerks.

What about Bobby Ryan? The guy is easily better than Backes, Stepan and JVR.
- TheUltimateJet

I don't think he's better than any one of those 3.

As bad as it feels right now Team USA, and believe me I just spent a lot of time around the players and coaches

I laughed at this part

Lol...this team Canada is not as good as the one from Sochi. The players who aren't there are much, much better than the American players who aren't there (Seguin/Benn/Hall/Subban/Letang). Also, half of the players mentioned from Team NA wouldn't have made the American team anyway (Larkin, Jones, Gostisbehere, probably Matthews). The only ones that matter are Gaudreau and maybe Eichel. The US constructed a bad roster and has a bad coach and played their 3rd-best goalie all tournament. They were never going to do well.

The existence of Team NA is a lame excuse for why USA did as badly as they did. Even eliminating the U23 guys, USA could have still put together a leagues better roster than it did. Guys like Callahan, Dubinsky, Abdelkader, and Jack Johnson shouldn't have ever even gotten a call. Guys like Kesler, Backes, and Parise obviously are no longer players that can be relied upon to play significant roles on the national teams. Yet, Lombardi and management continues to try to recreate the gritty magic of 2010 Vancouver and keeps building the team around the guys that gave Canada a run for their money six years ago. The collateral? Faulk, Tyler Johnson, and Kessel never got a call. Faulk should have been on the top pairing with McD. Tyler Johnson and Phil Kessel would have made up the core of the second line. Missing a top pairing defenseman and two second liners is a HUGE hit towards the overall competency of the team.

Assuming NHL participation next Olympics, USA has a chance to put a very competitive roster with a new guard of young American superstars geared around a core of Matthews, Eichel, Gaudreau, and Faulk along with some other young up and comers like Trochek, Saad, Jones, and Gostisbehere to go along with vets like Kane, Paccioretti, McD, Carlson, and JVR to round out the roster. If Pavelski, Suter and Kessel are still playing at high levels then you throw them in too and you have a roster with serious goal scoring punch, speed, and enough XP to give Canada the best run for their money we have ever given them.

That said, for the above roster to come into reality, USA hockey needs to take a step in the right direction and change the way it fundamentally looks at roster construction. Hopefully this tournament is a wakeup call. Like I said, wasn't expecting to win it all, but not advancing when the other two teams in your side of the bracket are Europe and the Czechs is inexcusable given the talent USA could have drawn from. Hopefully this embarrassment of a tournament and the fact that many die hard USA fans essentially boycotted the team and cheered for North America instead starts a change.
- Victoro311

dude its a phoney tournament manufactured by the nhl , no need to be triggered by this.

dude its a phoney tournament manufactured by the nhl , no need to be triggered by this.
- Alexzanki

True. Isolated its pretty irrelevant, but the same people that made the decisions for us this time around will be making the decisions in 2018, and to me American Olympic hockey matters.

As bad as it feels right now Team USA, and believe me I just spent a lot of time around the players and coaches

I laughed at this part
- sparky

Translated...I followed Kevin Allen around all day.

kessel is a douche.

he burns his peers when they are feeling their lowest.... and oh yeah... does he not remember that he wasnt selected because he had offseason shoulder surgery?

oh right.... facts.

i am so damn happy he isnt a leaf anymore.
- Dozzer

I'm sure Kessel is ecstatic as well.

I'm sure Kessel is ecstatic as well.
- LordHumungous

You do realize that the Canucks are probably the biggest disaster of an organization int he league right now, right?

Second last in goals for. Second worst in shots against. The two highest scorers on the team last year (and this year) are 36 f*&king years old. After that, the highest scorer got 40 points. 40 points!!!! With all those shots on net, good thing you got some good goaltending to keep those goals against from being embarassing. Oh wait, your starting goalie is 36 f*&king years old too. Things will get better right? I mean, you've got a really competent management group, right? Nope. You just fired a GM that made Doug Maclean look competent, left you with a poopty farm system and group of prospects, only to downgrade in that (GM) department as well.

I would say the Canucks need to tear down and rebuild, but there really isn't anything they have to tear down.

Just a suggestion - You might want to consider keeping the jokes to yourself for the time being.

You do realize that the Canucks are probably the biggest disaster of an organization int he league right now, right?

Second last in goals for. Second worst in shots against. The two highest scorers on the team last year (and this year) are 36 f*&king years old. After that, the highest scorer got 40 points. 40 points!!!! With all those shots on net, good thing you got some good goaltending to keep those goals against from being embarassing. Oh wait, your starting goalie is 36 f*&king years old too. Things will get better right? I mean, you've got a really competent management group, right? Nope. You just fired a GM that made Doug Maclean look competent, left you with a poopty farm system and group of prospects, only to downgrade in that (GM) department as well.

I would say the Canucks need to tear down and rebuild, but there really isn't anything they have to tear down.

Just a suggestion - You might want to consider keeping the jokes to yourself for the time being.
- prock

It's not like the person you were responding to was out of bounds. This was just needless.

Lol...this team Canada is not as good as the one from Sochi. The players who aren't there are much, much better than the American players who aren't there (Seguin/Benn/Hall/Subban/Letang). Also, half of the players mentioned from Team NA wouldn't have made the American team anyway (Larkin, Jones, Gostisbehere, probably Matthews). The only ones that matter are Gaudreau and maybe Eichel. The US constructed a bad roster and has a bad coach and played their 3rd-best goalie all tournament. They were never going to do well.
- khessel

Matthews has looked MUCH better than Eichel at this tourney. I would say that Matthews, Gaudreau, Larkin and Ghost had a chance at Team USA. Provided the minds behind the team were willing to pull their collective heads out of the sand.
Canada would certainly have benefitted from the chance to take their youngsters, as well. But probably only McDavid and Ekblad would have gotten the call. Maybe MacKinnon as well, but that's more in hindsight.

It's not like the person you were responding to was out of bounds. This was just needless.
- Victoro311

uhh, is any of it wrong?

Matthews has looked MUCH better than Eichel at this tourney. I would say that Matthews, Gaudreau, Larkin and Ghost had a chance at Team USA. Provided the minds behind the team were willing to pull their collective heads out of the sand.
Canada would certainly have benefitted from the chance to take their youngsters, as well. But probably only McDavid and Ekblad would have gotten the call. Maybe MacKinnon as well, but that's more in hindsight.
- Tonybere

Should they have gotten a call if they were elligible? Probably. Would they have? Ekblad-definitely not, McDavid-probably not.
Team Canada likes players that have paid their dues and have had team success in the NHL (Hall anyone). McDavid's sample size is too small (if the tourney was halfway through this season and he was tearing it up they would consider it). Ekblad would not get a call for this defensive group, christ we left guys like Subban, Letang, Brodie & Gio sitting at home without a call. None of the other youngstars would have even been in consideration for a spot.

Should they have gotten a call if they were elligible? Probably. Would they have? Ekblad-definitely not, McDavid-probably not.
Team Canada likes players that have paid their dues and have had team success in the NHL (Hall anyone). McDavid's sample size is too small (if the tourney was halfway through this season and he was tearing it up they would consider it). Ekblad would not get a call for this defensive group, christ we left guys like Subban, Letang, Brodie & Gio sitting at home without a call. None of the other youngstars would have even been in consideration for a spot.
- Saskabush

Didn't take Crosby in 06. He was clearly good enough to make the team.

If they didn't take him, I doubt McDavid would get selected at this point.

"It's the tide! It's the mournful tide!"

So Ek's taking a star turn now in that sage role from the end of No Country for Old Men? We're all apparently burying the US team in despair, digging in that hard old caliche. Thank god we have him to remind us not to quit: Canada is just hard on people -- We can't stop what's coming -- It ain't all waiting on the U.S...that's vanity.

No sh*t Sheriff Hotstove. But not all us Americans are cowed by this sham tourney. This was a media confection, scripted to sooth Canada's lowest moment at not placing a single team in the real playoffs and then getting passed over for expansion. This WCH isn't even a Coen Brothers' version of hockey -- more like Linda Cohn and the Marx Bros. (Hullo, Melro, and Chelio - although the latter does look a bit like that psycho hitman with the portable cow-killer).

I knew this wasn't a serious tournament when I saw SportsCenter's ridiculous format to present their expert analysts. For those who missed it, they had Steve Levy in his so-called "Levy Lounge," with velvet rope and bouncers restricting access. Hull and Cheli were made to wait on line, while the insipid Barry Melrose struts by them as a preferred VIP. He and Levy held court uncomfortably and nonsensically before the Hall of Famers were allowed in.

A Canadiofile butt kiss has puckered grotesquely from then on. But blowing off training camps/exhibitions across the NHL, and risking injury to rout a hand-stitched team w/out an anthem, now THAT'S canuck vanity!

"It's the tide! It's the mournful tide!"

So Ek's taking a star turn now in that sage role from the end of No Country for Old Men? We're all apparently burying the US team in despair, digging in that hard old caliche. Thank god we have him to remind us not to quit: Canada is just hard on people -- We can't stop what's coming -- It ain't all waiting on the U.S...that's vanity.

No sh*t Sheriff Hotstove. But not all us Americans are cowed by this sham tourney. This was a media confection, scripted to sooth Canada's lowest moment at not placing a single team in the real playoffs and then getting passed over for expansion. This WCH isn't even a Coen Brothers' version of hockey -- more like Linda Cohn and the Marx Bros. (Hullo, Melro, and Chelio - although the latter does look a bit like that psycho hitman with the portable cow-killer).

I knew this wasn't a serious tournament when I saw SportsCenter's ridiculous format to present their expert analysts. For those who missed it, they had Steve Levy in his so-called "Levy Lounge," with velvet rope and bouncers restricting access. Hull and Cheli were made to wait on line, while the insipid Barry Melrose struts by them as a preferred VIP. He and Levy held court uncomfortably and nonsensically before the Hall of Famers were allowed in.

A Canadiofile butt kiss has puckered grotesquely from then on. But blowing off training camps/exhibitions across the NHL, and risking injury to rout a hand-stitched team w/out an anthem, now THAT'S canuck vanity!
- meta_puck_luck

You must be fun at parties