Watched the us - finland game yesterday. Riley Barber seemed to have a hard time staying on his feet. Do you see him as a top 6 player on this team?
Also seemed like that second line of Galchenyuk, Trocheck and Barber didn't have very good chemistry. Is there anyone else you think they can try in a top 6 role?
Lastly, was it just me or team USA whiffed on a lot of shots in scoring opportunities yesterday?? Hopefully for you guys it's just a little rust.
- k1234
The Finland game was a bad litmus test for you. It was a bad game for several players, but that's why you have these pre-tournament games - to work out the jitters, find some chemistry and adjust to the time change.
Barber has top six potential for this team considering he's currently leading Miami in scoring and, last I checked, the CCHA as well. He is familiar with putting the puck in the net, but is also known as a great two-way player. Just a matter of the powers that be figuring out the best way to use his skills to their advantage.
Team USA has plenty of Top Six options....it's just a matter of finding the right combination. I really like the chemistry of Hartman, Bardreau and Pietila, but you could easily pull Hartman off that line for added punch. You could separate Grimaldi and Gaudreau....lots of options. The biggest challenge I see is finding guys who can play with Galchenyuk so he is as effective as possible. He needs linemates that work for the puck because he doesn't do it. He finds open ice and works his magic once he gets it. That's why he's with Trocheck and Barber at the moment....workhorses with speed and creative vision. But, there are lots of options with this team, that's why there was a focus on versatility when they assembled this team.
