ATTACKERS
Kyle Connor – Auston Matthews – Clayton Keller
Jake Guentzel – Jack Hughes – Jack Eichel
Matthew Tkachuk – JT Miller – Brady Tkachuk
Chris Kreider – Vincent Trocheck – Adam Lowry
Other options to consider: Tage Thompson, Dylan Larkin, Jason Robertson
A start to the season is not everything, but Kyle Connor, who had just missed the cut during the last version of this exercise, inserted himself into the lineup. Author of nine goals and 17 points in 10 games since the start of the calendar, the one who has reached the 30-goal plateau in each of his full seasons in the NHL since the start of his career with the Winnipeg Jets will not steal his place within the American attack.
The one bailing out to make room for Connor is Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars. With only four goals and six points on his record, Robertson is off to a start that does not match his standards. With two 40-goal seasons under his belt, Robertson still has time to bounce back and find his place in one of the United States’ four lines.
Tage Thompson has rebounded well with the Buffalo Sabers after a disappointing 2023-24 season, and he is emerging as an option to consider. A center of his stature could be an asset, as could Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings, who is also excellent in the faceoff circle and on the penalty kill.
After a long hesitation, the fourth trio remains unchanged. Chris Kreider, Vincent Trocheck and Adam Lowry will be able to help the team preserve a lead at the end of the game, in addition to providing valuable services on special teams. Among the 12 forwards selected for this exercise, Trocheck leads in shorthanded playing time (2:04), and only Auston Matthews (2:00) is used on average more often per game at short of a man like Kreider (1:52) and Lowry (1:42). Trocheck (55.8%) and Lowry (51.0%) are also very reliable in the faceoff circle, an argument that is also valid for the candidacy of Larkin (55.1%).
Swiss
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