Best on Best 2023: Projecting Team USA’s roster

Matt Larkin
Matt Larkin(MLarkinHockey)
Best on Best 2023: Projecting Team USA’s roster
Credit: Photo from Anders Marshall/Euro Hockey

And so continues our international team building project, Best on Best 2023. First, Steven Ellis and I constructed our Team Canada lineups, imagining a tournament played within the next calendar year. Next up, we build what should be a major threat to Canada’s supremacy: Team USA.

Seeing that we’re Canadian, it felt fitting to invite an American to create a team alongside ours. Daily Faceoff’s Mike McKenna takes the baton.

First, a rule refresher for the exercise:

– Roster structure follows IIHF format for the Olympics and World Championship: 14 forwards, eight defensemen, three goaltenders, 25 players in total.

– Since we can’t say for certain when the next best-on-best event will happen, be it 2025 for a World Cup, 2026 for the Cortina Olympics or a later date, we are constructing rosters for today. As in, right now. Opening faceoff.

FORWARDS – Matt Larkin’s picks

Johnny GaudreauAuston MatthewsMatthew Tkachuk
Jason RobertsonJack HughesBrady Tkachuk
Clayton KellerTage ThompsonAlex Tuch
Kyle ConnorDylan LarkinJoe Pavelski
 Jack EichelCole Caufield

Canada better be ready. This is a dangerous forward group. Whoa. A top six including Jason Robertson, Auston Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk features three of the top 10 forwards on the planet. And Matthew Tkachuk gets to play with two of his old linemates on the top unit in Johnny Gaudreau (Calgary) and Matthews (U.S. NTDP). Brady Tkachuk isn’t a natural right winger, but I’ve shifted him over to ensure each of my top two lines have some heavy; the U.S. just happens to have a lot more depth on the left wing than the right. Clayton Keller plays the Jeff Skinner role on my third line, which is two thirds Sabres with Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch. My fourth line doesn’t bring extreme grit, but Dylan Larkin and Joe Pavelski have enough two-way acumen to make it work.

Biggest flex: I’m taking a bit of a chance using my bench spots on offense-minded players, particularly in choosing Cole Caufield instead of someone like Brock Nelson, who would’ve been more trustworthy for shutdown work and/or penalty killing. But the goal-scoring upside of Caufield is too great to leave off the team entirely.

Toughest cut: Jake Guentzel didn’t do anything to deserve a cut. The U.S. talent pool is just so strong right now that I have to snub some great players. No Trevor Zegras. No Chris Kreider. I was definitely tempted to use Matty Beniers for his two-way ability. Patrick Kane doesn’t have enough left in him to crack this lineup. I wouldn’t have imagined that even a year ago.

Also considered: Jake Guentzel, Matty Beniers, J.T. Miller, Brock Nelson, Alex DeBrincat, Trevor Zegras, Matt Boldy, Patrick Kane, Chris Kreider, Brock Boeser, Max Pacioretty

FORWARDS – Steven Ellis’ picks

Jason RobertsonAuston MatthewsMatthew Tkachuk
Johnny GaudreauJack HughesClayton Keller
Brady TkachukTage ThompsonJack Eichel
Kyle ConnorDylan LarkinJoe Pavelski
Alex DeBrincatJake Guentzel

While the others might go for specific role players, I wanted the best 14 players, period. Give me a downright scary team to defend against while bringing speed and a feisty attitude. Mission accomplished. This group’s depth is tremendous, with some quality talent like Jake Eichel and Jake Guentzel playing quite far down the lineup. And that top line? Just bonkers. This is a forward corp that’ll smother you, and having the Tkachuk brothers creating havoc would be exhilarating. To me, this is the best forward crop USA has had in best-on-best competition in quite some time.

Biggest flex: Based on how they placed him in their lineups, I think the other two undervalue just how good Eichel is when he’s at his best. Remember all the talk about him being a serious Hart Trophy contender in 2018-19? We saw that same fire during the playoffs this year. I’m not too worried about center depth, either: Eichel and Pavelski are centers, too.

Toughest cut: Alex Tuch would have been perfect for this group, and he’s a guy every team could use in their lineup. But from a pure skill perspective, I think this team is fine without him.

Also considered: Alex Tuch, J.T. Miller, Matty Beniers, Trevor Zegras, Brock Boeser, Max Pacioretty, Cole Caufield, Brock Nelson

FORWARDS – Mike McKenna’s picks

Johnny GaudreauAuston MatthewsMatthew Tkachuk
Jason RobertsonJack HughesTage Thompson
Chris KreiderDylan LarkinJoe Pavelski
Brady TkachukCharlie CoyleAlex Tuch
Kyle ConnorJack Eichel

I’m trying to build the best team, and that means selecting players for specific roles. I need speed and scoring. Penalty killers and grinders. And I need some maturity. That’s why I have Joe Pavelski on the roster. Not only does he have built-in chemistry with Dallas Stars teammate Jason Roberston, his leadership would be invaluable to a roster this young. Larkin is my shutdown center and the first forward – along with Chris Krieder – over the boards for the PK. And while I’d prefer to have Thompson at center, on a team this stacked, he moves to the right side with Hughes. Reuniting Gaudreau with Tkachuk is too sexy to pass up, and even better with Matthews down the middle. There’s plenty of firepower in this forward group. But it’s also balanced. My team is built to win all 200 feet of the ice. And in every situation.

Biggest flex: My big surprise is Charlie Coyle. He’s a proven penalty killer that can chip in offensively. And Coyle has played in the bottom six previously. He knows the role. A heavy fourth line with Brady Tkachuk and Alex Tuch flanking him is downright scary.

Toughest cut: J.T. Miller can play any forward position, and he kills penalties. But I don’t think Miller is responsible enough defensively to play in my bottom six. Other close calls: Jake Guentzel and Clayton Keller. Both amazing offensive players. But neither fit in my top six, and they don’t kill penalties. I’d rather have Kyle Connor and Jack Eichel ready to go if needed.

Also considered: J.T. Miller, Jake Guentzel, Clayton Keller, Matt Boldy, Alex DeBrincat, Matty Beniers, Cole Caufield, Brock Nelson

DEFENSEMEN – Matt Larkin’s picks

Jaccob SlavinAdam Fox
Quinn HughesCharlie McAvoy
K’Andre MillerJacob Trouba
Noah HanifinJohn Carlson

The Americans have the best D-corps in this fictional tourney, period. How about the balance on those top two pairs? Jaccob Slavin and Charlie McAvoy bring the elite defensive play to each tandem, while Fox and Hughes offer top-tier puck movement. My third pair is a direct carryover from the New York Rangers, with K’Andre Miller and Jacob Trouba bringing their existing chemistry and ability to keep opponents honest with their physicality. If the U.S. power play sags for any reason, John Carlson waits in the wings to provide a spark.

Biggest flex: Some might consider Hughes and McAvoy as the top pair. But Slavin and Fox are a dream duo, two of the most impactful play-driving blueliners of their generation. Will the other team ever have the puck with those two out there?

Toughest cut: Zach Werenski has the talent to make this team, but I opted for Noah Hanifin’s length and well-rounded game for my bench. In another year, I could see Jake Sanderson earning a spot.

Also considered: Zach Werenski, Justin Faulk, Seth Jones, Torey Krug, Jake Sanderson, Brett Pesce, Mikey Anderson, John Marino

DEFENSEMEN – Steven Ellis’ picks

Jaccob SlavinAdam Fox
Quinn HughesCharlie McAvoy
Zach WerenskiJohn Carlson
K’Andre MillerNoah Hanifin

It’s hard to beat this group. Like, if you took the eight next-best options, you’d still have one of the best defense cores in the tournament. This group has a nice mix of youthful energy, veteran presence and overall strong two-way ability. You could throw any of these combos out there, hope for the best, and get desired results. This blueline is a goaltender’s dream, right Mike?

Biggest flex: I went safe here, so I can’t say there’s a specific flex. I was very close to putting John Marino on this team because of everything he has done for the Penguins, but I had a hard time leaving off Carlson or Hanifin.

Toughest cut: I really wanted a good reason to put Jake Sanderson on this because I feel like he’s extremely underrated. Owen Power got all the hype this year, but Sanderson deserved significant attention, too.

DEFENSEMEN – Mike McKenna’s picks

Jaccob SlavinAdam Fox
Quinn HughesJohn Marino
Noah HanifinCharlie McAvoy
Zach WerenskiJacob Trouba

What I would give to have played behind this D-corps. Wow. Every pairing is balanced and capable of killing penalties. Fox can do anything he wants with the puck knowing that Slavin is backing him up defensively. Hughes can roam. And I love the idea of Hanifin and McAvoy together as a shutdown duo. On the power play, Fox and Hughes quarterback the first and second units respectively with Zach Werenski available if needed. Need a dose of physicality? Jacob Trouba is on call.

Biggest flex: Anyone that’s watched John Marino closely will know why he’s on my team. I’m an old goalie. And goaltenders love responsible defensemen that can not only make a clean first pass, but help on the kill. That’s Marino. He’s the perfect fit alongside Quinn Hughes or Noah Hanifin.

Toughest cut: John Carlson is an absolute weapon offensively, especially on the power play. Probably more than any defenseman on my roster. But I don’t have room for a one-trick pony. Ryan McDonagh is also someone I really considered. Tampa Bay misses him.

Also considered: John Carlson, K’Andre Miller, Ryan McDonagh, Justin Faulk, Jake Sanderson

GOALTENDERS – Matt Larkin’s picks

Connor Hellebuyck
Jake Oettinger
Thatcher Demko

The Russians have the top goaltending in Best on Best 2023, but the Americans are a close second and probably exist in a tier of their own. All three of Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger and Thatcher Demko profile as alpha No. 1s – big and confident in their abilities. Hellebuyck is the most durable and has the longest track record of success, so he gets my starting nod.

Biggest flex: Honestly? None in this case. These three netminders are the clear top choices and I didn’t seriously consider anyone else for a spot.

Toughest cut: No one. I like Jeremy Swayman but not as much as the three puck-stoppers I chose.

Also considered: Jeremy Swayman, John Gibson

GOALTENDERS – Steven Ellis’ picks

Connor Hellebuyck
Jake Oettinger
Thatcher Demko

The United States has had some solid representation on the goaltending front over the past few years, and it shows. If Russia is banned from international play, the Americans have the best three available to them, highlighted by Hellebuyck’s star power, Oettinger’s rising star status and Demko’s high-end play when at the top of his game. All three could easily be the No. 1 on this team, but Hellebuyck is one of the best goalies in the world and deserves the starting gig.

Biggest flex: Given the third goalie spot doesn’t matter, I almost handed it to a young guy like Drew Commesso. So the flex is that I considered it for at least 15 seconds. Otherwise, you can’t go wrong here.

Toughest cut: Jeremy Swayman is going to have quite the career. But right now? It feels too early.

Also considered: Jeremy Swayman, John Gibson, Drew Commesso

GOALTENDERS – Mike McKenna’s picks

Connor Hellebuyck
Jake Oettinger
Jeremy Swayman

If the Americans lose, it won’t be due to poor goaltending. Hellebuyck is as durable as he is consistent, a perennial contender for the Vezina Trophy. And Oettinger is knocking the door of stardom. Both are big, rangy, confident netminders that have stolen entire playoff series previously in their careers. Hellebuyck starts Game 1.

Biggest flex: Including Swayman is probably a surprise to some, but look at his career numbers from juniors to the NHL. He’s had a .911 save percentage or higher in each of his last seven seasons while playing for four teams in four different leagues. Plus he’s the third goalie. Let’s face it: in a short tournament like this, he probably only sees the ice in practice unless Hellebuyck or Oettinger gets hurt.

Toughest cut: Thatcher Demko deserves to be on the roster. I still think he’s a top netminder. But he’s gone through hell on earth with the Canucks recently, and that makes me nervous. It’s not always easy to flip the switch.

Also considered: Thatcher Demko, Pheonix Copley

Teams at a Glance

TEAM LARKIN

Gaudreau-Matthews-M. Tkachuk
Robertson-J. Hughes-B. Tkachuk
Keller-Thompson-Tuch
Connor-Larkin-Pavelski
(Eichel, Caufield)

Slavin-Fox
Q. Hughes-McAvoy
Miller-Trouba
(Hanifin, Carlson)

Hellebuyck
Oettinger
(Demko)

TEAM ELLIS

Robertson-Matthews-M. Tkachuk
Gaudreau-J. Hughes-Keller
B. Tkachuk-Thompson-Eichel
Connor-Larkin-Pavelski
(DeBrincat, Guentzel)

Slavin-Fox
Q. Hughes-McAvoy
Werenski-Carlson
(Miller, Hanifin)

Hellebuyck
Oettinger
(Demko)

TEAM MCKENNA

Gaudreau-Matthews-M. Tkachuk
Robertson-J. Hughes-Pavelski
Kreider-Larkin-Thompson
B. Tkachuk-Coyle-Tuch
(Connor, Eichel)

Slavin-Fox
Q. Hughes-Marino
Hanifin-McAvoy
(Werenski, Trouba)

Hellebuyck
Oettinger
(Swayman)

Previous Best on Best 2023 entries

Team Canada

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