I wonder if it's more insidious than their prioritization of "roles" and that maybe you're actually being nice to these GMs.
It's absolutely outlandish to not consider Robertson for a variety of reasons but, as you pointed out, almost lends itself to a poor understanding of hockey, no? Robertson is small space dominant which is probably the best thing you can be in hockey, no? 80% of the game is played along the walls they love to say.
Before I get too far there, feels to me like they're just aping old patterns and never questioning assumptions. They want a "bottom six" because we're used to seeing a bottom six, because that conforms to their expectations of what a "hockey team" looks like and because they've spent so much time extolling those virtues.
"Toughness", in their mind, is the morally correct position for a hockey team. This might explain why JT Miller, a player who is awful at defense, has an awful attitude and work ethic, is seemingly praised as a "guy you win with". Not because he does good role things that are selfless and help teams wins but because he appeals to the "angry" and "masculine" identity that is dominant in this culture. Because it doesn't have anything to do with what actually happens on the ice, that would require actually having ideas and not just assuming that everything that's happened in the past to set the culture is correct.
Anyway, American Identity Politics aside, Kyle Connor or Tage Thompson on a team that prioritizes checking? What are we talking about.
Great point, and intelligent shit as always, brother. I'm trying to save whatever ill-advised explosion for when it's official, but yes. This. AND this.
Reminds me of Fisher's philosophy on hauntology, and not being able to imagine new futures. Just on ice.
I think you’re on to something there. I think about the guys who embody this specific iteration of Team USA and it’s hard not to see that the management would think that a guy (not a player, a guy) like Robertson wouldn’t “fit in.” It’s the elementary school… school of picking teams.
I said this in the discord, but I can understand how a series of defensible decisions result in Robertson and Fox get left off. They want specific line combinations or roles on special teams, certain players are better at particular skills than either Robertson or Fox, etc. So squint and I can see how by process of elimination both guys fail to make the cut.
But at the end of the day, if your best winger (forward?) and best defensemen are watching the Olympics on TV your process is wrong.
I think “Robo not being hard nosed” enough for Team USA is a weak cop out.
What does that mean? Because he doesn’t fight people for funsies? Because he’s not maing highlight reel hits? Because he’s not a jerk on the ice?
Guess what, none of that matters if you cant score. You cant score if you cant generates possession in your offensive zone and give yourself the time and space to create chances.
I think that this notion that Team USA is some hard nosed team is pretentious, and dated. It’s the byproduct of an era when that was the only thing that differentiated the US from other nations in hockey.
The skill level of US born players has never been higher, yet management insists on carrying on a legacy of skulduggery instead of embracing a new era. The results don’t lie.
I remember an article Sean Shapiro wrote sometime around 2021 when it looked like Robo was about to stay in the NHL for good. In the article Robertson mentioned how he had to change the way he approached the game. How he took more of a hunter/killer mentality on the ice when it comes to chasing pucks and generating chances.
Obviously the goals are really nice, but I think a criminally overlooked element of his game is his work in the corners and along the boards. He’s a grinder and wears out opposing players in those areas. He’s one of the best in the NHL in these areas, but there’s no sexy statistics to objectify it. It doesn’t make the highlight reels on ESPN or NHL Network.
On the contrary, I'm gonna start randomly and intentionally call him Hurting and Burton on occasion. They may not exist, but they're smarter men with lanyards.
This was an EXCELLENT distillation of the… everything.
And I absolutely understand that this is NOT the point but Robertson should be in the top six on this team like- should he not be stapled to Jack Hughes or Jack Eichel because I think he should be stapled to one of those guys.
Or not. I take it back because I’m team Finland all the way so…
Leaving out Robo for someone like Trocheck seriously makes me hate the Hughes trade even more, because a GM that says Robo doesn't fit the "identity" of Team USA doesn't deserve to have a player like Hughes on his team; Guerin just got lucky and isn't good at his job
This reminds me of asking an upset toddler if something hurt their body or their feelings; because I’m naturally glass half full, I’m clinging to the idea that there will be two weeks in February when Robo (and Wyatt, who was a long shot) can rest the former and nurse the latter. All the better for a Cup run, let’s hope.
Also, Chicken Finger Gods would be an excellent imaginary band name.
The perfect revenge would be for Robo to get some nice rest during the break so he can blow up against Guerin’s Wild in the first round of the playoffs. A dish best served cold, indeed. Ice cold!
I wonder if it's more insidious than their prioritization of "roles" and that maybe you're actually being nice to these GMs.
It's absolutely outlandish to not consider Robertson for a variety of reasons but, as you pointed out, almost lends itself to a poor understanding of hockey, no? Robertson is small space dominant which is probably the best thing you can be in hockey, no? 80% of the game is played along the walls they love to say.
Before I get too far there, feels to me like they're just aping old patterns and never questioning assumptions. They want a "bottom six" because we're used to seeing a bottom six, because that conforms to their expectations of what a "hockey team" looks like and because they've spent so much time extolling those virtues.
"Toughness", in their mind, is the morally correct position for a hockey team. This might explain why JT Miller, a player who is awful at defense, has an awful attitude and work ethic, is seemingly praised as a "guy you win with". Not because he does good role things that are selfless and help teams wins but because he appeals to the "angry" and "masculine" identity that is dominant in this culture. Because it doesn't have anything to do with what actually happens on the ice, that would require actually having ideas and not just assuming that everything that's happened in the past to set the culture is correct.
Anyway, American Identity Politics aside, Kyle Connor or Tage Thompson on a team that prioritizes checking? What are we talking about.
Great point, and intelligent shit as always, brother. I'm trying to save whatever ill-advised explosion for when it's official, but yes. This. AND this.
Reminds me of Fisher's philosophy on hauntology, and not being able to imagine new futures. Just on ice.
Haha sorry I jumped the gun there a bit 😅 I've been observing this trend too much and it's been driving me crazy.
You are spot on with hauntology I think. Haven't read that explicitly before. That's very interesting food for thought.
Brilliantly stated. 👍
Excellently put as always 🎯
I think you’re on to something there. I think about the guys who embody this specific iteration of Team USA and it’s hard not to see that the management would think that a guy (not a player, a guy) like Robertson wouldn’t “fit in.” It’s the elementary school… school of picking teams.
Arrested Development: USA Hockey Management Edition
I said this in the discord, but I can understand how a series of defensible decisions result in Robertson and Fox get left off. They want specific line combinations or roles on special teams, certain players are better at particular skills than either Robertson or Fox, etc. So squint and I can see how by process of elimination both guys fail to make the cut.
But at the end of the day, if your best winger (forward?) and best defensemen are watching the Olympics on TV your process is wrong.
I think “Robo not being hard nosed” enough for Team USA is a weak cop out.
What does that mean? Because he doesn’t fight people for funsies? Because he’s not maing highlight reel hits? Because he’s not a jerk on the ice?
Guess what, none of that matters if you cant score. You cant score if you cant generates possession in your offensive zone and give yourself the time and space to create chances.
I think that this notion that Team USA is some hard nosed team is pretentious, and dated. It’s the byproduct of an era when that was the only thing that differentiated the US from other nations in hockey.
The skill level of US born players has never been higher, yet management insists on carrying on a legacy of skulduggery instead of embracing a new era. The results don’t lie.
I remember an article Sean Shapiro wrote sometime around 2021 when it looked like Robo was about to stay in the NHL for good. In the article Robertson mentioned how he had to change the way he approached the game. How he took more of a hunter/killer mentality on the ice when it comes to chasing pucks and generating chances.
Obviously the goals are really nice, but I think a criminally overlooked element of his game is his work in the corners and along the boards. He’s a grinder and wears out opposing players in those areas. He’s one of the best in the NHL in these areas, but there’s no sexy statistics to objectify it. It doesn’t make the highlight reels on ESPN or NHL Network.
Guirin had to pay a guy $5M MORE than the best player -by far- in the league, to play for “his” team.
Whoever put him in charge of team USA should be fired.
Hurting is why Dallas will beat Minnesota in the first round.
Burton
Guerin…damn autocorrect
On the contrary, I'm gonna start randomly and intentionally call him Hurting and Burton on occasion. They may not exist, but they're smarter men with lanyards.
This was an EXCELLENT distillation of the… everything.
And I absolutely understand that this is NOT the point but Robertson should be in the top six on this team like- should he not be stapled to Jack Hughes or Jack Eichel because I think he should be stapled to one of those guys.
Or not. I take it back because I’m team Finland all the way so…
But seriously- this was awesome.
Leaving out Robo for someone like Trocheck seriously makes me hate the Hughes trade even more, because a GM that says Robo doesn't fit the "identity" of Team USA doesn't deserve to have a player like Hughes on his team; Guerin just got lucky and isn't good at his job
The best American forward in the league isn’t making the Olympic Roster. This is beyond embarrassing from Bill Guerin, I can’t even put it into words.
This reminds me of asking an upset toddler if something hurt their body or their feelings; because I’m naturally glass half full, I’m clinging to the idea that there will be two weeks in February when Robo (and Wyatt, who was a long shot) can rest the former and nurse the latter. All the better for a Cup run, let’s hope.
Also, Chicken Finger Gods would be an excellent imaginary band name.
As a Canadian...And a Stars' fan, I would be more than happy to see Robertson sit the Olympics.
There is so much stupidity and/or incompetence in the decision making process of this team.
Unbelievable.
The perfect revenge would be for Robo to get some nice rest during the break so he can blow up against Guerin’s Wild in the first round of the playoffs. A dish best served cold, indeed. Ice cold!
Just curious...... want Harley born in the US?
He was born in the US, but his parents are from Edmonton.