Team USA's head coach opens up on why New York Rangers veteran will be a healthy scratch once again
Photo credit: NHL.com
veteran forward Chris Kreider is struggling to find a spot on Team USA's roster as will be a healthy scratch for the sending consecutive game of the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Chris Kreider was understandably benched for Team USA's 6-1 victory over Team Finland on Thursday night, and is expected to be a healthy scratch for tonight's game against Team Canada.
Team USA's head coach Mike Sullivan admitted he's had a conversations with Chris Kreider about his overall role and where he fits in the lineup.
«What I've tried to do is meet with a lot of players in this first three days of the process, and being very transparent and straightforward with what our game plan is and what their contribution or what their role is in trying to help this team win,» Sullivan said.
«I think that's a really important responsibility that I have as a head coach, and I take it very seriously, and I just have too much respect for these guys to not have those types of conversations. And Kreids is one of those guys. He deserves those conversations. All of the guys do. We're trying to define roles and expectations for all our guys and explaining the whys.»
«I think that's a really important responsibility that I have as a head coach, and I take it very seriously, and I just have too much respect for these guys to not have those types of conversations. And Kreids is one of those guys. He deserves those conversations. All of the guys do. We're trying to define roles and expectations for all our guys and explaining the whys.»
The 33-year old forward has also seen his role with the New York Rangers diminish this season, but he continues to prove that he be a critical two-way player for the Rangers.
Team USA's official lineups for 4 Nations Face-Off against Team Canada
Team USA 🇺🇸 is expected to go with the same lines and pairings as they used in the 3rd period vs. Team Finland 🇫🇮
USA in warmups:
Guentzel-Matthews-Hughes
BTkachuk-Eichel-MTkachuk
Miller-Larkin-Boldy
Nelson-Trocheck-Connor
Werenski-McAvoy
Hanifin-Fox
Slavin-Faber
Hellebuyck (Oettinger backup)
Guentzel-Matthews-Hughes
BTkachuk-Eichel-MTkachuk
Miller-Larkin-Boldy
Nelson-Trocheck-Connor
Werenski-McAvoy
Hanifin-Fox
Slavin-Faber
Hellebuyck (Oettinger backup)
The 33-year-old forward has recorded 16 goals, four assists for a total of 20 points in 47 games while averaging 17:17 minutes on ice time.
Who do you think will win during tonight's 4 Nations Face-Off game? Let us know in the poll down below.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 15 | 1178 ANSWERS Team USA's head coach opens up on why New York Rangers veteran will be a healthy scratch once again Who do you think will win during tonight's 4 Nations Face-Off game? | ||
| Team USA | 1004 | 85.2 % |
| Team Canada | 174 | 14.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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