Hockey World Cup Roster Questions Heading into Tournament
By Ryan Ritchie
Hockey World Cup (World Cup of Hockey) Roster Questions Heading Into September’s Tournament
Hockey World Cup (World Cup of Hockey) officially kicks off on September 17th in Toronto, Ontario, with pre-tournament matches beginning on September 8th. The pre-schedule will be played at various locations across Europe and North America, including Russia, Finland, Sweden, Ottawa, Montreal, Pittsburgh (x2), Washington (x2), and various other locations.
Tickets for the event went on sale yesterday (Thursday, August 18th) and are selling out quickly. Quite possibly the most anticipated match-up will take place on September 20th when Team USA faces off against Team Canada. The semifinals will be held on September 24th and 25th, with a best of a three finals series beginning on September 27th. Game two will take place on September 29th, with a third (if necessary) on October 1st.
While we plan to continue exploring various aspects of the tournament over the coming weeks, today’s focus will be some of the biggest roster questions heading into the World Cup of Hockey.
Hockey World Cup (World Cup of Hockey) Roster Questions
Canada: Who Starts in Goal During Medal Rounds?
Perhaps this is one of those questions which answers itself during group play.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see all three goaltenders receive a start during the round robin, but the standout in a single start between Carey Price and Braden Holtby may dictate who gets the nod for the semifinal.
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USA: Who Becomes Target of Criticism for Selection Over Phil Kessel?
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Some were surprised that Phil Kessel wasn’t initially named to the 16-man roster.
Even more were baffled when he was left off completely from the final 23-man team.
It left a sour taste in some fans mouths, especially after watching the way he performed en route to a Stanley Cup championship.
So which forward becomes the target of criticism for their lack of performance?
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North America: Who Plays Center, Who Shifts to Wing? Goalie Battle?
North America technically owns eight forwards with center capabilities, although Nathan MacKinnon and Jack Eichel are prime candidates to play the wing. The question remains, who occupies the four center spots?
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Options include (other than two already listed): Sean Couturier, Dylan Larkin, Auston Matthews, Connor McDavid, Sean Monahan, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Mark Scheifele.
Speculating personally, McDavid and Couturier should occupy the top two spots up the middle. Larkin and Matthews could serve as third and fourth, while the rest slide to the wing.
The other question remains between the pipes. Matt Murray may be the favorite after his postseason performance, although John Gibson and Connor Hellebuyck are both extremely talented netminders.
Similar to Canada, Team North America may be best suited to give each a game in group play and determine a starter for the medal rounds from that.
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Europe: Line Combinations?
For the first time ever, numerous European nations have been combined to make a single team, including France, Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, Switzerland, Austria, Norway, etc.
While the defense group is arguably weak, Team Europe is loaded with talent up front. So what type of line combinations could we potentially see? Here’s a rough sketch:
Marian Gaborik – Anze Kopitar – Marian Hossa
Tomas Tatar – Frans Nielsen – Mats Zuccarello
Mikkel Boedker – Leon Draisaitl – Jannik Hansen
Thomas Vanek – P.E. Bellemare – Nino Niederreiter
13th forward – Tobias Rieder
Czech Republic: Defense to Struggle?
One could argue the Czech Republic have the worst defensive group on paper heading into the tournament. The seven defenders named were Radko Gudas (PHI), Michal Jordan (UFA), Michal Kempny (CHI), Zbynek Michalek (ARZ), Jakub Nakladal (UFA), Roman Polak (TOR), Andrej Sustr (TB).
They should fair alright defensively/in their own end, but you how is the offense is supposed to get started?
These aren’t exactly offensively gifted puck-moving defensemen.
You have to wonder how exposed this group will be against some of the NHL’s best.
Next: World Cup of Hockey: Latest News/Updates
Unrestricted Free Agents Looking for Contracts:
The following players will be competing in the World Cup of Hockey without an NHL contract for 2016-17. Perhaps if they perform well, they might earn a deal opposed to a professional tryout offer (PTO).
F Lauri Korpikoski (Finland), D Jakub Nakladal (Czech Republic), D Michal Jordan (Czech Republic), D Christian Ehrhoff (Europe), D Dennis Seidenberg (Europe)