2016 World Cup of Hockey: Preview, Projected Rosters

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Feb 2, 2016; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) skates during warmup against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports /

There’s a lot of buzz surrounding this “young stars” team, and for good reason. Picking this squad is especially difficult for two reasons. Firstly, there’s a lot of talent to pick from. Secondly, these young guys are breaking out and evolving all the time. With deadlines so far away, this could be the one roster that sees the most juggling and movement in public opinion.

via NHL.com,

Who is eligible to be selected for Team North America?

The players for Team North America will be selected from a pool of the best young hockey players from Canada and the United States. Those players must be 23 or under as of Oct. 1, 2016 (i.e., must have a date of birth on or after Oct. 2, 1992) and will be available for selection exclusively by Team North America.

Coaching Staff

Sep 9, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Brandon Saad answers questions from the press as Peter Chiarelli looks on during a press conference and media event for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Peter Chiarelli, General Manager (Edmonton Oilers GM)

Stan Bowman, Associate General Manager (Chicago Blackhawks VP/GM)

Ryan Jankowski, Director of Operations (Hockey Canada)

Adam Graves, Special Assistant to the General Managers

Former Cup winner with NY Rangers, and also played for Detroit, Edmonton, and San Jose. Appeared in 1152 career NHL games, tallying 616 points.

Pat Verbeek, Director of Player Personnel

Longtime NHL’er that appeared in 1424 career NHL games. Spent most of his time with New Jersey and Hartford, while also spending time with NY Rangers, Dallas, and Detroit. Verbeek is in the 1000-point club with 1063 career NHL points.

Paul Fenton, Director of Player Personnel (Nashville Predators Assistant GM)

Todd McLellan, Head Coach (Edmonton Oilers Head Coach)

November 6th Projection

Forwards:
Johnny Gaudreau (CGY), Sean Monahan (CGY), Connor McDavid (EDM), Jonathan Drouin (TB), Nathan MacKinnon (COL), Jack Eichel (BUF), Alex Galchenyuk (MON), Max Domi (ARZ), Mark Scheifele (WPG), Jonathan Huberdeau (FLA), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (EDM), Ryan Strome (NYI), Auston Matthews (SWI)

Defense:
Aaron Ekblad (FLA), Dougie Hamilton (CGY), Jacob Trouba (WPG), Morgan Reilly (TOR), Seth Jones (CLB), Colton Parayko (STL), Ryan Murray (CLB)

Goalies:
Connor Hellebuyck (WPG), John Gibson (ANA), Matt Murray (PIT)

February 9th Projection

Forwards:
Johnny Gaudreau (CGY), Sean Monahan (CGY), Connor McDavid (EDM), Nathan MacKinnon (COL), Jack Eichel (BUF), Max Domi (ARZ), Jonathan Huberdeau (FLA), Brandon Saad (CLB), Dylan Larkin (DET), Sam Bennett (CGY), Sam Reinhart (BUF), Boone Jenner (CLB), Auston Matthews (SWI)

Defense:
Aaron Ekblad (FLA), Dougie Hamilton (CGY), Jacob Trouba (WPG), Morgan Reilly (TOR), Seth Jones (CLB), Shayne Gostisbehere (PHI), Noah Hanifin (CAR)

Goalies:
Connor Hellebuyck (WPG), John Gibson (ANA), Matt Murray (PIT)

* new additions in italics

Honorable Mentions:
Alex Galchenyuk (MON), Jonathan Drouin (TB), Mark Scheifele (WPG), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (EDM), Ryan Strome (NYI), Matt Nieto (SJ), Sean Couturier (PHI), Tom Wilson (WAS), Vincent Trocheck (FLA), Curtis Lazar (OTT), Bo Horvat (VAN), Anthony Duclair (ARZ), Jared McCann (VAN), Robby Fabbri (STL), Jean-Gabriel Pageau (OTT), Seth Griffith (BOS), Joseph Blandisi (NJ), Kerby Rychel (CLB), Colin Miller (BOS), Nathan Beaulieu (MON), Ben Hutton (VAN), Cody Ceci (OTT), Matt Dumba (MIN), Damon Severson (NJ), Connor Murphy (ARZ), Ryan Murphy (CAR), Colton Parayko (STL), Jake McCabe (BUF), Derrick Pouliot (PIT), Jaccob Slavin (CAR), Shea Theodore (ANA), Malcolm Subban (BOS), Zachary Fucale (MON)

November 6th write-up:

To attempt to grasp the struggles of predicting this roster, look no further than the bubble players that have been left off. It’s difficult to imagine not including Larkin, Saad, Duclair, Bennett, Couturier, etc., but I’m not sure you could eliminate Matthews, Galchenyuk or Scheifele for one of those guys. On the back-end, toughest cuts were Hutton, Ceci, Dumba, Severson, and Hanifin. Again who do you eliminate out of Reilly, Parayko, or Murray?

Hellebuyck is the likely starter after his World Championships performance last spring with Team USA. The pick for third goalie is up for debate as there’s a drop off beyond Gibson. Matt Murray is the next best goaltender without NHL experience. Aaron Ekblad or Connor McDavid seem like the front-runners to wear the captaincy for Team North America at 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

If any team was going to see roster fluctuation, it was North America. It’s difficult to project a roster of players with limited NHL experience, but we’ve done our best. Notice this time around, we’ve included Dylan Larkin, Sam Reinhart, Brandon Saad, and Sam Bennett, and Boone Jenner as new additions up front. All five are performing in 2015-16, while the drop-offs are having tough seasons.

We’ve been heavy supporters of Hellebuyck and Gibson since well before the 2015-16 season started, so it’s nice to see both make the most of their opportunities this season.

Regardless of who makes this squad, they should prove to be top contenders with the likes of Canada, USA, and Sweden.

Next: Team Canada

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