2016 World Cup of Hockey: Preview, Projected Rosters

4 of 9

Sep 9, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Sidney Crosby is introduced 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 /

A coaching staff that includes four NHL GM’s and five NHL coaches. The words “excessive” and “unnecessary” come to mind when looking at the staff, but there’s a reason Team Canada goes in as a heavy favorite. The selection process for this team will be closely watched as the bubble list for cuts is loaded with talent. Realistically speaking, Team Canada and North America would have enough skill to dress two teams.

Coaching Staff

Sep 9, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Sidney Crosby answers questions from the press as Drew Doughty 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 /

Tom Renney, President (Hockey Canada President & CEO)

Scott Salmond, Hockey Operations

Team Canada Manager at 2014-15 World Championships. GM of World Juniors U20 and U18 teams over the past couple seasons.

Doug Armstrong, General Manager (St.Louis Blues GM)

Marc Bergevin, Assistant General Manager (Montreal Canadiens GM)

Rob Blake, Assistant General Manager

Assistant GM in Los Angeles, and retired all-star Defenseman that had 777 points in 1270 games.

Ken Holland, Assistant General Manager (Detroit Red Wings GM/Executive VP)

Bob Murray, Assistant General Manager (Anaheim Ducks GM)

Mike Babcock, Head Coach (Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach)

Claude Julien, Assistant Coach (Boston Bruins Head Coach)

Bill Peters, Assistant Coach (Carolina Hurricanes Head Coach)

Joel Quenneville, Assistant Coach (Chicago Blackhawks Head Coach)

Barry Trotz, Assistant Coach (Washington Capitals Head Coach)

November 6th Projection

Forwards:
Jamie Benn (DAL), Tyler Seguin (DAL), John Tavares (NYI), Steven Stamkos (TB), Sidney Crosby (PIT), Joe Thornton (SJ), Claude Giroux (PHI), Jonathan Toews (CHI), Taylor Hall (EDM), Rick Nash (NYR), Ryan Getzlaf (ANA), Corey Perry (ANA), Mark Stone (OTT)

Defense:
Drew Doughty (LA), P.K. Subban (MON), Duncan Keith (CHI), Brent Seabrook (CHI), Alex Pietrangelo (STL), Shea Weber (NAS), Mark Giordano (CGY)

Goalies:
Carey Price (MON), Braden Holtby (WAS), Marc-Andre Fleury (PIT)

February 9th Projection

Forwards:
Jamie Benn (DAL), Tyler Seguin (DAL), John Tavares (NYI), Steven Stamkos (TB), Sidney Crosby (PIT), Joe Thornton (SJ), Claude Giroux (PHI), Jonathan Toews (CHI), Ryan Getzlaf (ANA), Corey Perry (ANA), Patrice Bergeron (BOS), Eric Staal (CAR), Taylor Hall (EDM)

Defense:
Drew Doughty (LA), P.K. Subban (MON), Duncan Keith (CHI), Shea Weber (NAS), Brent Burns (SJ), Brent Seabrook (CHI), Mark Giordano (CGY)

Goalies:
Carey Price (MON), Braden Holtby (WAS), Roberto Luongo (FLA)

* new additions in italics

Honorable Mentions:
Rick Nash (NYR), Mark Stone (OTT), Kyle Turris (OTT), Ryan O’Reilly (BUF), Jarome Iginla (COL), Jeff Carter (LA), Jason Spezza (DAL), Mike Cammalleri (NJ), Brendan Gallagher (MON), Mike Hoffman (OTT), Adam Henrique (NJ), James Neal (NAS), Andrew Ladd (WPG), Patrick Marleau (SJ), Ryan Johansen (NAS), Matt Duchene (COL), Milan Lucic (LA), Jaden Schwartz (STL), Jordan Eberle (EDM), Alex Pietrangelo (STL), Jay Bouwmeester (STL), Kris Letang (PIT), Johnny Boychuk (NYI), T.J. Brodie (CGY), Dan Boyle (NYR), Marc-Andre Fleury (PIT), Corey Crawford (CHI), Jake Allen (STL), Martin Jones (SJ)

Live Feed

On September 14 in Rangers history: Richter leads the USA to victory /

Blue Line Station

The World Cup of Hockey dream is dead for 2021 FanSided

The NHL should bring back the World Cup of Hockey, on one condition FanSided

NHL dropping All-Star Game makes all the sense in the world FanSided

November 6th write-up:

Tough cuts with Bergeron, Carter, Marleau, Schwartz, Johansen, and E.Staal. Some experts have excluded Getzlaf and Perry. A slow-start isn’t enough to merit holding them off the list. They’ve had international success and chemistry. If you wanted to swap out any players, Mark Stone and Joe Thornton are closest to the bubble. The captaincy should be between Jonathan Toews and Sidney Crosby. Toews numerous Stanley Cup’s are truly impressive, but Sidney has been the face of Canadian hockey on the biggest international stage, so I’d expect Sid be named captain.

The only tough cut on the back-end was Brent Burns, who could be interchangeable with Mark Giordano. Patrick Weircioch had success at the World Championships this past spring, but he’ll be hard pressed to beat out anyone ahead of him. Carey Price is the obvious starter for Canada, since he is the best goalie in the world right now. Holtby is the next best Canadian goaltender, while Fleury has played well and has international success. Corey Crawford is just barely on the outside looking in because he didn’t exactly steal playoff rounds during Chicago’s Cup runs.

Based on their 2015-16 seasons, we’ve chosen to include Bergeron, Staal, Burns, and Luongo this time around. Debate will continue for those last three forward spots, and one or two defensive spots. The biggest debate brewing is with the goaltenders. Marc-Andre Fleury, Corey Crawford, and Martin Jones are making legitimate cases for a roster spot, challenging Price, Holtby, and Luongo.

Next: Team USA

Home/International Tournaments