World Cup of Hockey 2016 Team USA Roster Prediction
By Ryan Ritchie
World Cup of Hockey – Team USA 16-Player Roster Prediction
USA is perhaps the only nation in Group A that can give Canada an extremely competitive challenge at the World Cup of Hockey. The North American style that Americans and Canadians play (tough and rugged) is well suited for this tournament.
The Americans are stacked in goal, and have a solid blueline. Their only knock is lack of high-end offensive talent. They make up for it with loads of depth to choose from.
One of the biggest questions heading in, “who should be the starting goaltender?” – three excellent options in Bishop, Schneider, and Quick.
Coaching Staff:
Dean Lombardi, General Manager (Los Angeles Kings GM)
Paul Holmgren, Assistant General Manager (Philadelphia Flyers President)
Brian Burke, Senior Advisor (Calgary Flames President of Hockey Operations)
Jim Johannson, Hockey Operations (USA Hockey Executive)
John Tortorella, Head Coach (Columbus Blue Jackets Head Coach)
Rules and Format:
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2016 NHL World Cup of Hockey will feature eight teams (Team Canada, Team USA, Team Russia, Team Sweden, Team Czech Republic, Team Finland, Team North America, Team Europe). The tournament will be held in September 2016, and is a group effort with the NHL and NHLPA, in association with International Ice Hockey Federation.
The rules differ from that of IIHF held tournaments, and will follow NHL rules, with games being played on NHL-sized ice surfaces. Because of the league’s involvement, fans can expect to see far less European players than we’re used to seeing at World Championships or Olympics in the 2016 NHL World Cup of Hockey.
Previous World Cup of Hockey roster predictions and more in-depth information can be found here.
16-Player Roster Predictions:
| Team Canada | Team North America | Team Europe | Team Sweden |
| Team Russia | Team Finland | Team Czech Republic | Team USA |
2016 NHL World Cup of Hockey – Rosters and Groupings:
23 players, 20 skaters, 3 goalies
Group A: Team Canada, Team Czech Republic, Team Europe, Team USA
Group B: Team Finland, Team North America, Team Russia, Team Sweden
More puck prose: Player Rankings: Top 300 Prospects
2016 NHL World Cup of Hockey – Team USA 16-Player Roster Projection:
G Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings
G Cory Schneider, New Jersey Devils
G Ben Bishop, Tampa Bay Lightning
D Ryan McDonagh, New York Rangers
D Dustin Byfuglien, Winnipeg Jets
D Ryan Suter, Minnesota Wild
D Justin Faulk, Carolina Hurricanes
D John Carlson, Washington Capitals
D Kevin Shattenkirk, St.Louis Blues
F Zach Parise, Minnesota Wild
F Joe Pavelski, San Jose Sharks
F Phil Kessel, Pittsburgh Penguins
F Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
F James van Riemsdyk, Toronto Maple Leafs
F David Backes, St.Louis Blues
F Tyler Johnson, Tampa Bay Lightning
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You can pencil them in now, the trio of Quick, Schneider, and Bishop are quite possibly the least debatable goaltending situation in the tournament. The only two netminders that come close are Ryan Miller and Craig Anderson.
Arguably one of most rock-solid defensive groups heading into the tournament, the six names above are virtual locks for the 23-man roster. Names vying for that final spot are Torey Krug, Erik Johnson, Andy Greene, Cam Fowler, Nick Leddy, Jack Johnson, Matt Niskanen, Keith Yandle, Alex Goligoski, James Wisniewski, Paul Martin, Brooks Laich, and Zach Bogosian. How exactly do you pick seven defensemen from all these blueliners?
Along with the seven forward names listed above, likely candidates are Blake Wheeler, Bobby Ryan, Derek Stepan, Max Pacioretty, Ryan Kesler, and Nick Bjugstad on the 23-man roster. You can also include the following as possibilities: Paul Stastny, Kyle Palmieri, Dustin Brown, Chris Kreider, Kevin Hayes, Jimmy Hayes, Charlie Coyle, Anders Lee, Brock Nelson, Brandon Dubinsky, Colin Wilson, Nick Foligno, Kyle Okposo, Cam Atkinson, T.J. Oshie, Jason Pominville, and Ryan Callahan.
Next: 2016 NHL Mock Draft 2.0: Rounds 1-3
While not as talented as their Canadian counterpart, the United States arguably have the most depth to choose from at the World Cup of Hockey. This will be an intriguing final roster to keep an eye on.