World Cup of Hockey Roster Misses

Sep 9, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Ryan McDonagh and Dave Pastrnak and Sidney Crosby and Anze Kopitar appear on stage together with host Scott Levy 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
Sep 9, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Ryan McDonagh and Dave Pastrnak and Sidney Crosby and Anze Kopitar appear on stage together with host Scott Levy 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

World Cup of Hockey: Reaction to Preliminary Rosters

The World Cup of Hockey is set to be played in Toronto starting on September 17th, 2016 through October 1st, 2016. 128 players were named to eight different teams, however some notable names were left off their respective countries rosters.

Mar 2, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto mayor John Tory (third from right) unveils a countdown clock for the upcoming 2016 World Cup of Hockey in Toronto. Looking on from left are Team Europe general manager Miroslav Satan, former World Cup participants Pat Lafontaine and Darryl Sitltler , NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly (second from right) and NHL players pssociation director Don Fehr (far right). Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto mayor John Tory (third from right) unveils a countdown clock for the upcoming 2016 World Cup of Hockey in Toronto. Looking on from left are Team Europe general manager Miroslav Satan, former World Cup participants Pat Lafontaine and Darryl Sitltler , NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly (second from right) and NHL players pssociation director Don Fehr (far right). Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

The announcement which was made yesterday included the first 16 players of the 23 man roster for each team as well as the unveiling of the team jerseys. Team USA who will be coached by John Tortorella and GM Dean Lombardi have a team stacked of talent but there were a few names left off their list which may come as a surprise to some.  After naming the first 16 players to the roster, there is room for three defensemen and four forwards which will be decided on by June 1.

The biggest name left off that roster, Pittsburgh Penguins forward, Phil Kessel. Kessel who has become a household name in big tournaments and has been a member of the previous 2 Olympic teams (remember 2010 in Vancouver?) was nowhere to be found on this list.

Kessel, who is considered to be one of the United States purest goal scorers has had trouble since being traded to Pittsburgh. His stats as a Maple Leaf included 25 goals and 61 points in 82 games last season trump his stats this season with the Pens which are 19 goals, 40 points in just 62 games. The transition to Pittsburgh may be a big reason as to why he could potentially be left off of this roster entirely.

Other notable names left off this roster are Ottawa’s Bobby Ryan and Carolina’s Justin Faulk.

Team Canada, who is a favorite to win the tournament selected a core group of players to their roster who know each other pretty well. They know each other well because 12 of them have played together on a big stage previously, winning the Gold medal in Sochi in 2014.  

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After the initial announcement of the first group of players named to the team, Canada has room for seven more spots by June 1st. Players left off of team Canada include Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux, Panthers goaltender Roberto Luongo who was backup goaltender to Price in Sochi, Anaheim’s Corey Perry, Edmonton’s Taylor Hall and Sharks defensemen Brent Burns.

Corey Perry is the biggest name left off the roster while his right hand man and teammate Ryan Getzlaf made the team instead. The Ducks who were off to a slow start have had players pick it up and start producing, Perry being one of them. He is tied for ninth in the NHL with 26 goals. I would be very surprised if he is not named to the team by the time June 1st rolls around.

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Capitals Alexander Ovechkin leads Team Russia which includes some of the league’s best talent from front to back. Chicago Blackhawks standout rookie Artemi Panarin was selected to the team. In Sochi Russia had nine players from the KHL on their roster. Dallas Stars forward Valeri Nichushkin was one of the most notable names left of the first roster for team Russia. After coming back from injury Nichushkin has 24 points so far this season. There is the potential that Ilya Kovalchuk will dawn a Team Russia sweater this fall. He will play if no other KHL players are listed to the roster.

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  • Team Finland has a roster full of players with international experience which is sure to help them this fall during the tournament. They are anchored in the crease by Tuukka Rask and Pekka Rinne and have strength upfront from Mikko Koivu and Valtteri Filppula. Although this team is full of players who are committed to each other and plays as a team they also left off some guys from the first roster which could be a difference maker come tournament time.

    The Finns have a weak spot in this roster when it comes to goal scoring. A player who was left off the first roster who could help them in that department would be Minnesota Wild winger Erik Haula. Over the course of 175 games in the NHL he has scored 20 goals, although it may not seem that impressive, any help at goal scoring would be a positive for Finland.

    Arguably the biggest name left off of any roster for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey would be Mr. Black Skate and future Hall-of-Famer, Jaromir Jagr. The 44-year-old was not listed on the initial 16 man roster and Czech Republic coach Josef Jandac said “”We wanted to invite younger players now, because I believe that they are flexible,” I wouldn’t want to condemn experienced players who are not on the roster right now. But we need to have them suited up and ready for their specific roles. With younger guys, we’re convinced that they are able to migrate through the lineup a bit more.”. Clearly, Jagr does not fit the bill of being a younger player, however he is an incredibly talented player who would be looked to as veteran experience in a quite young locker room. 

    After announcing the first players for Team Europe LA King’s forward Marian Gaborik did not find himself a part of that list. Players from seven countries represent Team Europe. This team is led by veteran’s Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenburg and Marian Hossa. GM Miroslav Satan had some room to play being able to select players from a much bigger pool than the other seven teams. With Gaborik nursing an injury which would have him sidelined until the Stanley Cup Playoffs it will be interesting to see if he is named to the roster by June 1. It would be a gamble for sure and would rely on him making a full recovery. However, the gamble would be worth it because we know how Gaborik plays on a big stage and he would be a great addition to an already talented roster for Team Europe.

    Jan 4, 2016; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward
    Jan 4, 2016; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward

    King Henrik will be the backbone of Team Sweden in the tournament this fall. Like many of the other teams, Sweden has a core group of guys who are familiar playing with each other. 11 of the 16 man roster played together in Sochi. There are spots left for one goaltender, one defenseman and five forwards to be decided on by June 1st. Goaltending is a strength for team Sweden as well as possession of the puck which comes as no surprise when you have players such as Erik Karlsson, Victor Hedman, and the Sedin twins in your lineup. A name left off this first roster would be John Klingberg he is a top scoring d-man and the fact that team Sweden lacks a lot of right shots on this current squad, he would aid in that category since he is right-handed.

    Lastly, Team North America, which in my opinion has the coolest jerseys for the tournament. This team is interesting because it will be led by the number 1 and number 2 picks in 2015 draft, Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel.  Eight Americans and Eight Canadians make up the initial 16 man roster announced yesterday. Team North America is a new concept to the World Cup of Hockey as because it will feature the best under 23 players.

    Next: World Cup of Hockey: Roster Prediction Review

    This team is full of young elite talent which will neat to see all of the young guys of the NHL on the same team. A young star who was left off this first roster was Edmonton Oilers Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.  The 22-year-old has played 304 games in the NHL and would be a great addition to another already extremely talented team.