I can tell you for a fact that National Hockey League and World Cup management teams discuss a whole lot more than a players statistics, their advanced metrics and penalty minutes. Some people like the idea, some wish Slovakia or Latvia or Germany had that slot in the eight-team competition, but most believe it is at the very least interesting and possibly entertaining.
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The initial 16-man roster still has some scoring punch and power up front with two-time Olympian David Krejci and Jakub Voracek, who has represented his country numerous times over the past decade, including last year’s World Championships where he served as team captain. Jagr didn’t speak to the media Wednesday but is said to be mulling over whether he will play in the tournament.
Wild defenseman Ryan Suter – a Madison, Wisconsin native – is also on Team USA.
TEAM NORTH AMERICA: Deep at center, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins would be a major boost.
“Signifying a united Europe, the players’ countries are all represented by a modern E shield, featuring a single crest that connects all of their home nations”. “But I think so far we have picked the six best”.
It will be interesting to see what kind of attention this tournament will get, and whether it will end up impacting the NHL’s participation in the Olympics.
And upon seeing the names on the preliminary roster, King Henrik had a prediction.
Rucinsky is taking a patient approach in hoping Jagr will play after having a lengthy conversation with the 44-year-old star last week.
Eight teams to take part in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey were divided in two groups.
Say what you want about another crappy season for the Oilers as a team this year.
Team USA announced its initial roster for the World Cup of Hockey on Wednesday.
The inclusion of Justin Abdelkader on the preliminary roster is the biggest surprise here, but he’ll provide some grit in a tournament that isn’t likely to be as fast as one played on the larger, global ice surface.
Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Phil Kessel (81) waches as…
The subtraction of Kessel is stunning; he led the 2014 Olympic team in goals (5) and points (8) in the six games played. Of those 16 players, seven are directly connected to Minnesota.
Teams have until June 1 to make their final seven roster selections.
FINLAND: Teemu Selanne is gone, and Finland needs a new face for a best-on-best tournament.
Sweden entered the 2014 Winter Games as a popular pick to win silver, and that’s exactly what it did. One notable player missing is Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg, whose 53 points rank third among National Hockey League defenseman and 21st overall.
Just like in Sochi, both John Carlson and T.J. One suspects he’ll have the attention of the entire tournament before it’s over. Forwards Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin were named to Team Canada, and defensive prospect Esa Lindell was named to Team Finland.
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Quick was the starter for Team USA in the Sochi Olympics, and he will be the number one goalie for this tournament.
