The NHL would love to stop their players from participating in these other tournaments, but the negative publicity of keeping willing players from putting on Team Canada and Team USA jerseys would be deafening.
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But they also can’t be reckless with it because if they get caught flying out of the zone too fast (as they did at times on Wednesday) or get caught in transition trying to make an extra play (as they did in each of their past two games) the more talented teams in the tournament are going to capitalize and make them pay. But it has more than most National Hockey League teams, which presents a challenge on how to handle a group of stars.
First and foremost, though, it’s foolish to think that the level of success of this World Cup isn’t related in any fashion to the Olympic discussion.
Here’s a quick look at each team, followed by predictions for the entire tournament.
The defense is solid, if unspectacular, with Ryan Suter and Ryan McDonagh as well as a potential game-changer in Dustin Byfuglien. The big question for Canada is Carey Price’s readiness after such a long injury layoff, but if he struggles at all, Braden Holtby and Corey Crawford are right there. “We lost our best player and he wasn’t playing for us”. This revamped tournament, which opens Saturday in Toronto, features some interesting twists. This team has been called many things since the roster was announced – dull, old, lacking in talent – but I believe they have something about them which may surprise a few people.
Jonathan Quick has played strong between the pipes in exhibition matches and has been named the No. 1 goaltender to start the tournament.
Team Czech Republic may well be Team Czechia next time we see them in worldwide competition. Goaltending is key and they have two good ones in Michal Neuvirth and Petr Mrazek. “If they can tighten up, they’ve definitely got a shot in this tournament”. Perhaps most telling is hearing from the players of Team Europe and the pride they feel representing more than just a country. Benjamin Franklin said this and they are words to. Unlike the 2016 version where all games are being played in Toronto, the prior two were separated into two groups: North American and European pool, where all games in the European pool were played overseas.
Being capable of doing so and actually doing it are two separate entities, and it’s the latter that could flummox our star-spangled skaters when the tournament begins Saturday at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. On Monday, they will play the North America at 8:00 PM. The veteran started games in the 2014 Olympics, but he wasn’t the opening-night starter. Finnish goalies Pekka Rinne and Tuukka Rask solidify the net and are two of the toughest to put the puck past.
This squad is deeper though, primarily due to the influx of talented young players like the 23-year-old Kucherov (30 goals last season), 24-year-old Tarasenko (40 goals) as well as Artemi Panarin, the reigning Calder Trophy victor, and Evgeny Kuznetsov, the leading scorer (77 points) for the President’s Trophy-winning Washington Capitals. His 19 goals in 2015-16 were the third most by a Red Wing last season.
Though team North America has talent and young healthy bodies, does it have the leadership and experience needed to compete with more seasoned players? Led by Connor McDavid and Johnny Gaudreau up front, they’ve got a great collection of forwards. “You look at the best players and the preparation and everything that goes into it and, if you want to be a part of that group, you have to do the same”. I ” m sure they’ll have fun”.
History: This North American concept is unique to the World Cup, but some of the players have played in World Junior Championships.
Why: Picking Group A is pretty easy. Team USA I beg you to build this program not just to beat up Canada, but to beat Canada with the skill that you have.
Those nations in Group B will have to wait until Sunday (September 18) to get their campaigns underway, with Sweden scheduled to face Russian Federation.
“Our team’s going to play with some risk”, he said. The puzzle pieces should be interchangeable for coach Mike Babcock with just about every player capable of taking on a role or position as needed.
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Pavelski believes playing on NHL-size ice in Toronto benefits the US, which could get lost on the outside of a wider global rink.
