Projecting USA's initial 16-man World Cup roster

Because the latest wave of elite American talent is only just arriving, some of the nation's best, including Johnny Gaudreau, Dylan Larkin, Jack Eichel, and even Auston Matthews, won't be at the disposal of the U.S. brain trust tasked with preparing a roster for the World Cup of Hockey.

For that reason, the U.S. squad bears resemblance to the fourth-place outfit from the 2014 Winter Olympics, at least when we gaze into our crystal ball.

Here are the 16 players we've pegged for the initial 16-man roster, set for release March 2.

Forwards

Tyler Johnson, Tampa Bay Lightning
Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
Phil Kessel, Pittsburgh Penguins
T.J. Oshie, Washington Capitals
Max Pacioretty, Montreal Canadiens
Zach Parise, Minnesota Wild
Joe Pavelski, San Jose Sharks
Bobby Ryan, Ottawa Senators
Blake Wheeler, Winnipeg Jets

• No contentious exclusion this time for Ryan, who ranks fourth in NHL scoring among those eligible.
• Johnson is the only other forward who didn't represent the United States in Sochi. Though he doesn't rank in the top 200 in scoring this season, he's caught fire over the last month.
• Aside from Kane, Pavelski, and Wheeler, this is a group that's largely underachieved. Kessel, Pacioretty, and Parise in particular have seen their production fall off the table this season.
• Derek Stepan, James van Riemsdyk, Ryan Kesler, and Kyle Okposo -plus potentially Kyle Palmieri and Nick Bjugstad - are names that could push for the final four spots.

Defensemen

Dustin Byfuglien, Winnipeg Jets
John Carlson, Washington Capitals
Justin Faulk, Carolina Hurricanes
Ryan McDonagh, New York Rangers
Ryan Suter, Minnesota Wild

• The idiosyncratic Byfuglien is quite appropriately the only American defenseman listed with no international experience. Winnipeg's rover offers a refreshingly distinct style compared to the steady, quiet, and effective brand the other four provide.
• The selection of these five defensemen offers room for two transition-style blue-liners. Kevin Shattenkirk, Keith Yandle, Torey Krug, and Cam Fowler merit consideration.

Goaltenders

Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings
Cory Schneider, New Jersey Devils

• As Dean Lombardi's own, Quick figures to have the inside track on the starter's position heading into training camp, though he doesn't quite have numbers comparable to Schneider's over the last two seasons.
• Tampa's Ben Bishop is a clear favorite to eventually nail down the third roster spot.