Projecting Canada's initial 16-man World Cup roster
Doug Armstrong, Marc Bergevin, Ken Holland, and Bob Murray have quite a lot on their plates.
There are significant roster decisions to be made for now, and for the future of their respective NHL outfits with the trade deadline now rapidly approaching. But what's more is this little thing called the World Cup of Hockey, and those aforementioned executives have a rather significant roster submission due less than 48 hours after the market closes Feb. 29.
So to lend them a hand, we'll tackle the leg-work. Here are the 16 players that should be named to Team Canada's 16-man initial World Cup roster, which is to be finalized March 2:
Forwards
Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars
Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
Taylor Hall, Edmonton Oilers
Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins
Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks
Tyler Seguin, Dallas Stars
Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning
John Tavares, New York Islanders
Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
- Marchand is the obvious outlier, having not been tabbed by Hockey Canada in almost a decade. That said, he's certainly deserving of a spot. He'll be an asset on the puck and the penalty kill, but will also help this team with his elite finishing capabilities. He trails just Benn and Seguin in goals (without an inflated percentage) among Canadian forwards with his career-best 28.
- Hall is without momentum heading into the deadline, as he's labored through a difficult stretch, but remains the sixth-highest scoring winger in the NHL. With six capable centers already selected to the roster, he figures to surface in the top six.
- The selection of these 10 forwards leaves the likes of Matt Duchene, Claude Giroux, Jeff Carter, Ryan Getzlaf, Rick Nash, Ryan O'Reilly, and Tyler Toffoli, pushing for the final-three roster spots.
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
| Jamie Benn | Tyler Seguin | Corey Perry |
| Taylor Hall | Sidney Crosby | Steven Stamkos |
| ?? | Jonathan Toews | John Tavares |
| Brad Marchand | Patrice Bergeron | ?? |
| ?? |
Defensemen
Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings
Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks
P.K. Subban, Montreal Canadiens
Shea Weber, Nashville Predators
- Because the fine print requires the selection of two goaltenders, Canada takes but just the four virtual locks on defense, and in turn sets up a healthy competition down the stretch.
- Mark Giordano, importantly a lefty, will certainly have a leg up on the competition, and Brent Burns, Brent Seabrook, and T.J. Brodie are worthy of the final spots, but Kris Letang and Marc-Edouard Vlasic are also building strong cases.
| LD | RD |
|---|---|
| Duncan Keith | Drew Doughty |
| ?? | Shea Weber |
| ?? | P.K. Subban |
| ?? |
Goaltenders
Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks
Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals
- The uncertainty surrounding Carey Price's injury forces a hurried decision between Crawford and Roberto Luongo, and the two-time Stanley Cup champion is ultimately favored.
- Luongo is the obvious choice as Canada's third netminder if Price fails to return this season, a situation which would likely also see Holtby become a starter.