Wednesday, the first 16 players for the World Cup teams were announced. Ultimately, the lineups for the United States, Canada, Russia, Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, team Europe, comprised of the top players from countries outside the four European countries (just listed) competing, and team North America, the latter restricted to players under age 24, will be 23 players. But today, just the first 16 were named.
Early this morning, three players looked to be locks and two others were on the bubble. As expected, Henrik Lundqvist was chosen for Team Sweden while Mats Zuccarello was named to Team Europe. The two on the bubble were JT Miller for Team North America and Derek Stepan for the US.
In late-afternoon, Team North America, who have awesome looking jerseys, released their 16 and Miller was on the roster. His fine play this year coupled with his skill set of size, speed and strong forecheck likely earned him a role. The lineup is loaded, especially when you look at how was not selected initially, a list that includes Ryan-Nugent Hopkins, a pair of Stromes, Mark Scheifele, Alex Galchenyuk, former Ranger Anthony Duclair, Max Domi, Boone Jenner and inexplicably on the blue line, Shayne Gostibehere. You look at those names and several should make the final 23, but for now, Miller is the one who made the team.
In the evening, Teams Canada and USA had their rosters named. Rick Nash (Canada), who won in Sochi, was not named, which came as little surprise. It's possible he gets the nod later though his injury this year and other available options could keep him home rather than playing in the tourney in Toronto in September. Ryan McDonagh as expected is on the US squad. In a mild surprise, though something I thought would happen, Stepan was named to the team. The only other Ranger not named who also could be an option when the rosters expand is Keith Yandle and a strong late-season and playoff run could net him a spot.
As Steve Zipay wrote, those named for the Rangers have international play experience. Lundqvist, who will be 34 on Wednesday, represented Sweden in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics, winning a gold medal in 2006 and silver in 2014. McDonagh, 26, played defense on Team USA in 2014 and for American junior teams. Stepan, 25, played in the 2014 Olympics, for the U.S. national team in 2011 and the junior team in 2010, which won a goal medal. Zuccarello, 28, played for Team Norway in 2010 and 2014, while Miller, 23, played on the US World Junior team in 2012 and 2013, winning a gold medal in 2013.
Former Rangers who made their respective teams 16-man rosters were Anton Stralman (Sweden), Lauri Korpikoski (Finland) and Artem Anisimov (Russia). Jaromir Jagr would likely have be named as captain of the Czech Republic team but he retired from international play after the 2014 World Championships. Duclair could get named as one of the additional seven to team North America where the rosters are finalized.
In other news, Jesper Fast (flu) did not join the team on the trip to Pittsburgh and likely won't be in against Washington either. New York is scheduled to make an emergency call up, which probably should be Marek Hrivik, who acquitted himself well in the four games he played with the team in late-February. The hope is that Rick Nash (bone bruise in left leg) will join the team in 7-10 days. Now, that doesn't mean he will be ready for game action but maybe he will be able to practice. One that happens, probably non-contact first, then if no setbacks, progress to contact and then game action, he may appear in a game a week or so after joining practice, so mid-March could be a realistic return date.