For those who read this space and perhaps follow me on Twitter you probably notice that I am not a huge fan of the World Cup. While I always enjoy hockey the challenges of overcoming a 'manufacuterd' even take away any initial enjoyment I might have had. Frankly call it the Canada Cup and and build on that legacy of great tournaments and history. Make it about all these team coming together to beat up on Canadians, for once we can be the bad guys and that might add value.
Regardless it's time to consider the roles that Jets players might have in this tournament as there are 7 of them on 4 different teams.
Scheifele- team North America Trouba- team North America (RFA) Hellebuyck- team North America Byfuglien- team USA Wheeler- team USA Pavelec- team Czech Republic Laine- team Finland
Not a bad showing of youth for the Jets and perhaps that's how it should be for a team that is in a draft and develop model.
Mark Scheifele has been paired with McDavid with Jonathan Drouin on the other side. That's quite the line and perhaps one of the most intriguing amongst all the teams. The interesting part will be how well Scheifele plays along the wall and avoids his natural tendencies to go low where McDavid will be at times. While Drouin is more of a playmaker than shooter Scheifele has both those skills and with 29 goals last season will he be fed the puck more from his mates for that quick wrist shot?
Jacob Trouba, he with the RFA status still, has been paired with Shayne Gostisbehree from the Flyers. Wouldn't either Hextall or Chevy love to have this combination all to themselves? Trouba probably has something to prove in this tournament and that's strictly based around the issue of his contract. Playing with Ghost is, in theory, going to draw out some of what many fans have been hoping to see with Trouba; a more dynamic offensive player. Perhaps these few games will feed more flames to the 'Stuart has held back Trouba's game' fire that burns so hot in Winnipeg. Certainly the player will want to prove that.
Connor Hellebuyck is one of 3 goalies for team NA and in my estimation might be the 3rd goalie in terms of depth simply because Gibson and Murray have more experience. While Hellebuyck was stone cold deadly in the World Championships 2 years ago does the recent work of Murray and his Stanley Cup trump Hellebuyck? The kid is calm and composed and depending on what happens early perhaps Todd McClellan turns to him sooner?
Dustin Byfugien will be patrolling the blue line for team USA under John Tortorella. Is this a combo that anyone wants to see? Big Buff has his wonderful casual intensity that sometimes drives fans wild and mad and should that be any different with Torts? Buff's play will inevitably be something that Jets fans will zone in on simply because of his new contract- the biggest on the Jets. As for his play, I'd expect the same basic consistency we've seen for 5 years, steady with a flare for the dramatic. Just don't expect him to block shots in a Torts manner.
Blake Wheeler newly crowned as the Jets captain will take to the ice playing with Parise and Stepan according to Wheeler's own words. He's doing a journal while at the World Cup and you can read his first entry HERE. Wheeler's speed and size will be used in full flight one would assume as he can be lethal off the rush to come in on any goalie. What role he has on this team will be interesting as he's a natural leader by his demeanour and honesty but he's also on a team full of leaders. He was the second best RW in point last year and Jets fans will be hoping he continues where he left off from last season.
Ondrej Pavelec. What more can a Jets fan say about him that hasn't been said. He should sit firmly behind Mrazek and Neuvirth on the depth chart but how much faith does anyone have in those two? This is a serious area of weakness for the Czechs and if Pavelec sees that he's playing for his next contract then perhaps he comes out with some fire. Don't hold your breath.
Patrick Laine. While Jets fans will be interested in their team NA players no one else will capture as much attention as Laine for Jets fans. The second overall pick, recently recovered from some surgery, and an excellent showing in the World Championships where he was tied for first in goals and 4th in scoring in these stats is what most Jets fans care about. How does the young Fin come out again as a rookie playing against veterans in a more serious and talented best on best tournament? While his draft class friend Austen Mathews looks to be the 13th forward for team NA, Laine should play a key role for the Finns. Where might he fit? With Barkov, with Teravainen or a vet like Koivu. And that shot, will it still be firing?
While summer still clings to the air and people come in from their activities to rinks across the country it's nice to know there some serious hockey taking place even if it does seem centred in once place. Manufactured or not, every NHL team fan has something to be intrigued about with the World Cup but for Jets fans it really might be a glimpse into the future, one that looks like it might be better than the recent pas.