The long wait is over..We are one year away. This time next year hockey fans will indeed be celebrating a hockey world championship in the streets of Toronto Ontario again....
That's right hockey fans, the World Cup of Hockey is one year away!
We are one year from what will be hockey's version of Woodstock, and how can you not be fired up already? You can debate the format, the inclusion of the under 23 team (which will have a much more pronounced affect on Team USA...McDavid and MacKinnon are awesome but probably wouldn't make team Canada...), and the "other team" made up of players who grew up in odd hockey lands....you can debate all of this, and we have and will some more, but you can't debate that you will watch this tournament and you will love EVERYTHING about it.
One year is a long time still to predict a team...as is proof by an article I found from the outstanding Scott Burnside written on Christmas 2014 which had Jake Allen as Team Canada's backup. That is not a cut on Scott or Jake, but just a statement on how much things can change.
The NHL season this year is many things, but one thing which can't be denied is this particular NHL season is a 82 games + Playoffs tryout for next September's World Cup teams...
On to Canada...
There is no debating it. Canada could field two teams in this tournament, maybe three....and at least the top two teams would be considered contenders...However, that being said Canada will have to fight to win its triple crown. That's right, I am coining this tournament the third leg in the professional hockey triple crown. Canada has taken Gold in the Russian Olympics in 2014, the Word Championship in 2015 in Prague, and now has a chance to get their third professional men's gold in three years in Toronto...
So who makes this team?
Eklund's Projected Team Canada 2016
Forwards..
Definites:
Crosby the term "lock" is often over-used in today's world...
Toews see Crosby
Seguin and Benn could be 1 and 2 in NHL scoring in 15-16
Getzlaf and Perry not a bad third line pairing
Tavares assuming the Isles will let him..just kidding
Stamkos don't tell me he has fallen off this list...if anything he has shown a more diverse game
Giroux the MVP in Prague and very well rounded. Won't be snubbed again
Johansen How could you not? He is now one of the top ten forwards in the game..and rising
Taylor Hall many consider him on the bubble now...a year with McDavid won't hurt him
Ok that's 11 pretty damn good forwards...let the debates begin!
Many will say that Nash and Bergeron are definite as well....and when you remember how players really do have two distinct careers...a NHL career and an International career...you would assume both on the team...HOWEVER, this is my blog and my picks...so here goes:
#12. Jaden Schwartz I believe Jaden is primed to have a "Tyler Johnson-esque" breakout season
#13. Logan Couture Logan is a force all over the ice and starting to get this kind of respect
#14 Jeff Carter While the Kings struggled, Carter continues to round out into an absolutely unstoppable player…and Team Canada remembers him well...
#15 Patrice Bergeron/Rick Nash Yes, while I really wanted to put Bryan Little here and something tells me Eberle is a factor...but in the end I do believe one of these staples will make it depending on the year they put together…and they probably should.
Defense…
Definite:
Doughty see: Crosby
Weber without Shea...Canada doesn’t take Gold in Sochi. Plain and Simple.
Keith and Seabrook joined at the hip when it comes to Champions.
Pietrangelo No denying it.
The debatable…
My picks: #6 Burns In a tournament like this one Burns could be a major factor
#7 Subban In my opinion..he should have played in Socchi…Norris guys should be included with the best always...
#8 Boychuk His stock will continue to rise after the Isles season to come..someone will sneak up on everyone...I think it could be Johnny
others will argue (and I look forward to it) for Giordano, Brodie, Bouwmeester, Vlasic…and Letang (who could have a huge rebound year) but I believe in my 8….
Goalies:
Price see Crosby…
Holtby to me this is a no-brainer at this point
Mason If he continues his dominant play of last season but gets some support he will be hard to pass over..
others: MAF and Luongo (who could sneak in for certain)
Finally….
I will add this…I am ready to be talked out of my picks…There is still a year to go and so much hockey to be played…injuries and down-seasons happen...
So Hockey world….what say you?
Tomorrow….Team USA.
We will discuss that at length on today's HockeyBuzzCast at 1pm