World Cup of Hockey 2016 Team Canada Roster Prediction

World Cup of Hockey – Team Canada 16-Player Roster Prediction

Team Canada promises to be a powerhouse at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey in Toronto. No country has more talent to choose from than the Canadians.

On March 2nd, teams are required to submit a list of 16 players (at least two goalies).

This is the easier part for Team Canada. It’s the remaining names on June 1st where management faces its toughest decisions.

Team Canada Coaching Staff:

Tom Renney, President (Hockey Canada President & CEO)

Scott Salmond, Hockey Operations

Doug Armstrong, General Manager (St.Louis Blues GM)

Marc Bergevin, Assistant General Manager (Montreal Canadiens GM)

Rob Blake, Assistant General Manager

Ken Holland, Assistant General Manager (Detroit Red Wings GM/Executive VP)

Bob Murray, Assistant General Manager (Anaheim Ducks GM)

Mike Babcock, Head Coach (Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach)

Claude Julien, Assistant Coach (Boston Bruins Head Coach)

Bill Peters, Assistant Coach (Carolina Hurricanes Head Coach)

Joel Quenneville, Assistant Coach (Chicago Blackhawks Head Coach)

Barry Trotz, Assistant Coach (Washington Capitals Head Coach)

Rules and Format:

More from Puck Prose

2016 NHL World Cup of Hockey will feature eight teams (Team Canada, Team USA, Team Russia, Team Sweden, Team Czech Republic, Team Finland, Team North America, Team Europe). The tournament will be held in September 2016, and is a group effort with the NHL and NHLPA, in association with International Ice Hockey Federation.

The rules differ from that of IIHF held tournaments, and will follow NHL rules, with games being played on NHL-sized ice surfaces. Because of the league’s involvement, fans can expect to see far less European players than we’re used to seeing at World Championships or Olympics in the 2016 NHL World Cup of Hockey.

Previous World Cup of Hockey roster predictions and more in-depth information can be found here.

16-Player Roster Predictions:

2016 NHL World Cup of Hockey – Rosters and Groupings:

23 players, 20 skaters, 3 goalies

Group A: Team Canada, Team Czech Republic, Team Europe, Team USA
Group B: Team Finland, Team North America, Team Russia, Team Sweden

More puck prose: NHL Trade Deadline: What We Learned

Feb 10, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) looks on against the New York Rangers during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Rangers won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

World Cup of Hockey: Team Canada 16-Player Roster Projection

G Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals
G Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens
D Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings
D Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks
D Shea Weber, Nashville Predators
D Brent Seabrook, Chicago Blackhawks
D Mark Giordano, Calgary Flames
F Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
F John Tavares, New York Islanders
F Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning
F Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
F Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars
F Tyler Seguin, Dallas Stars
F Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks
F Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks
F Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers

It makes sense to name Holtby and Price as the minimum two goaltenders. Both have arguably been the NHL’s best over the past two seasons. That third option comes down to several netminders, such as Marc-Andre Fleury, Corey Crawford, Roberto Luongo, Martin Jones, Jake Allen, etc.

Familiar faces on the blueline, although the last couple spots, and even that 5th spot (currently occupied by Giordano) to an extent is debatable. Not easy when your choices include, P.K. Subban, Kris Letang, Alex Pietrangelo, and Brent Burns.

Next: Top 100 Forwards Under 25 Years Old

Canada owns a stacked forward group. Led by obvious names such as Crosby, Tavares, Stamkos, Toews, etc. Those final spots are being heavily debated on whether to include duo’s Getzlaf/Perry or Marleau/Thornton. There’s also a handful of dark horses vying for a spot such as Mark Stone, Ryan O’Reilly, Matt Duchene, and Jaden Schwartz.

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