Canada's 2016 World Cup Team
The NHL and the NHLPA have not yet reached an agreement on whether or not tolet NHLers play in the Olympics, but are sure that they will participate in the World Cup, so here are 12 forwards, six defensmen, and 2 goalkeepers that should be playing for Canada
Forwards:
Steven Stamkos: This will finally (hopefully) be Stamkos' year to finally be on a non World Championship Team Canada. In 2010, for the Olympics he was the last cut, and in 2014 he had a broken leg so he is anxious to be there.
John Tavares: He was on the Olympic team in 2014, but got injured in the tournament and did not play the medal round. He will be seeking gold in the World Cup
Ryan Getzlaf: The Ducks' center was my pick for the Selke Trophy and that play is deserving of an World Cup team nomination
Johnathan Toews: He is a ferocious defender and can win, as the 2 previous Olympic golds and 2 Stanley Cups have shown.
Matt Duchene: The speedy Avs youngster was on the 2014 Olympic team and is quite young, so 2016 should be fairly easy for him if he keeps it up
Jamie Benn: He is capable of potting 40, but he must do it to get on the team.mI think he will.
Rick Nash: On pace to get 45 goals this season, and is a capable power forward who can do it all on the ice
Sidney Crosby: The next Captain Canada has a penchant for scoring key goals and can go all hot when fired up
Connor McDavid: Yes, Connor McDavid. He has better stats than Crosby at this many games in the season and Crosby had a 100 point rookie year.(He will play on the U-23 team, but I picked him anyways)
Max Pacioretty: The Habs' sniper has been excellent in previous seasons and can put up 30-40 goals a season
Evander Kane: He should be rejuvenated in Buffalo and playing with less pressure. He is
only 23, so a couple 40 goal seasons will put him on the team
Defense:
PK Subban: Flamboyant and talented is a combo that will get the fans on his side and that is crucial to a World Cup team.
Duncan Keith: Reliable defense that can put up the points are rare, but Keith is one of them and can win the defenseman scoring race now that Giordano is down
Shea Weber: He is a perrenial Norris Trophy contender and a great power play man with that slapshot of his
Drew Doughty: La's top D-man is pretty much a lock to be on the team because of his consistency and smoothness.
Kris Letang: Smooth and capable up racking up enough points to lead the league, Letang is worthy of a World Cup nomination
Mark Giordano: Leading the league in points by defensemen until his injury and a Norris favourite, Giordano should make the team.
Goalkeepers:
Carey Price: Slated to win the Vezina and carried Canada to gold at the Olympics, Price should make the team easily
Brayden Holtby: A member of the Washington Capitals, Holtby provides reliability in net and can go long stretches of games as a starter.
