World Championships- Group A Preview
By Braden Young
Mar 5, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Kyle Turris (7) skates with the puck against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
1. CANADA
Canada’s roster looks far worse than what it could be, so it looks pretty poor in a vacuum. However, when you compare it to the other teams in the tournament, Canada has far and away the best lineup from top to bottom. Canada is the only team that can boast a roster filled with solid NHLers. The only thing in the way of this squad winning the Gold will be chemistry. The majority of the Eurpoean teams will be filled with players who have played together all winter. Dave Tippett will do his best to try and create some lines that allow these players to mesh in a small window.
Player to Watch: Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
MacKinnon follows in the footsteps of fellow Cole Harbour star, Sidney Crosby, as an 18 year-old to be a key player for Canada’s World Championship team. After an incredible performance in Colorado’s brief playoff stint, it will be interesting to see how Nathan follows it up in Minsk.
Player to Watch: Morgan Rielly, Toronto Maple Leafs
Many expect Rielly to represent Team Canada at the next Winter Olympics and these World Championships will provide us with a bit of a preview.
Coach: Dave Tippett
Forwards:
Troy Brouwer, Washington Capitals
Alexandre Burrows, Vancouver Canucks
Jason Chimera, Washington Capitals
Cody Hodgson, Buffalo Sabres
Jonathan Huberdeau, Florida Panthers
Nazem Kadri, Toronto Maple Leafs
Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
Sean Monahan, Calgary Flames
Matt Read, Philadelphia Flyers
Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg Jets
Brayden Schenn, Philadelphia Flyers
Kyle Turris, Ottawa Senators
Joel Ward, Washington Capitals
Defence:
Kevin Bieksa, Vancouver Canucks
Ryan Ellis, Nashville Predators
Jason Garrison, Vancouver Canucks
Erik Gudbranson, Florida Panthers
Marc Methot, Ottawa Senators
Tyler Myers, Buffalo Sabres
Morgan Rielly, Toronto Maple Leafs
Goalies:
Justin Peters, Carolina Hurricanes
James Reimer, Toronto Maple Leafs
Ben Scrivens, Edmonton Oilers