The World Cup of Hockey’s initial rosters were announced today, which Anaheim Ducks players made the cut, which ones must wait until June?
Today was an exciting day around the hockey community. All eight teams participating in September’s World Cup of Hockey were asked to submit their initial 16 man roster today. The Anaheim Ducks were well represented as five players made the initial rosters for their country and teams, while a few others were left off and must wait until June to see if they get the nod.
So, who made the initial rosters?
For Canada, Ryan Getzlaf
Not much surprise here, you knew that Getzlaf was going to be a part of this team. Yes, he had a terribly slow start to the season but has anybody been better than Getzlaf since Christmas? No. There’s a reason why Getzlaf was named the NHL’s first star of the month for February, he should play a big role for team Canada in September.
For the United States of America, Ryan Kesler
Again, not a huge surprise as Kesler has played a big role on team USA at previous olympics. He’s going to be tasked with shutting down the oppositions top forwards and he’s having another selke type of season which earned him a spot on team USA’s initial 16 man roster.
For Finland, Sami Vatanen
Sami Vatanen played a big role on team Finland at the 2014 Olympics and he will again need to play extremely well if Finland is going to have any shot at winning the World Cup. He will likely play a big role on the power play and in all situations for that matter, Finland has some talented defensemen but they are not quite as deep one through six as some of the other teams.
For North America, John Gibson
The North American young guns team, compiled of American and Canadian born players under the age of 23, will be extremely fun to watch and sitting between the pipes will be Ducks goaltender John Gibson. Gibson was virtually a lock to make this team and should be the starter as he is the most proven goaltender on this roster. Winnipeg prospect Connor Hellebuyck and Pittsburgh prospect Matt Murray are the other two goalies that were named today.
For Europe, Freddie Andersen
Team Europe is comprised of players from Denmark, Slovakia, Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Norway. The great Dane, Freddie Andersen, gets the nod on the initial roster along with New York Islanders goaltender Jaroslav Halak. Andersen should compete for the starting job and based on his recent play with the Ducks, he could be the front runner.
Who was not named to an initial roster today?
Several Ducks were not named to initial rosters today and the final 7 players for each team will be named in June.
Perry has played a big role with team Canada at past olympics playing alongside Ryan Getzlaf, who was named to the team today. Perry was a notable ‘snub’ today and will be a name that team Canada’s management group, led by St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong, must consider when deciding on the final 7 spots.
Ducks GM Bob Murray is part of that Canadian management group and while that might not swing thing’s in Perry’s favor, it can’t hurt his chances.
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You’d be foolish to think Corey Perry is fine with not being named to the initial roster. I guarantee he feels that he now has something to prove and I would not be surprised if he goes on a tear for the rest of this season. Now would be a great time for him to go on a goal scoring streak. He’s coming off of a hat trick against the Kings, watch out.
Lindholm is having a great season but falls victim to Swedens incredibly deep blue-line. Karlsson, Hedman, Stralman, Hjalmarsson, Ekman-Larsson and Kronwall were the six defensemen named to Swedens initial roster today. There is room for only one more defensemen and it appears that the race between John Klingberg, Hampus Lindholm and a few others is on.
I was personally surprised when Kronwall was named to the initial roster, he’s now 35 and has had trouble staying healthy this season. I really thought both Klingberg and Lindholm would get the 6th and 7th spots on the Sweden blue-line.
However, with so many offensive minded defensemen already on Canada’s roster, it might make sense for Lindholm, the more well rounded defensive minded guy, to get the nod over Klingberg. We shall see, it’s going to take a great stretch run from Lindholm, who I’m sure knows what’s at stake now.
Rickard Rakell and Jakob Silfverberg
Rakell is the name nobody thought to consider before this season. He’s having a breakthough campaign and if he keeps up his impressive offensive production, it might be hard to keep him off the final roster.
Silfverberg is the defensively reliable option for Sweden and he was apart of their 2014 olympic team. Both guys have a real shot and again, earning a roster spot will require a big stretch run from both.
Ryan Suter, Dustin Byfuglien, John Carlson and Ryan McDonagh were the four defensemen named to USA’s initial roster today. Cam Fowler has a shot to get a spot but he’s got some competition. He was injured for a good portion of this season but his skating ability might be hard to leave off the roster.
Recap
There you have it, five Ducks make initial roster, a few are snubbed and others will be fighting down the strecth for a spot. The final 7 players for each team will be announced in June.
Next: Ducks Deadline Breakdown and Trade Grades
If the Ducks go on a big run in the postseason and all of the guys left off the rosters produce, the Ducks could then end up with 10 players on World Cup rosters.