World Championships of Hockey 2015: Bracket, Czech Republic Schedule and More
The International Ice Hockey Federation's World Championships are held every year to determine the dominant hockey-playing nation in the world, and the 2015 edition could be one of the best in recent memory due to the star power involved.
Although the World Hockey Championships can be limited at times since the NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs restrict the available player pool, several elite superstars are poised to take part in the tournament. Add in top players from other high-level leagues across the world, and it is easy to see why the World Hockey Championships are gaining in terms of popularity and importance.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
With preliminary group play set to begin Friday, here is a rundown of everything you need to know in order to enjoy the 2015 World Hockey Championships, along with predictions for who will take home the medals.
Where: Prague, Czech Republic and Ostrava, Czech Republic
When: Friday, May 1 through Sunday, May 17
Watch: NBC Sports Network (Every Team USA game will be broadcast live or on tape delay)
Groups
| 1 | Sweden | SWE |
| 2 | Canada | CAN |
| 3 | Czech Republic | CZE |
| 4 | Switzerland | SUI |
| 5 | Latvia | LAT |
| 6 | France | FRA |
| 7 | Germany | GER |
| 8 | Austria | AUT |
| 1 | Finland | FIN |
| 2 | Russia | RUS |
| 3 | USA | USA |
| 4 | Slovakia | SVK |
| 5 | Norway | NOR |
| 6 | Belarus | BLR |
| 7 | Slovenia | SLO |
| 8 | Denmark | DEN |
Round-by-Round Schedule
| Preliminary | Friday, May 1 - Tuesday, May 12 | Varies |
| Quarterfinals | Thursday, May 14 | 9:15 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m. |
| Semifinals | Saturday, May 16 | 9:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m. |
| Bronze Medal Game | Sunday, May 17 | 10:15 a.m. |
| Gold Medal Game | Sunday, May 17 | 2:45 p.m. |
*Check out the full schedule at IIHFWorlds2015.com.
Medal Predictions
Gold: Canada
Despite its status as the dominant hockey nation in the world and two-time defending Olympic gold medalists, Canada has not enjoyed much success at the World Championships over the past several years.
In fact, the Canadians haven't won a medal since taking silver in 2009, which is a remarkable drought considering their talent level. Canada doesn't always bring its best players to the tourney, but it should still be good enough to medal on a yearly basis.
It seems as though Canadian players may be a bit fed up with Canada's struggles since 2009, however, as the 2015 roster is stacked with top-flight talent. That includes Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby, who decided to make the trip after the Pens were ousted in the first round of the playoffs.
Crosby hasn't had many chances to play in the World Championships since Pittsburgh usually lasts much deeper into the postseason, but he is excited to be a part of the team this year, according to ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun:
"Any time you can represent Canada, it's an honor," Crosby said. "I looked at the roster Hockey Canada has put together, and I'm excited about the opportunity we have to win gold."
While the team as a whole is excellent, Crosby may have some individual motives for being there as well. Per Chris Johnston, Sid the Kid is looking for gold in the World Championships to go along with his gold medals in the Olympics and World Junior Championships:
He won't have to do it all on his own, though, as he will be joined by a cavalcade of gifted players. Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin, Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux and Edmonton Oilers youngster Taylor Hall are just a few of the players who will be joining No. 87.
As seen in this listing of line combinations, courtesy of HockeyBuzz.com's Julie Robenhymer, the Canadians shouldn't struggle to score goals:
"Spezza-Crosby-O'Reilly Seguin-Giroux-Ennis Couturier-Schenn-Toffoli Duchene-MacKinnon-Eberle-Hall #TeamCanada #fwds #Practice #2015Worlds
— Julie Robenhymer (@JulieRobenhymer) April 28, 2015"
They'll certainly have more question marks on defense and especially in goal where Mike Smith of the Arizona Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings netminder Martin Jones will man the crease.
That may not be an ideal goaltending situation, but with so much firepower up front, Canada will manage to win its first World Championships gold medal since 2007.
Silver: Russia
In many ways, Russia may be the anti-Canada as it relates to international play. The Russians have fallen well short of Olympic expectations, but with four gold medals over the last seven years in the World Hockey Championships, this is their kind of tournament.
Russia won gold last year fairly close to home in Belarus, and it has a great chance to repeat that feat. As strong as Canada is at forward, it can be argued that the Russians are even better. They will be led by a pair of NHL stars in Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin and St. Louis Blues winger Vladimir Tarasenko, as well as former Atlanta Thrashers and New Jersey Devils star Ilya Kovalchuk.
According to Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, though, Malkin won't be playing at full health:
Even at less than 100 percent, however, Malkin is one of the best players in the world.
In addition to the fantastic forwards Russia boasts, it is also solid in goal. Columbus Blue Jackets stopper Sergei Bobrovsky will guard the net, and it wouldn't be surprising to see the 2013 Vezina Trophy winner get hot and lead the Russians all the way through the tournament.
Like Canada, though, there is some uncertainty regarding Russia's defense. It will be anchored by Dmitry Kulikov of the Florida Panthers with most of the other options coming from the KHL.
The larger, international ice means that scoring is of the utmost importance, which is why Russia should at least be able to make it to the Gold Medal Game. When push comes to shove, though, their lack of stability on the blue line prevent the Russians from beating Canada.
Bronze: USA
With just one medal to its credit over the past 10 World Championships, the United States hasn't enjoyed much luck in this tournament. Because of that and a quick look at the 2015 version of Team USA it would be easy to dismiss their chances, but that may not be a very wise move.
There is no question that the Americans are lacking in terms of star power, but they still have some solid pieces in place. Chief among them is Boston University center Jack Eichel, who is expected to be the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NHL draft by the Buffalo Sabres.
Eichel enjoyed one of the greatest freshman season in NCAA hockey history, and he has every intention of being a major factor for the Americans in the Czech Republic, according to Mike Halford of ProHockeyTalk:
Despite Eichel's lack of NHL experience, he is among the surest things up front for Team USA. Aside from him, there are plenty of wild cards. That includes fellow, high-scoring NCAA forwards in Jimmy Vesey and Dylan Larkin of Harvard and Michigan respectively.
Also, Steve Moses, who led the KHL in goal scoring and will play for the Nashville Predators next season, has a chance to add some offensive explosiveness to the lineup.
Where the Americans truly shine unlike many of their competitors, though, is along the blue line. Olympian and Carolina Hurricanes star Justin Faulk heads up the defense with Torey Krug of the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs rearguard Jake Gardiner adding some two-way acumen.
Also, Team USA added Seth Jones of the Predators, who is coming off a great showing in the first round of the playoffs, per Chris Peters of CBS Sports:
The defense will have to be stout since the United States has an unstable goalie situation. Connor Hellebuyck of the St. John's IceCaps was a 2015 AHL All Star, while Yale's Alex Lyon was one of the NCAA's top netminders.
Even so, their experience against top-level talent is limited, so they could struggle. If one of them is able to establish themselves as the clear-cut starter and play respectable hockey, though, the Americans have the talent and youthful exuberance needed to nab a surprising bronze medal.
Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
