The Biggest Takeaways from the 2015 IIHF World Championships

One thing we can all agree on about the 2015 IIHF World Championships after the last two weeks: Prague knows how to put on a show. The attendance at this year's tournament broke all the records, and the fans were treated to world-class entertainment from all of the nations that competed for the gold medal.

The World Hockey Championships complete the European season and mark the end of elite hockey—save for the NHL playoffs—and we're down to four teams now. The event offered redemption for some players and gave others a chance to audition, and a nation said goodbye to an all-time great with tears and pride.

Here are seven big takeaways from the two weeks we call the World Hockey Championships.

The Key for Canada: A Phone Call

Petr David Josek/Associated Press

The Backstory: Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins decided to join Team Canada at the championships the night his team was knocked out of the NHL playoffs. As Craig Custance of ESPN detailed, phone correspondence the night Pittsburgh was eliminated fast-tracked Crosby's involvement in the tournament.

The Result: Crosby's presence on Team Canada gave the team ridiculous quality and strength at the center position and allowed coach Todd McLellan to roll four lines effectively. He did not lead the team in scoring, as his 11 points in 10 games trailed four other Canadians. His impact on the team as a complete player was a big indication of his importance.

The Takeaway: His willingness to take part in the championships may mean impact players are more willing to do it in the future. Crosby is one of a very few players to have won Olympic gold, World Hockey Championship gold and the Stanley Cup in his career.

Who in the World Is Connor Hellebuyck?

Sergei Grits/Associated Press

The Backstory: Connor Hellebuyck is a minor league goaltender in the Winnipeg Jets system. His inclusion on Team USA was not major news, and he wasn't expected to be a big factor in the tournament. 

The Result: Hellebuyck led the entire World Hockey Championships in save percentage and stoned opposition snipers consistently. His performance for the U.S. was worthy of headlines across the hockey world.

The Takeaway: At the very least Hellebuyck is in the mix for an NHL audition with the Jets in the coming year. Winnipeg's goalie situation is such that a strong performance during that audition could mean an NHL role for the young goalie at some point this coming season.

Jaromir Jagr: All-Time Great

Petr David Josek/Associated Press

The Backstory: Jaromir Jagr's strong NHL season gave him the confidence to compete one more time internationally for the Czech Republic. This time, it would be on home ice in Prague.

The Result: The Czech Republic finished fourth—just outside the medals—but Jagr's nine points during the tournament thrilled audiences at home and around the world.

The Takeaway: Jaromir Jagr is one of the best to ever play the game. To perform at this level at age 43 is something hockey fans will remember for a long time.

How Todd McLellan Turned Two Weeks in Prague into an NHL Coaching Job

Sergei Grits/Associated Press

The Backstory: Todd McLellan arrived in Prague without an NHL job and some questions about his future. The pressure of showing well in the World Hockey Championships, added to NHL teams knocking on his door to discuss his future, made for a busy two weeks.   

The Result: McLellan pushed all the right buttons in all situations, helping Canada to the gold medal and reportedly agreeing to coach the Edmonton Oilers for the 2015-16 season and beyond. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported McLellan will accept the Oilers job this week, possibly Tuesday.

The Takeaway: If you're going to coach at the World Hockey Championships and are looking for an NHL coaching job, it's a good idea to coach your team to the gold medal.

Pekka Rinne Is on His Game

Petr David Josek/Associated Press

The Backstory: Team Finland was in the mix for a medal at the 2015 World Hockey Championships, and a big part of its success would come from goaltending. Pekka Rinne is one of the best in the world, and the Finns would be working to keep everything to the outside and then count on him to stop the rest. 

The Result: An amazing shutout streak that broke the all-time championship record, as detailed by Adam Vingan of the Tennessean.

The Takeaway: In the end, Rinne's brilliance wasn't enough, as Finland fell short of the podium. It did finish well in the round-robin portion and should be a strong contender again next spring.

Russia Needs Defensemen

Petr David Josek/Associated Press

The Backstory: Russia doesn't have enough top-quality defensemen to ignore its NHL options. This year's roster was heavy on KHL players, as the management and coaching staff chose only Dmitry Kulikov among available Russian defenders from the NHL. 

The Result: Russia's fantastic forwards and sturdy goaltending got the team to the gold-medal game, but it was unable to make quality outlet passes and spent the entire game defending. Russia had some chances off turnovers and counter attacks, but the majority of the contest was spent in its end.

The Takeaway: Russia is a world power when it comes to hockey, and the nation wins the World Hockey Championships often—four times since 2008 and most recently in 2014. Even with that track record, Russia needs to bring its best, and that includes substantial contributions from NHL defensemen.

United States: Young and Restless

Sergei Grits/Associated Press

The Backstory: The U.S. roster gave fans a look at the future, with a plethora of first appearances from some outstanding talent. Teenagers Jack Eichel and Dylan Larkin were the youngest, but Seth Jones is just 20 and played a major role.

The Result: The United States won its group, with only one loss, before losing to the Russians in the semifinal and winning bronze over the Czech Republic.

The Takeaway: The U.S. team won a bronze medal with the young group, serving notice that the next decade will see a powerful team from the American side. Eichel is going to be a massive player on the international stage, as well as an impact NHL player for years to come.