Predicting the Rest of Team Canada's 2016 World Cup of Hockey Roster

The first 16 selections to Canada's roster for the World Cup of Hockey were unveiled on Wednesday, and for the most part there weren't any surprises as international hockey's most dominant team went back to a tried-and-true collection of competitors.

Who made the team immediately? Sportsnet reported the full list:

• Left wing (2): Jamie Benn, John Tavares
• Centre (4): Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, Ryan Getzlaf, Patrice Bergeron
• Right wing (3): Steven Stamkos, Tyler Seguin, Jeff Carter
• Left defence (2): Duncan Keith, Marc-Edouard Vlasic
• Right defence (2): Drew Doughty, Shea Weber
• Goalie (3): Carey Price, Braden Holtby, Corey Crawford

The position-by-position breakdown takes a few liberties, as Canada's ridiculous collection of centres means more than a few pivots will find themselves relocated to the wing.

Which seven players should join that collection of 16 before the World Cup kicks off in the September? That's the question we're going to tackle here. Read on to see my candidates to round out the roster and feel free to add your own in the comments section below.

There's certainly no shortage of possibilities, and no matter how carefully the roster is arranged, several players of real quality are going to be left behind.

Centre/Left Wing: Matt Duchene

Petr David Josek/Associated Press

2015-16 stats: 65 games, 26 goals, 49 points, 46.7 percent Fenwick

Career awards: None; finished third in Calder Trophy voting in 2009-10.

Why he fits: Matt Duchene's shot metrics might give some pause, but mostly they're a factor of playing for a Colorado Avalanche team that is routinely outshot by the opposition.

Known primarily for his speed and offensive ability, Duchene is also a first-rate faceoff man (58.2 percent in the dot this year). Importantly, he's equally adept at shifting to the wing, where he'd likely play for Team Canada. He has plenty of international experience, including at the 2014 Olympics.

Left Defence: Mark Giordano

Tom Mihalek/Associated Press

2015-16 stats: 63 games, 15 goals, 38 points, 50.1 percent Fenwick

Career awards: None; finished sixth in Norris Trophy voting in 2014-15.

Why he fits: There's a need to add a left-shooting defenceman to the roster, and Mark Giordano is coming off a season in which if not for injury he likely would have won the Norris Trophy. 

There are no obvious holes in Giordano's game. He's extremely capable offensively, but he's probably more valuable as a shutdown specialist, routinely playing the toughest available minutes on the Calgary Flames blue line. As a captain in a Canadian city, he's also used to pressure and media scrutiny, which is a useful for a tournament such as the World Cup.

Centre/Right Wing: Claude Giroux

Petr David Josek/Associated Press

2015-16 stats: 59 games, 17 goals, 54 points, 52.0 percent Fenwick

Career awards: None; finished third in Hart Trophy voting in 2013-14. 

Why he fits: It's generally accepted that, even at international tournaments, hockey teams should be more than just a collection of All-Star players, and Claude Giroux fits the bill.

Obviously, he's an extremely talented forward. His on-ice shot metrics are great, indicating the Philadelphia Flyers' strong work maintaining control of the puck when he's on the ice. His point totals are routinely first-rate. Offensively he's a fit.

He's also an integral part of Philadelphia's penalty kill. He wins 57 percent of his faceoffs, making 2015-16 the second year in a row he's been dominant on the draw. He can slide between centre and wing without missing a beat. 

It's going to be tough to pass on him.

Left Wing: Taylor Hall

Petr David Josek/Associated Press

2015-16 stats: 65 games, 20 goals, 54 points, 52.0 percent Fenwick

Career awards: None; finished third in All-Star voting in 2012-13.

Why he fits: It's time.

Taylor Hall has been passed over for previous teams thanks in large part to his youth and the fact he plays for the awful Edmonton Oilers. His skill has never been in question, and it isn't now; on offensive talent, he's clearly deserving of a spot at left wing.

Now 24 years old, he's rounded out his two-way game, playing more determined and responsible defensive hockey. He's too good to leave off the roster this time around.

Right Wing: Corey Perry

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

2015-16 stats: 62 games, 27 goals, 46 points, 53.2 percent Fenwick

Career awards: Hart Trophy (1), Richard Trophy (1), First All-Star Team (2)

Why he fits: Even in a tough year, Corey Perry is scoring goals at a prolific pace. And while that offence is essential to his case to make the team, it is also far from all that he does.

Playing on North American ice, Perry's 6'3", 210-pound frame and willingness to play an assertive, physical game will certainly be valued. More important is his ability to drive possession, even when matched against top opponents. He's also been part of two gold-medal wins with Canada and a Stanley Cup championship with Anaheim Ducks and won't be fazed by the pressures of the tournament.

Right Defence: Alex Pietrangelo

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

2015-16 stats: 57 games, four goals, 26 points, 49.9 percent Fenwick

Career awards: Second All-Star Team (2)

Why he fits: Alex Pietrangelo played regular minutes at the 2014 Olympics, but he's probably a better fit as the No. 7 defenceman on this team, making way for the player on our next slide.

Pietrangelo plays extremely tough shutdown minutes for the St. Louis Blues and has done for years. His shot metrics have suffered, but it's interesting that over the last two years they have dramatically improved when he's split from regular partner Jay Bouwmeester.

He's big, smart, mobile and a nice blend of both young (26) and experienced at this point in his career. 

Right Defence: P.K. Subban

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

2015-16 stats: 64 games, five goals, 43 points, 51.7 percent Fenwick

Career awards: Norris Trophy (1), First All-Star Team (2), All-Rookie Team (1)

Why he fits: P.K. Subban is probably the most talented Canadian defenceman who wasn't named to the roster on Wednesday.

There's room on the right side along with Drew Doughty and Shea Weber, and after playing a bit-part role at the 2014 Olympics, Subban is ready to take on more responsibility. He's capable of both passing and rushing the puck, he doesn't mind physical contests and he transitions rapidly from offence to defence and back again.

Now 26 years old and with multiple playoff runs and more than 400 NHL games' worth of experience, Canada's coaches should feel more comfortable with him than they did two years ago.

Statistics courtesy of Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com and Hockey-Reference.com. 

Jonathan Willis covers the NHL for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter for more of his work.