Ranking the Biggest Stars at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey

The World Cup of Hockey is a fresh calendar event—at a time of year where the NHL is ordinarily doing fitness testing and stretching out for the long season ahead. For fans, there is a lot of new information to digest and new teams and formats to learn.

One thing that remains true: The league's biggest stars will continue to dominate. From Sidney Crosby driving results for Team Canada to Patrick Kane making brilliant offensive plays for Team USA, the major stars are well known to all.

There are aspects of the tournament—such as Team North America and Team Europe—that give this competition a different feel than the Olympics or World Hockey Championships offer. Here are the biggest stars at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and who will thrill the hockey world in the next three weeks.

10. Connor McDavid, C, Team North America

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2015-16 numbers: 45 games, 16 goals, 32 assists, 48 points.

Career hardware collection: None.

In brief

Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers is the heir apparent to Sidney Crosby as the next great player in the game. A rookie season shortened by injury could not obscure his elite talent, and this tournament could be a stepping stone to his taking over the mantle as the best in the game.

The exhibition games were a struggle for the gifted center, so it will be interesting to see his performance once games count in the tournament.

9. Joe Pavelski, C, Team USA

Nick Wass/Associated Press

2015-16 numbers: 82 games, 38 goals, 40 assists, 78 points.

Career hardware collection: None.

In brief

Joe Pavelski of the San Jose Sharks took six seasons in the NHL before he achieved his first 30-goal campaign, but he has done it in each complete season since then.

Along with the offense, he brings a complete skill set to the game and will be a key player for Team USA at the World Cup of Hockey. Early indications in the exhibition schedule have the Americans playing the kind of hard-nosed hockey Canada is often known for, and Team USA has been very successful in playing that style.

8. Henrik Lundqvist, G, Team Sweden

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2015-16 numbers: 65 games, 2.48 GAA, .920 save percentage.

Career hardware collection: Vezina Trophy.

In brief

Henrik Lundqvist has delivered consistent excellence for the New York Rangers since he arrived a decade ago. One of the overlooked feats from this fine veteran is that he posted a save percentage close to career average (.921) last season despite being well into his 30s.

Team Sweden has an excellent chance to win the World Cup of Hockey, and Lundqvist gives the squad a chance in every game.

7. Jonathan Toews, C, Team Canada

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

2015-16 numbers: 82 games, 28 goals, 30 assists, 58 points.

Career hardware collection: Stanley Cup (3), Conn Smythe Trophy, Selke Trophy.

In brief

Jonathan Toews is the industry standard for brilliant two-way play from the center position. Although his offense has been eroding slightly over the last two seasons, he remains an outstanding pivot who excels in all aspects of the game. Team Canada is going to be very difficult for any opponent, and part of the task for the opposition will be finding a way to minimize Toews' impact at both ends of the ice. 

6. Anze Kopitar, C, Team Europe

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

2015-16 numbers: 81 games, 25 goals, 49 assists, 74 points.

Career hardware collection: Stanley Cup (2), Selke Trophy, Lady Byng Trophy.

In brief

Anze Kopitar is a brilliant two-way center whose size and strength make him a formidable opponent. It is rare to see a player his size—6'3'', 224 pounds—with elite-level offensive gifts. This should be a fascinating experience for Kopitar, as the native of Slovenia has never played on a team with this much talent on an international stage.

5. Carey Price, G, Team Canada

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2015-16 numbers: 12 games, 2.06 GAA, .934 save percentage.

Career hardware collection: Vezina Trophy, Hart Trophy, Jennings Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award.

In brief: Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens is probably the best goalie in the game—when healthy. He had a difficult season in 2015-16, and the World Cup of Hockey could be an opportunity for the brilliant goalie to announce to the world he is back. Early returns have been uneven during the exhibition schedule, but if Price is right, then it changes the game completely.

4. Erik Karlsson, D, Team Sweden

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

2015-16 numbers: 82 games, 16 goals, 66 assists, 82 points.

Career hardware collection: Norris Trophy (2).

In brief

Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators is the modern prototype of a puck-moving defender. Although he is not the physical embodiment of what we associate with an NHL defenseman, his intelligent coverage, fantastic passing ability and foot speed make him an elite player at the position. Team Sweden is so deep in defenders that most of the group is interchangeable, but Karlsson's offensive impact makes him a very special player.

3. Alexander Ovechkin, LW, Team Russia

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2015-16 numbers: 79 games, 50 goals, 21 assists, 71 points.

Career hardware collection: Maurice Richard Trophy (6), Hart Trophy (3), Ted Lindsay Award (3), Art Ross Trophy, Calder Trophy.

In brief

Alex Ovechkin is the finest scorer of his generation. His feats include seven seasons of 50 or more goals, including a season where he delivered 65 for the Washington Capitals. These accomplishments have taken place in a low-scoring era, making them all the more incredible.

Team Russia has a ridiculous group of forwards capable of dismantling any defense, but the trigger man is the great Ovechkin, who shows no signs of slowing.

2. Patrick Kane, RW, Team USA

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2015-16 numbers: 82 games, 46 goals, 60 assists, 106 assists.

Career hardware collection: Stanley Cup (3), Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award, Calder Trophy.

 

In brief

Patrick Kane had an amazing season in 2015-16—it was his best ever. At age 27, he posted career highs in points, average time on ice, shooting percentage and other categories. These accomplishments only add to what has been an outstanding career and put Kane in the inner circle among today's best NHL players.

Early in World Cup of Hockey exhibition action, he looks to be as good or better than last season.

1. Sidney Crosby, C, Team Canada

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2015-16 numbers: 80 games, 36 goals, 49 assists, 85 points.

Career hardware collection: Stanley Cup (2), Hart Trophy (2), Art Ross Trophy (2), Conn Smythe Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award (3), Maurice Richard Trophy.

 

In brief

Since the moment he stepped into the NHL, Sidney Crosby and his career progress have been the league focal point. A generational talent, the only thing that has slowed him is injury, specifically concussions and the impact they've had on him.

In his 11 NHL seasons, Crosby is averaging 64 games. He remains a dominant player when healthy and reached the pinnacle of the game—the Stanley Cup—again in the spring.

Canada's success is tied directly to the best player in the game at the World Cup of Hockey.