Players with Most to Gain from Strong Showings at 2016 World Cup of Hockey

The preliminary round of the 2016 World Cup of Hockey begins on Sept. 17. Several players, including Auston Matthews of Team North America, could stand to gain from solid efforts in this tournament. 

For Matthews, who was selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2016 NHL draft, it's an opportunity to prove he can play well against veteran NHL stars. A free agent such as Team Finland's Lauri Korpikoski could use a good World Cup outing to land himself a new NHL contract. 

Team Canada winger Brad Marchand can use the World Cup as a means to establish himself as a first-line forward. For a player coming off a rough year—such as Team USA's Jack Johnson—this is a chance to get an early start on a possible bounce-back season.

Here's a look at the players from each World Cup team who have the most to gain from strong showings in this tournament. Feel free to weigh in with your thoughts on this topic in the comments section below. 

Lauri Korpikoski, Team Finland

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Left wing Lauri Korpikoski is part of Team Finland's roster in the World Cup of Hockey. How well the 30-year-old performs in this tournament could affect his efforts to land a new NHL contract. 

An unrestricted free agent, Korpikoski has eight NHL seasons on his resume. In 540 games, he's scored 78 goals and 103 assists for 181 points. His best season was in 2010-11 with the then-Phoenix Coyotes, as he scored 19 goals and 21 assists for 40 points. 

Korpikoski's speed and defensive skills could make him a useful player for an NHL club. He can also play all three forward positions. 

With the start of the NHL regular season only a month away, Korpikoski remains without a contract. A solid effort in the World Cup of Hockey could bolster his chances of signing with an NHL club. 

Tobias Rieder, Team Europe

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Arizona Coyotes right wing Tobias Rieder is currently a restricted free agent. The 23-year-old's performance for Team Europe in the World Cup of Hockey could affect his contract negotiations with the Coyotes. 

In just two NHL seasons, Rieder has become a reliable two-way forward for the Coyotes. In 82 games last season, he tallied 14 goals and 23 assists for 37 points. He finished second in shots (189) and fourth in takeaways with 31. Rieder also led all Coyotes forwards in total ice time (1,419 minutes and three seconds).

Coming off an entry-level contract, Rieder has little leverage with the Coyotes. On Aug. 31, Craig Morgan of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM reported the winger can re-sign with the Coyotes, sign with a European team or sit out the season. If he doesn't re-sign by Dec. 1, he won't be eligible to play for the rest of the season. 

With the start of the 2016-17 NHL campaign less than a month away, Rieder could feel pressure to re-sign. A solid effort in the World Cup could become a useful chip that improves his limited bargaining power.

Petr Mrazek, Team Czech Republic

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Petr Mrazek could become the full-time starting goaltender for the Detroit Red Wings in 2016-17. A solid effort for Team Czech Republic in the World Cup of Hockey could help the 24-year-old get a strong start to the upcoming NHL campaign.

In 2015-16, Mrazek sported a record of 27-16-6 with a 2.33 goals-against average, a .921 save percentage and four shutouts. By midseason, he took over the starter's job from veteran Jimmy Howard. 

Mrazek struggled through the second half of last season, and Howard regained the starting role. However, he once again took over the job midway through the Wings' opening-round playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mrazek would win one game and lose two before the Lightning eliminated the Wings from the postseason.

In the World Cup, Mrazek is sharing the goaltending duties with Michal Neuvirth of the Philadelphia Flyers and Ondrej Pavelec of the Winnipeg Jets. If he outplays those two in the tournament, it should send the message that he's ready for full-time starter's duty in Detroit this season. 

Dmitry Orlov, Team Russia

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Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov is part of Team Russia's blue line in the World Cup of Hockey. His performance in this tournament could have an effect upon his contract negotiations with the Capitals.

A restricted free agent, the 25-year-old Orlov is a good contributor at both ends of the ice. He chips in offensively and plays a solid physical game in his own zone. Hampered by injuries earlier in his NHL career, Orlov proved last season how effective he is when healthy

Skating in all 82 regular-season games in 2015-16, Orlov finished third in scoring among Capitals defensemen with 29 points. He was also among their leaders in hits (121), blocked shots (61) and takeaways (37). 

With veteran Brooks Orpik aging, the Capitals could shift Orlov to full-time second-pairing duty this season. Should he play well in the World Cup, it could improve his bargaining position with the Capitals.

Jack Johnson, Team USA

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Despite an injury-shortened 2015-16 campaign, Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson was selected to play for Team USA in the World Cup of Hockey. For the 29-year-old veteran, the tournament could put him on track for a bounce-back performance in 2016-17.

Limited to just 60 games last season by a shoulder injury, Johnson failed to reach the 20-point mark for the first time in a full NHL campaign since his rookie season in 2007-08. Still, he finished second on the Blue Jackets in time on ice per game at 24 minutes and 10 seconds. 

Johnson has also had some turmoil in his personal life. On Sept. 10, Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch noted his bankruptcy trial hasn't been resolved. Fortunately, Johnson hasn't allowed those proceedings to affect his play. 

Now recovered from his shoulder surgery, skating for Team USA in the World Cup will help Johnson prepare for the upcoming season with the Blue Jackets. It could become the springboard for an improved effort in 2016-17. 

Hampus Lindholm, Team Sweden

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As defenseman Hampus Lindholm skates for Team Sweden in the World Cup of Hockey, the restricted free agent has yet to re-sign with the Anaheim Ducks. His play in this tournament could be a factor in his contract negotiations. 

In just three NHL seasons, the 22-year-old Lindholm has blossomed into the Ducks' best all-around defenseman. The 6'3", 205-pounder can contribute offensively and is an effective shutdown player in his own zone. He's yet to reach his full potential as a top-pairing blueliner.

In 2015-16, Lindholm led all Anaheim blueliners in goals (10). He was also the team leader in blocked shots with 115 and finished second on the club in time on ice per game (22 minutes).

Considering Lindholm's value to the Ducks defense, he's in line for a substantial raise on his next contract. A strong performance with and against the world's best professional players could provide him more bargaining leverage with Ducks management.  

Auston Matthews, Team North America

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Selected first overall in the 2016 NHL draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, center Auston Matthews is a member of Team North America in the World Cup of Hockey. Skating alongside 23-and-younger NHL players should provide Matthews, who turns 19 on Sept. 17, with a unique opportunity to display his skills before joining the Leafs.

A highly touted prospect, Matthews has some experience in international tournaments. He skated for Team USA at the World Junior Championship in 2015 and 2016, as well as in the 2016 World Championship.

Matthews is no stranger to competing with and against professionals. He played for the ZSC Lions in Zurich, Switzerland, last season, scoring 24 goals and 22 assists for 46 points in 36 games. Playing for Team USA in the 2016 World Championship, he tallied six goals and collected three assists for nine points in 10 games.  

With his 6'2", 216-pound frame and impressive offensive skills, Matthews should blossom into a star with the Leafs. A good effort in the World Cup could become the springboard for a promising NHL rookie campaign in 2016-17. 

Brad Marchand, Team Canada

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Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand has a reputation as a pesky scoring winger in the NHL. Skating for a star-studded Team Canada roster, the 28-year-old is getting an opportunity to prove he belongs among the world's elite players. 

Before joining the Bruins, Marchand was part of Canada's gold-medal teams at the 2007 and 2008 World Junior championships. His career-best performance last season with the Bruins (37 goals, 61 points) earned him a spot on Team Canada at the 2016 World Championship. He helped Canada win gold in that tournament with seven points in 10 games. 

Though small in stature at 5'9" and 181 pounds, Marchand is an energetic two-way forward. He was a key part of the Bruins' march to the 2011 Stanley Cup championship. When he's not scoring goals, he's driving opponents to frustration with his speed and agitating physical style. 

During the World Cup pre-tournament games, Marchand skated alongside Sidney Crosby and Patrice Bergeron. A strong showing on Crosby's line will establish him among the NHL's best forwards. It could also improve Marchand's chances of landing a lucrative long-term contract, either with the Bruins or another club next summer via free agency.

Player and team stats via NHL.com. Free-agent info via Cap Friendly.