The Ultimate Guide for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey
The trophy looks like a crooked flower vase—hardly any competition to the Stanley Cup or Olympic gold medals for prestigious hockey hardware. But, ready or not, the World Cup of Hockey is about to begin.
The competition, which was last held in 2004, is equivalent to the Canada Cup tournament that ran from 1976 to 1991. It functions like the Olympics, with the difference being the NHL and its players' association split the profits.
The best players in the world will gather in Toronto from Sept. 17 to Oct. 1 to decide a new world champion, at least among the paid professionals.
Eight teams will compete, two of which are composed of players from different countries. Team North America is a side made up of players aged 23 and younger from the United States and Canada; Team Europe has a roster of European players from birth countries outside of the Czech Republic, Finland, Russia and Sweden.
The Team North America and Team Europe rosters are concoctions to satisfy critics who bemoan the participation of countries that have a low probability of winning (Germany vs. Japan, anyone?) and those who say, "How could you leave so-and-so off the Canada/U.S./top European countries?"
The following is a list of top storylines, players to watch, schedule, predictions and more. It remains to be seen how well a tournament before the NHL's regular season will do in the ratings, but the games will get prominent exposure on ESPN.
This will be the first partnership between the network and the NHL since the entities divorced in 2005.
Schedule
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2016 World Cup of Hockey Schedule
All times Eastern. All games to be played at Air Canada Centre, Toronto.
Group A
- Team Canada
- Team Czech Republic
- Team Europe
- Team USA
Group B
- Team Finland
- Team North America
- Team Russia
- Team Sweden
Preliminary Round (Round Robin)
Saturday, Sept. 17
- Team Europe vs. Team USA, 3:30 p.m., ESPN2
- Team Canada vs. Team Czech Republic, 8 p.m., ESPNews
Sunday, Sept. 18
- Team Russia vs. Team Sweden, 3 p.m., ESPN
- Team Finland vs. Team North America, 8 p.m., ESPN2
Monday, Sept. 19
- Team Czech Republic vs. Team Europe, 3 p.m., ESPN2
- Team North America vs. Team Russia, 8 p.m., ESPN2
Tuesday, Sept. 20
- Team Finland vs. Team Sweden, 3 p.m., ESPN
- Team Canada vs. Team USA, 8 p.m., ESPN
Wednesday, Sept. 21
- Team North America vs. Team Sweden, 3 p.m., ESPN
- Team Canada vs. Team Europe, 8 p.m., ESPN2
Thursday, Sept. 22
- Team Finland vs. Team Russia, 3 p.m., ESPN
- Team Czech Republic vs. Team USA, 8 p.m., ESPN2
Semifinals (Single Elimination)
Saturday, Sept. 24
- A1 vs. B2, 7 p.m., ESPN2
Sunday, Sept. 25
- B1 vs. A2, 1 p.m., ESPN
Final (Best of 3)
Tuesday, Sept. 27
- Game 1, 8 p.m., ESPN
Thursday, Sept. 29
- Game 2, 8 p.m., ESPN2
Saturday, Oct. 1
- Game 3, 7 p.m., ESPN2 (if necessary)
Biggest Storylines
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How Will Carey Price Look for Team Canada on His Return from Serious Injury?
When Carey Price went down with a knee injury last November, the Montreal Canadiens collapsed quicker than an egg souffle subject to a Guns N' Roses sound check. These World Cup games will be the first real competition for the 29-year-old goalie since then, and Canadiens and Canadian fans will scrutinize him carefully.
Price looked decent in a World Cup exhibition game last week against the U.S., but that's about it. How well he performs in Toronto won't be the defining event for the Canadiens in 2016-17. But it'll be a big first clue, and the interest in him north of the American border these next few days will be intense.
How Well Will Auston Matthews Perform for Team North America in His First Action as a Pro?
Auston Matthews was the first pick overall in the 2016 NHL draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, the hometown franchise for this tournament. So, you can imagine the intense local media attention that will surround the 18-year-old center.
Matthews looked great for the North Americans in exhibition action. His No. 34 jersey is already on the backs of thousands of Maple Leafs fans.
Here's the conundrum for Canadian hockey diehards: Canada always wants to win anything and everything when it comes to international tournaments, but if Matthews leads a team that includes Americans to victory over Team Canada, will they want to boo or cheer?
Our money is on cheering.
Will John Tortorella's Coaching Style Translate to Championship Success for the U.S.?
John Tortorella has already seen his name in headlines for his proclamation that anyone on his team who wants to sit for the American national anthem will be given a permanent seat for the ensuing game, as he told ESPN.
As always, Torts makes for good copy. He's as outspoken a coach as the sport has had, which makes his stand on the anthem protests, started by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, all the more ironic or justified, depending on your point of view.
But when this tournament is over, American hockey fans will want to know: Was Tortorella's intense philosophy what the U.S. needed after several disappointing international showings? Or, in the era of the millennial generation, is time passing him by?
Dark Horse
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Russia remains a standalone squad in international hockey; it is not lumped in with the "other countries" on Team Europe.
But it goes into this tournament as a dark horse whose glory has faded since the days of the CCCP.
Alexander Ovechkin has been the symbol of recent Russian frustration, never more so than in the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi in front of Russia President Vladimir Putin, as the team failed to medal.
But what gives Russian enthusiasts optimism for this tournament isn't just old standbys such as Ovechkin and Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin; it lies in new blood, such as forwards Artemi Panarin and Vladimir Tarasenko and goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Any team with Ovechkin, Malkin and Pavel Datsyuk—who recently retired from the NHL but will compete in Toronto—has a shot at a title.
Players to Watch
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Connor McDavid
The No. 1 overall pick in 2015, Connor McDavid enters this tournament as North America's team captain. He's from the Toronto area, too, so it should be fun seeing the highly skilled forward do his thing in front of the locals.
If not for a broken collarbone, McDavid likely would have breezed to the Calder Trophy as the league's Rookie of the Year. After a summer of hard training, he has drawn attention for improved speed. If so, look out, World Cup competitors and NHL opponents.
Auston Matthews
As Toronto's top pick, Auston Matthews' every move will be well-chronicled by the local crowds. He figures to be the centerpiece of future U.S. international teams, but for now he'll skate for a young side that includes Canadians.
Probably no one in the Greater Toronto area will cry if Matthews has an all-world tournament and beats Canada in this competition. He may be the future of U.S. hockey, but he's also holds that title for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Aleksander Barkov
The 21-year-old Florida Panthers forward is expected to center Finland's top line. He's coming off a 28-goal, 59-point season, but many believe he's the league's next superstar. He was the second overall pick in the 2013 NHL draft, so it's not like he's an unknown entity.
But some believe this tournament could be a coming-out party for Aleksander Barkov.
Steven Stamkos
A lot of hockey fans in Toronto were crushed this summer when Steven Stamkos re-signed with Tampa Bay, despite heavy courting from Maple Leafs brass. But with Stamkos' free-agent drama over, Team Canada and Lightning fans will be interested in how he looks after missing all but one game of the playoffs following a blood-clot scare.
Stamkos has shown no aftereffects and figures to be a top player still. But it has been a long layoff for him, which may prove troublesome initially.
Biggest X-Factors
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Nathan MacKinnon
Just like with Aleksander Barkov, whom Nathan MacKinnon was drafted one spot ahead of in 2013 at No. 1 overall, some believe this tournament could be a reintroduction to the grander hockey stage for the Colorado Avalanche youngster.
MacKinnon won the Calder Trophy with Colorado in 2013-14, but his two follow-up seasons lacked the same sizzle. He's still just a kid, though, at 21, and a tournament like this could rekindle the fire in his game. His speed ranks among the best in the sport.
Artemi Panarin
The Bread Man won the Calder Trophy in 2015-16 after a 77-point rookie season with Chicago. After Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin, he may be Russia's most talented forward. His youth (24) should be a nice addition to a Russian roster that has looked stale in the last few international competitions.
Aaron Ekblad
The first overall pick in the 2014 NHL draft, by Florida, Aaron Ekblad figures to be a mainstay of Canadian international teams for years. For this tourney, he will skate on defense with young fellow Canadians and some Americans.
The 20-year-old scored two goals in a North America World Cup exhibition game Sunday against Team Europe, so he's already in good form. The Ontario native's poise and leadership will continue to be assets for the North Americans.
Victor Hedman
In a short tournament like this, two-way standout defensemen such as Sweden's Victor Hedman figure to play key roles.
While not a stud offensive player from the back end like teammate Erik Karlsson, Hedman is dangerous enough with the puck to keep the defenses spread out. The 25-year-old figures to be an annual Norris Trophy candidate.
Favorites
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1. Team Canada
With superstars such as Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, Steven Stamkos, Drew Doughty and John Tavares in tow, not to mention home-ice advantage, the Canadians have to be considered the favorite.
Coach Mike Babcock has won two straight Olympic gold medals with many on the current roster, so this is already a team that knows each other well and how to win.
2. Team North America
If nothing else, this figures to be the fastest team ever assembled. Puck movement won't be a problem with roadrunners such as Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Dylan Larkin on the roster.
The young North Americans looked strong in World Cup exhibition play, so don't count them out as contenders. The biggest questions surround a lack of experience and goaltending. But this will be a fun team to watch.
3. Team Finland
Finland also treats international tournaments as a matter of national honor. They are a cohesive group, and with Tuukka Rask and Pekka Rinne in goal, they have a shot in any game they play.
How well Aleksander Barkov performs could determine Finland's fate, but that is an optimistic thing, not a pessimistic one.
Prediction
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Team Canada over Team North America in Final
For now, top international hockey remains Canada's domain.
The Canadians are experienced and are too deep at center, with Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews and Steven Stamkos present, among others.
They have the best defense, too, led by Drew Doughty, Shea Weber and Brent Burns. In goal, Carey Price may be a question mark for now, but all indications are that he's healthy and ready for a strong season.
Throw in the fact that Canada has home-ice advantage throughout at Air Canada Centre, and you have all the makings for a win over what should be a fast, exciting North American team that has plenty of future Canadian-only stars.
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