Carey Price is ready to get back into game action.The Canadian goalie will start Friday's World Cup of Hockey exhibition opener against Team USA, according to Chris Johnston of Sportsnet.

Team USA's leadership group is set.Rumored to have earned the nod in an August report, San Jose Sharks forward Joe Pavelski was officially named team captain on Wednesday, with Hart Trophy winner Patrick Kane and Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter serving as alternates.David Backes, Ryan Kesler, Ryan McDonagh, and Zach Parise are also part of the team's leadership group, which head coach John Tortorella thinks will help the American's on their quest to a title."The great news for us is that we have plenty of leaders in our room," Tortorella said."In the end, in addition to our captain and alternate captains, we also selected four other players and those seven guys will form an overall leadership group for our team. Our goal is simple and that’s to win the World Cup."Pavelski, Kane, and Suter have all represented the U.S. at the past two Olympic games, earning a silver medal in 2010 under Tortorella in Vancouver.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former NHL enforcer George Parros has joined the league's Department of Player Safety and will serve as part of the core group that handles disciplinary decisions, it was announced Wednesday."I am very pleased that George is joining us and excited about what he will bring to our department," said Player Safety head Stephane Quintal. "While he was widely known as a physical player, his coaches, teammates, and opponents also knew him as a student of the game."He will add another unique perspective to our group and the fact that he only recently retired means that he has a keen understanding of today's game."Parros, who announced his retirement back in 2014, appeared in 474 games after being drafted in the eighth round by Los Angeles at the 1999 NHL Draft, amassing 18 goals, 18 assists, and 1,092 penalty minutes."It's an interesting opportunity to not only watch a lot of hockey and remain in the sport, but kind of affect what's going on in the sport in a way that things move forward," Parros said."You're trying educate the players, and the thing that best suits me for the job is that I've played the game for a long time and played as physical as anybody else, perhaps more so, and never once got fined or suspended."The Princeton University graduate won the Stanley Cup with Anaheim in 2007.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The United States is hoping to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its title in the first World Cup of Hockey with another triumphant performance in the 2016 tournament.This year's edition of the American squad may not prevail like their 1996 brethren, but the versatile, experienced group should be competitive.Here's how we envision the lines shaping up for the United States:ForwardsPhil Kessel's absence will be felt no matter how deep the U.S. is on the right wing.The Pittsburgh Penguins sniper's snub was shocking, considering he ranks second among all American-born scorers and point producers over the last six seasons.Related: Phil Kessel's omission from Team USA makes zero senseKyle Palmieri steps in for the injured Ryan Callahan, which is a significant upgrade, but it will still be tough to replace Kessel's speed and scoring touch.This projected top line is scary good and there's no denying the talent on the top three units, but if the forward group does have a weakness, it's a little thin on the left side.LWCRWMax PaciorettyJoe PavelskiPatrick KaneZach PariseRyan KeslerKyle PalmieriJames van RiemsdykDerek StepanBlake WheelerJustin AbdelkaderDavid BackesT.J. OshieBrandon DubinskyDefensemenRyan Suter and Dustin Byfuglien give the U.S. a durable, intimidating top pairing capable of logging heavy minutes and controlling play at both ends.Two Washington Capitals crack our top six, with John Carlson providing some offensive punch on the second pairing and Matt Niskanen plying his trade as a solid shutdown blue-liner on the third unit.LDRDRyan SuterDustin ByfuglienRyan McDonaghJohn CarlsonJack JohnsonMatt NiskanenErik JohnsonGoaltendersBen Bishop could get the first crack at the crease, but the American squad might be better served with Cory Schneider as the No. 1 netminder for the tournament - he's outplayed Bishop and Jonathan Quick at five-on-five over the last three seasons, and he's done so with much less in front of him.Related: Devils' Schneider deserves to start for USA at World CupBishop will need to prove that he's fully recovered from the injury that forced him to leave Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final on a stretcher. Quick can still steal a game, but he's too inconsistent at this point in his career to be the No. 1.GBen BishopCory SchneiderJonathan QuickPower PlayParise clicked with Patrick Kane on the man advantage in at the last best-on-best international tournament in Sochi and the two dynamic wingers have a long history together in the U.S. program, so the Minnesota Wild forward should receive PP1 minutes to begin the tournament.UnitLWCRWLDRD1ParisePavelskiKaneSuterByfuglien2PaciorettyKeslerPalmieriMcDonaghCarlsonPenalty KillRyan Kesler contributes to both aspects of special teams for the Anaheim Ducks, and he'll be counted on to replicate that versatility in this tourney.The U.S. penalty killers will be a physical group that thrives on getting under the skin of opponents.UnitCFLDRD1KeslerAbdelkaderMcDonaghNiskanen2DubinskyBackesJ. JohnsonE. JohnsonCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ondrej Pavelec will have a good seat for the World Cup of Hockey, at least.The Winnipeg Jets goalie and Czech Republic native will sit back and watch Petr Mrazek and Michal Neuvirth battle it out for the starting gig at the upcoming international tournament, coach Josef Jandac has disclosed."The tournament is short and there is no time to let all three goalies play," Jandac said, according to Michael Langr of NHL.com. "We are planning to have only two goaltenders in the games and Pavelec will be the third one."It makes sense, seeing as Pavelec posted the lowest save percentage of the three in five-on-five situations in 2015-16.PlayerTeamGames5-on-5 SV%Petr MrazekRed Wings5493.07Michal NeuvirthFlyers3293.03Ondrej PavelecJets3391.84(Courtesy: Corsica Hockey)Pavelec played in four games for the Czech Republic at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, posting a save percentage of .889.However, he rebounded at the 2015 World Championship, leading his country to a bronze medal game appearance - a loss to the United States - while finishing the tournament with a .912 save percentage in nine games.Clearly that performance wasn't enough, and while he's the most experienced of the three goalies on the World Cup roster, clearly it's time to hand the reins to one of the younger, more talented options.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The United States has traditionally performed well at the World Cup of Hockey, but the American squad has a few concerns this time around.Team USA won the first World Cup in 1996 and finished fourth following a semifinal appearance in 2004, but they have their work cut out for them in 2016.From compensating for an egregious snub to a dilemma in the crease, as well as the pressure of celebrating the anniversary of their title with another, the U.S. brain trust has plenty on its plate.Here are three questions facing the American contingent at the World Cup:How will Phil Kessel's absence be mitigated?There's no sugarcoating it. The fact that Phil Kessel isn't on this team is ridiculous.The Pittsburgh Penguins' star forward wasn't named to the roster despite ranking second in goal scoring and points among American-born skaters over the last six years. Barring a last-minute injury, it's unlikely the Stanley Cup champion will be called upon.The U.S. is deep on the right wing with Patrick Kane, Kyle Palmieri, Blake Wheeler, and T.J. Oshie, but Kessel's speed and pure scoring ability won't be easily replicated.Palmieri - who replaced the injured Ryan Callahan - is coming off a 30-goal season, but Kessel's done that five times, and he's shown he can produce when it counts, with 43 points in 46 career playoff games.Team USA will need consistent and timely scoring from more than just Kane, Zach Parise, Joe Pavelski, and Max Pacioretty if it hopes to make a deep run.Who's the No. 1 goaltender?The U.S. certainly has options between the pipes in Ben Bishop, Cory Schneider, and Jonathan Quick who will battle it out for playing time.Bishop will likely get the first crack at the No. 1 role given his recent track record, but he'll need to be 100 percent healthy after the concerning injury he suffered in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final.Cory Schneider has outplayed both of his American netminding teammates at even strength over the last few seasons. He's done it on teams with weaker rosters and is the most technically sound goalie of the three.Quick has two Stanley Cups, but his play has dropped off in recent years, and he didn't show enough in the Los Angeles Kings' first-round loss to the San Jose Sharks.20 years later, can they win it all again?The USA's World Cup victory in 1996 was a watershed moment for American hockey, which has undergone a major period of growth in the 20 years since Brett Hull, John LeClair, and Mike Richter claimed the championship.Related: 5 reasons American hockey is on the riseCanada won gold in Sochi and is favored to defend the title it won at the last World Cup in 2004. Sweden, Russia, and even Team North America could also stand in the way of the United States' quest to bring home the trophy for the first time since that landmark occasion two decades ago.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

As Team Russia prepares for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, a moment of silence was taken Wednesday to remember the tragic plane crash that took the lives of 44 people - including 26 players, three coaches, and eight staff members from KHL club Lokomotiv Yaroslavl - on Sept. 7, 2011.

To see a list of all transactions throughout the summer, visit theScore's NHL Offseason Tracker.Peter Mueller is getting another chance to crack the NHL.The 28-year-old forward has signed a professional tryout offer with the Boston Bruins, according to Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.Mueller showed great promise as an NHL rookie after being selected eighth overall at the 2006 NHL Draft, scoring 22 goals and adding 32 assists in 2007-08 as a member of the Phoenix Coyotes.Traded to the Colorado Avalanche in 2010, his career was derailed by a serious concussion, and he last played in the NHL with the Florida Panthers during the lockout-shortened 2013 season, for whom he recorded eight goals and nine assists in 43 games. Mueller did sign a contract with the St. Louis Blues prior to the 2014-15 season, but it was soon terminated and he ended up playing in Switzerland that season.Mueller appeared in 43 games for the Malmo Redhawks in the Swedish Premier League last season, scoring 13 goals and adding 12 assists.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Great 8 will wear the "C."Alex Ovechkin was named captain of Russia's World Cup team Wednesday, with Pavel Datsyuk and Evgeni Malkin serving as alternates.

Role players and line matchups don't make for the prettiest brand of hockey, but Team USA believes its game plan can lead to a World Cup win.With its sights set on gold - the Americans won the first World Cup in 1996 - Team USA realizes an all-skill game isn't its path to victory.Rather, Team USA is lined with an interesting mix of skill and grit, similar to its strategy that nearly led the country to victory at the 2010 Winter Olympics, only to fall to Team Canada in the gold-medal game.A purpose-built squad, Team USA omitted a handful of talented players from its final roster, like Pittsburgh's Phil Kessel and Tampa Bay's Tyler Johnson, both of whom have posted Conn Smythe-worthy postseasons in recent years.But Team USA aims to be a big team, one that is difficult to play against and makes it a long night for the opposition. That means some skilled players simply don't fit the mould."We're going to have to pressure them all over the ice," Zach Parise told NHL.com. "It's about creating those turnovers, making other teams' (defensemen) uncomfortable and pressuring them, and creating chances that way."Agitating winger Justin Abdelkader agrees with the sentiment."The makeup of this team is that of a team that is going to be strong on the forecheck, hang on to pucks, a gritty-type American game, good goaltending, good defense."We're not going to try to go out there and score eight goals. If that happens, it happens. But we're going to play good defense and try to capitalize on our opportunities."Still, that's not to say Team USA is devoid of talent. That label doesn't fit a squad that features last year's Art Ross and Hart Trophy winner in Patrick Kane, or prolific point producers like Parise and Joe Pavelski.And as Abdelkader noted, Team USA is strong in net, with arguably the tournament's best group in Jonathan Quick, Ben Bishop, and Cory Schneider. Considering the trio's list of accolades, it's understandable why head coach John Tortorella has not yet decided on his team's starter."Make no mistake about it: We're not going to spend a lot of time worrying about other teams, how they play," Tortorella summarized. "We're going to play our game. We're going to try to inflict and put our will into a game and go about it that way. It's not going to be a convoluted message."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Having three No. 1 goaltenders is a good problem to have. Picking one of Ben Bishop, Jonathan Quick, and Cory Schneider is the tough part.Team USA is yet to decide on its starting goaltender for the World Cup, but it's planning to have its depth chart locked after pre-tournament game No. 2, head coach John Tortorella said Tuesday."When we make the decision, it's going to (stink) for the other guys, plain and simple," Tortorella said, according to NHL.com's Nicholas J. Cotsonika. "It's not going to be fair to the other guys. But we have to eventually make a decision who's going to start."Three exhibition games after a summer off is hardly enough time to make a decision, he added, but that's the nature of the beast that is the World Cup."It's very difficult," Tortorella said of the decision. "It's one I've thought about for months coming into this year."The U.S. opens its exhibition schedule with back-to-back games against Canada on Friday and Saturday. The third and final friendly will be against Finland on Tuesday, Sept. 13.Here's how the three goalies stack up:Goalie 2015-16 SV% Career SV%Bishop.926.920Quick.918.916Schneider.924.925Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

John Tortorella's always had his own way of doing things.The Columbus Blue Jackets and Team USA World Cup head coach was asked Tuesday about San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's protest of the U.S. national anthem and was straightforward in his response."If any of my players sit on the bench for the national anthem, they will sit there for the rest of the game," Tortorella said, according to ESPN's Linda Cohn.Kaepernick cites police brutality and oppression of people of color as his reasons for the protest.Boston Bruins and U.S. forward David Backes opined on Kaepernick's actions Monday, saying that while the QB has the right to express himself, Backes will "salute that flag every time it is raised."National anthems won't be played before World Cup of Hockey games, which means players won't have an opportunity to protest like Kaepernick - and others in the NFL and in other sports - is, but Tortorella's comments are strong, nonetheless. And they weren't lost on Tampa Bay Lightning forward J.T. Brown:

To see a list of all transactions throughout the summer, visit theScore's NHL Offseason Tracker.Remember Kris Russell?The defenseman remains an unrestricted free agent as training camps draw closer, but that shouldn't be the case for long.Russell's camp is in "serious discussions with eight teams and is expected to sign before camp," according to TSN's Darren Dreger.A month ago, it was reported that he was waiting for teams to clear cap space in order to get a deal done.The 29-year-old had four goals and 11 assists in 62 games last season with the Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars, adding four assists in 12 playoff games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Add Devin Setoguchi to the Los Angeles Kings' training camp roster, according to Jon Rosen of LAKingsInsider.com.Setoguchi, 29, spent last season with Davos of the Swiss League, scoring 24 points in 30 games.The Alberta native last appeared in the NHL in 2014-15 as part of the Calgary Flames, where he was held off the scoresheet in 12 games.He spent the remainder of that campaign with the Flames' farm team in Adirondack, tallying 10 points in 19 games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have invited defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron to training camp on a professional tryout offer, reports Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports.Bergeron, 35, spent the past season with Zurich of the Swiss League, scoring 25 points in 43 games.The Quebec-born blue-liner last appeared in the NHL in 2012-13, splitting time between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes, scoring nine points in 25 games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Arizona Coyotes winger Tobias Rieder will not attend training camp if a contract extension with the club has not been reached, according to Dhiren Mahiban.Mahiban reports that there would be visa-related challenges for Rieder, a native of Germany, to attend camp without a contract in hand.The 23-year-old is a restricted free agent and must sign by Dec. 1 in order to play in the coming season.Rieder's agent, Darren Ferris, has mentioned the possibility that his client could sign in the KHL if a deal cannot be reached with Arizona.His camp is believed to be seeking a two-year deal worth about $2.75 million per season. He scored 14 goals and 23 assists with the Coyotes last year.Participating with Team Europe at the upcoming World Cup, Rieder will not decide on the KHL until the conclusion of the tournament.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

To see a list of all transactions throughout the summer, visit theScore's NHL Offseason Tracker.The Florida Panthers have signed winger Jonathan Huberdeau to a six-year contract extension with a $5.9-million annual cap hit, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.

Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen, assistant general manager Bill Zito, and president of hockey operations John Davidson have each signed two-year contract extensions through the 2018-19 season, reports Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch.Davidson joined the team in October 2012 and hired Kekalainen four months later.The Blue Jackets have made the playoffs once since the duo took over, a first-round loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2014.Though the team has been unable to build off that postseason appearance, finishing 11th and 15th in the Eastern Conference in the two seasons since, Columbus, slowly but surely, appears to be trending upward."This (extension) gives us an opportunity to keep doing what we’ve been trying to build," Kekalainen said. "It’s a process that will take its time, but we’re on our way."The Blue Jackets' AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie (now Cleveland) Monsters, won the Calder Cup, and the club added 2016 third overall pick Pierre-Luc Dubois to a promising group of prospects.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Anze Kopitar will don the "C" a tad earlier than expected.After being promoted to leader of the Los Angeles Kings earlier in the offseason, the 29-year-old Slovenian was named captain of Team Europe's World Cup of Hockey squad Tuesday.Kopitar is one of the most accomplished players on Europe's roster, with two Stanley Cups to his name. He's coming off a 74-point season in which he earned the Selke Trophy for the league's best two-way forward, along with the Lady Byng.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Washington Capitals goaltender Philipp Grubauer has been named to Team Europe's World Cup of Hockey roster, replacing Frederik Andersen, the Capitals announced Tuesday.Andersen - who was traded to the Maple Leafs in June - suffered an upper-body injury in pre-Olympic qualifying, and was given a three-to-four week recovery period.Grubauer, meanwhile, joins New York Islanders tandem Jaroslav Halak and Thomas Greiss in a battle for Europe's starting job.The 24-year-old has represented his native Germany once at the IIHF World Championship, along with two World Junior Championships.Last season with the Capitals, Grubauer went 8-9-1, posting a 2.32 goals-against-average with a .918 save percentage.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Heading into the remodeled World Cup of Hockey, Team Sweden owns one of the most experienced rosters in the tournament.Sweden boasts a promising combination of youth and experience up front, and the talent on the blue line is flat-out remarkable.Swedish NHL legends Mats Sundin, Nicklas Lidstrom, Peter Forsberg, and Daniel Alfredsson are among the advisors that helped pick the roster, and here's how we imagine the lines will look when Sweden opens its tournament Sept. 18 versus Russia.ForwardsLWCRWMikael BacklundNicklas BackstromGabriel LandeskogCarl HagelinFilip ForsbergPatric HornqvistDaniel SedinHenrik SedinLoui ErikssonRickard RakellMarcus KrugerJakob SilfverbergCarl SoderbergWith more centers and left wingers than on the right side, Sweden's roster will require some tinkering.Washington Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom is the team's top center, and can be flanked by Mikael Backlund, who set a career high with 47 points last season, and was chosen as a replacement for the injured Henrik Zetterberg. Gabriel Landeskog rounds out the unit, forming a defensively responsible, yet offensively gifted top line.The Sedin twins have the international experience, but Sweden needs to provide Filip Forsberg ample ice time for maximum production. Alongside Forsberg are Pittsburgh Penguins teammates Carl Hagelin and Patric Hornqvist, while Loui Eriksson can ride shotgun with the Sedins to establish some preseason chemistry for the Vancouver Canucks.Anaheim Ducks duo Rickard Rakell and Jakob Silfverberg round out the wingers, while Marcus Kruger and Carl Soderberg will likely split time as the fourth line's pivot.DefenseLDRDOliver Ekman-LarssonErik KarlssonVictor HedmanAnton StralmanMattias EkholmNiklas HjalmarssonHampus LindholmWow.Erik Karlsson and Oliver Ekman-Larsson are two of the games finest puck movers, and are sure to create magic as a duo.Teammates Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman can solidify the blue line as a 1A pairing, while the rock-solid Niklas Hjalmarsson should be slotted with one of two steadily emerging stars in Mattias Ekholm or Hampus Lindholm.GoaliesGHenrik LundqvistJhonas EnrothJacob MarkstromNo surprises here, "The King" will be between the pipes for the Tre Kronor, and will be a key factor in how far this team goes.Power PlayUnitLWCRWLDRD1ForsbergBackstromHornqvistKarlssonHedman2D. SedinH. SedinErikssonEkholmEkman-LarssonBackstrom can commandeer a man-advantage with the best of them, and he'll surely control the top unit. Forsberg steps in for added offense, while Karlsson and Hedman can play on their opposite sides for one-timer opportunities.Penalty KillUnitCFLDRD1KrugerHagelinHedmanStralman2ForsbergErikssonEkholmHjalmarssonKruger is likely to be called upon for high-leverage faceoffs, and can stay on the ice as a reliable penalty killer. Hagelin's speed is always a threat, and the familiarity of Hedman and Stralman should bode well for Sweden while down a man.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The on-ice aftermath of P.K. Subban's move from Montreal to Nashville has yet to be seen, but the shock of the offseason's biggest deal lingers on.And while Subban's trade to the Predators for Shea Weber drew the ire of many Canadiens fans, the team's most important player sees things differently.Goaltender Carey Price believes Weber better fits Montreal's mold, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports, in an article exploring the behind-the-scenes of June's mega-deal."I was shocked like everyone else. But I had an idea that it was possible," Price said. "The way our game is structured and the way P.K. plays … we’re headed in a different direction."P.K. is an offensive defenseman and a risk-taker," he continued. "That’s made him successful, that’s the way he plays the game. He doesn’t want to change that and I respect that. I respect the way that he plays the game … his type of enthusiasm and his ability to raise fans out of their seats. That’s a special gift and something that not very many players are able to do. But the way we’re coached on our team, the way our team is structured, that’s not what were looking for. We’re looking for a steady type of defenseman that makes quick plays and is able to move the puck right away. Shea fits that bill perfectly."While Montreal's tumultuous 2015-16 season may be defined by the resulting Subban trade, the loss of Price after a first-place October was paramount to the Canadiens' free-fall down the Eastern Conference standings.Price played behind Weber at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, and will do so again at September's World Cup of Hockey, before the pair teams up in Montreal.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

"On the Fly," theScore's NHL roundtable series, checks in with a World Cup installment, discussing the vacant captaincy of Team North America.The North Americans remain without an official leader. That'll be the case for a few more days, according to head coach Todd McLellan."We've spent all of about 12 hours together, 15, 18 hours," he told NHL.com's Tim Campbell in Montreal. "So it's hard to give you a timeline or an estimate."So, while we wait, here are our picks for the man to wear the "C":Brandon SaadCraig Hagerman: Brandon Saad, not Connor McDavid, should captain Team North America at the World Cup.Yes, it makes sense for McDavid to lead the team, since he's the game's next prolific star and personality. But this is a tournament that will hinge heavily on experience and, well, he doesn't have much of it.Meanwhile, Saad enters the tournament a 23-year-old veteran on the young squad. He's already got four NHL seasons and two Stanley Cup rings on his resume.Saad knows what it takes to win, and played his first three seasons with one of the league's most revered captains in Jonathan Toews. Saad also has international experience, having played at the World Junior Championship and the U-18 Championship.The Columbus Blue Jackets forward plays a solid two-way game and can be relied on in all situations. Who better to captain a young team built on offense? Plus, there will already be enough pressure on McDavid.McDavidNavin Vaswani: Don't overthink this, Mr. McLellan.McDavid as captain simply makes too much sense, especially considering McLellan is behind the bench. His North American squad needs a captain, and so too do the Edmonton Oilers. In other words, this is the perfect audition for the coach's best player (on both teams).Sure, McDavid's only 19, but in addition to proving in his first 45 NHL games that he's "The Next One" on the ice, he also proved adept at handling the pressure and expectations that came with being the No. 1 overall pick in a hockey-mad city like Edmonton.The kid's already the face of the Oilers, especially after the Taylor Hall trade. He's already a veteran with the media, and is undoubtedly the face of the upstart North American squad, which is going to play fast, exciting, offensive hockey during the World Cup.So, yeah, it's McDavid. It has to be. McLellan knows it. He's simply being diplomatic, and there's nothing wrong with that. But he knows.Aaron EkbladSean O'Leary: The only proof that Aaron Ekblad belongs on an Under-23 team is his birth certificate.The 2014 first overall pick has blossomed into an anchor on the Florida Panthers' blue line, and will be relied upon heavily against top lines and during crucial situations.North America's abundant skill up front has garnered most of the attention, but Ekblad should wear the "C" as a stabilizing force in a relatively thin defensive corps.Building off a Calder Trophy in his rookie campaign, Ekblad notched a career-high in goals last season with 15, while averaging 21:41 of ice time for the Atlantic Division champions.Ekblad is one of the game's most prominent young stars, and is surely in the running for Florida's vacant captaincy, so there's no harm in giving him a head start while the world is watching.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In more ways than one, Auston Matthews is the new kid on the block.As expected, all eyes will be on him with the Toronto Maple Leafs come October, but before he steps into the real pressure-cooker, the 2016 first-overall pick will suit up for Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey, where he's the only one on the under-23 roster without a single game played in the NHL.If Matthews finds himself in need of some advice, he won't have to look too far, as he'll share a dressing room with several teammates that were recently in his shoes.Aside from Matthews there are four former first-overall picks on North America's roster, including 2013 selection Nathan MacKinnon, who predicts a lot of attention for the Maple Leafs' future star."A lot of hype. A lot of expectations A lot of noise. He’s a hot topic," MacKinnon told Mark Spector of Sportsnet. "Going first to Toronto? Yeah, he’s going to be a focal point."Last season, Connor McDavid was in Matthews' shoes, and the Edmonton Oilers' wonderkid wants his temporary teammate to embrace the experience."It’s going to be busy, it’s going to be hectic, and he’s going to love it," McDavid said. "Toronto is going to be a great place for him to play. Part of that is because of the media attention and the fans that they have. Just enjoy it."He’ll find a couple of guys that he likes hanging around with. It’s always good to have someone to talk to."As for Matthews himself, he's ready to absorb all he can while playing with the best of the best."It’s a little nerve wracking, in a sense that you’ve never played at the NHL level, nevertheless the top of the top," Matthews said. "For me I just want to learn as much as possible, and just have fun with it. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, this tournament."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Internationally, Sweden has long been a threat to win any tournament, and expect much of the same when the World Cup of Hockey kicks off in Toronto Sept. 17.Sweden has assembled one of the most experienced and consistent lineups in the tournament rebirth, and should be a tough test for any country.With an eye-popping blueline, a deep platoon of forwards, and a future Hall of Famer in goal, the Tre Kronor have a solid foundation at both ends of the ice.That said, every roster faces adversity, and here are three key questions facing Sweden.Redemption from Sochi?Earning an Olympic silver medal is nothing to snuff at, but 2014's loss to Canada stung Sweden for multiple reasons.Henrik Sedin missed the tournament due to a hand injury, and Henrik Zetterberg withdrew after one game because of a nagging back ailment. Tied in with Nicklas Backstrom being wrongfully deemed ineligible for the gold-medal match, and there's a pressing feeling of "what if?"Zetterberg unfortunately had to withdraw once again, but Backstrom and Sedin will play a key role for Sweden this time around, and memories from 2014 could serve as extra motivation.Can Lundqvist shake off playoff rust?Of all Henrik Lundqvist's 10 playoff appearances throughout his career, last season's run was his worst.Sure, Hank's Rangers were heavily outplayed in all aspects by the eventual champion Pittsburgh Penguins, but in five games, Lundqvist posted a .867 save percentage and a 4.39 goals against average, astoundingly lower than the .921 clip and 2.28 GAA he's averaged throughout his sparkling postseason career.Simply put, Sweden goes as far as Lundqvist does, and a bounce back from The King is imperative to his country's success.Can talented D-corps take team all the way?Hockey fans - from any country - will have the pleasure of watching some of the games most talented defenseman work in unison on Sweden's blueline.Erik Karlsson, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Victor Hedman, Anton Stralman, Mattias Ekholm, Niklas Hjalmarsson, and Hampus Lindholm compose arguably the best defensive corps in the tournament, and much of Sweden's offense should be generated from the backend.Karlsson paced the NHL in assists with 66 last season, while Ekman-Larsson was seventh in scoring among defenseman with 55 points. Stralman and Hedman are partners in Tampa Bay, while Hjalmarsson delivers a steady defensive hand.Sweden's offensive game plan is sure to involve the swift skating and elite puck moving skills of Karlsson and company, and the defensive talent at the Swede's disposal could prove to be a huge difference maker.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

This almost makes you wish Team Europe or Team North America wins the World Cup.

The World Cup will feature some major fire power. We were reminded of that fact Monday, when teams took to the ice to practice for the first time.Here are the first lines for six of the tournament's eight teams (we're still waiting on the Czech Republic and Team Europe):CanadaLWCRWBrad Marchand (BOS)Sidney Crosby (PIT)Patrice Bergeron (BOS)FinlandLWCRWPatrik Laine (WPG)Aleksander Barkov (FLA)Jussi Jokinen (FLA)North AmericaLWCRWJonathan Drouin (TAM)Connor McDavid (EDM)Mark Scheifele (WPG)RussiaLWCRWAlex Ovechkin (WAS)Evgeny Kuznetsov (WAS)Nikita Kucherov (TAM)SwedenLWCRWDaniel Sedin (VAN)Henrik Sedin (VAN)Loui Eriksson (VAN)USALWCRWMax Pacioretty (MTL)Joe Pavelski (SJS)Patrick Kane (CHI)Yeah, this tournament's going to be fun.- With h/t to Pro Hockey TalkCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov, national pride takes precedence over business.The 23-year-old remains a restricted free agent as the World Cup is set to kick off in just under two weeks, but Kucherov is not ready to squander a great opportunity just because he lacks a new contract."I have a chance to play for Team Russia against the best players in the world and I'm not going to lose it," Kucherov said, according to Tom Gulitti of NHL.com.No one understands more about what Kucherov is currently going through than his Team Russia teammate Dmitry Orlov, who also remains without a new contract with the Washington Capitals."I think everybody wants to have a contract before the World Cup begins," Orlov said. "Right now I'm trying not to think too much about that. We'll see how it goes. Everybody wants to be signed quicker, but right now I'm getting ready for this tournament and we'll see how it goes."Kucherov is coming off his third season with the Lightning, one that saw him lead the club with 66 points in 77 games during the regular season, and with 11 goals and 19 points during the postseason.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The kids are coming in with confidence.Team North America hit the ice Monday in Montreal for the first time ahead of the World Cup, and if you ask Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon, he's confident about his under-23 squad's chances."All of us play in the NHL, and it's a young league," MacKinnon told NHL.com's Tim Campbell. "I think we have some of the best players in the league on this team. We're the most skilled team here, in my opinion. I think we are, just with our speed."MacKinnon isn't worried about a lack of experience on the team, even though, as Campell writes, no player on the club "has a single game of international best-on-best experience.""I don't think anybody cares," MacKinnon said.Straight and to the point.Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad said playoff experience, which a number of players have, will do just fine.In other words, the club isn't thinking about who's lining up on the other side of the ice. The players are only concerned about Team North America, and will go into the tournament ready to compete."We won't tiptoe our way into the tournament," said Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Brooklyn may end up only a footnote in the history of the New York Islanders.The club has an opt-out clause in its 25-year agreement with Barclays Center that kicks in after three seasons, reports Newsday's Jim Baumbach.The Islanders' 2015-16 season was its first in Brooklyn. It's been so far, so good, as New York won its first playoff series since 1993, eliminating the Atlantic Division-winning Florida Panthers in six games.Newsday obtained a summary of the agreement between the Islanders and Barclays Center, Baumbach writes:

With San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's protests during the playing of the American national anthem making daily headlines in the United States, Team USA was asked about the controversy as it gathered in Columbus, Ohio for its World Cup training camp.The players will be wearing red, white, and blue in Toronto beginning Sept. 17, and it's clear from their comments that they just want to focus on playing hockey. But Boston Bruins forward and former St. Louis Blues captain David Backes did weigh in on the matter, acknowledging that athletes have a tremendous platform to raise issues and influence thousands, if not millions of people."I have my opinions," Backes said about Kaepernick's choice to not stand for the playing of the Star-Spangled Banner, he told USA Today Sports' Kevin Allen."(Kaepernick's) going to do his thing, but I salute those who have stood for our country, who have died and given limbs and lives for us. I will salute that flag every time it is raised," he said.Kaepernick cites inequality and police brutality against people of color as the reasons for his protest.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears Kris Versteeg won't be spending the winter in Switzerland.After reportedly signing a one-year deal with Swiss side Bern, he's heading back to North America due to health-insurance complications, reports TSN's Darren Dreger.

If anyone cares, it's Steven Stamkos.The Tampa Bay Lightning captain didn't participate for Team Canada at the last two Olympics - in 2010 because he was passed over, and in 2014 because of a broken leg - and he was asked about the significance of the World Cup on Monday. He responded in kind."It's huge," Stamkos said, writes Sportsnet's Chris Johnston. "You don't know when you're going to get those opportunities again. With the talent that Canada has, your window's pretty limited when it comes to these things."As more and more players drop out of the tournament that begins Sept. 17, Stamkos' positive feelings make for a story. The Markham, Ontario product has been through a lot recently after missing much of last year's Stanley Cup playoffs due to blood clots, so he's not taking anything for granted."I've been looking forward to this for a long time," he said.Stamkos said he's no longer taking blood thinners and had a great summer of training, so he's ready to go. On Monday, he found himself on Canada's top power-play unit, playing with Sidney Crosby, John Tavares, Ryan Getzlaf, and Drew Doughty.Who wouldn't be excited about that?Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Expectations were never high for the Czech Republic entering the World Cup of Hockey, and after injuries to several of their key players, odds are certainly not in their favor.Of course, Czech Republic general manager Martin Rucinsky is certainly not ruling his team out, but he is quick to admit the losses of David Krejci, Tomas Hertl, and Radko Gudas will be felt."Losing Krejci, Hertl, and Gudas was not easy," Rucinsky said, according to Michael Langr of NHL.com. "All of them are quality players. Krejci should have been our first center. We wanted to have Hertl among our top-six forwards as well. And (Gudas) is one of the toughest defensemen out there. We are going to miss those guys. But at the same time, we see it as a chance for others. It's not just us. Every team has had some changes and we have to deal with it. Let's move on and go forward."Meanwhile, according to captain Tomas Plekanec, the injury problems give the Czechs the opportunity to play the underdog role - a position he has used to his advantage over the course of his career."For me, the best feeling was always to prove people that they were wrong," Plekanec said. "When I was young, nobody believed me when I said I could play professional hockey and make it to the NHL. And I used it as a motivation to work even harder and prove those people they were wrong. It would be great to show everyone at (the World Cup) that they were wrong too."Prior to the injuries, oddsmakers gave the Czech Republic 20/1 odds of winning the tournament, tied with Team North America as the second-biggest long shot among the eight teams.While the team may not have the same firepower as other squads, defenseman Andrej Sustr feels that shouldn't make them any less competitive."We don't have as many big names on our roster as they are on many other rosters," Sustr said. "But we will play with team effort and good defense and I believe that it can bring us success. Everyone has their pride and we are going to have a good tournament there."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There's a method to his madness.Team Canada head coach Mike Babcock's rosters at the past two Olympic Games and the upcoming World Cup of Hockey have followed a distinct pattern.It's become no secret that Babcock has tried to construct his defensive pairings with both a left-handed shot and a right-handed shot on each contingent. Of course, that criteria has led to the omission of players such as Kris Letang and P.K. Subban, who both shoot right.On Monday during a press conference, Babcock finally revealed why having a defenseman with a left-handed shot is so important.So, in case it wasn't clear before, Babcock has clearly thought this through.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Boston Bruins forward Zach Senyshyn underwent a successful appendectomy on Sunday, the club announced on Monday.The surgery will keep the 19-year-old out of the NHL rookie tournament, but he is still expected to report to the Bruins' main training camp, though his level of participation is not yet known.Senyshyn was drafted 15th overall by the Bruins in 2015. He is coming off his third season with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League where he put up 45 goals and 65 points in 66 games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen will be sidelined three-to-four weeks after sustaining an upper body injury at a pre-Olympic qualifying game Friday, general manager Lou Lamoriello announced.Andersen is expected to be back for the start of the regular season, but will miss the World Cup of Hockey, where he was selected as one of three goalies to Team Europe.After learning of the injury, the Leafs flew Andersen from Belarus to Toronto over the weekend for an evaluation with team doctors.The Maple Leafs acquired Andersen from the Anaheim Ducks via trade during the offseason, after a season in which the 26-year-old went 22-9-4 with a 2.30 goals against average and .919 save percentage.There is no word yet on who may replace Andersen on Europe's roster.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2016 iteration of the World Cup is far removed from the political tensions that came with the early Canada Cup tournaments, but make no mistake: There's nothing Russia would love more than to come out on top of an international tournament played on Canadian soil.And while the roster is made up of familiar faces from around the NHL looking to get that job done, there are a few relatively unknown but very talented KHL players in the mix to add a touch of old school intrigue.Here's what we project Russia's lines to look like:ForwardsHead coach Oleg Znarok's team boasts an embarrassment of riches up front, including a trio of the game's top goal scorers in Alex Ovechkin, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Nikita Kucherov.If that wasn't enough, superstar center Evgeni Malkin and his heir apparent Evgeny Kuznetsov are there to lock down the middle, with Pavel Datsyuk - who's now plying his trade back home - slotted on the left for good measure.LWCRWAlex OvechkinEvgeni MalkinVladimir TarasenkoPavel DatsyukEvgeni KuznetsovNikita KucherovEvgeni DadonovVadim ShipachyovArtemi PanarinVladislav NamestnikovArtem AnisimovNikolay KuleminIvan TeleginThe third line will be quick and skilled, featuring a pair of KHL forwards and the reigning NHL rookie of the year, while some more defensively responsible players get the call on the fourth line.Add it all up and Russia's forward group will be as dangerous as any other in this tournament.DefensemenHere's where things get a bit iffy for Russia, a country that hasn't produced many elite defensemen over the years.Andrei Markov is by far the oldest and thereby most experienced defenseman on the roster, but at age 37, may be a bit long in the tooth to keep up with this tournament's star power.The rest of the top six is young and full of potential, but, apart from maybe Dmitry Kulikov in Buffalo, not quite top pairing material on even their own NHL squads.LDRDDmitry KulikovNikita NestorovAndrei MarkovNikita ZaitsevDmitry OrlovAlexei MarchenkoAlexei EmelinOne X-factor here could be Nikita Zaitsev, who will be making his Toronto debut after signing with the Maple Leafs during the offseason.GoaliesThe youngster Andrei Vasilevskiy may end up being the best of the bunch down the road, but even after an impressive showing during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he'll remain buried behind a Vezina Trophy winner in Sergei Bobrovsky and Semyon Varlamov, a former finalist for the award.GSergei BobrovskySemyon VarlamovAndrei VasilevskiyBoth Bobrovsky and Varlamov played well at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, albeit in a poor and disappointing tournament for a team playing on home soil.Power PlayWord to the wise: Don't take penalties when playing Russia.These power-play units will run circles around much of the opposition.UnitLWCRWLDRD1OvechkinMalkinTarasenkoDatsyukNestorov2PanarinKuznetsovKucherovMarkovZaitsevPenalty KillIf Russia gets into penalty trouble, however, the opportunities will be there.Artem Anisimov and Nikolay Kulemin should see heavy minutes up front, while their more offensively-minded brethren will also be called upon to help lock things down in their own zone during four-on-five situations.Deploying Ovechkin is never a bad thing, really.UnitCFLDRD1AnisimovKuleminKulikovMarchenko2NamestnikovOvechkinMarkovOrlovCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vancouver Canucks forward Henrik Sedin has been named Team Sweden's captain for the upcoming World Cup of Hockey, the Swedish Ice Association announced Monday.Detroit Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg was initially named captain, but after pulling out of the tournament because of a knee issue, Sedin has been deemed the replacement.Sedin's brother, Daniel, will serve as an alternate captain along with Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson.Last season with the Canucks, Sedin recorded 11 goals and 44 assists in 74 games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Few are picking Russia to come out on top at the World Cup, and Canada has long been listed as the favorites.While the 2016 version of this tournament doesn't have the same tradition as the Canada Cups of old, it's safe to say Russia will do everything possible to steal this one from the true north strong and free, especially after failing to medal at the past three Winter Olympics.Here are three questions that will need to be answered along the way.Can Russia bounce back from Sochi disappointment?Much was expected from a Russian squad playing the 2014 Olympic men's hockey tournament on home soil, but an emotional shootout loss at the hands of T.J. Oshie and the Americans derailed the quest to finish first in the group stage and therefore an easier path to the gold-medal game.A quarterfinal loss to Finland ensured Russia's failure to earn a medal of any color in Sochi, where the home country eventually finished fifth.Medals at the three following World Championships (gold in 2014, silver in 2015, bronze in 2016) were nice, but that tournament certainly isn't on the same level as the Olympics, and doesn't have the same level of top-flight NHL talent that the World Cup will boast.It won't erase the sting of Sochi, but triumph in Toronto has a nice ring to it.Is the defense good enough?While Russia's offense was deemed good enough to exclude the likes of Alex Radulov and Ilya Kovalchuk, the blue line leaves much to be desired.Long gone are the days when Sergei Zubov and Sergei Gonchar dominated at the position. Andrei Markov ranks third all time among Russian defensemen in the NHL, but at age 37, his best days are behind him and there's reason to question whether he can keep up in what's expected to be a fast-paced tournament.That leaves Dmitry Kulikov and Dmitry Orlov as the next best options, with promising youngsters Nikita Nestorov and Alexei Marchenko set to carry heavy loads.Watch out for Nikita Zaitsev as a potential game breaker, as the 24-year-old will no doubt be looking to make a good impression in Toronto after signing with the Maple Leafs this summer.Who starts in goal?Russia will bring three capable goalies to the World Cup, giving head coach Oleg Znarok reason to pause when deciding who will start.Sergei Bobrovsky has a Vezina Trophy (2013) on his resume, and backstopped his country to a Bronze at the 2016 World Championships on the strength of a .931 save percentage in nine games.Semyon Varlamov, however, has proven to be a quality option in net while playing for a Colorado team that doesn't make it easy on him, and he did play well in Sochi when given the chance.It's Andrei Vasilevskiy who's been most impressive recently, stepping up for Tampa Bay in the Eastern Conference Finals.Out of the three options, his save percentage in 5-on-5 play this past season (including playoffs) rises to the top.PlayerGamesShots AgainstSv%Sergei Bobrovsky37815.915Semyon Varlamov571365.923Andrei Vasilevskiy32678.925if we eliminate recency bias, Bobrosvky is the likely front-runner for the gig, and Varlamov is probably the backup as a result of his dependable play in recent years.Vasilevskiy, though, might be the best of the bunch.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Starting this coming week, Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin will be able to temporarily forget about the grueling task of containing Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid.That's because the two will be teammates for Team North America at the World Cup. The two are familiar opponents after going head to head not just at the NHL level, but as far back as their days of midget hockey."I'm happy Connor McDavid is on our roster because I've been chasing him around for a while since his days with the Toronto Marlboros (in 2011-12), so it'll be nice being on his side," Larkin told NHL.com. "You hear nothing but positive things (about McDavid), and obviously he's a great player, and I'm happy he's on our team."Aside from McDavid, Larkin is also excited to be reunited with Buffalo Sabres forward Jack Eichel and Toronto Maple Leafs rookie Auston Matthews, both of whom Larkin played alongside on Team USA at the 2015 World Juniors."It's pretty cool to think that the three of us played together at the World Junior Championship just a few years ago," Larkin said. "We've come up through the international program together and now we get to represent all the hockey players under the age of 23, and I'm excited to see them and play with them again."As for how Larkin feels the young squad will do at the tournament, he thinks the team sits in a rather unique position - one that still sees them as a threat, but without the same pressure the more experienced clubs enter with."I think this is going to be great because it's a group of guys coming together who are all in the same position; we're young guys in the NHL trying to prove ourselves," Larkin said. "I think the other teams aren't underestimating us, but we don't have that pressure. We're just going to have a ton of fun and play with a lot of speed, and I think teams might be on their heels when they're playing against us."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Team USA's disappointing finish at the 2014 Winter Olympics is certainly not lost on the team as the World Cup approaches.Many players who donned the red, white, and blue in Sochi will once again represent their country when the top hockey powers reconvene in Toronto for two weeks, and for them, the World Cup offers a do-over."It's a great opportunity for that group in Sochi that we had," New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh said, according to Tom Gulitti of NHL.com. "We have a lot of the same guys representing the U.S. that kind of get a chance to get back on the right side of things."After opening the Olympics with three straight wins, the Americans ultimately faltered in the medal round. What made the tournament such a disappointment to the players, according to Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie, was the immense pressure the players placed on themselves, with a seemingly first or last mentality."It was a letdown," Oshie said. "It would have been amazing to get a medal, but I think overall we had our eye on gold, and it almost felt like it was gold or bust for us."As for Minnesota Wild captain Zach Parise, the most devastating part was the final game, which saw the Americans get blown out by Finland in a battle for bronze."I thought Canada really played well against us," said Parise, who was captain of the 2014 team. "We really didn't get much offensively. They locked it down pretty good on us and they had good players. You're going to look at their roster 15 years from now and be like, 'Oh my gosh! All these guys were on the same team together?' The ending in Russia with a 5-0 pretty good waxing was tough. Had we gone home after a 1-0 loss to Canada, of course that would have been brutal, but we finished with a kind of disappointing game, and that's what everyone remembers."So less than two years later, the team is hoping to rectify that disappointing result. However, things won't be easy for the Americans who find themselves in a group with the early favorite Canadians.But as Capitals defenseman John Carlson notes, there is a simple solution to getting a better result this time around."The only way you can fix it is to work harder and get better and get another crack," Carlson said. "Only one team gets to win, so everybody else (in Sochi) was feeling pretty badly for themselves too. So we're going to go out there and leave it all on the line."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Team Sweden isn't short on offensive firepower.Sporting a World Cup roster that features that likes of Nicklas Backstrom, Filip Forsberg, and Daniel and Henrik Sedin, the Swedes should have no trouble finding the back of the net.The team also boasts a blue line overflowing with defensive stalwarts like Erik Karlsson, Victor Hedman, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Not to mention "King" Henrik Lundqvist between the pipes.But an oft-overlooked part of Team Sweden is center Marcus Kruger, a key defensive specialist with the Chicago Blackhawks.Kruger, 26, has become a valuable go-to for Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville, given his strengths as a checking center, where his ability to read plays and kill penalties has been a big piece to the team's success.The hope is that Kruger, who has two Stanley Cup victories to his name, can translate his NHL success to the international stage."Everybody wants to contribute to the team success, and this is a pretty cool way too," Kruger told ESPN. "It's rewarding to get to play the last shifts of a game because often it means that if we can keep the puck out of our net, we'll win."Team Sweden came up short in Sochi, falling to Canada in the gold-medal game.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Team Norway's 2-1 win Sunday over France ensured their qualification for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.Mattias Norstebo and New York Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello sparked the offense to lead Norway to victory.The 2018 Games will feature hockey's "Big 6" - Canada, Russia, Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic, and the United States - while Slovakia, Switzerland, and host nation South Korea round out the initial group.With Norway snapping up one of the three qualifier seeds, it leaves two slots open, which will be decided by Sunday's qualifying matches. Germany faces vs. Latvia, while Belarus takes on Slovenia, and the winners will join the teams participating in the 2018 Games.A decision hasn't yet been made about whether NHL players will participate in the next Winter Olympics.

Tomas Kundratek has been added to Team Czech Republic's World Cup roster.Kundratek, 26, will fill in for Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas at the upcoming tournament, according to Tom Gulitti of NHL.com as Gudas is dealing with an upper-body injury and won't participate.Kundratek split last season between Riga Dynamo and Bratislava Slovan of the KHL, combining for 24 points in 56 games.Drafted by the New York Rangers in 2008, Kundratek last appeared in the NHL in 2012-13 with the Washington Capitals. He has 30 games of NHL experience, scoring a goal and six assists.Earlier Sunday, Team Czech Republic named Czech Extraliga winger Michal Birner as the replacement for injured winger Tomas Hertl.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Team Czech Republic has reached into its own backyard, selecting Czech Extraliga winger Michal Birner to replace the injured Tomas Hertl at the upcoming World Cup, according to TV NOVA Sport's Roman Jedlicka.Birner, 30, spent most of last season with Liberac Bili Tygri HC of the Czech Republic's top league, finishing third in team scoring with 39 points in 51 games.He also spent four games with the Chelyabinsk Traktor of the KHL, where he was held off the scoresheet in four games.The St. Louis Blues drafted Birner in 2004, 114th overall.It appears Team Czech Republic first reached out to forward Jiri Hudler, who recently signed with the Dallas Stars, before settling on Birner."Hudler didn't answer phone calls and messages," Czech Republic general manager Martin Rucinsky said. "His agent Petr Svoboda then told us Jiri didn't have interest to go."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

What's removed from a photo speaks a thousand words.P.K. Subban took to Twitter on Saturday to offer congratulations to former Montreal Canadiens teammate and friend Scott Gomez upon the announcement of the latter's retirement from professional hockey.

Manny Malhotra may not be out of the game for long.The veteran center has reportedly reached the end of his NHL playing career and is seeking work in coaching or player development, according to Jeff Patterson of The Province.Canucks general manager Jim Benning says the club is looking into hiring Malhotra, who appeared in 159 games for Vancouver from 2010 to 2013."He was a good player for the team for a number of years, and he’s a guy who had a special set of gifts that he offered on faceoffs and penalty killing," Benning said. "He was a good leader on those teams that were successful. So we’re currently looking into seeing if there is a fit with our organization."His career was put on hold due to a serious eye injury suffered weeks before the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the year Vancouver advanced to the final. He last played for the Montreal Canadiens during the 2014-15 season.Malhotra, 36, appeared in 991 NHL games, recording 116 goals and 295 points. He proved to be most efficient in the faceoff circle and playing without the puck.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.