{allcanada} Five reasons to be excited about the World Cup of Hockey

 

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With Wednesday's unveiling of the first 16 players for each team competing in September's World Cup of Hockey, it's clear that it could be more competitive than the most recent Olympic tournament in 2014.

Here are five reasons why the 2016 World Cup of Hockey will rock:

Young guns are loaded

Let's admit now that we were all wrong about the 23-and-under North American team. When the tournament was announced, it sounded too gimmicky. But when you look at the initial selections, your first reaction is, 'Wow.'  If goalie John Gibson stands on his head, this team could topple any. It will score. It has speed. This team could medal, and it will become a fan favorite. There are at least three players (Johnny Gaudreau, Brandon Saad and Seth Jones) who would have made the American varsity, and two others (Jack Eichel and Dylan Larkin) who would have merited serious consideration.

Swede smell of success

The Swedish defense is so loaded that John Klingberg (Dallas Stars) wasn't named in their first wave of selections. He is the NHL's third-highest scoring defenseman. But Sweden's defense includes Erik Karlsson, Victor Hedman, Anton Stralman, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Niklas Kronwall. The forward group includes Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Nicklas Backstrom, Henrik Zetterberg and Filip Forsberg. Their most important player, Henrik Lundqvist, is in net. The Swedes could win it all.

Oh Canada, favorite label belongs to thee

The NHL always acts as if there is a shortage of quality centers, but somehow Canada's international tournament roster is packed with dominant ones. Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, John Tavares, Ryan Getzlaf, Patrice Bergeron, Steven Stamkos, Tyler Seguin ... Canada's rosters always read like a Hall of Fame ballot. That's why Canada is always the favorite.

Beware of Team Europe

This group will be far more competitive than if Switzerland or Slovakia had been added to the field as individual teams.

With Anze Kopitar, Marian Hossa, Roman Josi and Zdeno Chara leading this hybrid squad, Team Europe is an upset-producer waiting to happen. The team's only disadvantage will be in net. Frederik Andersen and Jaroslav Halak are quality netminders, but they are not in the same class as Lundqvist, Jonathan Quick, Carey Price, Sergei Bobrovsky or Pekka Rinne.

Americans will be improved

This group is expected to be sharper than it was in the Sochi Olympics when it lost to Canada 1-0 in the semifinals. The Americans will be grittier, thanks to the additions of two players who didn't make that Olympic team, Dustin Byfuglien and Justin Abdelkader.

Coach John Tortorella will motivate his players. His teams play with relentlessness and toughness. General manager Dean Lombardi isn't looking for one player to lead. He said Wednesday he's looking for a group of leaders to hold each other accountable.

With Tortorella in charge, you know there will be fireworks on and off the ice.

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