Highlighting NHL players on rosters in the 2018 IIHF World Championship

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Canada

Canada’s Pierre-Luc Dubois (C) celebrates scoring with his team mates during the group B match US vs Canada of the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship at the Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning, Denmark, on May 4, 2018. (Photo by JOE KLAMAR / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images) /

NHL Roster Players: Josh Bailey (NYI); Mathew Barzal (NYI); Anthony Beauvillier (NYI); Thomas Chabot (OTT); Pierre-Luc Dubois (CBJ); Jordan Eberle (NYI); Joel Edmundson (STL); Aaron Ekblad (FLA); Bo Horvat (VAN); Tyson Jost (COL); Darcy Kuemper (ARI); Connor McDavid (EDM); Curtis McElhinney (TOR); Darnell Nurse (EDM); Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (EDM); Ryan O’Reilly (BUF); Colton Parayko (STL); Jean-Gabriel Pageau (OTT); Ryan Pulock (NYI); Brayden Schenn (STL); Jaden Schwartz (STL)

The Verdict: Canada’s roster is one of the most depth-ridden collection of players in the World Championship. It seems to have everything from offensive prowess to defensive responsibility, as the team is piloted by the stars of the future. The likes of Barzal, Horvat, McDavid, O’Reilly and Schwartz ensure that the weeks to come will be nothing short of exciting to watch. Goaltending may serve as a potential weak spot, so look for the Canadians’ defense to clock in some tough minutes.

Finland

NHL Roster Players: Sebastian Aho (CAR); Mikael Granlund (MIN); Miro Heiskanen (DAL); Julius Honka (DAL); Ville Husso (STL); Kasperi Kapanen (TOR); Markus Nutivaara (CBJ); Mikko Rantanen (COL); Harri Sateri (FLA); Teuvo Teravainen (CAR)

The Verdict: Finland’s roster entails ten NHL players — all of whom are surely itching to make statements in the upcoming tournament. Aho, Kapanen, Rantanen and Teravainen are not only greatly admired in their respective organizations, but are also capable of stealing games with stellar individual performances. As such, expect the team’s NHL stars to aim to take command of the international stage.

United States

HERNING, DENMARK – MAY 04: (L-R) Johnny Gauderau, Keith Kinkaid, Quinn Hughes, Connor Murphy, Will Butcher and Cam Atkinson of Team USA celebrate during the World Championship game between USA and Canada at Jyske Bank Boxen Arena on May 4, 2018 in Herning, Denmark. (Photo by Marco Leipold/City-Press via Getty Images) /

NHL Roster Players: Cam Atkinson (CBJ); Will Butcher (NJD); Blake Coleman (NJD); Scott Darling (CAR); Alex DeBrincat (CHI); Johnny Gaudreau (CGY); Brian Gibbons (NJD); Patrick Kane (CHI); Keith Kinkaid (NJD); Chris Kreider (NYR); Dylan Larkin (DET); Anders Lee (NYI); Charlie Lindgren (MTL); Alec Martinez (LAK); Sonny Milano (CBJ); Connor Murphy (CHI); Jordan Oesterle (CHI); Neal Pionk (NYR); Derek Ryan (CAR); Tage Thompson (STL); Colin White (OTT)

The Verdict: Much like Canada’s team, the United States’ roster is packed with depth from the NHL. Atkinson, Gaudreau, Kane and Lee are all more than capable of punishing opponents for any and all errors. Darling is in need of a pick-me-up following a less than favorable 2017-18 season, so look for the U.S.’s goaltending to account for some lost ground.

Germany

NHL Roster Players: Leon Draisaitl (EDM); Korbinian Holzer (ANA); Dennis Seidenberg (NYI)

The Verdict: Just three members of Germany’s roster currently play in the NHL, but all of them will look to the upcoming weeks as an opportunity to prove themselves in an international setting. Draisaitl, in particular, is subject to pressure over the course of the World Championship, as he provides his team with some much needed depth in the offensive end.

Denmark

HERNING, DENMARK – MAY 04: Yasin Ehliz of Germany fails to socre over Frederik Andersen, goalkeeper of Denmark during the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship group stage game between Germany and Denmark at Jyske Bank Boxen on May 4, 2018 in Herning, Denmark. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images) /

NHL Roster Players: Frederik Andersen (TOR); Oliver Bjorkstrand (CBJ); Frans Nielsen (DET)

The Verdict: Denmark’s roster is only comprised of three NHL players, but one of them made his case for the Vezina Trophy over the course of the 2017-18 season. There’s little doubt that Bjorkstrand and Nielsen are capable of playing big minutes when needed, but it’s Andersen’s capacity for lights-out performances that surely serves as a point of excitement for Danish hockey fans. Look for the team to take full advantage of both the Leafs’ No. 1 starter and home ice in the weeks to come.

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