Minnesota Wild: Did Team North America Snub the Wild?
Team North America looks to be one of the most exciting groups in the World Cup of Hockey. With all three age 24 or under Minnesota Wild player left off the North America roster, one has to ask if their absence can be considered a snub?
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One of the most exciting elements of the upcoming World Cup of Hockey is the young gun conglomerate known as Team North America. The collection of players who are age of 24 or under from either the US or Canada offers an exciting brand of hockey that might just be the surprise of the tournament. Some experts and fans seem to think there’s a real possibility that head coach Todd McLellan’s team could win the entire tournament. Looking at the talented lineup they certainly have an argument.
The lineup of Team North America is devoid of any representation by the Minnesota Wild. This largely is not a shock due to the fact that on the Wild roster only three of their North American players are 24 or under. Still those three players of Charlie Coyle, Jason Zucker, and Matt Dumba are certainly excellent young talents who were in the conversation to make the team. But can you consider their non-selection to Team North America a snub?
In the case of Zucker you can say almost unequivocally that he was not a snub from the North American roster. While he has lots of scoring talent, but his lack of production on the score sheet cost him a shot at this team. Had he had a season like he did in 2014-15, he could have made a strong case as one of the higher scorers on the team. Alas he did not and his numbers from last season are really not in the ballpark of the other scorers on the squad.
Sep 7, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Team North America forward Sean Couturier (14) skates during practice for the World Cup of Hockey at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Charlie Coyle on the other hand had a very good case to make the team. Last season the Wild forward had a career year in goals and points notching 21 goals and 42 points. Compare that with some of the other North American forwards and you’ll see some similar numbers like J.T. Miller who had 43 points or Sean Couturier who had 39 points.
So looking at it from a pure numbers perspective Coyle certainly measures up to a handful of the current North American forwards. Add to that the fact that other forwards like Auston Mathews and Jonathan Drouin didn’t even play most of or all of the season in the NHL last season, it makes it hard to explain Coyle’s absence.
Sep 7, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Team North America defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) takes a shot on net during practice for the World Cup of Hockey at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Coyle’s case really seems to mirror that of Matt Dumba. The 22-year old is often thought of as one of the most talented young defenders in the NHL, but is absent from Team North America’s roster. Last season Dumba recorded career highs in all offensive categories with 10 goals, 16 assists, and 26 points. Compare that with North American selectees Seth Jones who tallied 20 points (2 goals and 18 assists) or Ryan Murray who had 25 points (4 goals and 21 assists), and you can see where the argument can be made the Dumba should be on Team North America.
Also take into account that goal scoring wise the only defenders to tally more than Dumba last season were Shayne Gostisbehere and Aaron Ekblad. Taking that into account it makes Dumba’s non-selection look more like a snub. Scoring from the blueline is something this team, like other teams will need and Dumba can do it better than many of the defenders on their roster right now.
To answer the question, yeah I’d call Coyle and Dumba’s non-selections a snub. Both players played well enough to be on the North American roster. The issue might be that their star power might not be quite what the team wanted. The fact that players like Mathews and Drouin are on the roster has more to do with player recognition rather than statistics.
In the end though it might be for the best. Coyle and Dumba rather than forming chemistry with members of Team North America, will get to spend the next couple of weeks forming chemistry with their Wild teammates and new head coach Bruce Boudreau. Still you’ve got wonder if Team North America would be better with Dumba and Coyle, or if the team really did pick the best players out there?
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