New York Islanders: Players Predictions For The World Cup Of Hockey
Sep 14, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Team Europe forward Leon Draisaitl (29) celebrates with teammates after their game against Team Sweden in a World Cup of Hockey pre-tournament game at Verizon Center. Team Europe won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
The NHLs best athletes have been shipped off to Canada to represent their countries in the first World Cup of Hockey tournament in nearly two decades. With various New York Islanders players representing their homelands, it’s time for some bold predictions on how these athletes will perform.
The New York Islanders are a talented team with talented players from various countries in the world. Even though they may work in the United States, and represent a team located in New York, this upcoming tournament presents so much more than just one state or city in one league.
Its is quite literally a world cup, with not just countries being represented, but even continents (Team Europe and Team North America) are present to boast to the world of the talents they have produced.
This tournament is extremely different from anything the Olympics has provided. As stated just lines above, continents are being represented, as well as younger and promising talents (see Team North America), definitely increasing the already evenly matched and unforgiving competition level.
For the most part, this competition is dominated by NHLers, or simply put, the best talents that play in the best hockey league in the world.
With so many of the players being from the NHL, it is bound to have some Islanders athletes flashing their talents in their nation’s uniforms. But more importantly, how brightly will the Islanders players flash their brilliance at the world cup?
To give you an idea, here are some bold predictions and expectations of Islanders players at the World Cup.
Sep 14, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Team Canada forward John Tavares (20) and Team Russia defenseman Alexei Emelin (74) chase the puck during the first period in a World Cup of Hockey pre-tournament game at CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Team Canada
John Tavares is the lone wolf for the Isles on the Canadian roster.
As we have all seen for the past few seasons, Johnny T is just magnificently intelligent when it comes to hockey. He is also one of the best stick handlers in the world, and with an improvement of his strength, speed, and defensive abilities, he truly has become an all-around superstar.
But Islander fans may not see as much of the Captain as we are accustomed to.
The Canadian team is as talented as ever in the forward department. And more specifically, is loaded up the middle with high-caliber centers. And if history has taught us anything is that this does not bode well for Tavares.
The Canadian national team was in very much a similar position in 2014 at the Sochi Olympics, with a packed center core. This saw Tavares take up the more unnatural winger position on the fourth line. And before his devastating injury during that tournament, he wasn’t really a powerhouse contributor for the national team, producing zero points in four games.
So far, Tavares has seen quite a bit of success on the third line with Steven Stamkos and Ryan Getzlaf so far, who was the center of the line. So the probability and potential for a stellar World Cup is definitely present.
Look for Tavares to produce solidly, but not as consistently in this year’s tournament.
Sep 11, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Team Europe goalie Jaroslav Halak (41) prepares to make a stop in the second period during a World Cup of Hockey pre-tournament game against Team North America at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Team Europe
The European team is stuffed with players who used to rock the blue and orange. Consisting of a solid lineup of Frans Nielsen, Thomas Vanek, Nino Niederreiter, Zdeno Chara, and Mark Streit.
But for this article, we are only going to discuss the players who are currently wearing the true blue, which both happen to be the goalies, Thomas Greiss (from Germany) and Jaroslav Halak (from Slovakia).
And interestingly enough, this tournament seems to be a bit of deja vu (and perhaps even foreshadowing), as both of these goalies are once again fighting for the starting position not just on the Islanders, but on the World Cup team as well.
The deja vu is that Greiss had seemingly swiped the starting position from Halak once again. And the foreshadowing? Greiss was pulled after an abysmal start to a preseason game versus Team North America, leading to Halak to replace him and play solid.
As of right, now both the goalies have split starts in the pre-tournament matches, with Halak being more successful of the two.
Whether or not Greiss starts in the first actual tournament match is a mystery. But depending on how the World Cup plays out for both goalies, who’s to say that it also can’t foreshadow the future of the Islander’s goaltending conundrum.
Greiss has looked shaky and unsure at times, while Halak has looked confident and has played solidly in the times he’s seen action.
In this tournament, anything can go, and with both goalies being very similar in skill and prowess, any one of these two talents could come out on top.
Sep 14, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Team Canada goalie Carey Price (31) makes a save against Team Russia forward Nikolay Kulemin (41) in overtime in a World Cup of Hockey pre-tournament game at CONSOL Energy Center. Team Canada won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Team Russia
Team Russia is one of the favorites to take home the prize in this year’s World Cup, and hopefully, for Russia, Nikolay Kulemin will lead the motherland to victory.
Kulemin, while overpaid on the Islanders, is still an effective piece who has solidified himself as a valuable third/fourth line grinder. He can skillfully score and has outstanding knowledge of his game and how to use it effectively on the ice.
That game being a physical bruiser, whose dump and chase game really yields positive results. He also has shown how effective he can be behind the net and in the corners with his massive and strong build.
If Russia can effectively utilize his size and strength like the islanders do, he will become a devastating force to overcome. The results could prove disastrous for Kulemin if he isn’t given the proper role.
As it stands right now, Kulemin is a third/fourth line winger, a role he should be very familiar with.
But at the same time, it may not be at a level he is familiar with. The pace at the World Cup will be drastically faster and perhaps more intimidating for the winger.
If he keeps his game simple and plays his physical, dump and chase gritty style, the results will be outstanding for the Russian team.
So recap: Johnny T will continue being a contributor for the Canadians, even with all the superstar talent. Greiss and Halak will bring their goalie dual to the international stage where one is already in a comfortable lead. Kulemin is on the outside looking in for this Russia team. With so much firepower the $4.187 million/year Islander is going to be but a bit player having to wait for his chances to get on the ice.
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