The New York Rangers will be well represented at the International Hockey World Championships scheduled to start on May 10 in Slovakia.
Although it was a disappointment for the New York Rangers to miss the playoffs for the second straight season, it is an opportunity for some of their players to get experience representing their countries at the IIHF World Championships. This year will be even more interesting as the player most believe will be the team’s top draft pick should be competing for Finland. Although Kaapo Kakko is only 18-years old, he is expected to play an important role on Team Finland.
Team Sweden
Henrik Lundqvist recently announced that he will be playing for Team Sweden, looking to repeat his gold medal performance in 2017. That year, Lundqvist stopped 42 of 43 shots in regulation and overtime and prevailed in a shootout as Sweden beat Canada to win the tournament. That team was captained by his twin brother, Joel.
Lundqvist’s willingness to play in the tournament is another example that he is still has the same competitive fire that he displayed when he won the gold medal with Sweden at the 2006 Winter Olympics.
When the official rosters of invitees was released, Mika Zibanejad was on the list. He played for last year’s team also won the gold medal and Zibanejad scored a goal in the clinching game. The latest word is that Zibanejad declined the invitation.
Lundqvist will be joined by Patric Hornqvist of the Penguins, Oliver Ekman-Larsson of Arizona and Vancouver Canuck Elias Pettersson.
Team Russia
Alexandar Georgiev has been added to the Russian national team and he has already seen action for Team Russia in three warm-up games. He was named player of the game in a victory over Switzerland.
It has been reported that Vlad Namestnikov has also been asked to join the team. No word if Pavel Buchnevich is getting any consideration. There are a number of star Russian players who could join the team after first round Stanley Cup elimination including Alex Ovechkin, Nikita Kucherov and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Already committed to the team are Ivan Provorov of the Flyers, Ilya Kovalchuk of the Kings, ex-Ranger Artem Anisimov of the Black Hawks and Evgeny Dadanov of the Panthers.
Team USA
Ranger Assistant General Manager Chris Drury is the GM of the US National team and he has recruited Chris Kreider and Brady Skjei to play for the team. Other members of the team include Patrick Kane, Jack Eichel, Dylan Larkin and Quinn Hughes.
Team Czech Republic
The word is that the Czech national team is considering adding Filip Chytil to the team. It would be great experience for the 19-year old Chytil if that happens and could help his development immeasurably.
Team Canada
It doesn’t look like any Rangers will make the roster of Team Canada, but the Blueshirts will be well represented behind the bench. Former coach Alain Vigneault will be coaching the team and current Ranger assistant coach Lindy Ruff will be doing the same for Vigneault. Team Canada got a blow recently when Sidney Crosby announced that he will not be playing in the tournament.
Team Finland
There is one prospect already in the Rangers system who may get an invite to play for Team FInland. Defenseman Tarmo Reunanen had an excellent season with Lukko Raumo in SM-Liiga and may get the call. .Reunanen was a fourth round pick in the 2016 Entry Draft.
All eyes will be on Kaapo Kakko as this is the last opportunity to see him before the June draft. Although it is assumed that the Devils will take Jack Hughes with the first overall pick, if Kakko excels at this tournament, it could change their minds.
As for Hughes, he is tearing it up at the U18 World Championships in Sweden. He has five goals and seven assists in four games. He is playing on a line with another consensus first rounder whose stock is rising. Cole Caufield has eleven goals in four games, five of them set up by Hughes.
The tournament will run from May 10-26 at two venues in Slovakia. 16 teams will compete and try to wrest the gold medal away from Sweden, winner of the last two tournaments. Many of the games will be televised on the NHL Network.