I always love this tournament. It would be so sick if Pittsburgh didn't make it and Crosby played for Canada. Canada could potentially have a great roster if people don't decline. Duchene, ROR, Barrie, Seguin, Benn, Hall, RNH, Eberle, Johansen, Ekblad, Couture, Doughty, Giroux, Thornton, Luongo, E. Staal, Skinner, Rielly, Brent Burns, Huberdeau, Marleau, Carter, Toffoli, Iginla, Tanguay. Lots of great players to invite. Prague is an incredible city, so maybe there will be bigger names than normal.
Russia is going to be really KHL dependent, as most of their NHL guys will be in the playoffs. Varly, Anisimov, Bobrovski, Khudobin, Kulikov, maybe Semin. But, calling it right now, the line of the tournament will be Dadonov-Panarin-Shipachyov. This line is freaking unstoppable in the KHL. They led their team SKA St. Petersburg back from a 0-3 hole to beat Radulov's CSKA in the conference finals. I fully expect Panarin to not only be in the NHL next year, but be the next Johnny Gaudreau. They play exactly the same way. He'd likely be a Calder candidate if it weren't for McEichel.
It's always interesting to see what the US does. They have a tougher time getting decent NHL talent to go than Canada does. they often depend on guys who play in Europe to play important roles on their squad. Last year Peter Mueller and Tim Stapleton were there. I expect Steve Moses will be there this year. Would be so amazing if Eichel goes. Hoping Kessel and JVR go to redeem themselves. Nick Foligno, Pavelski, Bobby Ryan would be all be amazing. Schneider or Quick in net? But of course, the team would not be complete without Nate Guenin. They need a General to succeed.
Most Sweden's main guys will be in the playoffs. Landeskog, OEL, possibly Erik Karlsson, Melker Karlsson, Elias Lindholm, Wennberg, Enroth, John Klingberg...really not a whole lot there. The Everbeast? yes please. They better hope Detroit, Vancouver and Anaheim get knocked out soon.
The Czechs will likely have everyone who can possibly come play join them, as they are hosts. Jagr has already said he's ready to go. Hemsky, Sekera, Elias, Voracek, Hejda, Hertl, Vladdy Sobotka, Nestrasil..that's about it. If Boston doesn't make it they would have Krejci and Pastrnak available. They will depend on important contributions from their KHL contingent like Jan Kovar, Roman Cervenka, G Jakub Kovar and Petr Koukal. It's always noce to see a team do well in front of the home crown, so I hope they can put in a good performance.
The Finns must be praying for Boston to collapse. Getting Tuuka Rask would be incredible. But Niemi isn't chopped liver. And G Miiko Koskinen ha been VERY good in the KHL this year. They'll have Jussi Jokinen, Barkov, Ristolainen, Komarov, Korpikoski. Not going to light the world on fire. They have some decent players in the KHL however. You can never count out the Finns. They came very close to winning the tournament last year.
Darkhorses: France is going to have the best team they've ever had. They upset the Russians a couple years ago. Stephane Da Costa has been one of the KHL's best players this year, and always lights up this tournament. They have Bellemere available from Philly. Antoine Roussel will be there. Tim Bozon is looking like he could be an NHL player someday. Cristobal Huet is still kicking around. They have a couple guys doing very well in Finland and Sweden. Watch out for them
My favorite teams are Latvia and Norway. Hopefully Zemgus Girgensons gets better and is ready to go. Would be nice of Gudlevskis somehow were able to come join. They have some very interesting 20 year olds playing in Canadian juniors that would be interesting to get a look at. Rihards Bukarts from Brandon and Nikita Jevpalovs from Blainsville in the Q. Rodrigo Abols is an 18 year old who was gettign serious minutes with Dinamo Riga late in the season and looked really good. He'll likely be drafted this year. As for the vets, it's kind of the usual bunch. Forwards Karsums, Daugavins, Miks Indrasis, Mikelis Redlihs. Lauris Darzins. A competent yet unspectacular bunch. If Vancouver loses early, Ronald Kenins would be a huge addition. On D it's just a bunch of crap not really worth mentioning.
Norway has put in some decent performances lately. Although they are being surpassed by Denmark. Not having Zuccarello will hurt like crazy. Thoresen, the Olimb brothers, our old friend Jonas Holos and our new friend Martinsen will lead the charge. I imagine Lars Haugen will get the nod between the pipes.
Hoping LA misses so Slovenia gets Kopitar. Mursak had a very nice season in the KHL. As did a couple other guys.
Slovakia: No tatar, no Hossa, No Chara, no Halak, no hope. Maybe Gaborik comes and saves the day.
Switzerland: Reto Berra baby!! With Nashville (Fiala and Josi), Vancouver (Weber, Sbisa, Baertschi), Calgary (Diaz and Hiller) and Minny (Niederreiter) in the playoffs, their NHL personnel is very depleted. Call them team Mark Streit. However, their players from the NLA always come together and make life hell on anyone. Look out for young Cristoph Bertschy who just signed an ELC with Minnesota.
Anyways, I hope that if you have some time give the tournament a chance. It's always lots of fun.
, but I really hope they get an invite. Will love to see them play! Additionally it would be great if Hall gets invited again so we can hear the Oiler fans complain about Duchene not passing. 
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