Team Canada might have to make room for a few new faces on their World Cup roster.
GM Doug Armstrong made a few waves Tuesday when he announced that the following players had played their way onto his radar for Team Canada.
Doug Armstrong says four Canadian players have worked their way into the World Cup conversation: Toffoli, Muzzin, Gallagher, Stone.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) November 10, 2015
Here’s a closer look at the four players Armstrong cited who appear to have a shot at playing their way onto the team.
Name: Tyler Toffoli
Age: 23
Previous International Experience: Was a part of a dominant Team Canada at the 2015 World Championships, where he scored five points in 10 games. Also won gold at the 2009 World U-17 Hockey Challenge representing Ontario.
Since being drafted 47th overall in the 2010 Entry Draft, Toffoli has continued to improve, ending last season with 23 goals in 76 games. He’s come out on fire to start this year, with nine goals in 14 games. He’ll most likely not be able to keep up such a torrid pace, but the winger has proven he’s worth a look while playing on a line with Milan Lucic and former Olympian Jeff Carter.
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Name: Jake Muzzin
Age: 26
Previous International Experience: Like Toffoli, Muzzin played for Team Canada at the 2015 World Championships, where he had nine points.
A late bloomer, Muzzin was drafted by the Penguins in 2007 but went unsigned, eventually catching on with the Los Angeles Kings. He managed 41 points last year, while posting excellent possession numbers, and has seven points in 14 games. He’s also a left-handed shooter, which helps given that other Team Canada hopefuls on defence such as Drew Doughty, Shea Weber, Alex Pietrangelo and P.K. Subban are all righties.
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Name: Brendan Gallagher
Age: 23
Previous International Experience: Was a part of the 2012 bronze-medal winning World Junior team that almost erased a 6-1 deficit in the semifinals against Russia. Won silver with the Canada Pacific team in the 2009 World U-17 Hockey Challenge.
The 5-foot-9 Gallagher has progressed more than anyone could have expected when he was taken near the end of the fifth round of the 2010 Entry Draft. Like Toffoli, he cracked the 20-goal plateau for the first time last season with 24. He continues to drive play for the Canadiens, and has 14 points in 16 games so far for the NHL-leading club. He’s more than just a grinder, but his hard-nosed play might be attractive to a team already loaded with skill.
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Name: Mark Stone
Age: 23
Previous International Experience: Was a teammate of Gallagher’s on the 2012 World Junior squad, and he led the team with seven goals and 10 points.
Another late 2010 draft pick (178th overall), Stone broke out with 26 goals and 64 points in his first full NHL season last year. Through 12 games this year he leads Ottawa with 14 points. He’s another candidate on this list (the other being Gallagher), who leads his team in Corsi.
