World Cup of Hockey: Breaking down Canada's roster
Joe Thornton lone holdover from gold medal-winning 2004 lineup
Canada will have a vastly different look at the first World Cup of Hockey in 12 years, as Joe Thornton is the only remaining member from the championship-winning 2004 roster.
A closer look at the 37-year-old and the 22 other players representing the nation in Toronto, starting Saturday:
FORWARDS
The Pittsburgh Penguins captain reclaimed his place on top of the sport last season with a resurgent second half and Conn Smythe-winning performance for the eventual Stanley Cup champions. The 29-year-old remains the face of Canadian hockey and leader of the red and white at the World Cup.
Toews seems to do just about everything, be it for the last two Canadian Olympic teams or the Chicago Blackhawks, winners of three Stanley Cups since 2010. Toews can score a key goal, lock down as a defensive stopper, win a game-clinching faceoff or kill a penalty. Canadian coach Mike Babcock surely knows what he can expect from Toews in Toronto.
The 25-year-old from Clinton, Ont., is nothing like Tyler Seguin, the player he's replacing on Team Canada. O'Reilly is a more of a meat and potatoes-type player, a big, strong reliable centre at both ends of the ice. He kills penalties, wins a heavy share of his draws (57 per cent last season) and has some skill, too.
When Canada won gold in Sochi, Tavares celebrated with teammates in shirt and tie after suffering a devastating knee injury in the quarter-finals. The New York Islanders captain has become a more impactful player since, scoring 71 goals over the past two NHL seasons. Tavares is an effective operator on the power play and powerful force capable of playing both centre and wing.
Stamkos eclipsed 25 goals for the seventh time in eight NHL seasons, scoring 36 for Tampa Bay last season. He brings that dangerous scoring prowess to Canada after missing out on the last Olympics because of injury. A natural centre like Tavares, he may line up on the wing for Babcock, perhaps alongside Sidney Crosby.
The Anaheim Ducks centre didn't score his second goal last season until late December. But he got back to form in the second half, finishing with 32 points over the final 34 regular-season games. Another returning Olympian, Getzlaf brings an imposing six-foot-four, 221-pound presence down the middle.
An Olympian in 2010 and 2014, Perry was nonetheless passed over for a spot on Canada's initial World Cup roster. He replaced an injured Jeff Carter on the eve of camp. Perry, 31, has averaged 40 goals over the past five 82-game seasons. He's also an ever-pesky presence around the net and easy fit, if need be, next to Ducks teammate Getzlaf.
Bergeron is coming off his best offensive season in nearly a decade (32 goals, 68 points), but it's his jack-of-all-trades skill set that's alluring to Canada. The long-time Boston Bruins pivot can score, kill penalties, lock foes down defensively, win a key draw (57 per cent last season) and play the wing if needed.
Duchene secured a slot on the World Cup roster with another fine performance at the world championship, where he posted 10 points in 10 games en route to Canada's second straight gold. A first-time 30-goal scorer for Colorado last season, Duchene is best known for his speed.
The Philadelphia Flyers captain is a whiz with the puck and brings that creativity to Canada's attack. Giroux is fourth in assists among NHL forwards over the past four seasons and one of the league's top producers on the power play. He was passed over for the 2014 Olympic squad.
A well-known agitator, Marchand became one of the NHL's top goal-scorers this past season, setting a career-high with 37 for Boston. Fleet of a foot and a forceful hitter, Marchand is also a pest in front of the net and dangerous penalty killer who should provide a little bit of everything.
Thornton, who at 37 continues to defy his age, tied for fourth in league scoring with 82 points during the regular season. It was his best campaign since 2009-10, his 63 assists tops among all NHL forwards. Thornton offers experience and creativity down the middle and an intelligent presence on the power-play.
Joe Thornton's teammate and sometimes linemate in San Jose, Couture replaced Benn earlier this month. He's coming off a sizzling post-season run for the Sharks, leading all players in scoring. The 27-year-old is strong on both sides of the puck, has terrific speed and can line up in any kind of role.
DEFENCE
Doughty was a dominating force for Canada at the Sochi Olympics, posting four goals and six points (tied for the team lead), logging big minutes and seemed to transcend even the best the game had to offer at the 2014 Games. The same will be expected of the Los Angeles Kings' star at the World Cup, especially with Duncan Keith's absence due to injury.
No Canadian logged more minutes at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and though his game is probably trending downward, the 31-year-old Montreal Canadien remains a heavy defensive presence with a big shot and someone Team Canada head coach Mike Babcock will lean on in Toronto.
Vlasic plays big, effective and probably underrated minutes for the Stanley Cup finalist San Jose Sharks. He's the modern shutdown defender, more apt to employ positioning and stick work than a big hit, while providing a smart, safe, puck-moving presence.
The fourth overall pick of the 2008 NHL draft, Pietrangelo has grown into a workhorse and captain for the St. Louis Blues. Much like he did in Sochi, Pietrangelo should fit on the right side of a third pair, killing penalties and absorbing a heavy dose of defensive zone starts for Babcock.
The San Jose Sharks blue-liner has scored more goals than any other defender over the past two seasons and more points than all but the prolific Erik Karlsson. The six-foot-five Burns, who notched 24 points in 24 games in last year's playoffs, gets around the ice like someone much smaller, a skilled weapon for Canada to whip out on the power play.
Long in the shadow of L.A. Kings teammate Drew Doughty, Muzzin gets a chance to step into the spotlight with only his second appearance for Canada internationally. A left shot who could line up alongside Doughty with Keith sidelined, Muzzin is a reliable defender, effective penalty killer and someone who regularly logs huge minutes.
Jay Bouwmeester
Bouwmeester's familiarity to Canada's brass helped earn a spot in place of Duncan Keith. The 32-year-old played in Sochi alongside Alex Pietrangelo, also his full-time partner on defence for the St. Louis Blues. Bouwmeester offers head coach Mike Babcock a safe, seemingly dependable presence on the left side of the back end.
GOAL
Price should be Canada's guy in goal, and his credentials need little elaboration. The only question is the sharpness of the 2015 Vezina Trophy winner, who hasn't played a game since late November after a mid-season knee injury. Price gave up only three goals in six games at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
Holtby became a first-time Vezina Trophy winner last season, tying Martin Brodeur's NHL record with 48 wins during the regular season. The 26-year-old has only represented Canada once before but could challenge for Canada's starting role if Price isn't sharp early.
A two-time Stanley Cup champion, Crawford has become a source of sustained excellence for the Chicago Blackhawks, posting a save percentage of .924 or higher in three of the past four seasons. He had perhaps the best year of his NHL career last season, setting career-highs with 35 wins and seven shutouts.