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For the first time since 2004, the World Cup of Hockey has returned. This has been quite the polarizing event since it was announced. Many feel it is simply a cash grab by the NHL, risking injury prior to the regular season. Others are delighted that we have an early return for hockey and some interesting international competition between Olympic years (the NHL’s continued participation is a topic for a whole different post). Either way, we will see the puck drop a few weeks early this season.

Naturally, there has been quite a bit of hand wringing over roster decisions; Team USA’s archaic, backwater team building philosophy chief among them. This morning, though, I am here to talk about the goaltending for each team. In case you have been actively avoiding the tournament and its nuances, quick primer: there are eight teams competing, six of which are familiar. USA, Canada, Sweden, Russia, Finland and the Czech Republic are properly represented. The final two teams are Team North America, comprised of American and Canadian players, twenty-three years of age or younger, and Team Europe, which catches all European players not rostered with one of the other countries.

Choosing goaltending is always tricky in a short tournament, whether the World Juniors, the Olympics, World Championships, or in this case, the World Cup. There are several competing philosophies, and for some teams, the choice is clear, for others, not so much. Streaky hot goaltending can carry a team through the tournament, but streak the other way and you can find yourself buried in a hurry. My personal philosophy is to choose the goaltender with the greatest likelihood of putting up a solid, if not molten hot performance. This insulates the team against an embarrassing meltdown if the goaltender is off their game, and rewards regular season consistency. That’s just me, though. Feel free to disagree. That said, here’s who I would start for each team in the World Cup.

Team Canada

Let’s start with the defending champs from 2004. They have three very capable goaltenders in Carey Price, Braden Holtby and Corey Crawford. This one comes down to the medical staff. Is Price is healthy and ready to perform at a high level he is a no brainer. Otherwise, play it safe and go with Holtby.

Starter: Carey Price

Team USA

Another team with an embarrassment of riches in goal, there are reasonable arguments to be made for each tender. If you read my rankings, you know I am a big Cory Schneider fan. Something tells me the powers that be will choose Quick. Par for the course from a hierarchy stuck ten years in the past.

Starter: Cory Schneider

Team Sweden

This one is an absolute no-brainer. Hank the only goaltender on the roster truly capable of taking the Swede’s to gold. If he gets hurt, Sweden (not to mention the Rangers) is in trouble.

Starter: Henrik Lundqvist

Team Russia

Another tough call between Sergei Bobrovsky, Andrei Vasilevskiy and Semyon Varlamov, Russia doesn’t really have that “stable” option to speak of. There is lots of talent there, but very little reliability. I would go with the highest upside, personally. At the moment, that is Varlamov.

Starter: Semyon Varlamov

Team Finland

I will be honest and tell you that I have never seen Mikko Koskinen play, so it may be unfair to judge. However, since the NHL is generally a superior league to the KHL, it takes him out of the running for the starter’s job. It then comes down to Pekka Rinne and Tuukka Rask. After Rinne’s terrible season and general decline, Rask is the clear choice for me.

Starter: Tuukka Rask

Team Czech Republic

Michal Neuvirth has made a late charge at playing time with his tremendous playoff performance last season, but Petr Mrazek is the future in net for the Czechs. No one has any expectations for them in this tournament, so the time is right to entrench the young Red Wing in the international crease for years to come. I would also advise keeping Ondrej Pavelec hidden away in the press box.

Starter: Petr Mrazek

Team North America

A wealth of young, if slightly unproven talent inhabits the young guns squad. Matt Murray has the hardware with his recent Stanley Cup, which gives him the leg up. Connor Hellebuyck has the highest upside and most natural talent, and John Gibson has an impressive international resume. If this tournament was being held a year of two from now, I might lean Hellebuyck, but Murray has earned the crease for now.

Starter: Matt Murray

Team Europe

After Frederik Andersen went down with an “upper-body injury”, the door was opened for a competition between Islanders goalies Thomas Greiss and Jaroslav Halak. Halak is too streaky for my liking and Greiss has been underappreciated in his time in the league. I would hand the keys to Greiss and see what he can do for the underdog Europe team.

Starter: Thomas Greiss

Would those eight be your starters? Do you care about the tournament at all? Excited hockey is back? Sound off in the comments below. Have a great weekend, everyone!

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