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2016 World Cup of Hockey: Muzzin, Gaborik to Represent Canada, Europe

After four of the World Cup teams were announced this morning, we waited with bated breath for the evening announcements. (Which definitely aren’t being overshadowed by other Kings news, not at all.) No additional members of the Los Angeles Kings would have been disappointing, one additional player would have been good, and two or more would have been gravy. Well, we got two!

Marian Gaborik‘s inclusion was no surprise. Gaborik was left off the preliminary roster, sure, but he was in the middle of injury woes and Team Europe decided to bide their time in adding him on. Kopitar’s squad got some firepower, and a lightly used Christian Ehrhoff (among others).

More of a pleasant shock is Jake Muzzin making the Canadian roster. He qualified over Norris winner PK Subban and Norris finalist Kris Letang, among others, thanks to being a left shot and (I assume) past experience with Drew Doughty. Not even considered for the 2014 Olympic team, he’s now got an excellent chance of winning the Inaugural World Cup of Hockey.

Team USA has much less of a chance, but that didn’t stop Dean Lombardi from making some puzzling choices for the American roster. Jack Johnson (who Lombardi has always had a soft spot for) is in. Phil Kessel (a Conn Smythe threat in 2015-16) and Tyler Johnson (a Conn Smythe threat in 2014-15) are out. Lombardi is doubling down on the team concept, that’s for sure.

The main SB Nation site is posting rosters here. Go CanadaEuropeUSA.

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