Although the Habs are out of contention for the Stanley Cup, chances are pretty good that at least one of the Habs’ nine participating players will collect some new hardware at the IIHF World Championship.
Sven Andrighetto – Team Switzerland
Andrighetto makes his Men’s World Championship debut with Team Switzerland, though it is by no means his first international appearance. In 24 total games played at various junior levels, the speedy forward has nine goals and nine assists. One of only two NHL forwards on the team, Andrighetto’s scoring ability will be called upon to be a difference maker, and it should be a treat to watch him on the big ice.
Tim Bozon – Team France
Coming off his first full year as a pro, this is Bozon’s second World Championship appearance, and fourth on the international stage. In fifteen total games, he collected seven points. He will likely be looked to as one of the main offensive weapons on a Team France that is all but unknown to North American fans.
Mike Condon – Team USA
It has been a year of firsts for Mike Condon. After making his NHL debut, and then finding himself the unexpected starting goalie in Montreal, Condon will share the pipes with New Jersey Devils‘ Keith Kinkaid in his international debut. The USA has an exciting team this year, consisting of a core of dynamic young players, led by Auston Matthews, Dylan Larkin, and Noah Hanifin, but they also have a good mix of veterans. It should be nice to see Condon get to play behind a healthy and offensively gifted team.
This will be Eller’s fourth World Championship appearance, and his ninth international competition. As a junior, he amassed 16 goals and 23 assists in 26 games, and a more sedate 12 points (five goals, seven assists) as a senior. Eller has been, and must continue to be, a difference maker for the team. Expect him to be relied upon as a strong two-way player, tasked with driving offence, and providing the first line of defence.
For all his faults, Emelin did have a fairly good year, playing some of his best hockey in a long time. He is also the most decorated Hab playing in this tournament with two golds (WJC18 and WC), three silvers (two WJC, one WC), and one bronze. He has four goals, five assists in 41 WC appearances, and as a Junior, had eight points in 18 games played. Playing on the top pairing, on a defensively weak Team Russia, Emelin will see a lot of ice time.
Brendan Gallagher – Team Canada
In what will surely be the first of many Team Canada World Championship appearances, Gallagher finds himself on a line together with… Brad Marchand. Gallagher wasted no time in making his mark, scoring the game winning goal of Canada’s first contest. As a Junior, Gallagher had three goals and three assists in six games.
Brendan Gallagher with the game winner for @HC_Men in a 2-1 win over @usahockey. #IIHFWorlds. RT to celebrate! pic.twitter.com/7PAEXxYJPQ
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 6, 2016
The skilled Swede is playing in his second World Championship tournament. in 2014, Nygren had one goal and four assists en rout to a bronze medal finish. He is likely to see a fair bit of powerplay time, where his thunderous slapshot will be a valuable asset.
Tomas Plekanec – Team Czech Republic
Plekanec makes his eight appearance at the World Championships, and twelfth on the international stage. The captain of the Czech team has 26 points (17 goals and 26 assists) as a senior, and in his junior days collected five goals and eleven assists in twenty games.
After captaining Team Slovakia’s junior team to bronze, Reway returns to Team Slovakia with an A on his jersey in his fifth IIHF competition. He has perviously put up eight goals and thirteen assists for 21 points in 18 games, and will be looked to for offensive contributions, especially on the powerplay.
