Calgary Flames Get Snubbed By World Cup Of Hockey
By Devon Burke
The Calgary Flames will not be heavily represented at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey thanks to being snubbed by several international teams, but may it actually work out better for the Flames?
The Calgary Flames had several players with a legitimate chance of making various teams at the upcoming 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Players like Mark Giordano, T.J. Brodie, Mikael Backlund, and Dougie Hamilton were some of the names that were potentially going, yet none of them were chosen for their respective teams.
Team Canada had an absolutely stacked defence, so it would be ludicrous to suggest both Giordano and Brodie should have made it over players like Brent Burns and Drew Doughty. However, choosing a player like Jake Muzzin over both Brodie and Giordano is mind-boggling to me as both Brodie and Giordano have more offensive upside, and are arguably as good if not better defensively.
Giordano has been one of the NHL’s best defence-man over the past few seasons, so it really doesn’t make any sense why he would be left off in favour of an inferior player like Jake Muzzin. Everyone with eyeballs who watched the Calgary Flames this year knows how good Brodie is, but the fact that he is inexperienced compared to some of the other players available for Team Canada takes some of the sting out of leaving him off the roster.
But seriously no Kris Letang or Mark Giordano; I thought for sure one of these guys would make the team. But I guess it’s hard to argue with some of the decisions Team Canada makes as they could likely create an additional team only from players not chosen to their original team, and still do quite well.
Mikael Backlund was somehow overlooked despite having a tremendous season and showcasing his great two-way abilities. I mean seriously they took Marcus Kruger, a guy who didn’t score a single goal all year! Nope you read that correctly, he only put up 5 assists in 48 games this season, compared to Backlund who put up 21 goals and 47 points despite playing mostly against the other team’s top-pairings.
Sure Kruger has had great team success with Chicago, and he isn’t on the team for his goal-scoring capabilities, but I just don’t see why you wouldn’t go with another great two-way guy in Backlund who can give you more offence. Yet another head scratcher.
The final snub came in the form of Team North America, compromised of players from either the U.S. or Canada who are under the age of 23. Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan had already been named, so the only two Flames under consideration were Sam Bennett and Dougie Hamilton.
Bennett didn’t get named to the team, but it should come as no surprise. Youngsters like Robby Fabbri, Alex Galchenyuk, and Max Domi all failed to make the team and had better statistical year’s than Bennett. The real slight came in the form of Dougie Hamilton failing to make the team.
Despite having 260 games played in the NHL and putting back to back 40+ point seasons together, Hamilton was overlooked. You shouldn’t be surprised as the man picking the team, Peter Chiarelli, also happens to be the GM of the Edmonton Oilers, and don’t forget Chiarelli had Hamilton in Boston where Dougie refused to sign with the Bruins.
Don’t think Chiarelli was playing favourites? Look no further than the inclusion of his player Ryan Nugent-Hopkins who was chosen ahead of Alex Galchenyuk. Galchenyuk scored 30 goals this year compared to Ryan’s 12. Now Ryan only played half of a season, but it doesn’t particularly make sense to choose a player like Nugent-Hopkins who has failed to stay healthy, and thusly hasn’t been able to grow his game over a 30 goal scorer in Galchenyuk. Auston Matthews was also selected to the team despite never having played an NHL game. Why would he be selected ahead of proven youngsters who have shown they can score in the NHL?
Money.
Toronto is likely to select Matthews with the first overall pick at the upcoming NHL entry draft, so playing him in the tournament will mean smothering Leaf fans will pay top-dollar to see their newest addition play in Toronto, where the Cup is being played. I think it’s safe to say that a lot more politics and other factors were involved besides player talent in making these decisions.
Now despite the fact that there are so many talented players who didn’t make their teams, it still doesn’t take the bite out of all the snubs the Flames received. Yet it may actually work out in their favour. The tournament is being played in September before the start of the regular season. Playing in this tournament would mean a great chance of player injury for Calgary.
We all know how badly a team can stumble out of the gate when injuries occur, look at this past season when T.J. Brodie went down. The Flames looked like boys playing against men on most nights and really put themselves behind the eight-ball to start the season off. Not getting the invite should mean that Calgary will have a healthy line-up to start the season.
Yet losing the valuable experience that playing in a high-pressure situation awards will surely hurt as players like T.J. Brodie and Mikael Backlund haven’t really had a ton of experience playing in high-stakes games at hockey’s highest levels.
Don’t fret Flames fans, both Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan will be playing for Team North America. Jyrki Jokipakka and Jakub Nakladal both made their respective teams, Finland and Europe as well. Although a hip-injury might prevent Jokipakka from playing.
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Despite some players missing out on the valuable experience that the 2016 World Cup of Hockey will bring, the Calgary Flames should have most of their key players completely healthy to kick off next season. The talented Monahan-Gaudreau duo will be loads of fun to watch as usual especially with the quality of line-mates they will likely have. It’s almost enough to make-up for the snubs other Flames player’s received.
Almost.