A Norwegian gets a place on the list. We’ve selected ten of the biggest stars before the tournament starts today.
This article is over nine years oldThe stars are lining up to play in the World Cup. The biggest hero factor? Without a doubt, Jaromir Jagr, 43 years old.
In fact, Jaromir Jagr left the national team last year, but the desire to play the World Cup at home was too great.
Sidney Crosby is undoubtedly the biggest star of the World Cup, so no one thinks we’ve taken too many hits to the head on the hockey field. But Jaromir Jagr has been a global performer since he was a junior and played against Norway in the 1990 World Cup! Crosby was only two years old then.
The Top 10 List
1. Sidney Crosby (27), Canada (Pittsburgh Penguins)
The best in the world right now? At least the biggest and most important in the NHL in terms of star status and merits. Led Canada to two Olympic gold medals. He’s the closest thing to a complete ice hockey player. Leader with a capital L. Only played one A-WC before (2006).
2. Yevgeny Malkin (28), Russia (Pittsburgh Penguins)
Crosby’s teammate in Pittsburgh did not have a good season and in the playoffs against the New York Rangers, he did not score a single goal. Still, that’s a huge range to play on, and he’s one of the best in the NHL. This will be his sixth World Championship and he has won two gold medals (2012 and 2014). 3. Pekka Rinne (32), Finland (Nashville Predators)
One of the best goalkeepers in the world. Big, mobile and the most important reason why Nashville reached the NHL playoffs. They might get tired of punching holes in the Norwegians when the teams meet on May 4. Playing his fifth World Championship.
4. Tyler Seguin (23), Canada (Dallas Stars)
Young center who had already been selected number two in the 2010 draft by the Boston Bruins. Was able to help win the Stanley Cup there before being traded to the Dallas Stars. There, he really flourished and scored a lot of points. Playing your first WC. 5. Ilya Kovalchuk (32), Russia (SKA Saint Petersburg)
Patrick Thoresen’s teammate is, at his best, a near-unstoppable player. Has good leadership skills and will captain Russia in the World Cup. This will be his ninth World Championship and he already has two gold medals. Played 11 seasons in the NHL. 6. Anze Kopitar (27), Slovenia (Los Angeles Kings)
A whirlwind of an ice hockey player from the small ice hockey country of Slovenia. He shows up whenever he can for the country and for the national team coach who is also his father. Won the Stanley Cup twice with Los Angeles. 7. Claude Giroux (27), Canada (Philadelphia Flyers)
Philadelphia’s captain and most important player in the NHL. A creative playmaker who captures points well. Was number three on the NHL points list in 2012 and 2014. Good in the overs and unders. Playing his second WC.
8. Matt Duchene (24), Canada (Colorado Avalanche)
Was part of the Canadian team that won gold at the Sochi Olympics. Also a regular at the WC. This will be his fourth despite his young age. Has extreme speed and works well both offensively and defensively. He dreamed of being a country singer when he was little. 9. Patrick Thoresen (31), Norway, (SKA Saint Petersburg)
Our man on the A-list. He never became what he could have become in the NHL, but he’s big in Europe. A creative iron with exceptional qualities. Was the only Norwegian ever selected for the World Cup All-Star team in 2012. 10. Filip Forsberg (20), Sweden (Nashville Predators)
It would almost be necessary to include a Swede, and as this is written before the Detroit-Florida duel is decided, the choice falls on the young Forsberg. He was a long contender for the NHL Rookie of the Year award this season, but wilted a bit at the end.
