Claimed: The Next Generation [1/2]

[Gudnason 607]

With the S54 World Cup having come and now gone, we can officially start talking about the S56 World Cup. Today, we will specifically talk about some of the S47 and S48 players that will not be eligible to play in the next edition, and see who are their potential replacements down the line.

 

Felipe Rodriguez - Fredinamijs Krigars

The veteran Quebec City Meute scored some clutch goals for Team World this past tournament, but the free-shooting second-year Latvian Fredinamijs Krigars should fill that role just fine in two years' time. Originally named to the tournament before being dropped for fellow youngster Rudi Ying, neither player managed a point in the entire tournament, but look for that to change as these two future superstars will shine a long time both for Riga and Team World.

 

Jakab Holik - Astrid Moon

The veteran Czech netminder will be hanging up his skates (and pads) after this season, and despite failing to lead his team to a third straight medal, Holik will get one more chance to go out with a bang as he ends his career with the New York Americans. Team World has a lot of depth in net behind Holik, and as it stands right now, Astrid Moon will be the next in line with his amazing form as of late. Timely heroics in the playoffs last season carried over to a strong showing at the World Cup, and the goaltender from Shanghai is currently atop most leaderboards in the young season. Moon will lead the charge for an emerging hockey powerhouse in China as his fellow comrades Fook Yu, Ho Lee Fook, and the aforementioned Ying will all be gunning for spots in two years' time.

 

Unassisted - Shawn Gretzky/Marc-Alexandre Leblanc/Xander Finn

With superstar Unassisted playing his final season in the Big Apple, he leaves one of many big holes for Canada to fill. Thankfully, Canada has a wide pool to choose from, and Shawn Gretzky, Marc-Alexandre Leblanc, and Xander Finn are all deserving choices at this moment. It all comes down to their development in the next two seasons, as any could make a case to be the top-line center, but all could easily fall off the radar almost completely.

 

Sir William Covington III/Travis Gowecny - Boeser/Quill/Scheel/Shephard

A similar situation arises for their southern neighbours, as the centermen duo of Sir William Covington III and Travis Gowecny have both played their final games for the country. The extremely young quartet of Bo Boeser, Peter Quill, Jake Scheel, and Jack Shephard will have a dogfight on their hands, as any two of the four could theoretically make the team in any given year. These four should be the spine of Team USA for at least the next three, and possibly four, tournaments.

 

Tom Lincoln - Pierre Gaudette

Another veteran on the Canadian forward line retires, but Pierre Gaudette should be an able replacement. Younger but only slightly less talented, the Meute winger had a breakout season last year as his team went all the way to the Continental Cup Finals.

 

Black Velvet - Lee King Snatch/Felix Savard

Although Black Velvet will be lining up as center for his final season to fulfill his longtime childhood dream, Lee King Snatch should be able to step up and be the top defenseman for Team Canada for one tournament before rookie Felix Savard eventually takes over the role four years from now. Snatch, already a contender for the Sterling Labatte trophy, will have a different dynamic from Velvet, but nonetheless Team Canada will always find a way to reload and compete through the tough times.

[Gudnason 607]

*for Stolzschweiger

[DollarAndADream 3,356]

Review:

Solid read, my man. Also, thanks for the Boeser mention.