Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
NHL World Cup Of Hockey: Czech Republic
The Czech Republic will likely have to rely very heavily on their forwards in the 2016 World Cup.
FORWARDS: Jakub Voracek, Jaromir Jagr, Jiri Hudler, Ondrej Palat, Tomas Plekanec, Radim Vrbata, Michael Frolik, Martin Hanzal, David Krejci, Jiri Tlusty, David Pastrnak, Milan Michalek, Tomas Hertl
This forward group could be excellent by 2016. I’m assuming Jagr will be playing because, let’s be real, Jagr would play in a wheel chair if that was legal. Even if Jagr finally retires for good, they could go with a young gun like Jakub Vrana. Like Sweden, they would definitely benefit from being allowed to have players who are under 23, as Pastrnak and Hertl will likely play huge roles for them.
DEFENSEMEN: Marek Zidlicky, Jakub Kindl, Zbynek Michalek, Roman Polak, Jan Hejda, Radko Gudas, Tomas Kaberle, Andrej Sustr
This will be the main weakness of the Czech Republic. Very little talent on this blue line. Zidlicky is decent, but that’s about it.
GOALIES: Ondrej Pavelec, Michal Neuvirth, Petr Mrazek
If Pavelec is for real or Mrazek develops very quickly, Czech Republic might have a chance in the 2016 World Cup. Otherwise, they likely won’t.
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