San Jose Sharks: Burns, Vlasic Projected On Team Canada’s Roster
Yesterday, the NHL and the NHLPA (players’ association) announced the schedule for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey that will take place from Sept. 17 through Oct. 1. There will be eight teams in the tournament, comprised of more than 150 NHL players.
Of those 150 players, how many will come from the San Jose Sharks roster? Well, the TSN hockey staff began their projections by taking a look at who will be on Team Canada, and there are two names on the blue line who should be familiar to San Jose Sharks fans.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Brent Burns were both included on Team Canada’s roster by the TSN staff. Vlasic was one of three left-handed defensemen included along with Duncan Keith and Mark Giordano, while Burns was one of four right-handed defensemen including Shea Weber, Drew Doughty and P.K. Subban.
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It should come as no surprise that Vlasic was included in the projections as he was one of the breakout candidates for Team Canada at the 2014 Olympics. While Vlasic’s sturdy presence on the blue line was nothing new for fans of the San Jose Sharks, many across the NHL landscape got their first extended look at what Vlasic could do. Vlasic was paired with Doughty for Team Canada during their gold-medal run in Sochi, and expect those two to join forces once again for the Canadians during the World Cup of Hockey.
Burns is a bit of a wild card, but his versatility and offensive potential make him a solid choice for Team Canada. Burns shined for the Canadians at last year’s World Championships in Prague where Burns was named as the top defensemen for the entire tournament as Canada captured the gold medal.
Burns led all Sharks blue liners with 17 goals and 43 assists a season ago, and his 60 points were second in the NHL behind only Erik Karlsson for points from the back end. With another season under his belt on the blue line, Burns’ defensive awareness and game should be much better during 2015-16.
Other potential Sharks players who could be in contention for Canada’s roster include Joe Thornton, Logan Couture and Patrick Marleau, who was on the Sochi team in 2014. For the aging Thornton and Marleau, their time in international competition might be concluded, although big seasons by both could propel them into the conversation. Couture is still looking to breakthrough for Canada at the highest level and he can add his name into the discussion with continued development and increased production.
Overall, the San Jose Sharks have plenty of talented individuals who should be participating in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
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