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Toronto Maple Leafs: Projecting a 2020 World Cup Team Canada Roster

By Jordan Maresky

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 05: #4 Tyson Barrie (CAN) celebrates his goal with teammates during the Ice Hockey World Championship between Czech Republic and Canada at AccorHotels Arena in Paris, France, on May 05, 2017. (Photo by Robert Hradil/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 05: #4 Tyson Barrie (CAN) celebrates his goal with teammates during the Ice Hockey World Championship between Czech Republic and Canada at AccorHotels Arena in Paris, France, on May 05, 2017. (Photo by Robert Hradil/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 29: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins . (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 29: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins . (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Forwards

Nathan Mackinnon – Sidney Crosby – Connor McDavid

Featuring arguably the best three players in the NHL, this line will be as dominant as it gets. The playmaking ability of Sidney Crosby being flanked by Connor McDavid and Nathan Mackinnon, two of the fastest skaters in today’s game, will create one of the best international line combinations ever.

Steven Stamkos – John Tavares – Brad Marchand

This line features a bit of everything. John Tavares and Steven Stamkos are both perennial 50-goal scorers and will be playing alongside the forechecking machine and the most annoying presence on the ice in NHL, Brad Marchand. The damage this line could potentially inflict is tantalizing.

Mark Stone – Ryan O’Reilly – Patrice Bergeron

The defensive prowess of this line combination must be the best ever assembled in international competition.

Ryan O’Reilly is the defending Selke Trophy winner, Patrice Bergeron, from 2012-2017, won a record-tying four Selke Trophies, and Mark Stone has finished second in Selke voting the last three seasons. This line will have the unique ability to be able to match up against the other teams best as well as dominant in the offensive end.

Jonathan Huberdeau – Mark Scheifele – Mitch Marner

The playmaking and scoring ability of this line is unparalleled. Mitch Marner and Jonathan Huberdeau rank 6th and 7th respectively in assists over the last two seasons (stats; NHL.com). Both of those crafty wingers will be able to set up Mark Scheifele nicely, an excellent goal scorer who is top-15 in goals over the same period (stats; NHL.com).

This forward group contains some of the most dynamic forwards in today’s game. It is hard to imagine any team will be able to compete.

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