Is Nico Hischier coming to the World Cup in Riga? That seems realistic at the moment. PICTURED: KEYSTONE
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So the chances are that Hischier, Josi and Co. strengthen the national team at the World Cup
The Ice Hockey World Championship in Riga starts later than usual this year. The tournament doesn’t start until May 21, so are there more NHL players? Probably not. The NHL season is also a little longer than usual. Originally, the regular season should have ended on May 8th, but due to the long quarantine of the Vancouver Canucks, it has now been extended to May 19 – five days before the start of the World Cup. So far, however, only the Canadian North Division has been affected.
Nevertheless, the Swiss Association reckons that some players from North America will take part in the tournament: “As of today, we are still assuming that entry and participation in the World Cup should be possible for players from North America. The Swiss NHL players have basically given their commitment », it says at the request of watson. But it will be decisive how the situation in Riga presents itself shortly before the start of the tournament.
The extension of the NHL regular season only affects teams that have been in quarantine for a long time or have to catch up on games. That is not the case with any team with Swiss participation.
The tables of the four divisions:
So basically there would be enough time for various NHL Swiss to add to Patrick Fischer’s team. But it is already clear that some players are out of the question: Nino Niederreiter (Carolina), Kevin Fiala (Minnesota) and Gaëtan Haas (Edmonton) should be involved with their teams in the playoffs. With the other Swiss mercenaries, participation in the World Cup is more realistic. We’ll tell you who to count on.
Nico Hischier
The center has only just made its comeback after suffering a second injury this season. Hischier would be all the more looking forward to a few additional season games with the national team. It would be the second World Cup for the Valais since 2019, where he was the top team scorer.
What is certain is that the 22-year-old will not play any playoffs with New Jersey. The Devils are currently the penultimate team in the East Division 16 points away from a playoff spot. It is practically impossible to make up for that. The contract situation would also allow participation in the World Cup. Hischier’s current working paper runs until 2027.
Nico Hischier was the top Swiss scorer at the 2019 World Cup. PICTURED: EPA / KEYSTONE
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At most, the question is: will the Devils even allow their captain to go to the World Cup in the currently uncertain times?
World Cup chance: 75 percent
Timo Meier
Timo Meier also only played one world championship in his career. Back then (2018) he won silver with Switzerland in Copenhagen. The power wing would also be a great draft horse for Patrick Fischer’s team. The contractual situation – Meier’s contract runs until 2023 – would allow participation.
Timo Meier hits the corner. Video: streamable
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However, it is not yet certain that the San Jose Sharks will actually miss the playoffs. The Californians are five points behind the fourth-placed Arizona, with twelve missing games. Due to the strength of the game, it doesn’t seem realistic that San Jose will reach the playoffs. However, it cannot be ruled out entirely.
World Cup chance: 50 percent
Roman Josi
The Norris Trophy winner was there in 2013 and 2018 when Switzerland won World Cup silver. Josi would of course be a correspondingly important piece of the puzzle for the national team again this year. The contractual situation would allow participation, after all, the defender signed an eight-year contract in October 2019.
But if the Nashville Predators make the leap into the playoffs, it won’t be the World Cup this year. The “Preds” had a run especially in March and climbed to the playoff places in the Central Division. With Dallas and Chicago, however, a total of three teams are fighting for the last playoff place in the division, with Dallas recently in the best form and also having three games less.
World Cup chance: 33 percent
Pius Suter
It’s been four years since Pius Suter last played a World Cup. A year later he was the top Swiss scorer at the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang. Now he has also prevailed in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks. However, it is not certain whether the Zurich man will even be considered for the World Cup this year.
Chicago is still in the middle of the battle for the playoff spots, but has the worse cards because of the up and coming of Nashville and Dallas. There is also another hurdle. The entry-level contract for Suters expires this summer. There is no doubt that he will extend at Chicago, but any injury at the World Cup could weaken his negotiating basis.
World Cup chance: 15 percent
Philipp Kurashev
The only 21-year-old Kurashev convinced two years ago at the highest World Cup level. He, too, has now established himself as a regular at Chicago. In contrast to team-mate Suter, he also has a contract that runs until 2022. If time and the club allow, the chances are good to see Kurashev at the World Cup.
World Cup chance: 50 percent
Dean Kukan |
In contrast to Chicago, Dean Kukan’s Columbus has little chance of qualifying for the playoff in the same division. The Zurich defender also has an ongoing contract for next season. Patrick Fischer actually didn’t want to count on Kukan until the home World Cup. Since last spring’s tournament was canceled, he should also get another chance – provided that the bubble situation is possible.
Is Dean Kukan making his comeback in the national team? Image: IMAGO / Icon SMI
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World Cup chance: 75 percent
Jonas Siegenthaler
With the trade in New Jersey, Jonas Siegenthaler suddenly became a candidate again for the World Cup. Unlike Washington, the 23-year-old defender will not be involved in the playoffs. Unlike his team-mate Hischier, Siegenthaler does not yet have a contract for next year. Is he risking his NHL future for a World Cup participation?
Jonas Siegenthaler has not yet contested a World Cup. Image: keystone
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World Cup chance: 15 percent
Luca Sbisa
Patrick Fischer has repeatedly emphasized in the last two years that Luca Sbisa would also be an option for him, but so far the Zuger has not made a comeback in the national dress. The chances that this will change in 2021 are small. Firstly, the defender is still injured and secondly, he has no contract for the coming season.
World Cup chance: 5 percent
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