Team Sweden has the star power to make some serious noise during the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. The Swedes have a deep and talented roster and it starts in goal with Henrik Lundqvist.
When the team announced its first 16 roster spots, coach Rikard Gronborg said that the remaining positions would be based on players' performance down the stretch of the NHL regular season and how some played in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Of those initial 16, 11 played for Sweden during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Gronborg wanted to build an intelligent team filled with leaders. He has one. Here's the final projected lineup for Sweden, with my last seven picks in bold.
Forwards
This cerebral -- in terms of hockey sense -- collection of forwards is tough to beat. The final additions at forward include Hagelin, Kruger and Hornqvist. Hagelin and Hornqvist, teammates with the Pittsburgh Penguins, both played well and are a big reason the Penguins have gone as deep as it has in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Hagelin has been using his speed and has become a more complete two-way player. Hornqvist scored some big goals for the Penguins while playing on the top line with Sidney Crosby. The Chicago Blackhawks' Kruger, who was limited to 41 games this season because of a dislocated left wrist, finished the regular season with four assists and produced one assist in the playoffs. That means 24-year-old Oscar Lindberg could be on the outside looking in. He finished the regular season with 13 goals and 15 assists for 28 points in 68 games.
Defensemen
This defensive unit is terrifying at both ends of the ice. Hedman has been a monster for the Tampa Bay Lightning and has been particularly solid during the Stanley Cup playoffs. Stralman, who is also Hedman's partner in Tampa Bay, will likely remain in that role for Team Sweden. Gronborg likes the strong chemistry between those two. Lindholm, 22, played 80 games for the Anaheim Ducks this season and provided 10 goals and 18 assists for 28 points. He had three assists in seven playoff games during the first round. It was a bit of a surprise when Klingberg wasn't named to the first 16 roster spots, but Gronborg wanted to see how the 23-year-old finished the season and how he performed in the postseason. He had one goal and three assists for four points but had a minus-5 in 13 playoff games. He should earn a spot on the final roster.
Goaltenders
The New York Rangers' first-round loss to the Penguins was a positive for Team Sweden in that it gave Lundqvist a lot more time to rest and prepare for the World Cup. He struggled in the first round and did not look like his once-dominant self. Lundqvist didn't get much help in front of him, but that won't be the case during the World Cup. While Markstrom was already named to the roster, it's likely the Sabres' Lehner will be the third goalie.