Morning Skate: Let's get angry about the World Cup of Hockey snubs

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Lace 'em up. Time for the Morning Skate.

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LET'S GET MAD ONLINE

The preliminary World Cup of Hockey 2016 rosters were released on Wednesday, which (if you're like me) made the new tournament ten times more real than it had been up until that point. Only now it just feels like the Fake Olympics.

They have a few months to further legitimize it though. That's not why I brought it up. I brought it up because whenever national team rosters get released everyone loves figuring out who was snubbed so they can get outraged about it. So, here's the plan. While I list the top five snubs, you go gather the pitchforks and build those torches. Meet back here in four minutes.

5. Nino Niederreiter (Team Europe)

He's fast. He has the scoring touch. Hard to see how he got passed over for Jannik Hansen.

4. Shayne Gostisbehere (Team North America)

North America is pretty stacked already with the likes of Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Jack Eichel. But they missed the chance to be the only team with a Ghost Bear.

3. P.K. Subban (Team Canada)

The only reason his snub doesn't rank higher is that Canada is so talented we knew somebody would be left off the initial roster. It just happened to be him.

2. John Klingberg (Team Sweden)

He's the highest-scoring Swedish defenseman not named Erik Karlsson. His defensive game obviously needs work, but his omission is an odd one.

1. Phil Kessel (Team USA)

When you're wondering why the United States isn't scoring enough goals during the World Cup, just know it's because one of their best scorers is at home eating hot dogs.

Oh hey, you brought the pitchforks and torches. Well, I hate to break it to you, but these are just the initial rosters. All of these guys will probably make the team anyway. Please don't turn on me.

WHAT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT

• Kind of a light schedule on Wednesday, with only three games. At least the Blackhawks-Red Wings game was highly entertaining. Well, for the winning team.
• The Red Wings collapsed quickly and violently last night.
• The best team in the NHL beat the worst team in the NHL last night. Surprise!
• The Capitals still had to endure a feisty Maple Leafs team, though.
• Alex Galchenyuk led the Canadiens to an encouraging losing effort in Anaheim last night.

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