from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

The best goalie in the world. The best defenceman in the world. The best centre in the world. The best on-ice leader in the world.

Maybe the best coach in the world — and if not the best coach, certainly the best coaching staff.

How exactly does Team Canada not win the World Cup of Hockey?

They have Carey Price in goal. They have the easier of the two tournament draws. They have Drew Doughty on defence. They still have the easier tournament draw. They have Sidney Crosby, looking just like he looked upon winning the Conn Smythe Trophy. And yeah, they have Jonathan Toews, who wins just about everything.

Only two things can really beat Canada in this tournament. One, is Canada. The other is a red-hot opposing goalie. And the belief here is that neither of those are likely to happen.

Welcome to the World Cup of Hockey, a semi-contrived, made-for-September television event, set up to make a buck or three for the NHL and the NHLPA and to make Canadians feel great, yet again, about hockey.

continued