Islanders Players Hopeful, but Uncommitted to IIHF Worlds

With the New York Islanders’ season over and their lockers cleaned out, there remains one option for some players to get in some more hockey before the summer officially starts.

The IIHF World Championship is set to begin in just over two weeks (May 9) in Stockholm, Sweden, and Herning, Denmark. Usually, the World Championship is viewed as a bigger deal in Europe than in North America, especially with the NHL Playoffs directly coinciding with the event every year.

This year, however, the stakes have been immensely raised. The Winter Olympics are just 10 months away. The 4 Nations Face-Off this past February set the bar high. For any roster hopefuls, the World Championship is the single-best opportunity to raise your stock for your country in hopes of making the team.

The Islanders have multiple hopefuls for a few countries. Let’s take a look at each and what they did or didn’t say during locker clean out about the opportunity:

REMINDER: Russia (Sorokin, Romanov, Tsyplakov, Varlamov) remain banned from IIHF Events, Olympic Status Unknown.

Bo Horvat, Canada:

Bo Horvat is a player who can really raise his stock at an event like this. He admitted serious disappointment in his lack of production this season, specifically saying he should be scoring 30+ goals routinely.

He’s a player on the bubble for Canada for his two-way prowess, as his integration into the Islanders’ penalty kill helped turn the season around for them. He’d play much like an Anthony Cirelli, a player who Canada took to the 4 Nations, and this is an event he could desperately use.

Horvat agreed, saying, “It’s definitely been talked about. I haven’t made a decision or anything yet. But it’s definitely something to consider, and it’s a pretty big year for Olympic-wise next year. I think it’d be a good stepping stone for me to go prove myself and represent my country. If I do get that opportunity, I’ll take it.”

That’s as definite an answer as you’ll get. Horvat’s all in. He last participated in the 2018 World Championships after the 2017-18 season, scoring three goals and seven points through 10 games. Canada finished fourth that year.

Fun fact I stumbled into: That 2018 team had an astonishing amount of future, current, and former Islanders. At the time, the Islanders sent five players over: Josh Bailey, Anthony Beauvillier, Mathew Barzal, Ryan Pulock, and Jordan Eberle.

Horvat, as mentioned, also attended. Then-Ottawa Senator Jean-Gabriel Pageau also participated for Canada.

Noah Dobson, Canada:

Noah Dobson entered the season as a favorite to make Team Canada for the 4 Nations, but a slow start cost him any chance of making that roster. Still, he’s viewed around the league as one of the best young defensemen in the league, especially in Canada.

Firmly entrenched in the bubble for an Olympic spot (where teams are granted an expanded roster), Dobson could use an international showcase to boost his stock.

He hasn’t represented Canada at an international tournament since the World Juniors back in 2018-19.

Asked if he holds an interest in the tournament, Dobson said: “Yeah, definitely a thought. I think I’ll kind of use the next day or two to just process the options and figure out what’s best, but definitely interested for sure.”

Then, asked about the intrigue of playing in an optional international competition like this, he said:

“Yeah, I think obviously, if I went, it’d be my first one. So I don’t know exactly what it’s like, but I know just the mindset going into it for me is I only played 70 games this year, and my body feels pretty good. Also, with the Olympics coming up, it’s an opportunity to represent your country and kind of put yourself in a position to get on the radar going into next season and just go into the summer feeling good and hopefully try and win a gold medal. Like I said, I need to take the weekend, but definitely an interest for sure.”

That sure sounds like the 25-year-old Dobson would be all-in if given an opportunity.

Simon Holmstrom, Sweden:

Simon Holmstrom, 23, enjoyed a breakout season this year. He scored career-highs with 20 goals, 25 assists, and 45 points over his 75 games. He would seem to be very firmly on the bubble if not already forecasted into Sweden’s Olympic Team after they failed to beat either Finland or Canada and did not make the finals of the 4 Nations.

With the World Championship in his native Sweden, Holmstrom fielded a question about whether he’d given it any thought:

“I haven’t really thought about it that much. I have a contract that I have to sign, and I’ve been focused on this season.”

Obviously, upon saying he had a contract to sign, we asked if there was news to report, and he said no, it’s up to Lou Lamoriello and his agents.

While he remained mum on the topic, it sure seems like Holmstrom would jump at the opportunity to represent his nation as the hosts for the tournament. Add in the Olympics x-factor, if Holmstrom’s asked, one thinks he would go. Like Dobson, he’s only represented his country during World Juniors, with Holmstrom’s appearance coming in the 2020-21 season.

Longshots and Barzal:

Those are the three biggest targets for the international tournament. Mathew Barzal would be a major consideration for Canada, but he confirmed he’s still rehabbing and recovering from his injury, so he’s a non-factor this time around.

Defensively, Adam Pelech is a sleeper candidate to at least play for Canada at this tournament. When healthy, he’s still one of the best shutdown defensemen in the league. His numbers with Dobson sparkled, but with every partner he had this year, he elevated.

If Canada reaches out to Pelech, I’d think he’d jump at the chance. He’s fully healthy and has not represented Canada at an international tournament since the 2013-14 World Juniors. He seemed to be a lock to make the 2022 Olympic Team after his play in consecutive deep playoff runs, but the league cancelled player involvement, robbing him of the chance.

Anders Lee and Kyle Palmieri could be options for Team USA, but that seems to depend more on what players are or aren’t going. Young players cut from the 4 Nations like Clayton Keller and Tage Thompson are hellbent on avenging themselves, with Thompson already confirming he’ll play for the USA.

For Sweden, Pierre Engvall is in a similar boat to Lee and Palmieri. Depending on player involvement, there could be a spot for Engvall, especially with how well he played down the stretch. Ditto for Czechia’s Jakub Skarek, a possible inclusion if the Czechians cannot find three goalies ahead of him on their depth chart.