Stepan to Center Wheeler & Smith at Worlds
Kevin Allen at USA Today reports that Team USA Coach Scott Gordan will put Derek Stepan on a line with with Blake Wheeler of the Atlanta Thrashers and Nashville Predators prospect Craig Smith, a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin who was a point-per-game forward, for tomorrow's World Hockey Championship opener against Austria at 10:15 a.m. on Versus.Stepan is the only member of Team USA to crack the 20 goal barrier this season.
Ryan McDonagh and Chris Kreider are also on Team USA.
...nice to see Gordan putting Wisconsin alum Stepan on a line with Smith. Should have some chemistry or at least be able to have a conversation about cheese.
...really looking forward to three huge pieces of the Rangers future on the World stage starting tomorrow morning.
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Hopefully Stepan learns a thing or two and Gabby finds himself. I think the worlds is better for Gabby than Stepan.
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@KingBadaBing Stepan's one and only job is to get Kreider to change his mind and sign with the Rangers this offseason.
He should do that. I don't think Kreider makes the team though even if he were to change his mind. I think he spends the year in Hartford. He has all the ability in the world, but you can't honestly say he lit the NCAA on fire with his numbers. I would like to have seen him find the back of the net more.
@KingBadaBing I think Hartford would be better for his development than BC. You're right he didn't light it up this year, but then he goes out and scores in the Worlds exhibition game the other night. Could be the system at BC holding him back.
