NHL.com selects Team North America roster for 2020

Team North America did not win the World Cup of Hockey 2016.

It didn't even advance past the qualifying round.

But the collection of players 23 or younger from Canada and the United States left a lasting impression.

The team's exciting play in Toronto provided a glimpse of the youth movement coming into the NHL, and its overtime win against Sweden in the final qualifying game is considered by many the most memorable game of the tournament.

With members of that Team North America reuniting for a video call that will premiere Thursday on Sportsnet at 6 p.m. ET and at 7 p.m. ET on NHL.com and League platforms, NHL.com decided to form a 2020 team consisting of players from Canada and the United States who are 23 or younger as of May 14.

Fifteen NHL.com writers and editors submitted their picks and formed a roster through a points process. Former NHL coach Randy Carlyle took that roster and made his own line combinations, defense pairs and goalie depth chart.

"The idea of picking this team is a very interesting one," Carlyle said. "This is the youth of today's game. If we were to replicate the tournament idea from 2016, I think this team would garner a lot of respect. These young players have made an impact in the NHL already. It would be something to coach a group like this.

"Me, I would look at it like I had a lot of interchangeable parts and things could and would move around on the fly. I think it would have to be like that with this kind of elite group and this kind of tournament."

Because of the age restriction, only Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Jack Eichel of the Buffalo Sabres and Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings return to the team from the 2016 roster.

Here is NHL.com's 2020 version of Team North America:

FORWARDS

First line

LW -- Mathew Barzal, New York Islanders, 22

He leads the Islanders with 60 points (19 goals, 41 assists) in 68 games this season and is tops among their forwards with an average of 20:03 of ice time per game. Barzal won the Calder Trophy voted as NHL rookie of the year after he had 85 points (22 goals, 63 assists) in 82 games in 2017-18. A center for New York, he hasn't missed a game in three seasons and has 207 points (59 goals, 148 assists) in 234 NHL games.

C -- Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, 23

He had three assists in three games in the 2016 tournament, when he had 45 NHL games under his belt. McDavid has scored at least 30 goals and 97 points each season since 2016-17, winning the Art Ross Trophy as NHL scoring leader in 2016-17 and 2017-18. Voted winner of the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP for 2017-18, he is averaging 1.34 points per game in the NHL (469 points in 351 games).

RW -- Alex DeBrincat, Chicago Blackhawks, 22

After scoring 28 goals as a rookie in 2017-18, DeBrincat had a breakout season in 2018-19 with 41 goals and 76 points in 82 games. Although his numbers have dipped this season (18 goals, 27 assists in 70 games), he has scored 10 goals on the power play and 29 of his 87 NHL goals have come with the man-advantage. DeBrincat has 173 points (87 goals, 86 assists) in 234 NHL games.

Carlyle says: "I don't think anybody can dispute that McDavid is the No. 1 center, and I think it was important to have people, in my view, to line up with his kind of ability. He has a tremendous amount of skill and speed, and I looked to try to match three players based on that. DeBrincat and Barzal can each score, but they're also quick and fast players. They can play fast. Also worth noting, Barzal, in my opinion, can play either side because he likes to carry the puck and likes to drive to the left. This is a combination I like."

Second line

LW -- Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets, 23

He has scored at least 31 goals each season since becoming a full-time NHL player in 2017-18, including a career-high 38 in 71 games this season. Connor leads the Jets in 2019-20 with seven game-winning goals, is fourth with 17 power-play points (nine goals, eight assists), and is second among their forwards with an average of 21:05 of ice time (Mark Scheifele, 21:48). He has 201 points (105 goals, 96 assists) in 249 NHL games.

C -- Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs, 22

He had three points (two goals, one assist) in three games for Team North America before making his NHL debut Oct. 12, 2016, and winning the Calder after scoring 40 goals and 69 points in 2016-17. In four NHL seasons, Matthews has never scored fewer than 34 goals and had 47 in 70 games before the season was paused March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus. He has 285 points (158 goals, 127 assists) in 282 NHL games.

RW -- Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs, 23

After he had an NHL career-high 94 points (26 goals, 68 assists) in 82 games in 2018-19, Marner has proved that was no fluke with 67 points (16 goals, 51 assists) in 59 games this season. Marner leads Toronto forwards in ice time per game (21:33) and is playing in all situations, averaging 3:13 on the power play and 2:12 on the penalty kill. He has 291 points (83 goals, 208 assists) in 300 NHL games.

Carlyle says: "I didn't think it made any sense not having Matthews and Marner together, since they have played together with their own team and they have a connection, obviously. The addition of Connor makes good sense to me because he's able to play any position and he's an opportunistic player who I thought would be a good fit here. He's got hockey sense and the ability to get around the rink. Matthews is as good as anybody 1-on-1, and if there's space, he will find either of these two guys."

Third line

LW -- Matthew Tkachuk, Calgary Flames, 22

Not afraid to mix it up, Tkachuk has 302 penalty minutes (most on Calgary) and 371 hits (third) since entering the NHL in 2016-17, adding grit to the roster. He has 61 points (23 goals, 38 assists) in 69 games this season, including 19 on the power play (five goals, 14 assists), and has scored at least 24 goals each season since 2017-18. Tkachuk, who has scored four-game winning goals and is averaging 18:18 of ice time this season, has 235 points (94 goals, 141 assists) in 293 NHL games.

C -- Jack Eichel, Buffalo Sabres, 23

He had one goal and one assist in the World Cup in 2016 after scoring 56 points (24 goals, 32 assists) in 81 games as a rookie with Buffalo in 2015-16. With 78 points (36 goals, 42 assists) in 68 games, Eichel was on pace for an NHL career high before the season was paused; he had 82 (28 goals, 54 assists) in 77 games in 2018-19. He has scored at least 24 goals in each of his five NHL seasons, and his 118 power-play points since entering the NHL are tied for 19th in the League in that span. Eichel, who has 337 points (137 goals, 200 assists) in 354 NHL games, is second in the NHL among forwards this season with an average of 22:06 of ice time (Leon Draisaitl, Oilers, 22:37).

RW -- Travis Konecny, Philadelphia Flyers, 23

He has increased his points total for three consecutive seasons and leads the Flyers with 61 (24 goals, 37 assists) in 66 games this season. Konecny, who has scored 24 goals in three straight seasons, leads Flyers who have played at least 50 games this season in shooting percentage (17.0 percent). He has 185 points (83 goals, 102 assists) in 299 NHL games.

Carlyle says:"I figured to go with Eichel, Matthew (Tkachuk) is more the grunt along the wall and in front of the net and he'll find ways to get into spaces. Eichel makes things happen and makes space, and if he's allowed time, he'll definitely create chances if people go to the net. Konecny fits here because he's a player who knows how to find space and he plays the game at a very high level."

Fourth line

LW -- Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators, 20

In his first two NHL seasons, Tkachuk has done it all, with at least 21 goals, 44 points and 75 penalty minutes in each. With 106 penalty minutes (third in NHL) and 303 hits this season (second behind Vegas Golden Knights forward Ryan Reaves, 316), Tkachuk, like his brother, brings grit to the group. He has 44 points (21 goals, 23 assists) in 71 games this season and is third among Ottawa forwards with an average of 18:56 of ice time.

C -- Pierre-Luc Dubois, Columbus Blue Jackets, 21

He leads Columbus with 49 points (18 goals, 31 assists) this season despite being tied for fourth among forwards in ice time (17:56). He has scored at least four game-winning goals in each of his three NHL seasons. Dubois, who has 158 points (65 goals, 93 assists) in 234 NHL games, has not missed a game since making his NHL debut Oct. 6, 2017.

RW -- Brock Boeser, Vancouver Canucks, 23

Although limited to 188 out of a possible 233 games because of injuries since becoming a full-time NHL player in 2017-18, Boeser has 161 points (75 goals, 86 assists) in 197 NHL games. He has 45 points (16 goals, 29 assists) in 57 games this season and is third among Canucks forwards with an average of 18:34 of ice time.

Carlyle says: "With this line, the first thing I looked for was size, and these are three bigger than average players in terms of size (Boeser, 6-foot-1, 208 pounds). Dubois (6-3, 218) is a veteran guy now, in my mind, who has learned there are two sides of the puck you have to play. Same with Tkachuk (6-4, 212). He's not afraid to get in and grind. I liked this line to be more of a grind line, take on more of the checking aspect of the game. They are great offensive players, but they are also bigger bodies who can throw the puck low and get to work. Each of them can score and each has ability around the net, but they also have the ability to be physical."

Extra forward

Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings, 23

The oldest player on this roster (born July 30, 1996), Larkin had one assist in two games in the World Cup in 2016. He has played the most NHL games of anyone on Team North America (389) and has 266 points (107 goals, 159 assists). The center has 53 points (19 goals, 34 assists) in 71 games this season and leads the Red Wings in points and time on ice among forwards (21:15). One of the fastest skaters in the League, Larkin is also a threat with five career shorthanded goals.

Carlyle says: "It was tough to leave Larkin out because he could go on any of these lines. Me, I'd see him as a winger with this group of centers. It's hard to leave out a quality player, but there are only so many positions. Still, I think competition would create intensity with a group like this, and I'm sure they'd all want to play, so very good to remember that nothing would be cast in stone with a group like this. … Overall, I'd see this group as a lot of interchangeable parts."

DEFENSEMEN

First pair

Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets, 22

He has scored double-digit goals in each of his four NHL seasons, including 20 this season, a Blue Jackets record by a defenseman. His average ice time has increased in each season, including 23:59 in 2019-20. Werenski has 169 points (58 goals, 111 assists) in 300 NHL games, including 59 power-play points (14 goals, 45 assists).

Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche, 21

Although he's a rookie, Makar has already proven he can play on the big stage after making his NHL debut in the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs, when he had six points (one goal, five assists) in 10 games. Makar has 50 points in 57 games this season, second among NHL rookies, and leads rookie defensemen in goals (12), power-play goals (four) and even-strength goals (eight). He is averaging 21:01 of ice time, third among rookie defensemen behind Ethan Bear of the Oilers (21:58) and Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks (21:53).

Carlyle says: "In my mind, I tried to match things with two ideas, that you'd want to have a more veteran guy like Werenski and [Charlie] McAvoy (second pair) with a younger guy and keep that right-left (shot) idea intact. So Werenski (left), with more experience, is a good fit with Makar (right), and that keeps one more experienced guy in each pair. I like the idea of two real solid, dynamic players together because they can do things others can't do."

Second pair

Thomas Chabot, Ottawa Senators, 23

In his third full NHL season, Chabot has proven he can handle a heavy workload, leading the League in average ice time per game (26:00). He has 39 points (six goals, 33 assists) in 71 games this season, including 11 assists on the power play, and has chipped in defensively with 42 takeaways, first among Ottawa defensemen. Chabot has 119 points (29 goals, 90 assists) in 205 NHL games.

Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins, 22

He has 32 points (five goals, 27 assists) and is plus-24 (tied for 13th in NHL) in 67 games this season. In three NHL seasons, McAvoy has 92 points (19 goals, 73 assists) and is plus-58 in 184 games. He is averaging 23:10 of ice time this season, including 1:21 on the power play and 1:49 on the penalty kill.

Carlyle says: "Same idea as the first two, I see Chabot and McAvoy suiting each other very well. They're a good mix, can play off one another. I don't think it would be a problem if you interchanged Werenski and Chabot in the top two pairs, but this seemed the best way to start. It's also good to point out that it's no downgrade on the other defensemen, but when you have a chance to do it, you'll likely play veteran guys ahead of them, and I believe Makar has separated himself, so that was my thinking about identifying the top four to start."

Third pair

Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks, 20

He leads NHL rookies in points (53), assists (45), power-play points (25) and power-play assists (22) in 68 games this season. Hughes is also first among rookie defensemen in shots on goal (126).

Adam Fox, New York Rangers, 22

He is third among NHL rookie defensemen in points with 42 (eight goals, 34 assists), first in rating (plus-22) and takeaways (57), and tied for third in blocked shots (92). Fox, who is averaging 18:54 of ice time, ranks third among NHL rookies with 29 even-strength points (seven goals, 22 assists) behind Chicago Blackhawks forward Dominik Kubalik (38) and Makar (31).

Carlyle says: "There are dynamic elements on the third pair too. Hughes is a big positive here, and I'll confess I don't know a lot about Fox, not having seen him so much because he plays in the East."

Extra defenseman

Samuel Girard, Colorado Avalanche, 22

He has set NHL career highs in points (34) and assists (30) in 70 games this season, and he leads the Avalanche in ice time per game (21:19). Girard has 84 points (12 goals, 72 assists) in 225 NHL games.

Carlyle says: "As far as Girard goes, he's a smaller body and I see him more as a power-play specialist, but he's talented enough to fit in with any of the guys on this roster, so certainly an asset."

GOALIES

Starter

Carter Hart, Philadelphia Flyers, 21

After a strong rookie season when he went 16-13-1 with a 2.83 goals-against average and .917 save percentage, Hart has been just as impressive this season (24-13-3, 2.42 GAA, .914 save percentage in 43 games).

Carlyle says: "To me, he's separated himself with his play, all the starts (70) he's made in the past two seasons. He was highly touted, and he's earned this opportunity. He's got pedigree, including his time in the [American Hockey League] and in Philadelphia."

Backups

Mackenzie Blackwood, New Jersey Devils, 23

He is first among NHL rookie goalies in wins (22), second in shutouts (three) behind Elvis Merzlikins of the Blue Jackets (five), and fourth in save percentage (.915; minimum 10 starts). Blackwood is 22-14-8 with a 2.77 GAA in 47 games this season and 32-24-8 with a 2.72 GAA, a .916 save percentage and five shutouts in 70 NHL games.

Video: TOR@SJS: Marner scores after ridiculous dangle, Montreal Canadiens, 20

The heir apparent to Carey Price in Montreal, Primeau has impressed in his two NHL starts this season, including making 35 saves in a 3-2 overtime win against the Ottawa Senators on Dec. 11 for his first NHL victory. He also had 17 wins and four shutouts in his first season with Laval of the AHL in 2019-20.

NHL.com staff writers David Satriano and Tim Campbell contributed to this report