tched well. He had to battle through it a little bit, but he

The NHL and the NHLPA got creative when they devised teams for the World Cup of Hockey, which kicks off in Toronto on Sept. 17. Sure, star-studded rosters representing Canada, the United States, Sweden, Finland, Russia and the Czech Republic were no-brainers.But organizers then added a European team made up of players from countries not competing in the tournament as well as a North American team made up of that continents best players aged 23 and under. But even with all those creative ways of adding teams, some prominent and talented players will be missing from the tournament.Which raises a question: How would a team made up entirely of snubs contend at the World Cup?Its not an outlandish concept, especially considering Canada could probably ice a second World Cup team with enough talent to at least compete.The first step in finding out for sure was to compile a full 23-man roster made up entirely of players not named to any of the tournaments eight teams. Which is exactly what we did:ForwardsTaylor Hall - Tyler Johnson - Corey PerryMilan Lucic - Nick Bjugstad - Wayne SimmondsJames Neal - Ryan Johansen - Phil KesselRick Nash -?Ryan OReilly?- Justin WilliamsKyle OkposoThis group was diluted recently by late roster additions. Kyle Palmieri was added to the American roster to replace the injured Ryan Callahan while Logan Couture was recently named to a Canadian team that lost Jamie Benn, who is recovering from abdominal surgery. Even with those two players removed from the talent pool, the all-snubs team features an awfully impressive group up front.It starts with a top line made up of three All-Stars in Canadians Hall and Perry, and American Johnson. All three could have -- some might say should have -- earned greater consideration for a roster spot on their respective national teams. Especially Perry, who is a Hart Trophy winner, Stanley Cup champion, three-time All-Star and all-world agitator.After them comes a bruising second line centered by American Bjugstad that would have been arguably the tournaments most terrifying trio. The group, featuring Bjugstad flanked by Canadas Lucic and Simmonds, boasts an average height of 6-foot-4 and average weight of 211 pounds. The third line should have instant chemistry with Johansen skating alongside his Nashville Predators linemate and fellow Canadian Neal.Johansen is a little young but they sure work well together. James Neal is a great player who works hard. The two of then would be very good together, said longtime Predators assistant coach and current broadcaster Brent Peterson, who loved the idea of the speedy Kessel playing the other wing on their line. That would be an awesome line. Youve got speed, youve got tenacity, two guys who can score with a guy who likes to set them up. Johansen can score, but hes looking for Neal all the time.Add a fourth unit centered by All-Star Ryan OReilly and this is a formidable group.DefensemenMark Giordano - P.K. SubbanCam Fowler - John KlingbergT.J. Brodie - Kevin ShattenkirkJustin FaulkOn practically any other team in this tournament, either Canadians Giordano or Subban would have been considered a shoe-in for the top pair. That Team Canada called on Jay Bouwmeester to replace the ailing Duncan Keith over either of them was something of a controversial move.Subban and Giordano would be amazing, and T.J. Brodie would be another guy that I would throw in there, said longtime NHL goaltender and current broadcaster Jamie McLennan. T.J. Brodies really good. Hes one of those guys who distributes the puck really well and makes everyone around him better.Hampus Lindholm would have earned consideration for this group had he not been called on to sub in for Niklas Kronwall on the Swedish team. Instead, his Anaheim Ducks teammate Cam Fowler of Canada skates alongside one of the worlds top young defensemen in John Klingberg. That Klingberg wont be skating for Sweden speaks to that teams all-world depth along the blue line. American All-Stars Kevin Shattenkirk and Justin Faulk shore up a defensive group that any nation would be happy to have.GoaltendersMartin JonesDevan DubnykBrian ElliottThe truly elite goalkeepers will be stacking their pads at the World Cup, and theyll mostly be suiting up for Canada, Finland and the United States. Some of the games top goaltenders will likely be relegated to tournament third-string duty, including two-time Stanley Cup champion Corey Crawford of Canada. Just three months after leading the Pittsburgh Penguins to a Stanley Cup win, Matt Murray finds himself battling John Gibson to be the No. 1 for Team North America.Taking all that into consideration, this team of also-rans would likely turn to some of the NHLs more experienced backstops, with one notable exception.Considering his consistent play and unflappable demeanor through the 2016 playoffs, Jones might have shown enough to shine in this international tournament. A backup before emerging with the San Jose Sharks last season, Jones already has some international experience, having won silver at the 2010 World Junior Championships and gold at the 2015 World Championships for Canada.People just waited for Martin Jones to show he could be a starter, and he did last year. He proved any doubters wrong, said McLennan, who wouldnt mind seeing one other big-name goaltender added to this group. What about Roberto Luongo? I know hes coming off hip surgery. If he wasnt injured, maybe thats a guy Id have on this list.Overall, this would likely be the thinnest position on an otherwise stacked roster. But the unit still includes a pair of All-Stars in Canadians Dubnyk and Elliott and wouldnt be considered a team flaw by any measure. Custom Nike Baseball Jerseys 2020 . SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. Custom Nike Kansas City Royals Jerseys .C. -- Glenn Howard needed an extra end to move into the Masters Grand Slam of Curling final. https://www.customjerseysnikebaseball.com/custom-nike-new-york-yankees-jerseys/ .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have placed centre Cody Hodgson on injured reserve and recalled two players from their AHL affiliate in Rochester. Custom Nike San Diego Padres Jerseys . PETERSBURG, Fla. Cyber Monday Custom Nike Baseball Jerseys . The catch: It needs a lot of money, and it needs it fast. MILWAUKEE -- Junior Guerras scoreless streak ended with a 455-foot home run and the Milwaukee Brewers bats were silent at key moments.It added up to yet another series loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.Matt Adams and Randal Grichuk homered off Guerra, St. Louis starter Mike Leake struck out 10 over seven innings, and the Brewers headed to the All-Star break with a 5-1 loss Sunday.The Brewers wasted Chris Carters leadoff triple in the seventh, his first since 2014, and didnt score after putting runners at first and third with no outs in the third.To sustain a rally, you have to get something going there, Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. We just couldnt get the next hit to get something big, a big inning going there.St. Louis took two of three games to improve to 13-0-1 in the last 14 series against the Brewers. The Cardinals are 29-12 at Miller Park since beating the Brewers in the 2011 NLCS.Aledmys Diaz scored from first on a single in the fifth to snap a tie and the Cardinals entered the All-Star break having cut a 12-game deficit to the Cubs to seven in the NL Central.Thats pretty impressive, manager Mike Matheny said, because we havent played well.Adams snapped an 0-for-27 skid with a solo homer to right estimated at 455 feet to lead off the second. That ended a 16 1/3-inning scoreless streak for Guerra (6-2). The 31-year-old rookie allowed another solo shot to Grichuk in the sixth and snapped a three-start winning streak.I didnt make quality pitches at times, Guerra said. When I missed my spot, they took advantage and got some big hits when they needed them.Grichuk and Adams added RBI hits in the ninth off Jeremy Jeffress.Jonathan Lucroy had two hits, including an RBI single in the first for the Brewers.Strikeouts have been a problem Milwaukee season, and Leake (6-7) was an unlikely candidate to keep that going.Leake entered with a rate of 5.7 strikeouts-per-nine-inning, ranking 91st out of 99 qualifying pitchers in the majors. However, he used his slider to keep Milwaukee off balance.I had that to go to because it was working and they were swinging over it, Leake ssaid.dddddddddddd So why not use it a little bit more?Leake allowed six hits and no walks in his first win since June 12.Hernan Perez fanned three times, and the Brewers struck out 10 or more times for the 42nd time in 87 games.Former Brewers reliever Jonathan Broxton struck out two in a perfect eighth before a two-run ninth put it away.The Cardinals took a 2-1 lead in the fifth thanks to their speedy All-Star. Diaz reached on his 19th infield single with two out. He then never stopped and scored from first on Stephen Piscottys bloop single off center fielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis glove.The 31-year-old Guerra walked Leake with two out in the sixth to end his day. The former independent league right-hander gave up seven hits and three walks while striking out five.The home run by Grichuk was a pretty good pitch, really, Counsell said. I thought Junior pitched well. He had to battle through it a little bit, but he had good stuff.TRAINERS ROOMBrewers OF Domingo Santana (elbow) will remain in Milwaukee during the All-Star break to rehab. The goal is to hopefully increase his on-field activity starting Friday in Cincinnati, Counsell said. Hopefully by the weekend, we can determine dates for (a minor league rehab assignment).BLAZEK DEMOTEDMilwaukee optioned right-hander Michael Blazek to Triple-A Colorado Springs after the game. He has a 12.15 ERA in eight appearances since coming off the disabled list June 21.Ive just got to be able to go out there and do my job, Blazek said. Obviously the last few weeks I havent been able to do that. So Ill go down and work and some stuff. Ill be back.WEB GEMA fan in the first inning made a leaning catch of a foul ball with his glove, bounced off the top of the Milwaukee dugout and fell backward to the ground. The man held onto the ball and drew cheers from Brewers owner Mark Attanasio, sitting nearby.UP NEXTBrewers: Lucroy heads to his second All-Star Game. Milwaukee then begins a six-game trip in Cincinnati on Friday. ' ' '