With seven vacant slots remaining on Canada's World Cup roster, an eager group of first-rate talents considered to be in the conversation to wear the red and white again descended on Russia for the worlds with a different international showcase - one set to directly precede the NHL's 2016-17 season - in mind.
So, after more than a month overseas and gold now draped around their necks, who was able to improve their standing with Hockey Canada before the final rosters for the World Cup are cemented this week?
Corey Perry -- Widely considered a lock for preliminary selection, a trying postseason motivated the Ducks' scoring pest to go overseas and captain his country. Perry did his job, scoring four times, finishing two points off the team lead, and becoming the 27th member of the Triple Gold Club. But at the same time, he was fairly silent in the knockout round, registering only an assist and three shots. Perry didn't hurt his chances per se, but failed to drive home presumed participation at a tournament that's essentially the only thing he hasn't won in hockey.
Taylor Hall -- Hall was certainly one of the tournament's more threatening players, finishing a goal off the tournament lead and firing more shots on target than any Canadian. Hall's efficiency, too, dipped in the knockout round, having collected seven of his nine points versus the tournament's clearly inferior opponents. That said, Hall proved something perhaps more important to Canada's brass, emerging as a reliable defender in key spots - even finding himself guarding the middle of the ice in the waning moments of the gold medal final.
Matt Duchene -- Five goals, five assists, and a team-best plus-10 rating among forwards, Duchene was a force up front, exceedingly threatening on the attack, and also a contributor when it mattered most. The Olympian in 2014 continues to be a willing participant, and provided no reason for him not to be included again.
Brad Marchand -- After the season of his life, in which he scored more goals than any Canadian winger aside from Jamie Benn, Marchand lent his two-way talent to the national team, and to great effect. He scored four times, including once shorthanded, to go along with three assists, and showed just how dangerous he is in open ice while still anchoring his top-six unit defensively. He didn't eradicate disciplinary concerns, having taken the second-most penalty minutes, but was never a liability.
Ryan O'Reilly -- He did all the little things, like winning defensive-zone faceoffs, and spearheading a near-flawless penalty kill as he carved out a top-nine role with Mark Scheifele and Mark Stone. O'Reilly's versatility, which includes playing the wing, is important considering Canada's surplus of centers, but it behoves Doug Armstrong to fill in the gaps with natural wingers.
Mark Stone -- Stone enjoyed an excellent tournament, capitalizing on the opportunistic offense that's made him the Senators' leading point producer among forwards over the last two seasons. He finished near the top of every major statistical category, and scored on almost every fourth shot he put on target. A World Cup selection, though, would remain a surprise.
Brendan Gallagher -- Gallagher tumbled into the fourth-line rotation, but still found a way to contribute. His quintessential goal to open the scoring in the semifinal versus the United States was a significant moment for the team. He'll likely have to beat out Marchand and O'Reilly to make the squad, which will be difficult considering the need for reliable penalty killing.
Bonus: Auston Matthews -- Not Canadian, nor eligible for his country's entry, but few players made a stronger World Cup statement. In Russia, he clearly showed he was polished enough, and will likely carve out a role on the young guns. But it should be noted that the North American roster has few center-ice positions available, and two pivots in Scheifele and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins who are certainly qualified.
