Nicklas Backstrom was named to Team Sweden's preliminary World Cup roster Wednesday, Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post reports.

Backstrom was named to Team Sweden's preliminary 2016 World Cup roster Wednesday, Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post reports.

Analysis:

Not a surprise, as Backstrom has represented "tres kronor" in past tournaments and is one of the better playmakers in the NHL ranks. Riding a three-game point streak (four assists), the 28-year-old pivot has 17 goals and 58 points in 59 games this season, his fourth straight 40-plus-assist campaign.