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Which St. Louis Blues Players are Most Likely to Thrive in the World Cup of Hockey?

By Patrick Karraker

Sep 5, 2016; Ottawa, ON, Canada; Canada player Alex Pietrangelo during practice for the World Cup of Hockey at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2016; Ottawa, ON, Canada; Canada player Alex Pietrangelo during practice for the World Cup of Hockey at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jori Lehtera
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Jori Lehtera, Team Finland

In all honesty, Team Finland doesn’t really have any star skaters. They may, however, have enough dependable role players in order to form a disciplined unit and contend in front of their two star goalies, Tuukka Rask and Pekka Rinne. It’s safe to say that Jori Lehtera wasn’t a dominant performer in 2015-16, but if he can rediscover the form that he displayed in 2014-15 while playing regularly with Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Tarasenko (when he scored 14 goals and added 30 assists), he may become a valued contributor to Team Finland’s efforts.

The Blues’ expectations can’t be overly high for Lehtera this season, because he’s a pass-first center, and with Ken Hitchcock attempting to force a Tarasenko/Paul Stastny partnership going into 2016-17, it’s likely that Lehtera will end up paired with players who can’t fully take advantage of the opportunities that he sets up for them. While Lehtera is playing alongside the best of the best from his country, though, he has a real shot at doing some impressive things.

Next: Colton Parayko

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