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Some interesting line combinations from World Cup training camps (Update)

Russia v USA - 2016 IIHF World Championship Ice Hockey: Bronze Medal Game

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - MAY 22: Alexander Ovechkin #8 of Russia speaks with Pavel Datsyuk #13, Yevgeni Kuznetsov #92 and Anton Belov #77 during the bronze medal award ceremony after the game against USA at Ice Palace on May 22, 2016 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Anna Sergeeva/Getty Images)

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As we mentioned in a previous post, today is the first day of World Cup training camps.

Each team hit the ice for the first time, which means we get our first taste of World Cup line combinations.

Obviously, these lines are subject to change, but it’s interesting to see what the coaches are thinking early in the process.

Team Russia is never short on offensive firepower:

Ovechkin, Kuznetsov, Kucherov should be exciting to watch and that Malkin, Tarasenko, Kulemin line isn’t too shabby either.

Pavel Datsyuk, Evgenii Dadonov, Vadim Shipachev and Ivan Telegin were given the day off because they’ve begun play in the KHL already.

With Russia, the question marks are always on defense and between the pipes.

Team North America is holding their training camp in Montreal, Quebec.

Head coach Todd McLellan has some dynamic young skaters to work with. Not surprising to see Connor McDavid on the top line.

The defense isn’t set in stone either, but here’s the first look as the blue line:

Team Canada, who are the tournament favorites, took to the ice in Ottawa, Ontario.

Interestingly enough, Sidney Crosby is on a line with two Boston Bruins:

Crosby and Bergeron played on a line together for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship in 2004. During that tournament, Bergeron was the center and 16-year-old Crosby was on the wing.

As is usually the case, Canada has some forwards playing out of position. Bergeron, John Tavares, Steven Stamkos, Tyler Seguin and Joe Thornton are centers playing on the wing.

LA Kings Drew Doughty and Jake Muzzin are paired together on Canada’s defense:

In Sweden, it’s an all Vancouver Canucks top line:

Henrik Lundqvist is a little banged up after taking a puck to the ribs last week, but he was on the ice for Team Sweden today.

As for Finland, the second overall pick in 2016, Patrik Laine, was on a line with Jussi Jokinen and Aleksander Barkov. Wild forwards Mikael Granlund and Mikko Koivu are on a line with Sharks winger Joonas Donskoi.

The Americans have hit the ice in Columbus, Ohio and their top line looks pretty good: