Illustration by Sam Ho

Here's how we predict Sweden's World Cup of Hockey squad to look:

Forwards

While the forward position is one of strength for Sweden, it's good to see most of the players having strong starts to the season. Eriksson has been one of the most consistent players for the Boston Bruins. The 30-year-old forward has nine goals and 12 assists in 23 games. Backstrom missed three games because of injury in October, but overall has eight goals and 12 assists in 20 games. The Calgary Flames' Mikael Backlund, 26, could also be in the mix, along with Jakob Silfverberg of the Anaheim Ducks.

Victor Hedman's game isn't firing on all cylinders yet, but he still is putting up decent numbers. Timothy T. Ludwig/USA TODAY Sports

Defensemen

Sweden's ability to contribute offensively from its backend is solid, too. Karlsson is already a favorite to win another Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman. The 25-year-old captain of the Ottawa Senators has five goals and 21 assists in 24 games. Like the rest of his Tampa Bay Lightning teammates, Hedman's game isn't firing on all cylinders yet, but he still has two goals and 11 assists in 25 games. Klingberg has been strong in his second season for the Dallas Stars. The 23-year-old blueliner has five goals and 22 assists in 25 games. No doubt he's moving up Team Sweden's depth chart. Veteran Niklas Kronwall should also be in the mix.

Jonas Gustavsson has been healthy and strong this season. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Goaltenders

Prospective goalie depth chart No. 1 Henrik Lundqvist No. 2 Jonas Gustavsson

Lundqvist's early season performance has once again earned him a spot as a strong candidate for the Vezina Trophy. Sweden needs to find a backup and will have some interesting decisions to make for the World Cup. The Buffalo Sabres' Robin Lehner is sidelined indefinitely because of a high-ankle sprain he suffered on Oct. 8. The Carolina Hurricanes' Eddie Lack has been sub-par with a 1-4-1 record as a backup, and Gustavsson has emerged as the possible go-to guy for Sweden. After being plagued with injuries the past couple of seasons, the Bruins signed Gustavsson during the summer and he has been solid as Tuukka Rask's backup. Gustavsson has been healthy, strong and has a 5-1-0 record.