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World Cup hockey teams may want Gostisbehere and Giroux

Claude Giroux and Shayne Gostisbehere seem connected. Both had outstanding chemistry on the Flyers' top power-play unit this season, and both recently underwent hip and abdominal surgeries on the same day.

Claude Giroux and Shayne Gostisbehere seem connected.

Both had outstanding chemistry on the Flyers' top power-play unit this season, and both recently underwent hip and abdominal surgeries on the same day.

And both could be added to their respective World Cup of Hockey teams this week. The 23-man rosters must be finalized by Friday.

The eight-team, two-week tournament will be held in Toronto from Sept. 17 to Oct 1. Each team will carry 20 skaters and three goalies.

Teams announced their first 16 roster selections in March.

Gostisbehere, the dynamic defenseman who is a finalist for NHL rookie of the year, is expected to be added to a North America team that includes Flyers center Sean Couturier and Calgary's Johnny Gaudreau of South Jersey.

Couturier will probably be the fourth-line center, behind Edmonton's Connor McDavid, Buffalo's Jack Eichel, and Calgary's Sean Monahan.

The North America team is composed of players 23 and under as of Oct. 1.

If selected, Gostisbehere, a Florida native, could be paired with the Florida Panthers' Aaron Ekblad.

Giroux, a shifty center who plays in all situations, has a good chance to be added to Team Canada but is far from a lock. He faces much more competition than Gostisbehere for a roster spot, and if he is added he would probably be moved to right wing because of a slew of gifted centers.

Among those in competition with Giroux for the four remaining forward spots are Joe Thornton, Corey Perry, Taylor Hall, Milan Lucic, Brad Marchand, Logan Couture, Ryan O'Reilly, and Matt Duchene.

Flyers right winger Wayne Simmonds, who scored a career-high 32 goals this season, is considered a long shot to be added to Canada's roster.

Giroux and Gostisbehere are both expected to be 100 percent healthy for the World Cup, according to general manager Ron Hextall. But the fact that there is a shadow of doubt might cause Team Canada general manager Doug Armstrong and his staff to bypass Giroux.

Five Flyers have already been named to play in the World Cup, including three for the Czech Republic: right winger Jake Voracek, goalie Michal Neuvirth, and defenseman Radko Gudas.

Couturier and Switzerland's Mark Streit (Team Europe) were the other Flyers selected. Team Europe cannot include players from Finland, Sweden, Russia, and the Czech Republic.

scarchidi@phillynews.com

@BroadStBull www.philly.com/flyersblog