December 15, 2012

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Ryan Strome and Mark Scheifele. (QMI Agency/DARREN MAKOWICHUK/TYLER KULA/DARREN MAKOWICHUK)

CALGARY - It's best to build a band around a talented vocalist.

It's hard to screw up a three-course meal if the feature item is a succulent steak.

And, as Canada's world junior head coach Steve Spott can attest, it's a lot easier to piece together forward lines if you're stacked at centre.

Asked earlier this week to identify the strength of the squad headed to Ufa, Russia, for the annual holiday puckfest, Spott didn't hesitate one bit.