National team captain Sam Hallam says he is not worried about New York Rangers star Zibanejad's status.
As soon as he is healthy, he will join training and play, he says.
Zibanejad was part of Czech Hockey Games last week, a tournament that Tre Kronor won.
Mikael Backlund, Calgary forward, was among the players who joined on Wednesday when the ice hockey national team reassembled.
Along with Marcus Johansson, Minnesota, he arrived shortly before Wednesday's training.
His club gear arrived, but not his personal gear. We hope he is with us tomorrow, says Hallam about Backlund.
The rest of the players so far named were on the ice.
One spot is still open in Tre Kronor's preliminary World Championship squad, which consists of 24 players, including three goalkeepers, since William Eklund was forced to withdraw after the nasty cut injury during Czech Hockey Games.
Hallam regrets that the San Jose forward cannot be with us, but says at the same time:
You don't want to cut yourself in the wrist, so first and foremost, it feels like he has been lucky. There was some hope that the injury was less severe. It's tough to miss a World Championship on home soil, but we are still glad that the injury is not worse than it was, says Hallam.
For the premiere against Slovakia on Friday, Hallam must register at least 15 outfield players and two goalkeepers.
