Website SwissHockeyNews.ch has been speculating about possibilities for the Swiss national team at this year’s IIHF World Championship in Czechia over the last couple of days. Specifically, about Dallas Stars prospect Lian Bichsel and the trio of Swiss players on the New Jersey Devils.

Bichsel is in an interesting situation because he started the season with Dallas’ AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars, but made the curious decision to leave in November and instead play in Sweden for Rögle BK. There, things have gone well for the 19-year-old defenseman. Bichsel isn’t known for his offense, but the 6’6’’, 234-lb (197 cm, 106 kg) rearguard has been throwing his weight around the SHL and in the playoffs, he’s chipped in five points in 10 games as Rögle has advanced to the finals, which start on Saturday.

“I am over the moon with my decision. I have achieved exactly what I wanted to achieve,” Bichsel reportedly told Solothurner Zeitung.

Once the SHL finals are over, the question becomes whether Bichsel joins Dallas for what is hoped to be a long Stanley Cup playoff run, or joins the Swiss national team camp in preparation for the Worlds. The question would become moot if the Stars are eliminated from the playoffs before the May 10 start date of the Worlds.

“Everything is open,” said Bichsel. “If Dallas releases me and I’m called up by head coach Patrick Fischer, then I’d certainly be happy to play for the national team.”

Bichsel has never played in a World Championship at the senior level, but he has both at the under-18s (where he was team captain) and the World Juniors.

Also in question is the New Jersey trio of Nico Hischier, Jonas Siegenthaler and Timo Meier. Last year, the three joined the Swiss team midway through the Worlds, bolstering a roster that some called the best Swiss hockey team ever assembled. Last year in Riga, Switzerland won its first six games before losing in overtime to eventual bronze-medalist Latvia in the last group-stage game and then to eventual silver-medalist Germany in the quarterfinals.

This year, all three are possibilities but not guarantees due to various ailments that also hampered their NHL seasons to various degrees. Meier seems to be the biggest question mark, while Hischier seems to want to go.

“I probably will,” Hischier told media on the Devils’ locker room clean-out day. “I’m still not 100 percent confirmed but I’m in contact with my national team coach in Switzerland.”