The end of the year might be a time for reflection, but — thanks to the world junior championship — it’s also a time for hockey fans to peer into the future and dream about the next iteration of their favourite squad.
This year’s tourney kicks off for real (pre-tournament games are already happening) on Boxing Day in Gothenburg, Sweden and before we use this week’s edition of the Power Rankings to tell you who each NHL team will be represented by, let’s quickly cover who is not there.
This is the third consecutive WJC event without Russia. That means no Matvei Michkov, the 2004-born winger who was taken seventh overall by the Philadelphia Flyers last June. Michkov played two WJC games in the winter of 2021 before that event in Alberta was cancelled due to COVID-19. As it turns out, those will be the only world junior contests of his career.
Russia’s exclusion also dictates we won’t see 2024 draft-eligible Ivan Demidov, the next dynamic winger from that country who figures to be a high selection. Ditto for Anton Silayev, a top-ranked Russian D-man for the 2024 draft.
Finally, Team USA opted not to invite top 2024 draft prospect Cole Eiserman to its selection camp. Good as Eiserman is, it would have been tough to knock out one of the top-six forwards who are part of a loaded American squad.
Of course, the top three selections from the 2023 draft — Connor Bedard, Leo Carlsson and Adam Fantilli — are all plying their craft in the NHL and won’t be suiting up at the WJC. That’s also the case for pros like Juraj Slafkovsky, Logan Cooley, Shane Wright, Simon Nemec, Kevin Korchinski and Zach Benson.
Austria has had top-10 picks in each of the past two drafts, but because it was relegated in 2023, we won’t see Detroit’s Marco Kasper or Montreal’s David Reinbacher at the WJC.
While we’re at it, two teams — the Colorado Avalanche and the Edmonton Oilers — will not have any prospects in Sweden.
OK, enough about the guys and clubs who aren’t there. Let’s use this week’s Power Rankings — with a huge stick tap to Elite Prospects — as a vehicle to tell you who is.
1. New York Rangers (22-7-1) The Blueshirts may have gotten a real steal with 2023 23rd-overall pick Gabe Perreault. The son of legendary faceoff whiz Yanic Perreault will be a key part of Team USA’s offence. Defenceman Drew Fortescue (90th overall, 2023) will be on the American blueline and Adam Sykora (63rd overall, 2022) will be up front for Slovakia.
2. Vegas Golden Knights (21-7-5) David Edstrom — the last pick of the 2023 first round by the Stanley Cup champs — will be an important forward for the host Swedes. Another 2023 pick — third-rounder Arttu Karki — is part of Finland’s D corps. Vegas will also be watching Czech forward Matyas Sapovaliv (48th overall, 2022), a scoring ace with the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit, who host the Memorial Cup in 2024
3. Boston Bruins (19-5-6) It went down to the wire, but Boston opted to send centre Matthew Poitras — the 54th-overall pick in the 2022 draft who played 27 NHL games this year — to Sweden with Team Canada. Another pivot from that same draft — fourth-rounder Dans Locmelis — plays in the Bruins’ backyard with UMass in the NCAA and will be wearing Latvia’s colours at this event.
4. Vancouver Canucks (22-9-2) Of course the team of Elias Pettersson, the Sedins and Markus Naslund would have a few guys on Sweden.
2022 first-rounder Jonathan Lekkerimaki is having a nice year in the Swedish Hockey League and could be a serious triggerman for the Yellow and Blue. Two more Canucks prospects are playing on home soil, as 2023 first-rounder Tom Willander will play a prominent role on the Swedish blue line, while rearguard Elias Pettersson (please let the 2022 third-rounder make the Canucks one day!) is also part of the defence.
5. Los Angeles Kings (18-7-4) Right-shot defenceman Otto Salin, a fifth-rounder in 2022, will play for Finland and serve as the Kings’ only representative at the WJC.
6. Winnipeg Jets (19-9-3) The Jets had a couple will they/won’t they’s before the WJC. Rutger McGroarty had an injury that put his status in doubt, but not only is 2022’s 14th-overall pick there, the winger is Team USA’s captain. Colby Barlow, though, was also injured early on in his OHL season and couldn’t play his way into the Canadian mix.
Meanwhile, defenceman Elias Salomonsson (55th overall, 2022) and forward Fabian Wagner (175th, 2022) will suit up for the Swedes.
7. Toronto Maple Leafs (16-7-6) Fraser Minten began the year in Toronto and the 2024 second-rounder’s versatility and smarts will make him an important forward on Team Canada. As for Easton Cowan, the guy who had many Leafs fans asking “Who?” when he was taken 28th overall last June just continues to push his stock up. The speedy forward could conceivably line up on any of Canada’s four lines.
8. Philadelphia Flyers (18-10-3) We thought this team would be watching the WJC dreaming on drafting Canadian 2024 first-overall candidate Macklin Celebrini. Instead, the shockingly competitive Flyers will be keeping an eye on a few existing (and exciting) prospects. Cutter Gauthier, taken fifth overall in 2022, is going to be a big part of Team USA’s forward attack, while six-foot-two, 2023 first-rounder Oliver Bonk is gliding around as a defenceman for Canada. Another 2023 selection, fourth-rounder Alex Ciernik, is a Slovakian winger.
9. Dallas Stars (18-8-4) The lone Star at the WJC is Team USA D-man Aram Minnetian, who was a fourth-rounder last June.
10. Colorado Avalanche (19-11-2) If Russia was part of this event, 2023 31st-overall pick Mikhail Gulyayev would be part of the blueline.
11. New York Islanders (15-8-9) The Isles have a couple American forwards at the event. They are six-foot-three Danny Nelson (49th overall, 2023) and Quinn Finley (78th, 2022).
12. Washington Capitals (16-9-4) American winger Ryan Leonard is the complete package, which is why the Caps used the eighth-overall selection last June to snag him. Washington also has another Ryan on Team USA, that being defenceman Ryan Chesley (37th overall, 2022).
13. Florida Panthers (18-11-2) The Panthers haven’t made a first-round pick in two years. Marek Alscher, a third-rounder in 2022, is on the Czech blueline, while Sandis Vilmanis — taken 157th overall that same year — is a Latvian winger.
14. New Jersey Devils (16-12-2) The first defenceman New Jersey took in 2022 was Simon Nemec. The second, 46th-overall pick Seamus Casey, is part of Team USA. The Devils are also watching forward Lenni Hameenaho — their highest pick of 2023 at 58th overall — on Finland.
15. Nashville Predators (18-14-0) Nashville made two first-round picks last June and they’re both on Team Canada. Matthew Wood (15th overall) is a big winger up front, while Tanner Molendyk (24th overall) patrols the blueline. They also have a forward and D-man on Finland, with Jesse Kiiskinen (63rd overall, 2023) and Kasper Kulonummi (84th, 2022) to keep an eye on.
16. Carolina Hurricanes (17-12-3) Carolina’s 2023 second-rounder, Felix Unger Sorum, is a winger on Sweden and 2022 sixth-round goalie Jakub Vondras wears the colours of Czechia.
17. Minnesota Wild (13-13-4) The Wild are watching three forwards at the WJC. They are 2022 first-rounder Liam Ohgren of Sweden, Finn Rasmus Kumpulainen (53rd overall, 2023) and Slovak Servac Petrovsky (sixth round, 2022).
18. Arizona Coyotes (16-13-2) The seven Coyotes-affiliated players at the WJC is tied for the NHL lead with Buffalo. The most drool-worthy is surely Canadian power forward Connor Geekie, whom Arizona snagged with the 11th overall pick in 2022. The Yotes made three first-round selections that year; Logan Cooley, Geekie and enormous Team Canada defenceman Maveric Lamoureux at 29th.
Michael Hrabal, the second goalie off the board last June at 38th overall, is a six-foot-six monster in the Czechia crease. Another goalie, Melker Thelin of Sweden, is also in the Arizona pipeline after being taken in the fifth round last year.
The other three Coyotes prospects are Finnish centre Samu Bau (sixth round, 2023) Slovakia forward Adam Zlnka (seventh round, 2022) and Germany winger Julian Lutz (second round, 2022).
Oh, by the way, Arizona’s two first-rounders from 2023 were Russians Dmitry Simashev and Daniil But.
19. Tampa Bay Lighting (15-13-5) American winger Isaac Howard was the 31st pick in the 2022 draft and he’s the only Bolt-affiliated player at the WJC.
20. Pittsburgh Penguins (14-13-3) The Pens have two Finns — defencemen Emil Pieniniemi (91st overall, 2023) and Kalle Kangas (223rd, 2023) — in Sweden, but most of the Pittsburgh interest will centre on Canadian forward Brayden Yager, the 14th-overall selection in 2023.
21. Detroit Red Wings (15-13-4) No Austria at the tourney means there was never even a question about 2022 eighth-overall pick Kasper leaving the AHL and playing for his home country at the WJC.
Still, there’s plenty for Wings fans to get excited about as a pair of 2023 first-rounders are in Sweden. Defenceman Axel Sandin Pellikka (17th overall) will be starring for the home country, while ninth-overall selection Nate Danielson is a Canadian forward. Another Swedish D-man, Anton Johansson, was taken 105th overall by Detroit in 2022.
Meanwhile, Trey Augustine — a second-rounder in 2023 — could be the man in goal for Team USA. Detroit also has 2023 fifth-rounder Kevin Bicker to watch in Germany’s forward group.
22. Edmonton Oilers (13-15-1) The Oilers only made three selections at the 2023 draft and do not have anyone playing at this event. Maybe they’ll draft Celebrini, though? (Just kidding! Calm down Oilers fans … and non-Oilers fans!)
23. Montreal Canadiens (14-13-4) The Canadiens have a fun mix of players who are important to their respective teams and would have had another in 2023 fifth-overall pick Reinbacher had Austria not been relegated.
As it stands, the all Habs eyes will be on 2022 second-rounder Lane Hutson, the tiny, terrific American defenceman. Centre Owen Beck is Canada’s lone returnee from the 2023 gold medal-winning squad and the second Slovakian that Montreal took in Round 1 of 2022 — Filip Mesar following Slafkovsky — will be at the centre of his country’s attack up front.
Also, American goalie Jacob Fowler — a third-rounder last June — has been outstanding in the NCAA this year.
24. St. Louis Blues (15-15-1) The Blues have a nice six-pack of players at the WJC, highlighted by three first-rounders. American winger Jimmy Snuggerud was the 23rd-overall pick in 2022, while Slovak centre Dalibor Dvorsky was 10th overall last year and Swede Otto Stenberg, also a pivot, was 25th.
St. Louis is watching three other forwards: Finland’s Aleksanteri Kaskimaki (Round 3, 2022), Czechia’s Jakub Stancl (fourth round, 2023) and Slovakia’s Juraj Pekarcik (76th overall, 2023).
25. Calgary Flames (13-14-5) The Flames have just one prospect at the WJC, but it’s an interesting one in six-foot-four Slovakian forward Samuel Honzek. The big man — taken 16th overall last June — was hurt on the eve of the WHL season, but recovered in time to score three goals in five games with the Vancouver Giants before joining his national junior team.
26. Columbus Blue Jackets (11-17-5) Columbus took two defencemen in the 2022 first round. Sixth-overall pick David Jiricek is already an NHLer, while 12th-overall pick Denton Mateychuk will be counted on for offence from the Canadian back end.
American Gavin Brindley — Fantilli’s old Michigan Wolverines teammate — was a second-rounder last June and he’s one of two small forwards the Jackets will be watching. The other is Canadian Jordan Dumais, a third-rounder from 2022.
Forward Oiva Keskinen, the 194th-overall selection last year, is representing Finland.
27. Seattle Kraken (11-14-9) 2022 second-round forward Jagger Firkus just didn’t put his best foot forward at Canada’s camp and, somewhat surprisingly, fell short of the roster. 2023 second-rounder Carson Rehkopf, however, is one of Canada’s wingers.
Seattle’s first pick last June was 20th-overall selection Eduard Sale and the forward will be a key part of Czechia’s attack. The Kraken also have a pair of Finns taken in Round 2 of 2022 — defenceman Jani Nyman and goalie Niklas Kokko — at the tourney, as well as forward Zeb Forsfjall (sixth round, 2023) playing at home with Sweden.
28. Buffalo Sabres (13-17-3) I know Sabres fans are sick of hope, but the fact remains there are some killer Buffalo prospects to keep an eye on. And that’s without Benson coming back to play with Canada.
Fellow Canadian Matthew Savoie — the ninth-overall pick in 2022 — will be a lead offensive horse for his squad. Buffalo’s next two picks in that draft were also first-round forwards and you can bet Sweden is counting on big things from Noah Ostlund, while Czechia needs Jiri Kulich — a point-per-game player in the AHL this year — to dominate.
Anton Wahlberg (39th overall, 2023) will be in Sweden’s forward crew with Ostlund, while fellow 2023 second-rounder Max Strbak will line up on Slovakia’s defence.
Scott Ratzlaff (fifth round, 2023) may be Canada’s third goalie, but he’s also the only one eligible to return next year in Ottawa. And, finally, Buffalo’s last pick of 2023 — seventh-rounder Norwin Panocha — is a German D-man.
29. Ottawa Senators (11-16-0) The reeling Sens have a pair of 2022 third-rounders — Swedish forward Oskar Pettersson and Finnish D-man Tomas Hamara — to watch, as well as the 151st-overall pick in that draft, goalie Kevin Reidler of Sweden.
30. Anaheim Ducks (12-19-0) Defenceman Tristan Luneau had three points in seven games with Anaheim this year, so it’s easy to see what an important player he’ll be for Canada. Luneau was the 53rd-overall pick of the 2022 draft and the Ducks actually took fellow Canadian D-man Noah Warren — with this six-foot-six frame — 11 slots ahead of Luneau at No. 42.
Two more Anaheim blue-liners — both fifth-rounders in 2023 — are also at the WJC in Czechia’s Vojtech Port and Rodwin Dionicio of Switzerland. American forward Carey Terrance was a second-rounder last June.
31. San Jose Sharks (9-20-3) Six Sharks are in Sweden, headlined by 2023 fourth-overall selection Will Smith. The super-skilled American centre has built-in chemistry with wingers Perreault and Leonard, not just from playing at Boston College together, but also the year before when the trio was a line with the U.S. National Team Development Program.
Another Yank, defenceman Eric Pohlkamp, was selected by the Sharks in the fifth round last year.
San Jose’s top pick from 2022 — forward Filip Bystedt — should be a major dude for the host Swedes, while defenceman Mattias Havelid (45th overall in 2022) will also be a key Swedish player.
San Jose’s second-rounder from 2023, Finnish forward Kasper Halttunen, will be with the Lions and Canadian defenceman Jake Furlong (fifth round, 2022) rounds out the San Jose contingent.
32. Chicago Blackhawks (10-20-1) On the heels of Bedard absolutely destroying the past two tournaments at age 17 (and part of a cancelled one at 16), Chicago has some seriously intriguing guys to monitor. The two players Chicago took after Bedard in 2023 are there in American centre Oliver Moore (19th overall) and the guy who nearly singlehandedly beat Bedard and the rest of Team Canada in last year’s semis, goalie Adam Gajan (35th overall) of Slovakia.
Two 2022 American first-rounders — forward Frank Nazar and rearguard Sam Rinzel — are also repping Chicago, as is a fourth Team USA player, 2022 third-round forward Gavin Hayes.
The sixth guy with Hawks ties at the WJC is Slovakian winger and 2023 second-rounder Martin Misiak.
