We were inspired to fill you in on some players to watch at this years World Juniors after reading a
10 Players To Watch article by the National Post. It was published today and features two players not even in the tournament (William Nylander and Kaspari Kapanen) and a goaltender who might serve as Canada's backup. Sure it's nice to write about former NHLers sons, but do some research. The tournament may not feature the top U20s in the world with many teens sticking with their NHL clubs through the holidays, but there is some talent other than the beautiful girls in Sweden that you might want to keep an eye on over the next two weeks.
Here's our 10 guys to keep an eye on at the 2014 World Juniors in no particular order:
There are some people out there that are convinced
Grigorenko is actually 22-years-old, but he has the right paper work and will suit up
again for Russia in what will be in his third World Juniors. Grigorenko
comes into the tournament with the most NHL experience having already suited
up for 43 NHL games and should be an offensive spark for Russia's top line.
Tampa Bay’s
3rd overall pick in the
2013 NHL Draft is expected to be one of the more dominant players at this tournament. Drouin hasn’t had much game action since a
check from behind by USA's Adam Erne left him with a concussion earlier this month.
Canada needs
Drouin to be at the top of his game if they want to end their Gold drought and from his pre-tourney games he looks to have his offence going.
Reinhart has 50 points in 33 games so far in the WHL and could end up being the
first overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft next June. He joins his brother
Griffin on this year’s world junior team (although he'll serve a 3-game suspension from last year) and will build on his U18 success. Playing with Connor McDavid and Bo Horvat, Reinhart will have more than enough chances to be a standout player in Malmo.
The 18-year-old German is the leading scorer for the Prince Albert Raiders in
the WHL with 51 points in 33 games and will be one of the few bright spots on a
weak German team. The 6’1” centre has scouts drooling wit his potential and
could end up being a top 10 pick in next years NHL Draft. Draisaitl led the German team in scoring last year as a 17-year-old so look for him to build on his point-per-game performance.
The Chicago Blackhawk
first rounder from 2012 lit up the
tournament last year with 5 goals and 11 points in 6 games for 4th in tournament scoring. Teravainen with his
slick hands and creative playmaking ability will be carrying the load
offensively for Finland this year who don't want a repeat of last year where they didn't make the playoff round. Teravainen looked dominant in the pre-tournament games (especially against Canada) so we're expecting big things from the Finn.
Lindholm is a great all-round player and a big addition for Sweden
on loan from the Carolina Hurricanes. Taken
5th overall lastJune, Lindholm has put up 7 points in 21 NHL games so far and will be one of
the top players for
Sweden
as they go for gold at home this year. We're expecting big things from Lindholm and hopefully a highlight reel goal or two.
A 6
th round pick in 2012 by the Washington
Captials, Barber is turning into one of the steals of the draft. Last year he put up 39
points for
Miami University
(
Ohio) and is
on fire this year with 28 points in 18 games. Barber is a returning player from
last years team and will captain Team USA in their quest for repeat gold although he might miss Alex Galchenyuk's giving spirit around the holidays.
Playing with men in the KHL for HC Slovan Bratislava should help Dano build on last year's 9 points in 6 games. While he may not be putting up the offensive numbers other 19-year-olds playing in junior are, Dano is getting valuable pro experience and gets to play in his home country. The Slovaks will have it tough and Dano will have to step it up for battle against the Czechs and Germans to see who will qualify for the playoff round. Book 'em Dano!
Vasilevski should get the bulk of Russia's games (although you never know with them) as he enters his 3rd World Juniors and with the way he's been playing in the KHL (2.31 GAA, .923 SV%) he should be one of the top goalies. The Tampa Bay Lightning prospect has been representing Russia internationally since age 15 and should be no stranger to some of the competition he'll be facing. As usual, if Russia wants to win gold it starts in the crease as they have no trouble finding goals.
One of the top draft prospects for the 2014 Draft, Ekblad is already a 17-year-old man. Listed at 6'4", 217lbs, Ekblad has a bomb of a shot and
can grow a Henrik Zetterberg beard already. He's a big boy who can generate offence and we're excited to see how he follows up his solid performance at
this year's Ivan Hlinka tourney where he had 5 points in 5 games en route to Canada gold.
Elias Lindholm = Handsome
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