1 prospect from each NHL team to watch at the world juniors
The 2024 World Junior Hockey Championship is just days away.
Connor Bedard stole the show last year, as the eventual first overall pick shattered Canadian scoring records en route to a gold medal. This year's tournament sees no such runaway favorite for MVP but instead a collection of highly touted prospects from around the NHL.
To kick off our coverage, we'll review one prospect at the tournament from each NHL team.
Note: The Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers don't have any prospects playing at this year's tournament. All 30 other NHL teams have at least one affiliated player participating.
Anaheim Ducks
After winning QMJHL Defenseman of the Year, Tristan Luneau has earned limited reps in the NHL and the AHL. Loaned to the world juniors by the Ducks, Luneau will have every opportunity to showcase his talents as Canada's anchor on the back end.
Note: Luneau was ruled out due to injury after publishing.
Arizona Coyotes
Conor Geekie has dominated the WHL to the tune of 20 goals and 49 points in just 26 games this season, and he has a chance to feature prominently in Canada's top six. Don't be surprised to see him among the tournament's top scorers alongside Wenatchee Wild teammate Matt Savoie.
Boston Bruins
Hockey Canada held out hope for an NHL addition up front when initial roster cuts were made, and prayers were answered in the form of Matt Poitras. The Bruins rookie immediately becomes Canada's first-line center and rounds out a forward group that needed another difference-maker. In what will be his debut for Canada, look for Poitras to be relied on heavily at both ends of the rink by head coach Alan Letang.
Buffalo Sabres
Zach Benson will remain in the NHL, but don't fret Sabres fans, Buffalo still boasts an impressive seven prospects at the world juniors, highlighted by Czechia's Jiri Kulich. With an NHL debut in November and a staggering 15 goals in 21 AHL games, Kulich is a legitimate MVP candidate if Czechia can go deep for a second straight tournament.
Calgary Flames
The Flames have a lone representative, but it's a notable one. Samuel Honzek's primed to play big minutes for Slovakia. If he can stay healthy - his tournament ended early a year ago, and he didn't make his season debut until Dec. 1 - he'll be a significant contributor on a sneaky good Slovakian team.
Carolina Hurricanes
Despite being a late second-round pick in June, Felix Unger Sorum made waves at the Hurricanes' training camp to earn an entry-level contract. He's carried that momentum over to Sweden where he's been effective with Leksands and now projects to be an important middle-six contributor for the tournament host.
Chicago Blackhawks
No, Connor Bedard won't be at the world juniors scoring 10 points per game. But a different star from last year's tournament will be representing the Blackhawks: Adam Gajan. The Slovakian was one of the stories of the 2023 tourney, as he went from third-stringer to starter and nearly led his nation to an upset win over Canada in the quarters. He's firmly Slovakia's starter this time around and will be leaned on to be among the best goaltenders.
Columbus Blue Jackets
All Jordan Dumais does is put up points: 109 in his draft year, 140 last season. He's already got 47 in just 21 games since October. The knocks on him are a lack of size and speed. As Canada goes over to the bigger ice surface in Sweden, his usage will be one of the most intriguing storylines to watch in the early going.
Dallas Stars
With first-rounder Lian Bichsel opting to remain with his club in Sweden rather than play for Switzerland, Aram Minnetian is the only representative from the Stars organization. The American defender projects to play a third-pair defensive role.
Detroit Red Wings
As a draft-eligible defenseman at last year's tournament, Axel Sandin Pellikka played over 20 minutes per game for Sweden. Few, if any, will play more than the Red Wings first-rounder this December, as he's set to anchor his nation's top pairing and quarterback the power play.
Florida Panthers
Sandis Vilmanis will be among the five Latvians who become the first to represent their country at three world juniors. If Latvia is to stave off relegation once again, the Panthers fifth-rounder will need to be a difference-maker.
Los Angeles Kings
2022 fifth-round pick Otto Salin returns for Finland as the only representative from the Kings' prospect pool. The right-shot blue-liner projects to be a major part of Finland's top four.
Minnesota Wild
A late start to the season due to injury means Liam Ohgren has played just eight games. But make no mistake, the Sweden captain will be a major contributor. The Wild first-rounder makes his third trip to the world juniors looking to upgrade his 2022 bronze medal.
Montreal Canadiens
Lane Hutson has a chance to be the first defenseman to win world junior MVP since Thomas Chabot in 2017. The electrifying offensive blue-liner has dominated the NCAA for the past season-and-a-half and excelled at the World Championship this past spring. Hutson will play big minutes and could bring big point totals alongside the array of impressive American forwards.
Nashville Predators
Tanner Molendyk makes his IIHF debut as one of two 18-year-old defensemen on Canada's roster. The Predators first-rounder has shined in the WHL with 28 points in 24 games and will dazzle at the world juniors with his exceptional skating.
Note: Molendyk was ruled out due to injury after publishing.
New Jersey Devils
No Simon Nemec, no problem for Devils fans. Instead, New Jersey supporters will get to watch a different right-shot defenseman make waves at the tournament in Seamus Casey. The Michigan standout ranks second among all NCAA defenders in scoring and will be a key part of the United States' back end.
New York Islanders
On a U.S. team that features numerous offensive threats, Danny Nelson will provide important defensive minutes. The 6-foot-3 center has quietly put together an impressive 14 points in 18 games as a freshman at Notre Dame.
New York Rangers
Gabe Perreault dominated the Under-18s. He dominated with the U.S. NTDP. He's currently dominating the NCAA as a freshman. He's not the biggest or fastest, but that hasn't stopped Perreault from putting up points at every level so far. Next up: the world juniors.
Ottawa Senators
Returning for his third world juniors with Czechia, Tomas Hamara will be leaned on as one of his nation's most experienced blue-liners.
Philadelphia Flyers
Cutter Gauthier has legitimate MVP potential this year. The 2022 fifth overall pick has been among the best power forwards in college hockey the past two seasons and has already led the United States in goals at the World Championship. He'll center the American's top line and be among the tournament's most potent scoring threats.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Brayden Yager has been superb in the WHL this season, racking up 17 goals and 41 points in 28 games. Though he'll be without his Moose Jaw linemate Jagger Firkus, the Penguins first-rounder projects to be an important depth-scoring threat for Canada.
San Jose Sharks
The highest-drafted player at this year's world juniors, Will Smith stars for the United States with longtime linemates Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard. The fourth overall pick will look to replicate his record-setting Under-18 performance in which he led the U.S. to gold with 20 points in seven games.
Seattle Kraken
Carson Rehkopf has exploded offensively this season with the Kitchener Rangers, scoring an OHL-leading 31 goals in as many games. The 2023 second-rounder forced his way onto Canada's roster with his play and will look to earn himself a marquee spot in the lineup during the preliminary round.
St. Louis Blues
A slow start in Sweden has long been forgotten since Dalibor Dvorsky arrived in Sudbury. The 2023 10th overall pick has been dominant since stepping foot in the OHL, racking up 34 points in 20 games. Entering his third world juniors still with another year of eligibility, Dvorsky will need to dominate if Slovakia is to push for a medal.
Tampa Bay Lightning
A transfer to Michigan State has done wonders for Isaac Howard, who already has more points in the NCAA this season than last in half the games. A game-breaking scorer during his NTDP days, Howard will provide depth scoring on a stacked American squad.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Since being a surprising first-round pick in June, Easton Cowan has exceeded expectations at every step. A versatile, tenacious forward who can play all three positions, the Strathroy, Ontario, native will be a Swiss Army Knife for Canada. First line or fourth line, power play or penalty kill, the Maple Leafs prospect can play anywhere and find a way to make an impact.
Vancouver Canucks
A lackluster post-draft season is in the rearview mirror for Jonathan Lekkerimaki. The Canucks first-rounder has 10 goals and 16 points in 24 SHL games to lead the league in both categories among junior-aged players. With just one goal in 14 world junior games to date, look for Lekkerimaki to break out on home ice.
Vegas Golden Knights
Arttu Karki's booming shot has bagged him 16 goals in the OHL this season, the most by any defender in the league. On a weaker-than-usual Finnish blue line, Karki will play meaningful minutes and feature prominently on the power play.
Washington Capitals
A hard-nosed power forward despite his 6-foot, 190-pound frame, Ryan Leonard has rounded into form since November at Boston College. He has nine goals and 45 shots on net in his last 11 NCAA games and will be a vital component of USA's offense as the Americans look to capture their sixth gold medal.
Winnipeg Jets
An injury scare put Rutger McGroarty's status for the world juniors in jeopardy, but the Michigan standout is back and ready to feature for the Americans. The 6-foot-1 power forward is primed to step onto the top line with Logan Cooley remaining in the NHL.