The 2015 World Junior Championship will begin on Friday, Dec. 26 as Montreal and Toronto share the hosting duties. Highly-touted NHL draft prospects Connor McDavid (Canada) and Jack Eichel (United States) will likely dominate the headlines during the tournament.
McDavid and Eichel are more than deserving of the hype; they are generational talents and the 2015 NHL Draft will be special because of them. Both of them are expected to lead at the tournament, as Eichel will serve as the captain for Team USA and McDavid will be an alternate for Canada. However, the World Junior Championship has plenty of other players who are worthy of your attention.
Don’t forget, for everything NHL, check out Rotoworld’s Player News, and follow @Rotoworld_ HK and @CoreAbbott on Twitter.
And while you’re at it, it’s not too late to join a league and play Yahoo fantasy hockey!
Here are some other participants who you should keep an eye on:
Juuse Saros - G - Finland
Saros was spectacular for the Finns at last year’s tournament. He posted a .943 save percentage and a 1.57 goals-against average in six games to help lead his country to a gold medal victory. The fourth-round pick of the Nashville Predators in the 2013 draft has been excellent for HPK in Finland’s SM-liiga this season. In 24 games, he has posted a 2.30 GAA and a .924 save percentage. The diminutive 19-year-old is the pre-tournament favorite to be the top goalie and if he gets hot again then Finland could be tough to beat.
William Nylander - C - Sweden
Nylander excelled for Sweden’s under-18 team last year and now he will get a chance to shine at the under-20 tournament. The 18-year-old forward has recorded eight goals and 19 points in 19 games for MODO of the Swedish Hockey League this campaign. He’s a dynamic offensive talent who got a long look with the Maple Leafs at training camp after he was chosen with the eighth overall pick in the 2014 draft. Toronto’s brass and their fans will get a close look at the organization’s top prospect as a co-host of the World Junior Championship. Sweden may not be as deep on talent as they have been in past tournaments, but Nylander will be the catalyst for the team and he’ll be exciting to watch.
Kevin Fiala - LW - Switzerland
Fiala also owns game-breaking skill and he has done well for himself in the SHL too. He has generated five goals and 14 points in 20 contests for HV71. Fiala is a creative puckhandler and he’ll make watching the Swiss team interesting even if they aren’t expected to contend. He was selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Nashville Predators and was a late cut by the club at training camp. He impressed Nashville’s brass so much that he nearly made the team’s opening day lineup.
David Pastrnak - RW - Czech Republic
Pastrnak, who was the 25th overall selection in the 2014 draft, has been impressive during his first season of hockey in North America. He has notched 10 goals and 27 points in 23 matches with Boston’s AHL affiliate in Providence and he has one assist in five NHL outings with the Bruins. He played alongside Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand during his stint with the big club, which shows how highly regarded his skills are. The Czechs have a strong team and Pastrnak is likely to be their most dangerous player.
Auston Matthews - C - United States
Matthews just barely missed being eligible for the 2015 NHL Draft. If he were in that class then it’s believed that he would be in the conversation for the top pick alongside Eichel and McDavid. As it stands, he is the early favorite to be chosen first overall in 2016. Matthews has amassed 24 goals and 49 points in 27 games for the U.S. National U18 Team and he picked up 14 points in eight outings with the USNTDP Juniors. The 17-year-old forward has the tools to be a difference marker for the U.S. and opposing teams will have a hard time keeping him and Eichel in check.
Max Domi - LW - Canada
Domi was a surprising omission from Canada’s roster last year, but he’s slated to play a key role on the team this time. He has skated alongside 2014 second overall pick Sam Reinhart and New York Rangers prospect Anthony Duclair during practices and in Canada’s pre-tournament contests. The line has displayed great chemistry and Domi has continued to rack up points. When he left the OHL, he was leading the league in points (58) and assists (41). Canada has a very quick team and Domi can fly through the opposition. It wouldn’t be a shock if he was among the tournament’s leading scorers.
Nikolaj Ehlers - LW - Denmark
After making some dazzling plays for the Winnipeg Jets during training camp, Ehlers was returned to the junior ranks for another season in the QMJHL. The ninth overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft has generated 16 goals and 47 points in 23 matches for Halifax this season. Ehlers is a quick skater and he has a great shot, which will make him the focal point of Denmark’s offensive attack.
Ivan Provorov - D - Russia
The offensive defenseman has been productive in the WHL with the Brandon Wheat Kings this campaign. He has 10 goals and 37 points in 35 games. Provorov didn’t have a point for Russia during the under-18 tournament last year, but he should get a chance to be more of a factor at the World Junior Championship. The 17-year-old blueliner could be a threat on the power play for the Russians. He’s projected to be a first-round pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
