WJC could be studded with stars

NHL’s late start could open door for top draft picks

So, now that the NHL entry draft is done, the next huge live televised hockey production is the world junior championship in Edmonton over the Christmas holidays.

There is the potential for one heck of a hockey showcase.

Considering the NHL won't return until at least January — that was announced minutes before the draft began on Tuesday — the list of players eligible to be skating in the Alberta bubble is definitely appetizing. Consider the possibilities.

For Canada, New York Rangers first overall pick Alexis Lafreniere, Los Angeles second overall choice Quinton Byfield and Ottawa 67's star Jack Quinn, who went eighth to the Buffalo Sabres?

Germany's Tim Stützle and Jake Sanderson of the United States, whom the Ottawa Senators selected third and fifth overall, respectively?

Austria's Marco Rossi, the 67's star and reigning Ontario Hockey League player of the year, who was chosen ninth by the Minnesota Wild?

The Detroit Red Wings' Lucas Raymond, the fourth pick, and Alexander Holtz, who went seventh to the New Jersey Devils, skating for Sweden?

Now, there's a reason for all those question marks.

There are so few givens, and so many unknowns, about what could happen over the next two or three months, that even Canadian head coach Andre Tourigny doesn't dare predict who might be on the rosters for Canada and the competition.

“There's a lot to figure out,” said Tourigny, who also coaches the 67's of the OHL, where a December restart seems optimistic given the recent second wave outbreak of COVID-19 cases in the province.

“It's a special situation with COVID. We don't know. Nobody knows.”

The timing and size of NHL training camp rosters and whether hockey is being played in other leagues around the world could determine who is made available.

If the NHL aims for an early January start, with a brief late December training camp beforehand, where does that leave the highly touted junior stars? There's always a risk of injury playing in the world junior tournament.

Some of those issues could change, however, if an NHL restart was moved back to later in January, after the world juniors are finished.

In the case of Lafreniere, there could also be a “been there, done that” consideration. Lafreniere has played in the past two world juniors, including his MVP performance in leading Canada to gold last season.

While the wait is on for the NHL to return, there's also a question about where European prospects will play. Leading up to the draft, Stützle was playing in Germany, while Raymond and Holtz were playing in Sweden.

Considering the travel restrictions and concerns about COVID-19, flying to Canada for a short-term tournament could present complications.

“It's a bigger challenge for those guys with pro contracts (in Europe),” said Tourigny. “Will they be allowed to play in North America for two weeks?”

Which brings us to the intrigue surrounding Rossi. Before joining the 67's in 2018-19, he played pro in Switzerland and trains there during the summer. There's a strong chance he'll hook up with a team in Europe rather stay idle while awaiting the NHL's return.

But will hockey fans see him on the ice in Edmonton, playing for an underdog Austrian team?

“That's a very good question,” said Serge Payer, Rossi's agent.

Since the draft, there's been plenty of discussions involving Rossi, Payer, Minnesota GM Bill Guerin and European teams to determine what's next.

Other prospects are holding similar conversations.

“Over the next couple of days, we'll be talking with (Guerin) to discuss a plan,” said Payer. “We're going to look at all the options. Anything is possible. I'm not going to say no to (the world juniors) now. If the NHL is starting up in January, what's the best way to come into the NHL?”