10 TO WATCH AT WORLD JUNIORS
Some top prospects were held back, but many first-round picks will be playing
Hockey fans across Canada who tune into the 2021 world junior hockey championship will never know how much Alexis Lafreniere might have accomplished in Edmonton.
The No. 1 pick in the 2020 NHL draft would have dominated, we can be sure, had he been given permission to take part by the New York Rangers, who picked the slick forward first overall after winning the draft lottery.
Nick Robertson won't be playing for the United States after the Toronto Maple Leafs chose to keep him out in anticipation of the start of training camp. Other big names who won't be playing for various reasons include Sweden's William Wallinder, Germany's Lukas Reichel and Canada's Owen Power.
Here are players who are bound to catch your eye:
KIRBY DACH, RW, CANADA
NHL: Chicago, 3rd overall, 2019
Dach wouldn't be part of this conversation had the NHL been in the midst of its third month. After recording 23 points in 64 games last season with the Blackhawks and following that with six points in nine playoff games in the Edmonton bubble, Dach — who has not played for Canada since an under-17 tournament — will help spearhead Canada's offence and has been named Canada's captain.
YAROSLAV ASKAROV, G , RUSSIA
NHL: Nashville, 11th overall, 2020
Tabbed as a franchise-type netminder, Askarov became the highest-drafted Russian-born goalie when he was snapped up by the Predators. A member of the Russian side that won world junior silver last year, Askarov posted a .962 save percentage in seven games with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL before heading to his nation's camp.
COLE CAUFIELD, RW, UNITED STATES
NHL: Montreal, 15th overall, 2019
If the U.S. is in a spot where it absolutely needs a goal, expect Caufield to go over the boards and go to work. The Canadiens prospect had 19 goals in 36 games for the University of Wisconsin last season (a year after scoring
72 in 64 games for the under-18 team) and had a Wisconsin-high 12 points in 10 games to start 2020-21.
ANTON LUNDELL, C, FINLAND
NHL: Florida, 12th overall, 2020
Lundell helped Finland win gold in the event two years ago in Vancouver, but missed last year with an injury. Now, the Panthers prospect is back as captain of the Finns and the cerebral 19-yearold is expected to put some punch in the attack. In 17 games with Liiga, he finds himself among the league's scoring leaders with 20 points.
LUCAS RAYMOND, RW, SWEDEN
NHL: Detroit, 4th overall, 2020
In his second world junior after recording four points in
seven games for Sweden a year ago, Raymond brings the complete package to every shift. Off to a fine start with Frolunda of the Swedish Hockey League
(12 points in 22 games), the Red Wings prospect likely will see time in all situations after helping the Swedes win bronze in 2020.
TIM STUETZLE, F, GERMANY
NHL: Ottawa, 3rd overall, 2020
The NHL pick who will forever be linked to Alex Trebek had a setback when he suffered a broken hand in October. But Stuetzle recovered and is expected to lead a German team that is looking to continue to solidify its footing at the world junior. Stuetzle had five assists in five games at the 2020 tournament and can be a difference maker.
MARCO ROSSI, C, AUSTRIA
NHL: Minnesota, 9th overall, 2020
We're not expecting Austria to upset anyone in the tournament, but from an individual standpoint, Rossi should excel. After putting up 185 points in 109 games the past two seasons with the Ottawa 67's, Rossi was signed by the Wild a few weeks after the draft. Failing to keep the shifty centre in check could lead to trouble for the opposition.
BOWEN BYRAM, D, CANADA
NHL: Colorado, 4th overall, 2019
Great days in the NHL await the Avalanche prospect, one of two defencemen back with Canada (along with partner Jamie Drysdale) after helping the country win gold last year. Smart on both sides of the puck, Byram shines in high-pressure, quick games and will help set the tone. Going to log lots of minutes on the blue line in Edmonton.
VASILI PODKOLZIN, RW, RUSSIA
NHL: Vancouver, 10th overall, 2019
Now in his third world junior, the Canucks prospect has been named captain and is bound be a force on offence for Russia along with Maple Leafs prospect Rodion Amirov. Podkolzin, in his second season with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL, has no issue in going through opposing defencemen to score. Plays a complete game on top of that.
SPENCER KNIGHT, G , UNITED STATES
NHL: Florida, 13th overall, 2019
Few goaltending prospects are as stingy as Knight, who had a .931 save percentage in 33 games for Boston College last year and put up a .955 mark in four games this season. After playing in four games for the US at the 2020 world junior (2-2, .913), the Panthers pick will get another shot at helping lead the club into the medal round.