NOTABLES TO WATCH
Jack Hughes is not the only draft-eligible player that scouts will be watching at this year’s world juniors. While the number is far less than what we saw last year, here are five other names worth remembering:
Kaapo Kakko, Finland
Already drawing comparisons to Patrik Laine, six-foot-one Kaapo Kakko is a sniper who has scored nine goals and has 20 points in 27 games in the Finnish league. “I think the Finns are going to struggle a little bit,” said North American Central Scouting’s Mark Seidel. “They don’t have the depth of Canada or Sweden or the Americans, but I think Kakko is a guy like (Leon) Draisaitl, where he’s a big body who can handle the puck and make plays. I think he’s going to make Finland go.”
Spencer Knight, United States When it comes to goalies at the world juniors, it’s rare seeing a draft-eligible player leaned on as a starter, much less a backup. But Spencer Knight has the makeup to buck that trend. “He’s been an A-level prospect right from the get-go,” said NHL Central Scouting’s Dan Marr. “There’s not a lot of goalies who go in the first round anymore. But our scouts have said this is someone who we have to recognize as a first-round pick.”
Maxim Cajkovic, Slovakia
The No. 1 pick in this year’s Canadian Hockey League import draft, Cajkovic had been leading the last-place Saint John Sea Dogs with 20 points. The winger faces a similar challenge with Slovakia. “He’s a key part of their team, but they’re just going to be outgunned,” said Seidel. “It will be a good chance to see what he can do against 19-year-olds. We’ve got him at 22nd right now, but I expect him to light it up in the second half.”
Philip Broberg, Sweden
Named to the team as a likely replacement for Timothy Liljegren, Philip Broberg is a potential top-five pick. But on a team as deep on defence as Sweden, don’t be surprised if he gets buried on the depth chart. “I don’t know if he’s going to be playing any type of role for them,” said Seidel, “but he’s a real good player. The question (will be) is he going to get a chance to play? (Elias) Pettersson went through the same thing during his draft year.” Alexis Lafreniere, Canada
Alexis Lafreniere is not draft eligible until 2020, but get used to hearing his name. He’s expected to go first overall in two years. If he were born a month earlier, he might be have challenged Hughes for the top spot. “They’ll be pushing each other,” Marr said of Hughes and Lafreniere, who has 54 points in 31 games for the Rimouski Oceanic. “This is a player who only knows how to play one way and that’s all out. Whenever he’s on the ice, he’s going to make something happen. He’s a pretty complete package.”