McDavid, Laine and Seguin among talents to watch in Toronto
A look at an intriguing talent from each of the eight teams competing in Toronto:
Connor McDavid North America
McDavid, 19, is already a real threat to win the Art Ross Trophy next season as the league’s top scorer after posting 48 points in 45 games as a rookie. Before that, though, comes the two-week tournament in Toronto where the Oilers star will show off his considerable skills against hockey’s elite.
Vladimir Tarasenko Russia
Tarasenko hasn’t quite reached the Alex Ovechkin stratosphere of goal-scoring, but he’s rapidly moving in that direction for the St. Louis Blues. The 24-year-old hit a careerhigh with 40 goals last season.
Patrik Laine Finland
Laine thought he and not Auston Matthews should’ve been the No. 1 overall pick of the 2016 draft, and at the World Cup he’ll get his first chance to demonstrate why. Laine is coming off a year that saw him win gold on home soil at the world junior championship and silver at the world championship in Russia.
Erik Karlsson Sweden
Karlsson can be mesmerizing to watch for his ability to dish the puck, move with it across the ice and scout possibilities before they emerge as obvious. Over the past five NHL seasons Karlsson has rung up 314 points, 76 more than the next closest defender, Nashville’s P.K. Subban.
Leon Draisaitl Europe
One of only a handful of German players in the NHL, Draisaitl is easily the brightest young star suiting up for a veteran-laden Europe squad. His first full season for the Oilers was hugely promising, as the 20-year-old former No. 3 overall pick rung up 19 goals and 51 points, mostly in McDavid’s shadow.
Tyler Seguin Canada
Coming off a frustrating end to the 2015-16 NHL season, which saw him injured for all but one game of the playoffs, Seguin is healthy now and ready to bring a flashy scoring element to the Canadian roster. His 107 goals over past three seasons tops even stars like Sidney Crosby and Steven Stamkos.
T.J. Oshie U.S.
The Mount Vernon, Wash., native is a rambunctious sort prone to drawing the ire of opponents and he has a knack for the back of the net, hitting a career-high with 26 goals for Washington last season. Oshie is a perfect representative of the Americans hard-nosed roster.
Petr Mrazek Czech Republic
The 24-year-old was maybe the top goalie in the world over the first half of last season, compiling three shutouts and a .932 save percentage before stumbling in the second half.