If you're a hockey prospects kind of person, this is truly the most wonderful time of the year. The IIHF World Junior Championships continues straight through into the new year, and all kinds of rosy-cheeked phenoms will get a chance to strut their stuff. As the tournament progresses, I'll provide updates on both the kids who have already been drafted (92 players participating in the tournament have already been selected by NHL clubs, with the Winnipeg Jets leading the pack by having six of their prospects rostered) and those who are still draft-eligible.
On Saturday the Swedes made another opponent look like meatballs, the Finns continued to flounder, the Swiss didn't miss and the Canadians put the eh in dominehtion.
Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to see much of the Switzerland-Czech Republic game, so no report on that one.
Sweden 5, Denmark 1
Unlike yesterday when the Danes gave mighty Russia a huge scare, Sweden jumped out to an early lead and never let up. Some experts said this might be a down year for the Tre Kronor, given the amount of talent they lost from 2014's silver medalists, but so far they have looked like a deep, skilled team that can give any of the other name brand countries a tough battle. He hasn't been especially tested yet, but Linus Soderstrom (NYI, 4th rd 2014) has been very solid in net for Sweden through two games, answering one of the roster's question marks coming into the tourney.
Top prospect performers:
After fading into the boards a bit yesterday, team captain Jacob de la Rose (MON, 2nd rd 2013) stepped up for Sweden with a goal and two assists, looking creative on offense and strong in his own end. Given that focus and consistency are an issue for him that's not a pattern the Habs would like to see, but he's got NHL size and skills and the talent to drive the action in all three zones if he can maintain his intensity.
The Swedes have had some glitches defensively, but one player who's looked good off their blue line has been Gustav Forsling (VAN, 5th rd 2014). After picking up two assists against the Czech Republic he was held off the score sheet against Denmark but played a much sounder game in his own end. He's not physical, but his skating, passing and vision are assets and he could develop into a dependable blueliner and member of the Canucks' second PP unit.
Top undrafted performers:
Sebastien Aho (there's also a draft-eligible Finnish forward in the tournament by the same name, but as near as I can tell they aren't related) went undrafted last year, likely due to being very undersized for an NHL defenseman, but he's making an impression through the early part of the tourney. He's got a little grit in his game, and his offensive skills was on full display against Denmark with a power play goal and an assist. Like Forsling, he's not going to be a big star in the NHL, but if he gets a chance (perhaps as a power play specialist) the chip he plays with on his shoulder could take him a long way.
Slovakia 2, Finland 1
A huge win for the Slovaks, who were outplayed through much of the game but pulled out the victory thanks to some big saves from Denis Godla (bouncing back in a big way after surviving just two periods of Canada's Friday bombardment) and the Finns' inability to find the back of the net no matter how many chances they got. Finland's now played two tough, tight-checking contests that they could easily have won if they were able to generate consistent offense. It's kind of a shame, really. They're doing everything right except the most important thing.
Top prospect performers:
Martin Reway (MON, 4th rd 2013) was a key cog in Slovakia's lethal power play unit last year, but this year he's pretty much flying solo. He set up both his team's goals in this one, and while he doesn't have elite skills he's slick and crafty, and plays a responsible game at both ends of the ice. In the NHL, he'll probably be the kind of guy who solidifies a checking line and contributes offense in key spots.
Top undrafted performers:
16-year-old Jesse Puljujarvi is the future of Finnish hockey, and if he were a smidge luckier on Saturday he might have been the present too. He's got enviable size that he's still growing into, and while he's not overly physical (at least not yet) he's a magnet for the puck with great hands and a quick trigger. He had seemingly endless scoring chances, always finding the open ice in front of the net or making a great move around a defenseman to get a shot away, but he either just missed or found iron every time. If you want an NHL comp, think young Joe Thornton. He's got that kind of upside.
Christian Jaros went undrafted last year, and for the life of me I can't figure out why. If he'd been born in Canada, a defenseman with his size (he's listed at six-foot-four) and love of physical play could have been a mid-round pick. As it is, he laid a couple of big momentum-changing body checks on Saturday and looked extremely solid in his own end, featuring heavily on the Slovak penalty kill. He won't offer much offense, although he did notch an assist Saturday, but he looks like a future NHLer to me.
Canada 4, Germany 0
Canada's margin of victory was halved from their romp over Slovakia, and that's an accurate measure of the play. Germany put up a tougher fight, and arguably were the better team in the second period, but Canada started strong, finished strong and the outcome was never really in doubt. Nic Petan (WPG, 2nd rd 2013) had his second straight three-point night, while Max Domi (ARI, 1st rd 2013) was again consistently dangerous.
Top prospect performers:
In this shutout, Darnell Nurse (EDM, 1st rd 2013) was the Canadian blueliner who stood out the most, shutting down any hint of a German attack and joining the rush at opportune times. He's big, fast, physical and smart, and while he might not be a huge point producer in the NHL it's easy to see him becoming the lockdown defenseman the Oilers have been so desperate for in recent years.
Eric Comrie (WPG, 2nd rd 2013) had to do a little more to preserve his goose egg than Zach Fucale (MON, 2nd rd 2013) did the night before, making some big saves and never looking rattled (not that Germany was able to muster the kind of sustained pressure that might have rattled him). Comrie's quick, athletic and always seemed to be in position, and if there is a competition for Canada's number one job it's a dead heat right now.
Top undrafted performers:
After spotting the field a one game lead in the tournament scoring race, Connor McDavid potted a goal and added two assists (all on the power play) on Saturday. He looked all but unstoppable at times, showing the speed, hands, shot, vision and creativity that you'd expect from someone who's going to be a franchise player in the NHL.