The World Junior Championship is a great place for NHL fans to get a peak at their favorite team’s prospects before they get to the NHL.
It fires up the hype train, has fans debating players online with other fan bases and, ultimately, gets fans excited for what is to come.
While everyone is rooting for their own national teams, the soft spot that they develop for the players their NHL team has drafted in recent years also comes into play.
Related: World Juniors 2025: One Prospect To Watch From Every Western Conference NHL Team
Only the Boston Bruins will be unrepresented at the world juniors this year. The Bruins have a rather bottom-tier prospect pipeline, and that’s reflected by them having no representation at the annual U-20 extravaganza.
Although many teams have multiple prospects at the event, let’s dive into one intriguing name to watch for each NHL team in the Eastern Conference.
Buffalo Sabres: Konsta Helenius, C, Finland
The top Finn in last year’s NHL draft will be the Finn’s No. 1 center at the world juniors this year.
Helenius’ well-rounded, two-way game exemplifies Finnish hockey. He doesn’t overcomplicate things and plays a straightforward game. Helenius isn’t the kind of player to put up huge point totals, but the Finns won’t be looking to win games 6-5; they’ll be trying to win 2-1, as they always do.
Helenius will be getting big minutes, and he’ll likely play against the other team’s top players, so Sabres fans will have plenty to watch.
Carolina Hurricanes: Bradly Nadeau, W, Canada
After a slow start in the AHL, Nadeau was getting hot right before joining Canada for pre-tournament camp. Nadeau should be a difference-maker for the Canadians as he brings good speed and a wicked shot that should be a lethal weapon against junior-aged competition.
Nadeau has experience at the NCAA and professional level over the past two seasons, so going back to the U-20 level could mean he has some dominant moments, which is exactly what the Canes and their fans want to see.
Related: World Juniors: Canada Sees Instant Top-Line Chemistry And The Cowan Show In Pre-Tournament Games
Columbus Blue Jackets: Luca Pinelli, W/C, Canada
Pinelli was a bit of a surprise addition to Canada’s roster. Still, the fiery forward has some positional versatility and a more diverse offensive game than you would expect from a player with more goals than assists for the past couple of years.
Pinelli will bring a bit of an edge to the Canadian lineup. The Ottawa 67’s captain has the skill and aggressive mindset to be a factor in the Canadians’ bottom six.
Detroit Red Wings: Axel Sandin-Pellikka, D, Sweden
Last year, Sandin-Pellikka was named the tournament’s top defenseman, and this year, he has a legitimate shot to repeat.
His skill and mobility should make him a handful for teams at both ends of the ice. His play at the Swedish League level this year has been unreal, and he leads all defenders in scoring. His dynamism should make him one of the tournament’s must-watch players.
Related: World Juniors: The Lowdown On Sweden And Finland’s Rosters
Florida Panthers: Linus Eriksson, C, Sweden
Eriksson plays a very pro-syle game, working off the wall and getting to the middle of the ice. He is Florida’s only prospect at the tournament, but he will be fun to watch for Panthers fans who tune in. They will be able to envision him as a future Panther with his style of play. Eriksson has a nice playmaking touch, intuitively knowing where his teammates are at all times.
Montreal Canadiens: Rasmus Bergqvist, D, Sweden
After a few years with plenty of players in the tournament, Bergqvist will be the only Canadiens prospect at the world juniors. The second-to-last pick in the 2024 NHL draft has played most of this season at the SHL level, and he’s held his own there. He has some passing ability, but he’s not overly dynamic. Bergqvist won’t be the most exciting player to watch, but Habs fans will have fun hyping him up anyways.
New Jersey Devils: Herman Traff, W, Sweden
A big winger who plays with speed and physicality, Traff is exactly the kind of player who could pop off at the world juniors. He’s split time between the SHL and second-tier Allsvenskan this year, so he’s gotten plenty of opportunity to grow against pro players.
His game still has some raw elements regarding his offensive zone skill, but there is so much intrigue with Traff’s game that the Devils fans paying attention should have plenty of fun watching their 6-foot-3 Swedish prospect.
New York Islanders: Cole Eiserman, LW, USA
Eiserman’s finishing ability should be about as good as anyone at the tournament, and that should give Islanders fans joy.
The NHL club has lacked that elite one-shot finisher this season in particular, so seeing their top prospect fill the net, knowing that he should be a big part of their future, will provide a sense of relief.
Eiserman has some snarl to his game from time to time as well and could be a player the USA asks to provide some physicality as well.
Related: Team USA Releases Preliminary World Juniors Roster: Initial Reaction, Snubs And Battles
New York Rangers: Gabe Perreault, RW, USA
Gabe Perreault, one of the best play connectors outside of the NHL, is just incredibly smart. He uses his brain to pick opponents apart. He isn’t the fastest or most skilled player, but how Perreault can make the right play at the right time to help create a scoring chance for himself or a teammate is impressive.
He jumps into pockets of space off the puck and feathers passes to teammates in pockets when he is on the puck. Watching Perreault at the WJC should give the Rangers a bit of a reprieve from their rollercoaster season.
Related: Rangers Disrespect Kreider, Lose 5-0 As Devils Mock Them. Was That Worth It?
Ottawa Senators: Vladimir Nikitin, G, Kazakhstan
The Senators have one prospect at the World Junior Championship, and it’s Vladimir Nikitin. The 6-foot-5 netminder is a raw prospect who is playing in the Russian junior league after a year in the BCHL. He likely won’t be enough of a difference-maker to fuel Kazakhstan to a win at the WJC, but he could help them stay in some games against the lower-end competition.
Philadelphia Flyers: Oliver Bonk, D, Canada
After playing on Team Canada last year and being a part of that underwhelming exit, Bonk will be Canada’s top defender at the event this year, and he will want to redeem himself and the team in the process.
Bonk is a do-it-all defender, and he will take on a big role and could play in all situations for the Canadians. The Flyers will be looking at him to play a big role for Canada, hoping he can do the same for them in a few years.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Tanner Howe, LW, Canada
Make no mistake: even though Howe doesn’t have a letter on his jersey, his work ethic and leadership will be a driving force for the Canadians in the bottom six.
Howe is a smart player who really understands his role on a line. He is an excellent complementary player, and although he isn’t going to be some dynamic scoring machine, Pens fans should be excited to watch Howe as he finds a way to become a pivotal piece of this iteration of Team Canada.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Ethan Gauthier, RW, Canada
He won’t be a star on this team, but Ethan Gauthier could give the Lightning a preview of what he can bring in a depth role, as he will likely be playing in the NHL down the road. Gauthier is a solid, complementary player with a very good shot. He can work a give-and-go and find space to get his shot off. It will be interesting to see how much Gauthier can insert himself into the Canadian attack.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Miroslav Holinka, C/W, Czechia
While Easton Cowan will be where most Leafs fans will have their eyes fixated, catching a glimpse of Miroslav Holinka could be just as interesting.
The skilled Czech forward should be one of their most dynamic and versatile players. He’s got silky hands at times, and he’s strong on both ends of the ice. Holinka is exactly the player who could have a hot world juniors and end up with a bit of a cult following afterward.
Related: World Juniors: Canada’s Easton Cowan Is A Potent Prospect In Progress
Washington Capitals: Ryan Leonard, RW, USA
The American captain could likely lead the world juniors in goal scoring. His bull-in-a-china-shop, never-say-die attitude is easy for fans and coaches to love.
Leonard is a power forward who excels at playing with the highest of skilled players because he has more skill than most power forwards. He will get to play with his Boston College linemates Gabe Perreault and James Hagens, so he’ll also have plenty of familiarity and chemistry heading into the tournament.
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