The 2021 world juniors get underway Christmas Day and hockey fans can expect some of the sport’s top young prospects to flaunt their talent and represent their countries in the bubble set up at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
Unfortunately, headlines leading up to the tournament have been dominated by off-ice issues like how COVID-19 has impacted the various rosters, coaching staffs and overall atmosphere at the popular annual event.
With that in mind, here’s how we think the teams rank.
1. Canada
Last year’s result: Won Group B en route to beating Slovakia and Finland in elimination games then topping Russia in a come-from-behind classic to win the country’s 18th WJC gold medal.
Canada might not have the top pick from the 2020 NHL Draft with last year’s tournament MVP Alexis Lafreniere committed to the New York Rangers, yet the roster still boasts six returning players and the forward group is comprised entirely out of first-round NHL picks. Dylan Cozens and Connor McMichael had key roles last year and that won’t change. Bowen Byram and Jamie Drysdale are back, and so are Quinton Byfield and Dawson Mercer who played secondary roles one year ago.
Kirby Dach was noticeably improved in the Stanley Cup Playoffs when the NHL returned from its coronavirus hiatus, and was named Canada’s captain this year, but will miss the tournament due to an injury.
Still, on paper, Canada is a juggernaut and per usual anything besides gold will be a disappointment.
2. Russia
Last year’s result: Won silver after finishing third in Group B, eliminating Switzerland and Sweden and losing a heartbreaker to Canada in the final.
More than half of Russia’s roster has already been drafted by an NHL team, none more important than goalie Yaroslav Askarov, the 11th-overall pick of the Nashville Predators from this year. It was puzzling watching Askarov struggle at the tournament one year ago and we can’t see it happening a second time. The majority of the roster plays in the KHL as well, so fans can expect a poised and skilled group coached by Hockey Hall of Famer Igor Larionov.
Russia hasn’t claimed gold since 2011 when led by Vladimir Tarasenko and Evgeny Kuznetsov.
3. United States
Last year’s result: Finished second in Group B but was eliminated by Finland in the quarterfinals. The sixth-place result was Team USA’s worst finish at the WJC since 2012 and the first time in five years they didn’t earn a medal.
With eight returning players, including forwards Cole Caufield, Alex Turcotte and starting goalie Spencer Knight, the Americans will be a motivated group after last year’s disappointing result. Projected top-10 pick in 2021 Matthew Beniers was the lone draft eligible skater to make this team, which will battle with Russia for top spot in Group B. Playing on smaller North American ice should also in theory give them a slight edge on the European teams, however Team USA general manager John Vanbiesbrouck has said leading up to the tournament that his team is going to utilize their speed from the net out. Having Knight between the pipes could be the x-factor.
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4. Finland
Last year’s result: Lost to Sweden in bronze medal game. Finished third place in Group A, beat the United States in the quarterfinal before losing 5-0 to Canada in the semis.
These Finns should have a relatively easy path to the quarterfinals as they shouldn’t have much of an issue beating Germany, Slovakia and Switzerland in Group A. Finland has won three of the past seven WJC gold medals yet those are the only medals they’ve won since since 2006. It really is gold or bust for them. The roster is loaded with NHL potential, headlined by first-rounders Ville Heinola, Anton Lundell, and 2022 prospect Brad Lambert who just turned 17.
5. Sweden
Last year’s result: Won bronze despite having best round-robin record and winning Group A. They eliminated Czech Republic in the quarterfinals but lost in overtime to Russia in the semifinals.
The fifth spot is unusually low for the Swedes but this year’s edition of the team is a compromised unit. Sweden was forced to leave skaters William Eklund, William Wallinder and Karl Henriksson off the roster and its Tomas Monten-led coaching staff was also deemed ineligible to participate in Edmonton after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier in December.
Sweden is led by Lucas Raymond and Alexander Holtz, the fourth- and seventh-overall picks from the 2020 NHL Draft, respectively, and they’ve got promising netminder Jesper Wallstedt looking to showcase his ability. They’ve got plenty of talent still, but can they overcome all the aforementioned obstacles?
6. Czech Republic
Last year’s result: Finished a disappointing seventh as the host nation. Upset Russia in the tournament opener then didn’t win again. Eliminated by Sweden in the quarterfinals.
The Czechs have become the epitome of a gatekeeper program, finishing between fifth and seventh place in 14 of the past 15 WJCs. Losing the bronze-medal game in 2018 and coming fourth was the country’s best finish since winning bronze in 2006. This year the Czechs are led by Canadiens prospect Jan Mysak among others.
7. Germany
Last year’s result: Finished last in Group B, ninth place out of 10 teams, but beat Kazakhstan to avoid being relegated.
The main reason to be excited about the German team this year is the fact they’re fronted by third-overall pick Tim Stuetzle. The Ottawa Senators prospect is among the most talented players in the tournament. Several positive COVID-19 tests impacted Germany’s pre-tournament preparations, but this team will put up a fight.
8. Slovakia
Last year’s result: Finished fourth in Group A, eighth overall, and lost 6-1 to Canada in the quarterfinals.
Slovakia had a tournament-worst negative-14 goal differential last year. That can’t be repeated if they want to have success, but with no relegation this year it can allow a young Slovak squad to play freely and challenge for third place in Group A.
9. Switzerland
Last year’s result: Finished second in Group A’s round robin but ended the tournament in fifth place overall after being eliminated by Russia in the quarterfinals. Switzerland’s lone medal at the WJC was a bronze in 1998.
Breaking their two-plus decade medal drought is going to be extremely difficult with this roster. They’ll battle for a spot in the quarterfinals but expectations are relatively low this year. There are a handful of draft-eligible Swiss players worth keeping an eye on, including forward Lorenzo Canonica of the QMJHL’s Shawinigan Cataractes and defenceman Noah Meier of the Swiss League’s GCK Lions.
10. Austria
Last year’s result: Did not compete.
Austria needed to win the Division I tournament to qualify for the 2021 WJC and that’s exactly what they did, finishing ahead of Latvia, Belarus, Norway, Denmark and Slovenia. Forward Marco Rossi, selected ninth overall by the Wild in 2020, is Austria’s player to watch.