Junior World Championship | 10 NHL prospects to watch

On the eve of the start of the tournament bringing together the best junior-age players in Halifax and Moncton, our journalist presents 10 prospects belonging to NHL teams that you will have to keep an eye on during the fortnight.

Logan Cooley, center, USA

His name resonated often in Montreal last summer since he was among the three candidates of the Canadian for the first choice. He was not drafted by Montreal, but still edged out Shane Wright by being picked third overall by the Arizona Coyotes. He certainly did not disappoint expectations in his first year in the NCAA with 25 points in 19 games at the University of Minnesota. He was also part of the American team at this Championship last summer.

Luke Hughes, defender, United States

For some reason, this defender, fourth choice in 2021, seems a little forgotten between the Devils’ young leading players, Nico Hischier, his brother Jack and hopefuls Simon Nemec and Alexander Holtz. His talent, however, is beyond doubt. This year again, he is close to a point per game at the University of Michigan. Much taller at 6’2″ than his brothers Quinn and Jack, this will be his second appearance. He had six points in five games last summer.

Cutter Gauthier, center/winger, United States

This power forward ended up with the Flyers, drafted between Shane Wright in fourth and David Jiricek in sixth. Gauthier was playing with Cooley in the American development program and Philadelphia wants to make him a center player eventually. He has 16 points, including 10 goals, in 13 games at Boston College.

Liam Öhgren, winger, Sweden

Öhgren is the only one among this formidable Swedish trio completed by Jonathan Lekkerimaki and Noah Östlund whose state of health is not in doubt. While they haven’t played since late November due to injury, Öhgren has come into his own at Djurgardens and now has 14 points, including 9 goals, in 26 games. The three were drafted in the first round in 2022, Lekkerimaki by Vancouver at 15^e rank, Östlund by Buffalo at 16^e rank and Öhgren by Minnesota at 19^e rank.

Simon Nemec, defender, Slovakia

Time will tell if the Devils made the right decision in picking based on the player’s position with their pick second overall, behind compatriot Juraj Slafkovsky. He was wisely sent back to the American League after a first training camp in New Jersey, and he seems to be blossoming recently offensively, with 8 points in his last 13 games, after having obtained only 2 in his first 9.

Leo Carlsson, center, Sweden

According to many, Carlsson will be a choice in the top 3 in 2023 behind Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli. He is already 6ft 2in at 17, but will be 18 when the tournament opens, and he has 14 points in 25 games at Örebro in the Swedish First Division (SEL), an impressive output for such a young player . He not only has a lot of individual skills, but also intelligence to spare.

Brad Lambert, winger, Finland

Lambert, born in Finland to a Canadian father who pursued his career there, was drafted in the 30th^e rank only in 2022 after being considered a draft favorite a year earlier. He had a good training camp in Winnipeg, including a solid preseason game against the Canadiens, but has only 3 points in 14 games in the American League. That said, Finland certainly won’t spit on a young player already in the professional ranks in North America.

Jiri Kulich, center, Czechia

Kulich was drafted in 28^e rank, two places after Filip Mesar, in 2022, but unlike the Canadian, we kept him in the American League this winter, where he is doing well with 16 points in 24 games, in a club that does not score much . Kulich is first recognized as a scorer with a devastating shot. He scored 9 goals in 6 games at the World Under-18 Championship last year with Czechia, where he was captain.

Isak Rosén, winger, Sweden

Kulich’s teammate at the Rochester Americans piques curiosity since he was drafted in 14^e rank in 2021 with the Flyers’ choice obtained for defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. Seeing him hatch in Buffalo would be a slap in the face for Philadelphia since Ristolainen quickly plateaued offensively. He has similar production to Kulich even though he is a year older. Rosén did well last summer at the World Junior Championship with five points, including four goals, in seven games. A tournament of truth for him.

Fabian Lysell, winger, Sweden

Due to their success, the Bruins have drafted only once in the top-21 in the last 5 spells, and Lysell was the lucky winner in 2021. He failed to break through the roster this year, but doing very well in the American League, at 19, with 19 points in 20 games. He also had six points in seven games last summer at the World Junior Championship. He is a dynamic right-handed winger, a great skater, one of the best in his class.