Future Considerations: Canadian NHL team prospects competing at the WJC

With rosters now set for the World Junior Championship, all competing teams have arrived in Sweden and the tournament is set to begin on Boxing Day. Team Canada will be competing in Group A and face stiff competition from the host Sweden as well as Finland, Germany and Latvia.

My colleague, Ryan Dixon, in his latest Power Rankings wrote about which NHL teams have the most drafted prospects to watch at the WJC. Today, I’m providing a more in-depth scouting report on WJC players who are prospects for Canadian NHL teams.

WINNIPEG JETS

Rutger McGroarty, F, Team USA

The Jets' first round selection in 2022 (14^th overall), McGroarty is equal parts power and finesse. There was a time I was concerned about his open ice pace. He’s never been a poor skater, but another gear was certainly required for both the college, and eventually, pro game.

McGroarty is the Captain for Team USA and should slot into one of their top two lines. He is capable of being used in all situations. His impact is greatest in the offensive zone from the hash marks down, along the wall, and out front of the net. The 6-foot-1, 209-pound forward is hard to defend. He has quick mitts. McGroarty is efficient finding pucks in traffic via tips and rebounds.

Elias Salomonsson, D, Team Sweden

Salomonsson is a 6-foot-2, 185-pound, right shot defenceman who will very likely match-up against top six forwards and be deployed on the penalty kill. Salomonsson is a great skater. He’s mobile and quick to space. His long reach is also an asset. The Jets' second round pick in 2022 (55^th overall) isn’t likely to produce much offence for Team Sweden. He’s a two-way defenceman who gaps up to kill plays and blocks shots.

Fabian Wagner, F, Team Sweden

Winnipeg selected Wagner in the sixth round (175^th overall) in 2022. The 6-foot, 176-pound forward will slot into Team Sweden’s bottom six forward group. Wagner is a strong skater and quick out of the gate. His speed is an asset on the penalty kill. He pressures the puck in his zone and up ice. Wagner is unlikely to see a role on the power play, though, and it would be a bonus for Team Sweden if he chips in with some secondary offence. Wagner, in his current form, is best described as a two-way “energy” forward.

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Elias Pettersson, D, Team Sweden

Pettersson is a 6-foot-4, 205-pound, left shot, two-way defenceman. The Canucks selected him in the third round (80^th overall) in 2022. He’s an excellent skater, especially for his stature. Pettersson has the hockey sense, puck skill, and pace to be used in a variety of roles. He’s likely to match up versus top six forwards and roll over the boards on one of the primary penalty killing units for Team Sweden, but he’s also capable of producing better than secondary offence.

The Canucks have a potential top four defenceman on the horizon in Pettersson. The scouting staff should be excited, and proud, about where they grabbed him in the draft.

Jonathan Lekkerimaki, F, Team Sweden

Last season didn’t go the way Lekkerimaki planned, due to injury and some uneven play when healthy, but he’s bounced back nicely this season and is playing to his identity offensively. Lekkerimaki possesses a fantastic release. He’s a threat to rip pucks from the weak side flank on the power play. He’s also the kind of forward who sniffs out open ice in the neutral zone and takes advantage when he sees an open lane to attack off the rush. He’s slotted to play on one of Sweden's top lines and power play units. Lekkerimaki isn’t a pure burner, but he’s sneaky quick. Vancouver selected Lekkerimaki in the first round (15^th overall) in 2022.

Tom Willander, D, Team Sweden

Vancouver drafted Willander in the first-round (11^th overall) at the 2023 draft. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound, right shot defenceman can do it all and is best described as a “two-way/transitional” defenceman. Willander is an elite skater with high end hockey sense. He angles his checks to the perimeter very well and he's quick to space in all three zones. He can walk the offensive blue line to open up lanes to get pucks on net or distribute to the flanks.

Willander will be one of Sweden's top four defencemen at the WJC. Look for him to be primarily deployed at even strength and the penalty kill. Possibly some power play clean up duty.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Easton Cowan, F, Team Canada

Toronto selected Cowan in the first round (28^th overall) at the 2023 draft. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound forward can play both centre and the wing. Cowan brings a combination of energy and skill. He’s quick off the rush and relentless pursuing opponents trying to create turnovers. Another bonus is the fact he is willing to battle for pucks in traffic. If he gets the edge off the rush, he takes the puck to the paint.

Expect Cowan to play in Team Canada’s middle six forward group. There’s a chance he could be used in a variety of roles at the WJC, potentially seeing time in all situations.

Fraser Minten, F, Team Canada

Minten broke camp with the Leafs at the beginning of the season, after a solid training camp. He returned to Kamloops (WHL) before being traded to the Saskatoon Blades.

The Leafs selected Minten in the second round (38^th overall) in 2022. The 6-foot-2, 192-pound forward can play both centre and the wing. He’s responsible defensively, and capable of taking key face-offs in all three zones if required. Minten moves well, has the hockey sense to be used in all situations and the offensive upside to provide better than secondary scoring for Team Canada.

MONTREAL CANADIENS

Lane Hutson, D, Team USA

Teams better not sleep on Hutson due to his smaller stature (5-foot-10, 161 pounds). He’s dynamic offensively. Hutson will quarterback one of team USA’s power play units. He’s a dual threat who is equal parts shooter and distributor. Hutson is elusive with the puck on his stick. He has elite escape ability from his zone. He’s also not shy defensively. Hutson has no problem closing quickly to kill plays in his zone. He has plenty of battle in his DNA.

The Habs' second round pick (62^nd overall) in 2022 will likely play over 20 minutes per game for Team USA.

Owen Beck, F, Team Canada

Beck is a “do it all” forward who can be used in all situations. The 6-foot, 190-pound right shot forward produces offence without sacrificing detail defensively. He’s above the play when his group doesn’t have control in the offensive zone. He can take key face-offs on both sides of the ice. Simply put, Beck is a trustworthy, 200-foot forward who skates well and has plenty of battle in his game.

The Canadiens' second-round pick (33^rd overall) in 2022 will likely match up against top forwards and provide a layer of secondary offence for Team Canada.

Filip Mesar, F, Team Slovakia

Mesar is easy to identify. The Canadiens' first-round pick (26th overall) in 2022 is always in motion hunting offence. Mesar is a solid skater who is a threat off the rush and scores goals a variety of ways. He has a good release and the ability to score off the weak side flank on the power play. He also has some elusive net drive when he sees an open lane. The 5-foot-10, 176-pound forward plays a generally light game physically. He’s a skill player who isn’t as comfortable along the wall and in the trenches.

Mesar will be tasked with carrying the mail offensively for Team Slovakia. He’s best-utilized at even strength and the power play.

Jacob Fowler, G, Team USA

Fowler is a freshman at Boston College and their starting netminder. He posted a 2.16 GAA and .925 SV% before he left for Team USA's WJC training camp.

The 6-foot-2, 214-pound goaltender was selected in the third round (69^th overall) at the 2023 draft. Fowler is a proven winner at every level. He plays a butterfly style. He’s big in the net and generally efficient. Rarely does he get caught moving outside his crease. When he does, he has the athleticism to regroup and make saves with his long legs. He has excellent feet and balance overall. At this stage of his development Fowler doesn’t present any holes in his game.

Fowler is likely to split time with teammate Trey Augustine in the preliminary round, before Team USA settles on one of the goalies for the medal round.

CALGARY FLAMES

Samuel Honzek, F, Team Slovakia

The Flames selected Honzek in the first round (16^th overall) last summer. The 6-foot-4, 194-pound forward was slowed by injury to start this season, but has returned to health and will be one of the key forwards for Slovakia at the WJC.

Honzek is a rangy, average plus skater, with good puck touch and vision. He’s best described as equal parts goal scorer and play maker. His long reach is an asset when protecting pucks from checkers and interrupting the flow of opponents in the defensive zone. His three-zone detail is reliable. Expect Honzek to be used in all situations for Team Slovakia.

OTTAWA SENATORS

Oskar Pettersson, F, Team Sweden

The Senators drafted the 6-foot-2, 198-pound, right shot winger in the second round (72^nd overall) in 2022. He’s best described as a two-way forward who can occasionally provide some secondary offence. Pettersson is an average skater who competes hard up and down the ice. There’s not a ton of flash to his game. He’s involved in traffic and battles to extend plays along the wall. Expect Pettersson to slot into a depth role for Team Sweden. His primary ice time will come at even strength and the penalty kill.

Tomas Hamara, D, Team Czechia

Hamara started the season with the Kitchener Rangers (OHL), where he suited up for 18 games, scoring three assists. He’s landed in more of an offensive role playing for the Brantford Bulldogs (OHL).

Ottawa selected the 6-foot, 192-pound, left shot defenceman in the third round (87^th overall) in 2022. He’s best described as a steady two-way defenceman who provides secondary offence. There’s nothing elite that stands out about Hamara’s game. He moves well. He’s an average-plus defender. In short, he’s reliable in a variety of roles. Expect Hamara to, potentially, be used in all situations for Team Czechia.

Kevin Reidler, G, Team Sweden

Reidler came to North America this season to develop in the USHL with the Dubuque Fighting Saints. He’s posted a 3.20 GAA and .900 save percentage.

The first thing that stands out about the Senators' fifth-round pick (151^st overall) in 2022 is his stature. Reidler is a giant in the net, standing 6-foot-6 and 201 pounds. Reidler is a butterfly goalie who can use his size as an advantage. He presents decent coordination and mobility. It’s key for Reidler to not get wandering around too much. When he loses his posts, he also loses his size advantage by having to track too far from side to side.

In the pre-tournament camp and games it appeared Reidler might end up being the third goalie for Team Sweden.