Future Considerations: Scouting reports on draft-eligible WJC players

The World Junior Hockey Championship is traditionally known as a tournament that showcases previously drafted NHL prospects and “late bloomers” who remain eligible for the draft, but have taken longer to develop.

This year’s WJC will include some highly touted 17- and 18-year-old prospects who will be selected in the first-round next June in Las Vegas.

Here’s a look at some of the draft eligible players who scouts will be watching closely in Gothenburg, Sweden:

THE TOP-RANKED PROSPECT

Canadian forward Macklin Celebrini is the top ranked prospect for the 2024 NHL Draft. He’s pulling away from his competition for the number one draft slot.

Here’s a look at what he has accomplished so far this season at Boston University, and a summary of his play at Team Canada’s training camp last week in Oakville:

Celebrini will be skating in Team Canada’s top six forward group and will be called upon to produce offence, especially on the power play.

OTHERS DRAWING ATTENTION

Konsta Helenius, Team Finland: My colleague, Sam Cosentino, described Helenius perfectly in his recent draft rankings.

Helenius is a smooth skating, attack off the rush, motion forward with an exceptional release. The young forward is already skating in his second year in the Finnish Elite League -- Liiga -- and producing a healthy amount of offence. The 17-year-old is the third-leading scorer for Jukurit Mikkeli with eight goals and 12 assists in 28 games. Helenius will see time on Finland’s top power play unit at the WJC. He’s lethal as a distributor, and shooter, from the weak side flank.

Helenius projects as a top six forward at the NHL level, where the bulk of his ice time will come at even strength and the power play. He’s the kind of prospect who needs to land at the top of the lineup because his DNA is not that of a checking/penalty-killing forward.

Here's a clip of Helenius skating a puck up ice, with the goalie out, in a recent game for Jukurit:

Emil Hemming, Team Finland: Hemming is a different player than his countrymate Helenius. Hemming is a bigger body who has more power, but less speed, than Helenius. The one thing they both have in common is their release. Hemming shoots the puck with authority. If opponents fail to gap up on him when he’s entering the offensive zone, he directs the play on net without breaking stride. He’s proven he can beat Liiga goalies from range.

Hemming will take longer to develop into an NHL scoring threat. Big body prospects generally require an extra year of seasoning compared to smaller, darting prospects. When Hemming does arrive, I’m forecasting a middle-six forward who should provide at least secondary scoring in the NHL and find a role on one of the power play units.

Zeev Buium, Team USA

Buium is being deployed in all situations at the University of Denver and is best described as an average-plus defender. His most prolific contribution comes on the offensive side of the ledger. Buium transitions the puck, joins the rush as an extra layer, can quarterback the power play and make plays efficiently on his forehand and backhand. As an NCAA freshman, he has scored five goals and 20 assists in 18 games this season.

Here is a clip that displays Buium’s vision in the offensive zone and his playmaking ability:

Buium has room to clean up some of his defensive detail, but his offensive upside is an area of strength. He has a chance to be a top four NHL defenceman in time and projects as a “two-way/transitional“ defender.

Adam Jiricek, Team Czechia: Jiricek drew the attention of scouts last season when he was an underager competing at the U18 level for Czechia. The right shot defender has a ton of upside. His read/react game is on point and he’s trustworthy in a variety of roles. He’s deployed as one of the primary penalty killers, rotates very well, and fronts the shooter to block shots. He sees the ice on the power play and distributes responsibly.

Jiricek is desperate for strength, so as he matures and fills out his frame his overall impact will increase dramatically. The foundation is in place, he simply needs time.

POTENTIAL RISERS TO MONITOR

Canadians Mathis Rousseau (goalie) and Owen Allard (forward) are hoping to leave an impression with scouts in Gothenburg.

Rousseau is battling for the starting job for Team Canada. He’s an undrafted 19-year-old who’s had an incredible first half of the season playing for Halifax (QMJHL). Rousseau plays a butterfly style and his crease composure and rebound control are excellent. He’s a bit undersized (5-foot-11, 172 pounds), but his stats speak for themselves -- Rousseau has a 2.07 GAA and .934 save percentage at the major junior level.

Allard earned a spot in Canada's camp with sheer hard work and determination. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound forward is a bit of a late bloomer who's already scored 14 goals and 16 assists for the Soo Greyhounds (OHL) this season, which are both career highs. The 19-year-old Allard is likely to slot into a depth role on Team Canada’s roster. Contributing offensively, or perhaps in a checking role, will provide more momentum for him as he looks for an NHL team to call his name at the draft in June.