From Chicago's Frank Nazar on Team USA to the Canucks' Jonathan Lekkerimaki on Team Sweden, Tony Ferrari lists a player to watch from 14 of 16 Western Conference NHL teams at the world juniors.

The days continue to count down in anticipation until the 2024 world juniors kick off on Dec. 26.

Gothenburg, Sweden, hosts this year's edition of the annual U-20 men's tournament from the 26th until Jan. 5, 2024. It's one of the most exciting international hockey events of the year and is also one of the first times that fans can watch some top prospects of their favorite NHL team.

This time around, fans of the Colorado Avalanche and the Edmonton Oilers won't see any prospect at the world juniors as the only two NHL teams without a representative. 

Without further ado, let’s look around the NHL’s Western Conference and focus on one player to watch for each team at the World Junior Championship.

Anaheim Ducks - Tristan Luneau, D, Canada

After winning QMJHL defenseman of the year last season, Luneau jumped to the NHL to start the season. He only got into two games before being sent to the AHL on a conditioning stint, and he returned to play in another five NHL games before being loaned out to the Canadian U-20 squad.

The 2022 second-rounder's offensive game has flourished over the last couple of years, even notching three points through his seven NHL games this season. His puckhandling and passing ability have become major strengths for the 6-foot-2 defender. His skating can still be a bit clunky, but he should be a pivotal piece for the Canadian squad. The question is whether he will head back to Anaheim after the tournament or go back to the QMJHL to get plenty of playing time.

Arizona Coyotes - Conor Geekie, C/W, Canada

The huge forward will be one of Canada’s most prominent players up front at the world juniors. Geekie and Buffalo Sabres’ prospect Matthew Savoie have formed a dynamic duo with the Wenatchee Wild in the WHL, and they will look to keep that chemistry going atop the Canadian lineup.

Although Geekie stands 6-foot-4, he plays a high-skill game with a big shot and soft hands. The former 11th overall pick has started pre-tournament action down the middle and should be a handful for opposing teams to deal with. The Coyotes fans tuning into this tournament will have plenty of players to root for, but one of the future pillars of their squad could be a center for Team Canada.

Calgary Flames - Samuel Honzek, LW/C, Slovakia

This will technically be Honzek’s third World Junior Championship, but last year ended early because of a skate cutting him. This will be his first real shot at being an effective player at the event for Slovakia. 

His WHL season started late this year because of an injury suffered in training camp, so he only got into five games beginning on Dec. 1. The world juniors will be an important part of getting him ready for a long second half of the WHL season.

Honzek, a 16th overall pick in 2023, is a big forward who protects the puck at an elite level and plays a bit of a dual-threat game. The Vancouver Giants captain should be one of Slovakia’s most important players at the event, and he is the Flames' only prospect.

Chicago Blackhawks - Frank Nazar, C/RW, USA

There aren’t many players at the world juniors who can electrify the way that Nazar can when he is at the top of his game. He’s been a point-per-game player this season at the University of Michigan after missing most of last year with a hip injury, but he still hasn’t quite hit the peak of his game. The World Junior Championship could be the place where the 2022 first-rounder hits his top gear.

Nazar missed last year's event and will look to capture the gold medal for the Americans this time around. Nazar’s speed and pace should allow him to excel at the event as he brings his downhill attacking game. The 2022 first-rounder's ability to flash should make him an effective performer for the Americans who look to improve from a bronze in 2023.

Dallas Stars - Aram Minnetian, D, USA

With just one prospect playing at the world juniors, Dallas Stars fans should pay attention to their fourth-rounder from this past June’s draft. The former top defender of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program has had a solid freshman year at Boston College, and he will look to provide depth for the Americans on the back end, likely playing a bottom-pairing role.

Minnetian tries to be a do-it-all defender who excels in transition and as a facilitator for his teammates. He flashes another level of offensive skill occasionally but isn’t always looking to make his impact at that end of the ice. He may not play a prominent role this year, but it will be an excellent experience for him to build off in the second half of his NCAA season.

Los Angeles Kings - Otto Salin, D, Finland

The Kings are yet another squad with just one prospect at the tournament, as Otto Salin looks to be an impact player for the Finns. He started their first pre-tournament game on the top pair, and he will be one of the team's only players – and only defender – with experience at the world juniors. The team will rely on him as a leader because of it.

Salin plays an aggressive game at both ends of the ice and could play in all situations for the Finns. This won’t be Finland’s strongest team, but if they have any success, the 2022 fifth-round pick will likely be a big part of it.

Minnesota Wild - Liam Ohgren, LW, Sweden

The Swedish captain will be one of three Minnesota prospects at the world juniors, but he will surely be the most notable. 

Ohgren should play top-six minutes and star on the power play and penalty kill. The 19th overall pick in 2022 will look to help lead the team to what could be Sweden's first goal medal since 2012.

Ohgren plays a high-motor game that should make him a fan favorite when he gets to Minnesota, but until then, he should bring the physicality and goal-scoring he’s been known for to the world juniors. He’s been a captain many times internationally for his age group, largely because the style of game he plays drags his team into the battle. He should do the same for the Swedes this time around.

Nashville Predators - Matthew Wood, RW, Canada

He had an impressive U-18s last year that helped him get drafted in the first round, and he will look to build off that success with the maple leaf on his chest. Wood is an excellent complementary player who can bring some finishing ability to any line.

Although he isn’t the most fleet of foot, he has size and skill that should allow him to help any line he is on. He plays a fairly straightforward, north-south game that should fit right in with what Team Canada wants from their plates. The University of Connecticut winger should be a solid bottom-six option in the lineup, but he comes with plenty of upside.

San Jose Sharks - Filip Bystedt, C, Sweden

The Sharks have six players competing at the world juniors, including top prospect Will Smith, their recent fourth overall pick. But a returnee for the Swedes could be their best player at this event. 

Filip Bystedt finished tied for the team lead in scoring last year when Sweden lost the bronze medal game. Now that the Swedes are on home ice, he will look to recapture that magic and turn it into a gold medal win.

Bystedt is big and can skate well. His raw skill has greatly improved since he was drafted, and he should once again be an offensive catalyst for the Swedes. Bystedt has a chance to be one of the tournament's leading scorers if all goes the way everyone expects for Sweden.

Seattle Kraken - Carson Rehkopf, C/LW, Canada

The OHL leader in goals and points, even after being away with Team Canada, could be the secret weapon for the Canadians. Canada lacks a true superstar in this tournament, so the recent second-round pick should provide important offensive firepower. Although he wasn’t initially on the power-play units in practice, Rehkopf should find his way onto one of them at some point in the tournament.

The Kraken have plenty of players to watch in this tournament, from Finnish netminder Niklas Kokko to Czech forward Eduard Sale, among others. But Rehkopf has the chance to shine in a depth role with the Canadians. Kraken fans are spoiled with the talent that will be on display representing their prospect pool.

St. Louis Blues - Otto Stenberg, C/LW, Sweden

There are certain players who play on a different level when they put on their national team’s sweater. Otto Stenberg is certainly one of them. 

He puts all of his tools together, playing with pace and skill and attacking with a cerebral mindset. The 25th overall selection in 2023 mixes things up after whistles and thanks the other team when his shot goes off them and into the net. Almost all players love playing for their country, but Stenberg really loves playing for Sweden.

If Stenberg can take his game to the next level as he’s done at the U-18s, the Swedes could be even more terrifying than they already are. He isn’t afraid of attacking a defender head-on. His speed puts his opponents on their heels. Stenberg should be playing in a top-nine role throughout the tournament and could have plenty of opportunity to shine.

Vancouver Canucks - Jonathan Lekkerimaki, RW, Sweden

The Canucks will have three prospects – all on Team Sweden – at the World Junior Championship. Seeing their most recent first-round pick, Tom Willander, will be important, and watching the other Elias Pettersson should be fun. But Canucks fans should be keyed in on the resurgence of Jonathan Lekkerimaki, who is having a much better year.

This will be Lekkerimaki’s third World Junior Championship, and after a disappointing performance last year, he should be heavily featured in offensive situations this time. The 2022 first-rounder started Sweden's first pre-tournament game on the top line, and if he does what he’s done all year, he should have no problem staying there. He’s paired with former Djurgarden teammate Noah Ostlund, so he will have some comfort as well.

Vegas Golden Knights - David Edstrom, C, Sweden

The big, intelligent center has had a solid first full season in the SHL so far. The tactical Swede isn’t flashy and doesn’t always wow you, but his excellent habits and play-reading ability allow him to be effective all over the ice.

Edstrom was a late-season riser, but by the time he was selected at the end of the first round, no one questioned it because of how much growth he showed. Now slated to play as the third-line center for Sweden at home against the best U-20 talent in the world, he will likely bring his understated and effective game to junior hockey’s biggest stage.

Winnipeg Jets - Rutger McGroarty, LW, USA

After suffering an injury just prior to USA Hockey’s preliminary camp, many wondered whether McGroarty would be able to play in the tournament. After showing he was healthy in camp, not only will he play, but the University of Michigan forward should be one of Team USA’s best players up front.

McGroarty always puts on a show when he dons the USA jersey. The 14th overall pick in 2022 is constantly around the net, looking to finish plays with his quick release. McGroarty hunts the puck in the offensive zone like a shark in the ocean looking for its next meal. It would surprise no one to see McGroarty on the end-of-tournament all-star list.