World Juniors: One Prospect to Watch from Every NHL Team in the West

The World Junior Championship has become an annual holiday tradition in the hockey world for a number of reasons. National pride plays into it and seeing your nation make a championship run or become the Cinderella team of the tournament is fun.

For NHL fans, in particular, it is one of the best chances to see your club's top prospects in action against some of the best players from their age group. Whether it’s European prospects drafted recently who are playing overseas or a kid in the NCAA, there aren’t many better opportunities to see the future of your favorite team. Let’s take a look at one prospect to watch for each Western Conference NHL squad. If you're looking for the Eastern Conference, click here.

Anaheim Ducks: Nathan Gaucher, C, Canada

The Ducks prospect is slated to play a key role in the Canadian squad, playing center on the team’s third line. Gaucher brings some speed and power to the lower half of Canada’s forward group and should excel as a secondary scoring option. With so much defensive attention paid to the big names at the top of the lineup, the 2022 first-rounder will have a chance to make a name for himself.

Arizona Coyotes: Logan Cooley, C, USA

The third-overall pick in last summer's NHL draft was one of the USA’s best players at the World Junior Championship in August. His dynamic puck skill and ability to control the pace of the game when he is on the ice were on display. With 25 points in 19 games for the University of Minnesota, Cooley is going to look to bring his ability to create offense to a U.S. lineup that will certainly need it as they lack high-level offensive threats beyond the top line.

Calgary Flames: William Stromgren, LW, Sweden

The Flames don’t have a premier prospect at the world juniors this year, but Stromgren has an opportunity to showcase what made him such an interesting prospect during the 2021 draft year. He’s been in the SHL for most of the year, and while his offensive numbers haven’t popped, the 19-year-old has been able to acclimate himself to playing against bigger and stronger players. Stromgren has the puck skill and skating to excel at a tournament like this which could be a weapon for the Swedes lower in the lineup.

Chicago Blackhawks: Kevin Korchinski, LHD, Canada

Despite playing on a loaded Canadian squad, Korchinski looks poised to play on the second power-play unit. His offensive passing game is crisp, looking to open lanes with his mobility at the top of the offensive zone and being a legitimate threat to attack space if it’s afforded to him. Korchinski is a breakout artist who escapes pressure extremely well. While all eyes will be on Olen Zellweger and Brandt Clarke on Canada’s blueline, Korchinski looks set to be the team’s secret weapon.

Colorado Avalanche: Sean Behrens, LHD, USA

The American defender will have an ‘A’ on his chest when the tournament kicks off after he played in just one game in a depth role last summer at the replacement world juniors. He will be looked at to play a number of roles. Behrens is a better defender than often given credit for, using his mobility to thwart chances off the rush or disrupt play in the defensive zone. His offensive tools have been what he’s known for, and he will be used in positions to score from the power play to offensive zone starts.

Dallas Stars: Logan Stankoven, RW, Canada

Stankoven is going to be one of Canada’s leaders and their best players. His ability to win battles, attack every play with vigor and showcase a work ethic that is unmatched should make him one of the tournament’s best players. Stankoven has proven time and time again that despite his 5-foot-8 frame being a question mark, he isn’t going to let it stand in his way. Don’t be shocked to see him on the end of tournament all-star team.

Edmonton Oilers: Reid Schaefer, LW, Canada

Edmonton doesn’t have any other prospects at the World Junior Championship, but they'll get to see their most recent first-round pick in action against some of the world’s best U-20 players. He will be playing in a depth role for Canada and needs to play well to make sure he isn’t the odd man out among the forward group, but Schaefer has had an excellent season to date so he’s coming in with momentum on his side.

Los Angeles Kings: Otto Salin, RHD, Finland

Most of the attention of Kings fans will be drawn to the Canadian team and Brandt Clarke as their prized prospect looks to make his mark, but they have another defensive prospect that deserves attention in Salin. The young Finn doesn’t play the same kind of high-flying offensive game that his Canadian future teammate plays, but Salin is a sound two-way defender who has played against men for most of the last two years. He may not be Finland’s top defender, but he could play in a number of pivotal moments for them as he has a ton of versatility.

Minnesota Wild: Liam Ohgren, RW, Sweden

Ohgren is one of Minnesota’s top prospects, and he will be one of Sweden's best players. In all likelihood, he will play with his Djurgarden teammates Noah Ostlund and Jonathan Lekkerimaki, which should give him some instant chemistry, allowing him to get off to a quick start. He plays a hard forechecking game, understanding how to do so many of the little things that chain plays together. Ohgren could feast at a junior tournament because he blends a pro-style game with excellent finishing ability.

Nashville Predators: Joakim Kemell, RW, Finland

All eyes will be on Kemell and whether he can put together another performance that is worthy of being named a tournament all-star as he did at the summer world juniors. Kemell has the offensive prowess to put up some big numbers at a junior tournament as he’s been playing primarily against men in the Liiga with a good amount of success over the last few years. Kemell is an elite finisher and should challenge for the tournament’s goal-scoring lead.

San Jose Sharks: Benjamin Gaudreau, G, Canada

Canada’s weakness at the World Junior Championship year after year seems to be their goaltending. Gaudreau is going to be looking to put an end to that as he looks to secure the starter's gig and take this team on a long run. A tournament can be won or lost in the crease, and while the Canadians likely won’t need him to steal games and be the focal point of a championship run, they will need to make sure he isn’t going to lose them games. The Sharks could use a long-term answer in net, and a big performance could be a great sign.

Seattle Kraken: Shane Wright, C, Canada

The Kraken have a number of prospects at the world juniors, but there’s no doubt that all eyes will be on Wright, their fourth overall pick and hopefully one of the pillars of the franchise's future success. Wright will start off as Canada's top-line center and should be a threat to be one of the tournament’s best players. His 200-foot play along with his offensive acumen could make him an early favorite to win MVP.

St. Louis Blues: Simon Robertsson, RW, Sweden

Although some of the shine has worn off, Robertsson is one of the more interesting players on the Swedish roster. He could start as a bottom-six forward, but he has the offensive capabilities to find the score sheet. His shot is still very much an asset, but he needs to find chemistry with a play-driving linemate. Robertsson is an excellent off-puck threat to score and with a solid Swedish lineup, he could find himself in a position to succeed.

Vancouver Canucks: Jonathan Lekkerimaki, LW, Sweden

The Canucks made Lekkerimaki their first-round pick at the most recent draft with high hopes that he can be a goal-scoring presence in the lineup for years to come. But first, the Djurgarden star will look to help Sweden capture gold at the world juniors. After being one of the best producers at the U-18s last year, he will look to take the step and do the same on the U-20 international circuit.

Vegas Golden Knights: Matyas Sapovaliv, C, Czechia

Matyas Sapovaliv has been a staple for the Czechs in international play over the last few years. The Saginaw Spirit center isn’t a massive scorer, but he plays a sound 200-foot game and seems to pick the right moment to put his offensive tools to use, scoring in big moments for the Czech squad recently. Sapovaliv is a big, defensively focused center who will play big minutes against the best U-20 players in the world. If the Czech squad makes a run, Sapovaliv will play a big role.

Winnipeg Jets: Chaz Lucius, C/RW, USA

Injured earlier this season in the AHL, Lucius spent most of the American U-20 camp in a non-contact jersey working his way back from a shoulder injury. If he can play to his full abilities, Lucius will be a welcome presence centering the second line for the Americans. He has the offensive flair and skill to be a difference-maker, traits that the U.S. roster seems to be a bit short on heading into the tournament. Lucius' health will be one of the most important things to keep an eye on for the Americans and the Winnipeg Jets.