The Journey checks in on the 2017 World Juniors, providing updates on who is playing well in the preliminary group stage of the tournament.

Mathew Barzal – Canada – New York Islanders

Coming into the tournament, Barzal was touted as one of the best players playing in the 2017 WJC, and he hasn’t disappointed. A consummate playmaker, Barzal has been dangerous each time he has touched the puck through three group games.

Barzal has three goals and three assists for Team Canada through three games, acting as the distributor for the team’s power play, and centering Mathieu Joseph and tournament goals co-leader Taylor Raddysh at even strength. Barzal makes so many simple plays during the course of a game, consistently setting up his linemates in the best possible situations to convert his passes into goals. He and teammate Dylan Strome will need to continue to be dominant if Canada is going to overcome disappointment from a year ago and win gold.

Alex Nylander – Sweden – Buffalo Sabres

Nylander has been a star for the Swedes who are currently 3-0 in group play with a Saturday showdown against the Czech Republic on the horizon. The 2015 first round pick has a scoring point on seven of the teams 13 goals scored, and is leading the tournament with a plus-eight rating. Nylander has showcased his high-level skill and game breaking ability in his first few games of the tournament, which in the past has been a 19-year old dominated event.

The 18-year old wingers successes haven’t been limited to the WJC however, as he has been performing well for the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League with five goals and 12 assists in 29 games. Nylander is currently tied for 15^th among all AHL rookies, and is the only 18-year old on the list.

Kirill Kaprizov – Russia – Minnesota Wild

Kaprizov was pegged as a breakout performer to watch in this years WJC, and he has been just that. The Russian forward is currently leading all players at this year’s tournament with five goals and three assists in just three games.

The 19-year old has been on a torrid scoring pace in the KHL with 30 points in 37 games. In the past, the KHL has not been a league that has been kind to younger players, so Kaprizov’s success is absolutely something to take notice of. His point-per-game pace is in line with other players such as Evgeny Kuznetsov who have made the jump from the KHL to the NHL rather seamlessly. If his offense carries over to North America the Wild will be getting a steal from a fifth round pick. 

Tage Thompson – United States – St. Louis Blues

As one of the less talked about names on Team USA coming into the tournament, Thompson has been terrific through three games. His highlight reel goal against Slovakia was looped over and over this week as one of the early top plays of the tournament. However, it has been his ability to use his body and hands to open up space to unleash his NHL-level shot that has scouts quite excited for the type of NHL player that he could become following his college career.

Thompson has a goal and two assists in three games for Team USA, building on the success of his sophomore season at UCONN. The Blues first round pick from 2015 has 20 points in 18 games, leading the Huskies as half of a formidable scoring duo with San Jose prospect Maxim Letunov.

Clayton Keller – United States – Arizona Coyotes

Keller has been as advertised through three games at the WJC, acting as the catalyst for Team USA’s offense. His five points in three games rank in a tie for eighth place in the tournament, and are even more impressive as the United States has done a terrific job in spreading around its offense in the group games.

As a freshman at Boston University, Keller has posted 1.5 points per game, good for 10^th in the NCAA’s despite playing only 10 games due to a midseason lower-body injury.

Yegor Rykov – Russia – New Jersey Devils

Mikhail Sergachev had all the headlines coming into the tournament when mentioning Russian defensemen, but it has been the 2016 fifth round pick, Rykov that has been turning heads. The New Jersey prospect leads all defensemen at the WJC in points, with six through three games. Rykov is the only Russian defensemen that has more than one point in the tournament.

Rykov is a good two-way defender who has had some success at the international level, acting as Russia’s captain at the U-18 level. He has had modest success in the KHL this season for a stacked SKA St. Petersburg club. Keep an eye on whether he re-ups with his KHL team or makes the jump to North America following this season.

Dylan Strome – Canada – Arizona Coyotes

After being sent back to Erie by the Arizona Coyotes following seven games at the NHL level, Strome was considered by most to be the best prospect playing in the 2017 WJC. The 2016 third overall pick was named Team Canada’s captain, and would be looking to add on to a six point effort from a year ago when Canada finished a disappointing sixth.

So far so good for Strome, who has driven a good amount of Canada’s offense both at even strength and with the man advantage. His seven points in three games are good for a tie for second with Nylander, and one off the pace of Kaprizov. He will face a good test against Team USA Saturday afternoon.

Felix Sandström – Sweden – Philadelphia Flyers

A year ago, Linus Söderström took home the best goaltender award at the 2016 WJC for Sweden, and thus far, Sandström is following in his countryman’s footsteps. Sweden has allowed just four goals in the tournaments first three games, and Sandström has been a big reason.

The 19-year old has played every minute thus far for Tre Kronor, allowing just four goals, with just one coming at even strength. He is currently sporting a .939% save percentage and a 1.33 goals against average. Sandström has also been stellar for his club, Brynäs, where he has featured in 11 games with a 2.00 goals against average and a .920% save percentage.

Nico Hischier – Switzerland – 2017 Draft Eligible

With Nolan Patrick missing the 2017 WJC due to injury and Timothy Liljegren not making Sweden’s final roster, it was Hischier who could benefit most in terms of his 2017 NHL Draft stock with a strong tournament. Through three games, the Halifax Mooseheads star has proven that his QMJHL form can carry over to international play putting up five points for Switzerland.

The Swiss have won twice in overtime and currently sit fourth in group A with a showdown with Finland yet to come. He was especially active in a 4-3 overtime win against the Czech Republic, with the OT game-winner and two assists. Hischier and teammate Damien Riat each lead Switzerland in scoring and both will need to take their game to another level if Switzerland is going play spoiler in the quarterfinal round.

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