Top 10 World Junior fantasy value changes

It’s never a good thing to get too disappointed or excited by a World Junior appearance. After all, the maximum amount of games they play is seven, the same as one round of the NHL playoffs.

But we’re fantasy general managers. We can’t help ourselves. We see someone playing great or poorly for a few games and we decide this means the person can or can’t be a great NHLer.

Sometimes an underwhelming World Juniors doesn’t affect the player’s stock at all. Habs prospect Mikhail Sergachev had just one assist in seven games but no one is talking about his performance despite a bronze-winning performance by the Russians.

But there were a lot of players who saw their stock rise or fall. Below we focus on 10. We’re only looking at players that have already been drafted into the NHL.

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10. Olli Juolevi – down

It’s probably already difficult for a prospect in the Canucks farm system to see his stock drop, but that’s what happened to Juolevi after the world juniors. The Finnish captain had just two points in six games. Many Finnish players failed to show up (they are the first team in history to be in the relegation series a year after winning gold) and the coaches were fired during the tournament, but it was still a disappointment for the highest-drafted defenseman in the 2016 class. (Juolevi's fantasy scouting profile here)

9. Ilya Samsonov – up

If you look just at Samsonov’s record at the World Juniors, you wouldn’t be impressed. After all, a 3-2-1 record doesn’t look that great. But Samsonov was dynamite during the whole tournament on a Russian team that wasn’t really that good. He had an amazing 2.05 GAA and a .934 save percentage. He made 38 saves in a semi-final loss and then another 38 saves in the bronze medal game against the heavily favoured Sweden. He’ll be a few years away from the NHL as he was drafted by Washington. (Samsonov's fantasy scouting profile here)

8. Pierre-Luc Dubois – down

Dubois stock took a bit of a hit after the tournament as he never seemed to find his stride this year. Despite all the hype and the top-line minutes, Dubois had zero goals and five assists in the seven games. (Interesting note: Dubois was traded by his Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team the day after the gold medal loss). The Columbus Blue Jacket seemed lost out there and with 18 points in 20 QMJHL games, he’s not doing a lot to justify his third overall selection. (Dubois' fantasy scouting profile here)

7. Tyler Parsons – up

This was certainly a tournament for goalkeepers. Two of them are on this list (and a third just outside), but none saw their stock rise more than Parsons. Parsons was selected in the second round by the Calgary Flames in 2016 just after winning the Memorial Cup and being named goalie MVP there. Backstopping the U.S. to a World Juniors gold medal is another huge accomplishment. Parsons was undefeated during the tournament. It should also help his stock knowing that the Flames are devoid of goaltending prospects (as well as being devoid of NHL-calibre goalies). (Parsons' fantasy scouting profile here)

6. Charles McAvoy – up

McAvoy seemed to be a dominant force every time he stepped on the ice. His six points were tied for third among defenseman and he was named player of the game in the gold medal game. He also had a little bit of sandpaper to his game with 12 PIM. McAvoy was selected by the Bruins in the 2016 draft and plays for Boston University. (McAvoy's fantasy scouting profile here)

5. Clayton Keller – up

It is interesting to note that Keller’s stock has increased while a fellow Coyotes first-round prospect saw his stock drop tremendously (more on him later). Keller had 11 points, which led the American squad and was third overall. There’s already talk that he’ll be making the Coyotes next season instead of spending a second year with Boston University. (Keller's fantasy scouting profile here)

4. Kirill Kaprizov – up

The Russians had pretty much just one line going all tournament, and that was Kaprizov’s line. The Russian forward led the tournament with nine goals, five power play goals and tied for the lead with 12 points. He was drafted in the fifth round (135^th overall) by the Wild in 2015 but may never leave the KHL. He still had an impressive tournament and the best time to deal him would have been immediately after the world juniors. (Kaprizov's fantasy scouting profile here)

3. Colin White – up

The Sens first round draft pick in 2015, White was easily the most dominant player almost every time he stepped on the ice. He was always a threat to score. He had a goal in six of seven games and fell one goal short of tying Jeremy Roenick’s for the most goals by an American in one World Juniors. He scored twice in the semi-final game against Russia, and then scored the goal that made it 4-4 against Canada. (White's fantasy scouting profile here)

2. Dylan Strome – down

It seems odd that a player can be captain of team Canada, lead his team in points, be fourth in tournament points, and win silver when many doubted the team would even medal, and still be labelled a major disappointment. But that’s where we are with Strome. Some thought Strome was too one-dimensional, missed the net quite often and wasn’t that creative with the puck. The Coyotes prospect has been taking a lot of abuse since the gold medal game last Thursday. If you have any ounce of faith in Strome becoming a solid NHLer, this is your best bet to pick him up. (Strome's fantasy scouting profile here)

1. Thomas Chabot – up

The Ottawa Senators had a great World Juniors when it came to their prospects. Chabot looked excellent for Canada. He led all defensemen in goals with four and points with 10. He also scored two power play goals. He was named best defenseman and the most valuable player, the first defenseman to ever get that honour. The Sens need another defenseman who can move the puck and Chabot looks like he will be able to fill that role aptly. (Chabot's fantasy scouting profile here)