The Waiver Wire: Hockey's Future On Display

The Waiver Wire: Glancing into Hockey's Future

The holiday season has come and gone, and with its departure arrives the IIHF Under 20 World Hockey Championships – or the World Juniors, as it's commonly known. In Canada, it's a tradition for these two weeks to stop and watch the world's best battle it out, as the stars from this tournament often go on to be superstars in the NHL. Fantasy GMs should take notice, as this is an opportunity to do some easy scouting with an eye to the future – and watch some great hockey in the process. Here's our take on some players to keep an eye on in this year's edition:

Connor McDavid C, CAN – 2015 Draft Eligible – There's been plenty written about his accomplishments and skill to this point in his career, but he has yet to definitively prove his reputation as the next super-elite player in the World Juniors tournament. As a member of last year's fourth place squad, he looked very much the youthful 16-year old that he was – registering a goal and three assists in seven games. This rather mortal showing in last year's contest is very different than the year he was having in Erie of the OHL prior to breaking his hand in a fight this November. Through 18 games, he put up an ungodly 51 points with 26 PIM and a jaw-dropping plus-34. There seems little doubt that he'll be the first-overall pick in this coming draft year, and all eyes will be looking at him to carry a leadership role on juggernaut Team Canada, and solidify his reputation as "The Next One".

Jack Eichel C, USA – 2015 Draft Eligible – One wonders if you can mention Connor McDavid without mentioning his American doppleganger Jack Eichel in the same breath. Scouts have been branding the 2015 draft year the "McEichel Sweepstakes" for at least the last year - and with good reason as both are going to be superstars in the NHL. Eichel is currently at Boston University, and at 6'2" and 193 lbs. is a far more imposing figure than his 18 years would indicate. While he may not have the prodigious statistics that McDavid has this season, his 27 points in 16 games is still exceptional, including a plus-21 rating. He also outscored McDavid in last year's World Juniors, where he was one of the most dangerous weapons Team USA had, netting a goal and four assists in five games. The matchup of the tournament will be the upcoming game against Team Canada on New Year's Eve at 4:00PM EST, where Eichel and McDavid can truly show the scouts who's the better pick.

William Nylander C, SWE – 1st Round (8th Overall) 2014, Toronto – There was a lot of discussion around the first-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs this year; first, the thought was at the draft that he was far too boom-or-bust, and that a wiser choice would have been Canadian Nick Ritchie. After he was selected, the discussion circulated that he was too small to play in the NHL – as he showed up to training camp weighing 169 lbs. and only stands 5'9". Once he started to impress, the talk suddenly became where he would find a home in a crowded roster. He was loaned to the SHL in order to season and grow a bit more, and in 19 games, he has eight goals and 11 assists – that total would place him third in the league in points-per-game. As a member of Team Sweden at this year's World Juniors, he already has two goals in the first two games, and looks even more dynamic and dangerous than that total suggests. If Sweden is to win gold at the tournament, Nylander will have to continue to put the puck in the net against much harder competition.

Curtis Lazar C, CAN – 1st Round (17th Overall) 2013, Ottawa – As the captain of Team Canada this year, he will enjoy being front-and-center of the deepest and most dangerous team that the nation has fielded in quite some time. He has the most NHL experience of any player on the roster this year, having netted seven points in 27 games for the Senators this year. It's that experience that will be counted on in addition to his noteworthy scoring touch; in his last year in the WHL, he had 76 points in 58 games, including 41 goals. Early indications have him patrolling the wing on Connor McDavid's line, which bodes well for his visibility and the opportunities he will receive. He's a multi-tooled talent that can excel at all areas of the game, and his ability will be on display for all to see. If he can produce, Canada will be difficult to stop this year.

Mikko Rantanen C/W, FIN – 2015 Draft Eligible – Here's something that neither Eichel or McDavid can say: two games into the tournament, Rantanen has all of his team's goals. While that's rather disappointing for Team Finland, in two tough losses to Russia and Slovakia, it is showing the world that there are more than two gifted players available in this year's draft. The defending champs have a true talent with this youngster, who has looked dangerous whenever he has stepped onto the ice. As an 18-year old, he's playing in his second season in the Finnish Elite League, where he has ten points in 30 games. Standing 6'4" and weighing in at well over 200 lbs., he's far more mature physically than many others his age, and if he can learn to use his size effectively, he may very well forecast to become a Finnish Mats Sundin.

Max Domi W, CAN – 1st Round (12th Overall) 2013, Arizona – Son of former NHLer Tie Domi, Max has stepped out of his father's shadow in a big way. Where the elder Domi was a legendary enforcer, the younger is a skilled and speedy playmaker with a scoring touch. In the first two games of the tournament, he has easily been the most dynamic and electric player on the ice, registering two goals and an assist. That total could easily have been double, as he had a multitude of exceptional scoring chances during both games that simply didn't pan out. The Coyotes have a live wire here, and if he can translate his game to the NHL level, he could be a fantasy juggernaut. Watching him play makes us think of Brad Marchand or Brendan Gallagher – small, skilled, fast, and a delight for hockey fans everywhere (except on teams that have to play against him).

Jacob de la Rose C, SWE – 2nd Round (34th Overall) 2013, Montreal – Quite to the surprise of everyone, especially the Canadiens' brass, one of the highlights of the tournament so far has been the play of de la Rose, a second round pick from 2013. In the first two games, he has two goals and two assists and is currently tied for second in tournament scoring. Looking at his junior play thus far in his career, this output wasn't expected – he's currently in his first year as a North American pro, where he has five points in 29 games for Hamilton in the AHL. It seems as though that experience is paying off for him in this juniors-only tournament, where he has been dominant. If Sweden is going to progress through the difficult round-robin, he'll have to continue his exceptional form.

Nic Petan C/W, CAN – 2nd Round (43rd Overall) 2013, Winnipeg – If Jacob de la Rose has been a surprise, imagine what a windfall Nic Petan has been for the Jets. Taken nine spots behind the Swede, Petan has turned into an offensive powerhouse for Team Canada so far, leading the tournament in points with six through two games. Granted, these two games were against Slovakia and Germany, two of the weaker teams in the competition, but the 19-year old didn't take his opposition lightly. Completing the Connor McDavid-Curtis Lazar line, the three wunderkinds have a combined ten points, and should be the main scoring engine for the duration of the competition. Petan has looked like a perfect blend of playmaker and finisher, and would look fantastic in a Winnipeg jersey at some point in the near future. We're certain that the combination of Mark Scheifele and Nic Petan will be coming to a scoresheet in 2016.

Chase de Leo C/W, USA – 4th Round (99th Overall) 2014, Winnipeg – Another fantastic late-round draft by the Jets, de Leo looks to be cashing in on the opportunity he has before him to wow. Scoring a beautiful shoot-out goal to win the first game for Team USA over the defending champ Finns, de Leo has all the pedigree to be a dominant figure in this tournament. With 209 points in 246 career games in the WHL for the Portland Winterhawks, he was deserving to go much higher than the fourth round, but his diminutive size (5'9" and 179 lbs.) was a key issue. Whether he finds the keys to converting his raw skill into the NHL game, which is played by men far bigger than him, remains front and center to his future, but he should be able to dazzle this tournament, and help Team USA go far.