Don't expect many surprises on podium in Edmonton bubble
The coronavirus pandemic has upended every detail about daily life.
Don't expect it to have the same kind of impact on the medal podium at the 2021 world junior hockey championship in Edmonton.
Since 2001, when the Czech Republic won gold for the second time in two years, all of the medals have been claimed by five countries — Canada, Russia, the United States, Sweden and Finland.
The exceptions came in 2005, when the Czechs won bronze, and in 2015, when Slovakia won bronze.
With the skill and depth Canada, Russia and the U.S. will boast, thanks partly to the fact the NHL is not conducting its business, the usual suspects should be rewarded with medals on Jan. 5.
“The top teams are going to be the top teams again,” Calgary Flames director of amateur scouting Tod Button said. “I don't see surprises.”
Group A will feature Canada, Finland, Switzerland, Slovakia and Germany.
In Group B will be Russia, Sweden, the U.S., the Czech Republic and Austria.
A glance at the contenders:
CANADA
Recent history: Three golds in the past six years, including last winter in the Czech Republic; Sixteen medals in 20 years, including eight gold
Skinny: As North American Central Scouting's Mark Seidel said to us, Canada is loaded … Six returning players — forwards Dylan Cozens, Quinton Byfield, Connor McMichael and Dawson Mercer and defencemen Bowen Byram and Jamie Drysdale — are key … Chicago's Kirby Dach will lead up front. Every Canadian forward is an NHL first-round pick (eight in 2019, six in 2020) … Defence corps is strong and deep. Lone potential question mark is in goal, where later-round picks Devon Levi and Dylan Garand, as well as 2021 prospect Taylor Gauthier, hope to emerge.
RUSSIA
Recent history: Since winning gold in Buffalo in 2011, has not won, losing in final four times; has medalled in nine of past 10 years Skinny: Many are curious to see how new coach Igor Larionov utilizes his team. “They probably surpass Canada in terms of ultimate skill (at forward),” Seidel said. “They are going to come at you in waves from that front end.”… Yaroslav Askarov has the ability
to be the best goalie in the tournament, which could be vital on a club that won't have a ton of experience on the back end … Forwards Vasili Podkolzin, Rodion Amirov, Mikhail Abramov, Yegor Chinakhov and Yegor Afanasayev have the talent to be difference makers in tight games.
UNITED STATES
Recent history: Three of the Americans' four world junior golds have come in the past 11 years; last year marked first time in five tournaments U.S. did not medal Skinny: On the off chance that Spencer Knight falters, the U.S. can turn to Dustin Wolf in net. It's the best one-two punch in goal in the tournament … Even without Nick Robertson, the forward group is deep. Among those leading the way are Cole Caufield, Alex Turcotte, Trevor Zegras and Arthur Kaliyev … Cam York is the lone returning defenceman from last year and will be vital. Jake Sanderson, the fifth pick overall by the Ottawa Sena
tors in the 2020 draft, will make a blue-line impact.
FINLAND
Recent history: In the past seven tournaments, the Finns have taken gold three times; otherwise, Finland has not medalled since 2006, when it won bronze
Skinny: Finland always plays a hard, spirited game. That won't change … There's a solid group of defencemen who will play in front of probable starting goalie Joel Blomqvist, including Ville Heinola, Mikko Kokkonen and Santeri Hatakka … Captain Anton Lundell returns after missing the tournament last year and will lead a formidable group. Two players to watch: Samuel Helenius, a 2021 draft prospect, and 17-yearold Brad Lambert, a 2022 draft prospect … Finland made some interesting roster decisions, leaving 2021 first-round prospect Aatu Raty at home, as well as Patrik Puistola, who led the team in goals last year.
SWEDEN
Recent history: Since winning its second world junior gold in 2012, Sweden has lost in the final three times and won bronze once; Sweden's 11 silvers are the most among all countries
Skinny: The biggest challenge could be overcoming the effect of the coronavirus after the majority of its coaching staff, including head coach Tomas Monten, tested positive and stayed home. The same fate befell defenceman William Wallinder and forward William Eklund, among others … Sweden is set in net with returnee Hugo Alnefelt, who had a .924 save percentage in six games last year … The defence corps is anchored by 2019 first-rounders Philip Broberg, Victor Soderstrom and Tobias Bjornfot … Forwards Lucas Raymond and Alexander Holtz lead up front.
THE REST …
Germany was forced into quarantine after eight players tested positive on Dec. 18. Still, Ottawa first-rounder Tim Stuetzle and Buffalo second-rounder John-Jason Peterka will bear watching. Not having defenceman Moritz Seider, who decided not to take part, will hurt … Keep an eye on Austria, if only to see what Marco Rossi can accomplish … Michal Mrazik and Dominik Jendek will be key for Slovakia after Maxim Cajkovic was cut … Lorenzo Canonica, a 2021 draft prospect, could open some eyes for Switzerland … Montreal Canadiens prospect and forward Jan Mysak should be integral for the Czech Republic.