10 intriguing prospects to watch at the world juniors

With the 2021 World Junior Championship set to begin, we're identifying 10 intriguing players to watch in the tournament.

This list is not strictly made of the best players participating. These prospects may have something to prove, are flying under the radar, or we're simply curious about how they handle the top junior international competition.

Cole Perfetti

Country: Canada
NHL draft: 10th overall, 2020 (Winnipeg Jets)
Position: Center/Left wing
Age: 18

Don't be surprised if Perfetti plays with a chip on his shoulder. After many projected him as a top-five pick in the 2020 draft, he slid all the way down to No. 10, where the Jets happily scooped him up. The knock on Perfetti was his small stature and below average straight-line speed.

Canada has so much depth that a prominent role will not be handed to Perfetti. But if a player with his skill and smarts is feeling extra motivated, he could dominate this tournament.

Connor McMichael

Country: Canada
NHL draft: 25th overall, 2019 (Washington Capitals)
Position: Center/Left wing
Age: 19

On Canada's loaded roster, McMicael is not receiving the same amount of hype or intrigue as teammates Kirby Dach, Quinton Byfield, Bowen Byram, and others. Those players were all top-five picks, so the hype is fair, but McMichael seems to be flying under the radar.

McMichael was sensational in the OHL last year, tallying 102 points in 52 games with the London Knights. He also starred for Canada at last year's tournament, racking up five goals and two assists in seven contests. We've all seen how valuable prior experience can be in this tournament, so don't be shocked if McMichael ends up in the running for MVP at this year's event.

Cole Caufield

Country: United States
NHL draft: 15th overall, 2019 (Montreal Canadiens)
Position: Right wing
Age: 19

Team USA has eight returning members from its 2020 squad, but it seems none have more to prove than Caufield. Pegged as a prolific goal-scorer, he found twine just once in last year's tournament while adding one assist. If the United States are to win gold, the 5-foot-7 winger will need to produce - especially without Nick Robertson - and he's more than capable of becoming the tournament's scoring leader.

Jake Sanderson

Country: United States
NHL draft: 5th overall, 2020 (Ottawa Senators)
Position: Defense
Age: 18

Sanderson needs to be watched closer than perhaps any high-end prospect in this tournament in order to be properly evaluated.

As a shutdown defenseman, he probably isn't going to make many highlight reels or light up the scoresheet.

How Sanderson handles matchups against opposing top players will be interesting to see. Senators fans can watch for his zone-entry defense, his ability to win one-on-one puck battles, and his breakout passes. Difficult tests could be had against top teams such as Canada, Russia, Sweden, and Finland.

Yaroslav Askarov

Country: Russia
NHL draft: 11th overall, 2020 (Nashville Predators)
Position: Goaltender
Age: 18

Askarov is arguably the best goalie prospect since Carey Price, but the youngster still has a lot to prove. He began last year's tournament as Russia's starter as a 17-year-old, but he disappointed with an .877 save percentage in five games. That experience should only help him. His .962 save percentage in seven KHL games this season indicates he's ready for the spotlight.

Yegor Chinakhov

Country: Russia
NHL draft: 21st overall, 2020 (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Position: Right wing
Age: 19

This tournament will not be the deciding factor in whether Chinakhov was a massive reach or a stroke of genius by Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen at this year's draft, but it will serve as the first chance for many to see him play.

Remember, several analysts didn't even have Chinakhov in their draft rankings. Most who did had a third-round grade on him. However, with a strong start to his season in the KHL, Chinakhov is proving he was worth the first-rounder.

Lucas Raymond

Country: Sweden
NHL draft: 4th overall, 2020 (Detroit Red Wings)
Position: Right wing
Age: 18

Team Sweden is in flux. Due to multiple positive COVID-19 tests, Tre Kronor was forced to leave behind a handful of players and his head coach. Leadership is going to be integral, and as one of two returning forwards, Raymond will be counted on to lead both on and off the ice.

Raymond is easily Sweden's most talented player. He had a decent showing with two goals and two assists in seven games at last year's tournament, but the 18-year-old has appeared to make strides this season. He's just two points off the Frolunda (SHL) team lead after finishing 17th on the club in points a year ago. He has the potential to light up this tournament.

Victor Soderstrom

Country: Sweden
NHL draft: 11th overall, 2019 (Arizona Coyotes)
Position: Defense
Age: 19

There are three guarantees in life: death, taxes, and Sweden producing quality defensemen. Soderstrom is one of the latest, although he doesn't seem to get the same recognition as someone like Philip Broberg, who was picked three spots ahead of him at the 2019 draft by the Edmonton Oilers.

However, Soderstrom was excellent at last year's tournament, tallying a goal and five assists in seven games. He isn't overly flashy, but the smooth-skating two-way defender could be one of the top performers in this tournament, and potentially a future NHL star.

Ville Heinola

Country: Finland
NHL draft: 20th overall, 2019 (Jets)
Position: Defense
Age: 19

Heinola is one of the most polished players in this tournament. The blue-liner is in his third season in the Finnish pro league, and he also suited up in eight games for the Jets last season, recording five points.

Finland doesn't have any other blue-chip prospects on defense, so Heinola may be required to play more meaningful minutes than anyone else in this tournament. If Finland goes deep, don't be surprised if Heinola is named top defenseman.

Brad Lambert

Country: Finland
NHL draft: 2022 eligible
Position: Center/Right wing
Age: 16

It's unclear how large a role Lambert will play for Finland, but it's always interesting to watch 16-year-olds in this tournament, especially when they're representing prominent nations.

Lambert is one of the top prospects available in the 2022 NHL draft. Though Shane Wright, who was cut by Team Canada, remains the consensus top prospect, Lambert could help raise his stock with a strong showing at the world juniors. He's held his own in Finland's top professional league, posting seven points in 18 games.