In preparation for the 2015 World Junior Championships, Team USA holds an evaluation camp for top eligible players in Lake Placid, New York, and two other countries take part in practices and games, as well.
This year's group at the national junior evaluation camp included Sweden and Finland, and I was able to gather intel on all of these players, a group that includes drafted prospects (including multiple first-rounders from recent drafts) as well as top prospects for the 2015 and 2016 drafts.
Here are the players who stood out the most from viewings at practices and games, as well as conversations with scouts, coaches and other folks at the event:
Auston Matthews | RW | USA | 2016 NHL draft eligible
Matthews was born and raised in Scottsdale, Arizona, and had some very impressive flashes. A player who was a regular at Arizona Coyotes games as a toddler and is not a second generation professional hockey player, he may be the first elite prospect to be influenced by that area's investment in NHL hockey.
"He's so talented," said one NHL scout about Matthews, "he can make defensemen look foolish."
As the clear youngest player at the camp, his physical game obviously needs work; however, he'll bulk up over the years. On the other hand, in terms of offensive skill and offensive IQ, he's already really high end.
"If [Matthews] and [Jack] Eichel were in the same draft year, I'd flip a coin," as one scout put it. It's somewhat safe to say that Matthews' development is close to the same point now as Eichel's was at this time last season.
Juuse Saros | G | Finland | Nashville Predators
The No. 99 overall pick of the 2013 draft drew praise from those in attendance.
"He's got as good a chance as any goalie at his size [5-foot-10] to play in the NHL," said one NHL executive.
He showed electric ability, with many in attendance praising his elite lateral abilities. Saros has really quick feet, an attribute that lets him move across the crease well, but also makes him excellent in controlling the puck and keeping shots away from the lower part of the net.
Sonny Milano | C/LW | USA | Columbus Blue Jackets
Milano's standout attributes are his elite puck skills and creative offensive mind, but what stood out for me is also how well he battled. He's not huge for a forward -- 6-foot, 183 pounds -- so he's not going to win every one-on-one confrontation, but he threw his body around and showed effort on defense, both of which bode well for his projection given his high skill level.
The No. 16 overall pick this June, Milano told me he is playing for Boston College this season.
Axel Holmstrom | C | Sweden | Detroit Red Wings
Holmstrom was a seventh-round pick (No. 196 overall) by the Red Wings this year, and at the time of the draft there were some scouts in Sweden who thought he should have gone higher. He was quite impressive at this camp, playing in Sweden's top six and being quite effective offensively.
Holmstrom has a pretty high skill level, and he looks like he's bulked up over the past few months, as well. It's not crazy to think he'll be a top 10 prospect for Detroit by next summer.
Jack Eichel | C | USA | 2015 draft eligible
My No. 2 2015 NHL draft prospect, Eichel actually wasn't his typically amazing self here, but he did show off those amazing qualities on occasion.
He has elite puck skills, and as one evaluator put it, "With his reach and hands, he's able to make so many people miss because they can't touch him and all of a sudden he's by them."
Eichel still needs to bulk up more to be effective against stronger opponents at the pro level, but whether it's in open ice or even in tight spaces, he's able to make a lot of plays.
Louis Belpedio | D | USA | Minnesota Wild
Belpedio showed off an impressive range of abilities. His skating, two-way IQ and puck-moving skills were all on display, and he showed that even though he's on the smaller side (5-10, 194 pounds), he looks like a quality prospect.
He jumped into the offensive play a lot, and created puck movement and chances in transition.
"He's been assertive, and certainly has found a way to get himself noticed," Team USA head coach Mark Osiecki said.
Dylan Larkin | C/LW | USA | Detroit Red Wings
The No. 15 overall pick this June, Larkin really stood out with his skating ability. He was one of the bigger forwards at the camp in terms of frame development, but was arguably the fastest player, as well, which helped him keep consistent offensive zone pressure even without plus hands.
J.T. Compher | C | USA | Buffalo Sabres
Compher was impressive all through the camp.
"He could be the kind of player who will match up against other team's best players," USA Hockey's Dan Granato said. "He'll score goals in different ways, and put offensive pressure on counterattacks."
He showed a lot of competitiveness in battles and a willingness to get back on defense, combined with good creativity and awareness offensively to generate scoring chances. He will be a key player for Team USA at the WJC.
Robert Hagg | D | Sweden | Philadelphia Flyers
A minutes eater on Sweden's under-18 team, Hagg was slotted into a similar role on the under-20 group here.
"He is solid in his own end, makes good decisions with the puck and has a pretty good shot," Sweden coach Rikard Gronborg said of the Uppsala native.
Hagg was effective in a shutdown role, while also getting the puck up in transition and making a few plays inside the offensive blue line. Some evaluators around the rink questioned if he'd even be available for the WJC, as he may at one point make a play into the lineup for Philly's AHL team.
Anders Bjork | C/LW | USA | Boston Bruins
As is the case with a number of young players, Bjork still needs to bulk up, but I like what he showed in terms of speed and skill. He wasn't a top player at the camp, but he showed budding offensive potential; even without great size, he can be involved in the play.