Another year, another IIHF World Junior Championship where Canada is the odds-on favorite to take the title. The season's edition does not include the all-world Connor McDavid -- as last year's squad did -- but several of his draft classmates will wear the maple leaf, and once again the roster is loaded with players that will one day be skating in key roles for their NHL clubs.
This year's roster includes four players who skated on last year's championship team (Lawson Crouse, Joe Hicketts, Brayden Point and Jake Virtanen), but it's worth noting that a Canadian team has not won the WJC title on European ice since 2008. Before the tourney gets underway -- the preliminary round begins on Dec. 26 -- here are scouting notes on all 23 Team Canada players:
Note: Players are listed alphabetically by position and are presented along with the team that owns each player's rights. Draft prospects are denoted as such.
Forwards
Mathew Barzal, C, New York Islanders
Barzal nearly made the Islanders out of their camp, and so far has been very impressive in his third WHL season. He's as elusive a playmaker as there is in major junior, with high-end vision, puck skills and agility. He could stand to simplify his game a little at times, and not always go for the high-difficulty play; on the other hand, his creativity drives his output and could make him a top-six center at the NHL level.
Anthony Beauvillier, LW, New York Islanders
Beauvillier's been one of the best -- if not the best -- players in the QMJHL this season, creating a ton of chances and shots. He shows above-average or better abilities in every skill category, except for his physical play. Despite the fact that he's primarily known as a playmaker, Beauvillier could be a useful penalty killer and bottom-six, even-strength player for Canada at this event.
Rourke Chartier, LW, San Jose Sharks
Chartier is a player I've discussed several times as a riser from the 2014 draft class, and while he is not too dynamic offensively, he shows solid or better skating and offensive IQ, coupled with above-average defensive play. He could be a very useful penalty killer for Team Canada, and can hold his own just fine versus the better 1996 birth date players.
Lawson Crouse, LW, Florida Panthers
The often-discussed Crouse has been excellent with Kingston this season, being one of the CHL's top two-way forwards, and he should be an all-situations anchor for this Canadian team. He's an excellent skater for a big man (6-foot-4, 209 pounds), who reads the game well off the puck, wins a ton of battles and gets his share of scoring chances, too.
Julien Gauthier, RW, 2016 draft eligible
Gauthier is among the top prospects in the upcoming draft class, who has a unique combination of skill and finishing ability for a man his size (6-4, 212 pounds). His goal-scoring so far in the QMJHL this season has been phenomenal, and while scoring is more his thing, he is also a good playmaker with top-end puck skills. His off-the-puck play could be better, but a guy like Gauthier screams offensive upside in the NHL.
Travis Konecny, RW, Philadelphia Flyers
Konecny's been a little unfortunate at times this season, having one of the lowest shooting percentages among the top OHL scorers. The other aspects of his game have been strong, as he's made defenders miss with his skill plays, and played with good tempo. His lack of bulk remain less than ideal, but as he showed at Flyers camp this fall, he has the grit to win battles versus pros once the strength level comes along.
Mitch Marner, C, Toronto Maple Leafs
Like last season, Marner has dominated the OHL, being the main anchor on probably the best line in the CHL (with Matthew Tkachuk and Christian Dvorak). He draws your attention every time he's on the ice, making unique plays around the puck due to his skating, hands and vision. He's incredibly difficult to check, and is able to take that extra second to create offensive chances.
Brendan Perlini, LW, Arizona Coyotes
Perlini has looked excellent this season, to where I think he's a strong candidate to break with the Coyotes next season. He's an absolutely fantastic skater for a big man (6-foot-3, 205 pounds), who can make skilled plays too. His decisions aren't always the best, but his raw physical tools create chances with consistency and he can overwhelm defenses at times.
Brayden Point, C, Tampa Bay Lightning
Point went right down to the last minute in Tampa's camp, and this tournament is his time to shine in front of an international audience. Point's skating is not blow-you-away fast, but he's quick and extremely elusive. His skill and his hockey IQ are top-end, as he can dazzle with his playmaking. In all likelihood, Point will center one of Canada's top lines.
John Quenneville, C, New Jersey Devils
Quenneville was the 30th overall pick by the Devils two years ago. While I don't get overly excited about him as a prospect, it's not because he's not a real NHL prospect; he just doesn't do any one thing at a particularly high level. He's got skill, above-average vision, works hard, has size, all of which are components you want in a potential top-nine NHL forward.
Mitchell Stephens, C, Tampa Bay Lightning
Frequent readers will know I'm a Mitchell Stephens guy, and I've only been more impressed with him during the brief period he's played this season (he sustained an injury early on). Stephens is a fantastic skater who plays the game hard, but also shows fine puck possession skills offensively and makes things happen. He's a true two-way forward.
Dylan Strome, C, Arizona Coyotes
Strome should center a scoring line for Canada. He is one of those big playmakers down the middle that can wreak havoc for other teams. His hockey sense is off-the-charts good, and his chemistry with Marner should make for a few highlight-reel moments from the tournament. He's not the quickest in terms of footspeed, but his game processing speed is incredible.
Jake Virtanen, RW, Vancouver Canucks
While Vancouver keeping Virtanen up for 20 games this season was somewhat questionable, there is no doubt he's a high-end prospect, and playing against his 1996 birth date age group he could shine offensively. Virtanen's end-to-end rushes can be very entertaining due to his elite speed and the tenacity he plays with. His west-east skill isn't overwhelming, but it's above-average and he has a big-time shot as well.
Defensemen
Thomas Chabot, D, Ottawa Senators
I've been slow to jump on the "Chabot is a top-end prospect" bandwagon. But I'm much more on board now, in particular due to his improved defensive play this season, though he remains an offensively tilted kind of guy. Chabot's skating is ridiculously good. Combined with his offensive IQ, he gains the zone off the rush with high frequency, and can be an offensive catalyst for this squad.
Travis Dermott, D, Toronto Maple Leafs
Dermott has been more of a two-way defender in the OHL, but on this team his smart, reliable offensive prowess will be the leaned-upon feature of his game. Canada head coach Lowry has tried him out extensively with Marner and Strome on a power-play unit already.
Haydn Fleury, D, Carolina Hurricanes
I haven't been thrilled with Fleury's post-draft development (and Carolina is not thrilled with my opinion!) but he's expected to be a top performer here against his age group. His skating is outstanding for a big man (6-foot-3, 203 pounds), and while his offensive awareness hasn't looked too impressive to me, he can be a rock defensively, with solid offensive output at this event.
Joe Hicketts, D, Detroit Red Wings
Nicknamed "Little Joe Hicketts" (by yours truly), Joe has been arguably the best defenseman in the WHL this season. He's a two-way force, with excellent mobility, puck movement and a penchant for physical play not often seen in tiny defenders (he's 5-foot-8, 176 pounds). The undrafted Hicketts is expected to be one of the top defensemen at the tournament.
Brandon Hickey, D, Calgary Flames
The lone representative from the NCAA on Team Canada (he skates for Boston University), Hickey is a reliable two-way defenseman who is mobile and very physical, with solid puck-moving skills and a big shot. He has a lot of NHL tools, and while he still has room to develop his game, he does have upside.
Roland McKeown, D, Carolina Hurricanes
McKeown's a very good skater who doesn't have a brilliant end-to-end rush kind of style, but is very smart and reliable transitioning the play and making stops in his own end. He's been one of the best defensemen in the OHL this season, logging a ton of minutes for Kingston. If he sticks with the team, it would probably be in a third-pairing or penalty kill type of role.
Travis Sanheim, D, Philadelphia Flyers
Sanheim's been banged up this season, but one expects he'll be one of the first guys that will hop over the boards for Canada when there is a power-play opportunity. His mobility and skill are fantastic, displaying a lot of creativity as a puck mover. While his play in the defensive zone isn't at as high a level, he's shown improvements in that area this season.
Goaltenders
Mackenzie Blackwood, G, New Jersey Devils
Blackwood was the favorite to start on Boxing Day for Canada, prior to a two-game suspension handing the job to Mason McDonald. He's a very dynamic goaltender with explosive side-to-side movements, who also reads the play at an above-average level. He's been dominant in the OHL this season, and is a real top-end goalie prospect.
Mason McDonald, G, Calgary Flames
McDonald's save percentage numbers have dipped this season, but when he's on, he has the athleticism and dynamic tools to steal a game, like he did when he last played for Canada at the World under-18 championships. While he has some admirable aggressiveness and agile traits to his game, he could stand to square up shots a little better.
Samuel Montembeault, Florida Panthers
Though his save percentage has dipped this season (to .886 through 22 games from .891 in 52 games last season), Montembault was named to the QMJHL squad for the Super Series, and will serve as the third goalie here. He's a big goalie who has a lot of room to fill out, as he visibly doesn't cover as much net as he could. He's also not an athletic stalwart, but his lower-body movements are at an above-average level.