After coming agonizingly close to gold in last year's World Junior Championship, Canada is coming back with its typical impressive roster. Boasting depth in all positions, Canada has a returning goalie coming into the tournament hot, a defense with high-end mobility and dynamic elements and four lines that can score.
Much has been made of late about the lack of star power on the Canadian roster, particularly up front. That stems mostly from the fact that there are only four first-round draft picks among the 13 forwards selected for the team. Considering we're used to seeing a top-five pick or two among the forwards, it's easy to be spoiled, but don't let the draft status fool you. There is talent throughout the lineup.
That's especially true on defense, where four of the seven defensemen are first-round picks. One of the three who wasn't, Victor Mete, has spent the entire first half of the season in the NHL. However, Boston University defenseman Dante Fabbro (one of those first-rounders) may not be able to play after getting injured. That would be a significant loss, as Fabbro is viewed as part of this team's leadership core and is among Canada's most versatile defensemen.
Even without Fabbro, the Canadians have a blue line that can get the puck up ice in a hurry. There's a ton of skill and mobility on the back end, which is going to help that forward group quite a bit. Canada has speed throughout the lineup and should be pretty deadly in transition. As usual, it's going to be in the mix for gold, even if few are picking them as favorites. (I'm not among those few.)
To get you ready for the tournament, here's a look at which players to watch more closely for Team Canada. Have a look at our full report on Team USA, as well as a run through players to watch from the European teams.
Team USA | European teams
Carter Hart, G, Everett Silvertips (Philadelphia Flyers)
Simply put, Hart is playing out of his mind this year. The 19-year-old netminder has a .961 save percentage in 17 games for Everett, leading the WHL. He hasn't allowed more than three goals in any game and owns five shutouts already, which is saying something in a league where the scoreboards have essentially been exploding. He also shut out Russia in his only start of the Canada-Russia series and most recently blanked the Czech Republic in a pre-tournament game.
It also helps that Hart is a returnee from last year. He was Canada's starter in the gold medal game and played really well for the most part. You want your goalie to heat up over the course of a short tournament, and Hart is already coming in hot, which is good news for Canada. In a position that has often been a concern for this country in recent years, there's nothing but confidence in their goaltender heading into Buffalo.
Jordan Kyrou, RW, Sarnia Sting (St. Louis Blues)
Despite spending the past week-plus with Canada, Kyrou remains the leading scorer in the OHL with 58 points in 30 games this year. Going back to the summer's Junior Showcase in Plymouth, Michigan, Kyrou stood out in his ability to keep defenses on their heels. With a good mix of speed and skill, he finds ways to create havoc in the offensive zone and looks particularly dangerous off the rush.
There has even been some chatter that Kyrou could be considered for Canada's Olympic team based on his play this year. His stock has really soared this year, and a big showing at the World Juniors could boost the 2016 second-rounder even more. He's a fun player to watch.
Robert Thomas, C, London Knights (St. Louis Blues)
The Blues have to absolutely love the way this season is playing out both at the NHL level and within their prospect pipeline. The duel between Thomas and Kyrou for top-prospect status is raging, but Thomas has really become a favorite among the scouts I've chatted with this year. He thinks about the game at a high level and makes so many plays. Thomas is currently leading the loaded London Knights with 46 points in just 27 games and should be an offensive leader for Canada.
It's looking like he'll probably center Canada's second line with Boris Katchouk and Taylor Raddysh, which could be an absolute nightmare for opposing teams with Thomas driving play and two high-end finishers flanking him.
Cale Makar, D, University of Massachusetts (Colorado Avalanche)
As Canada's highest-drafted player, Makar is going to rightfully get a lot of attention. While he hasn't put up eye-popping numbers at UMass this year (nine points in 16 games), he remains a dynamic offensive talent. The Minutemen are still building their program, but Makar has become a centerpiece for them as a freshman.
If Canada is going to maximize its speed, the defensemen are going to be a big part of it. Makar is the kind of defenseman who can dictate pace. With excellent vision and distribution skills, he should be leaned on pretty heavily at even strength and the power play.
Sam Steel, C, Regina Pats (Anaheim Ducks)
After not making last year's team, Steel gave Canada little choice this year. While his production in the WHL has been less dominant than last season, his offensive capabilities are undeniable. He's going to be a top-six staple and a big part of Canada's power play. Steel is the kind of player who is going to make his linemates better, which is what makes the potential combination of him and Kyrou so threatening.
It's going to be interesting to see how teams try to match lines against Canada because it's a real pick-your-poison situation. Steel's line, especially if he ends up with Kyrou as it appears he will, presents so many problems with its ability to make plays at high speeds. I would not be surprised to see returning forward Dillon Dube end up on that line, but he's been a little banged up in camp.
After being cut last year and getting sent back to juniors this year, Steel has a real opportunity to make a statement with this tournament. Canada is putting him in a position to succeed, and watching him among the world's best U20 players is going to offer the best possible measuring stick for his progress.
Kale Clague, D, Brandon Wheat Kings (Los Angeles Kings)
Clague will be important to Canada's roster in many of the same ways Makar will be. There is a dynamic element to his game, with good puck skills and offensive aggressiveness. He's not afraid to take risks and has the skating ability to cover for his mistakes. He was part of Canada's roster last year and had six assists in the tournament as one of the team's top defensemen. Clague averaged 21 minutes per game, second only to Thomas Chabot, who was named the top defenseman at the World Juniors last year.
Based on the way he's playing this year and how it appears Canada will use him, look for Clague to make an even bigger impact than he did last year. He has already set a career best in points in the WHL, with 47 in just 28 games for Brandon. Surrounded with even more talent on this Canadian roster, Clague is going to be a threat every time he steps on the ice.
Victor Mete, D, Montreal Canadiens
Any time a team can add a player who has already been playing against the best in the world in the NHL, it's a huge benefit. Mete's experience counts for a lot, but he is also a very good stylistic fit for Canada with his tremendous skating ability. Additionally, he's been going against bigger, stronger and faster competition. It doesn't mean the WJC is going to be easy for him, but the adjustment isn't going to be terribly dramatic.
Mete has four assists in his 27 NHL games, and his ice time has been all over the map. Releasing him to Canada was an overall positive move for his development. This will give Mete a chance to play a substantial role, likely getting top-four minutes and an opportunity to play in some very challenging situations. A good showing at this tournament can do wonders for a player's confidence once he is reminded of what he can do against his peers.
Other Team Canada players to watch
Jake Bean, D, Calgary Hitmen (Carolina Hurricanes): Having played top-four minutes for Canada last year, Bean is another player who comes into this tournament with eyes wide open. He is a really strong puck-mover who surveys the ice well and makes good decisions. I don't think he's as strong a skater as several of Canada's other defensemen, so it will be interesting to see how that impacts his role this year versus last, but he's a guy this coaching staff knows and trusts.
Taylor Raddysh, RW, Erie Otters (Tampa Bay Lightning): After scoring five goals in the last World Juniors, Raddysh has a chance to be a big-time contributor for Canada again. There are a lot of ways he can beat you with a good mix of size, speed and skill. Throwing him with Thomas and Katchouk, as Canada has in the pre-tournament games, makes for one of the scarier lines in the tournament.
Michael McLeod, C, Mississauga Steelheads (New Jersey Devils): Coming off of an injury, McLeod has not missed a beat since being sent back to the OHL. He has 13 points in just 11 games for Mississauga. He could end up being the third center on Team Canada, which still puts him in a position to make significant contributions as a returning player. He's a gifted skater and should be looked to for scoring depth.
Tyler Steenbergen, LW, Swift Current Broncos (Arizona Coyotes): Steenbergen is one of the most interesting players on this roster for a lot of reasons. He has been shooting the lights out in the WHL with 35 goals and 61 points in just 27 games for Swift Current. When I saw him at the Canada-Russia series, he got lost a little bit despite playing an elevated role. While he's seen time on Canada's top line in the pre-tournament games, it's not a guarantee he'll stick there. Steenbergen is undoubtedly talented, and in short tournaments, you can't have enough goal scorers. Watching how his role evolves over the tournament will be truly intriguing.
Dante Fabbro, D, Boston University (Nashville Predators): If Fabbro is available to Canada, and it appears to be a big "if" at this point, he can fit into a lot of different roles. He's such a smart player and oozes poise. If he can't go, the team has a solid replacement in Josh Mahura, who has good two-way capabilities. Still, the Canadians would miss Fabbro, whom Canada viewed as a leader and who was certainly in line for an expanded role from the one he played last year.