Stock Is Rising and Falling For NHL Prospects Post-World Juniors

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) August 21, 2022

McTavish played in nine games with the Ducks last season, scoring a pair of goals. He is figuring to play a larger role this season. There were other high-profile prospects in the World Juniors who impressed, while some could’ve used a better tournament to help their profile.

Stock Rising

1. Kent Johnson, F, Canada

McTavish may have been the best player in the tourney, It was Johnson who had the biggest moments in the tournament. The 2021 fifth-overall pick (Columbus Blue Jackets) pulled off “Michigan” in the semis against Czechia before scoring the tourney-winning goal the next day. The 19-year-old had nine points in the tourney.

2. Joakim Kemell, F, Finland

The 18-year-old Finn was the best player in the World Juniors, outside of Team Canada. He finished second in scoring with 12 points, scoring the game-tying goal in the final game. The Nashville Predators may have a steal in Kemell, who was taken 17th overall in the 2022 draft.

3. Jan Mysak, F, Czechia

Mysak finished the tournament tied for second in goals (5). He was the biggest reason for Czechia’s fourth-place finish here, proven to be a workhorse. He was playing in all situations during the game, leading the forwards in ice time. That might make the Montreal Canadiens take a second look at him this season.

4. Logan Stankoven, F, Canada

So, lost with all the McTavish-Johnson hype was Stankoven. He tied for second on the team in goals (4) and was fourth in scoring (10 points) in the tournament. Notably, he assisted on Johnson’s gold medal-winning goal against Finland. The Dallas Star won 76 percent of his faceoffs and was a catalyst for many of Canada’s goals.

5. Emil Andrae, D, Sweden

The Philadelphia Flyers may have found a sleeper with Andrae. Sweden’s tourney captain carried his team to a bronze medal, leading the non-Canadian defensemen in scoring (eight points). He also scored Sweden’s game-winning goal in the quarters against Latvia. As a second-round pick, bet online on Andrae to make the Flyers’ roster this season.

Stock Falling

1. Oskar Olausson, F, Sweden

There is a decent chance Olausson plays for the Colorado Avalanche this season. The departure of Nazem Kadri, among others, means the defending Stanley Cup champs need some scoring. That is supposedly what the 19-year-old Olausson is bringing. He was absent more often than not during the tourney (one goal in seven games).

2. Matt Knies, F, USA

It was enjoyable watching Knies play. The power forward emphasized the former, making his presence felt with some big hits in the tournament. Just ask William Wallinder. However, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ prospect could have finished with more than just three assists in total. He did make many costly errors, though, with his team arguably worse when at times when he was on the ice.

3. David Jiricek, D, Czechia

Jiricek was the sixth-overall pick in this last draft (Columbus Blue Jackets), and was supposed to be a lynchpin for the Czechia defense. Instead, he became just another guy on the ice, as he often looked hesitant, disengaged or both He finished the tournament with two points, though he did score during the semis and bronze-medal games. At least that helped his team’s sports betting odds.

4. Ville Koivunen, F, Finland

It’s been a tough summer for Koivunen. While he was on fire in the original tournament last December, the Carolina Hurricane was held pointless in six games this summer. Also, his ice time evaporated noticeably, so here’s hoping his confidence is not shot. He’s still far away from cracking the deep roster of the ‘Canes,