The 2022 World Juniors won't have some of the big names at the tournament, like Owen Power, Shane Wright, Matty Beniers or William Eklund. However, that doesn't mean the star power will be lacking in Edmonton.
With the 2022 tournament set to start action on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 10 of the best countries in the world will be coming together at Rogers Place to deliver over a week and a half of competition. Some of the best teenagers in the world will be hitting the ice, looking to showcase their skills and win a medal for their country.
As usual, Canada and the United States are loaded with talent, with players that will be nearly impossible to miss out on the ice. But there are some European squads that are filled out with top prospects as well that if you don't know now, you sure will be the end of the tournament.
MORE: Top draft-eligible prospects for the 2023 NHL Draft at the 2022 World Juniors
Here are the top 10 NHL prospects to watch at the 2022 World Juniors.
Top 10 NHL prospects at the 2022 World Juniors
1. Simon Edvinsson, D, Sweden
If there's one player outside of the North American teams that is a must-watch, it's Edvinsson. The towering defenseman for Sweden was taken by the Red Wings with the No. 6 pick in the 2021 draft.
Edvinsson excels in all three zones of the ice. Not only can he play physically, but his long stride allows him to be a strong puck carrier. He ended his 2021-22 campaign with 19 points in 44 games for Frölunda HC of the SHL. The Swede should be in the running for best defenseman at the World Juniors.
2. Mason McTavish, F, Canada
One of the top Canadian prospects that isn't skipping the tournament is McTavish, the No. 3 overall pick by the Ducks at the 2021 draft. While only playing in two games, McTavish had five points in December at the canceled tournament.
The Ducks prospect was all over during the 2021-22 season. He played in the AHL, NHL, OHL (for both Peterborough and Hamilton), for Canada at the World Juniors and at the Olympics. He shone during the OHL playoffs with the Bulldogs, recording 29 points during the team's championship run. The power forward is set to captain the 2022 Canadian squad in Edmonton.
3. Connor Bedard, F, Canada
Bedard made the Team Canada squad in December as a 16-year-old and he did not disappoint. The boy wonder made headlines with his four-goal game against Austria and is back again for the 2022 World Juniors.
Regarded as the top prospect in the 2023 draft class, Bedard had a 100-point season in WHL with the Regina Pats. He poured in seven points in four games as captain of Canada's U18 team. With Canada losing some of its top forwards, Bedard should easily carve out a top-six role with the team and can continue to build on his already impressive draft profile.
MORE: Schedule, scores, results for all 2022 World Juniors games
4. Jesper Wallstedt, G, Sweden
With Russia not competing in Edmonton, that means there's no Yaroslav Askarov to compete with Wallstedt as the best goalie at the tournament. The 2021 first-round selection by the Wild finished up what will be his final season playing over in Sweden, recording a 1.98 GAA and .918 SV% for Luleå HF in the SHL.
We saw a glimpse of Wallstedt's excellence at the shortened tournament in December, but now, we should get a full tournament with him in the crease. If Sweden ends up leaving Edmonton with gold medals, a large part of it will be because of the play of Wallstedt.
5. David Jiricek, D, Czechia
Whether the 2022 World Juniors were going to be canceled or not in December, Jiricek's tournament was going to be cut short either way. He suffered a leg injury in Czechia's debut when he attempted to hit Canada's Will Cuylle and the two collided. The injury required surgery and ended his season in the Czech Extraliga, but he was able to return and play for Czechia at the 2022 IIHF World Championships in April.
The defenseman was taken No. 6 overall this past July by the Blue Jackets and has long been regarded as one of the top defensemen in the 2022 draft class. He's a towering figure on the blue line and is excellent in his own zone. Jiricek has slowly evolved his offensive game as well and should be far and beyond the best player on Czechia's roster.
6. Kent Johnson, F, Canada
The silky-smooth Johnson is another high-profile name for Canada that may come as a surprise that he is returning for the summer edition of the 2022 tournament. The No. 5 overall pick of the 2021 draft previously represented Canada earlier this year at the 2022 Winter Olympics and the World Championships.
Johnson finished his sophomore season at the University of Michigan with 29 assists and 37 points in 32 games. After, he suited up for nine games with the Blue Jackets. Johnson should very easily be Canada's most dynamic winger on the roster and has a chance to get some games under his belt before Columbus' training camp.
MORE: Full rosters for all 10 teams at 2022 World Juniors
7. Luke Hughes, D, USA
The youngest brother of Quinn and Jack Hughes is coming off a sensational freshman season at the University of Michigan. His 17 goals were the most among all defensemen in the NCAA and third on the team. His 39 points were also third on the team as he earned Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Year, Big Ten All-Freshman Team and Second-Team All-Big Ten honors.
Hughes is an offense-first defenseman that excels with the puck on his stick on the rush. It's a big reason why he was taken No. 4 overall by the Devils in 2021. Without Jake Sanderson, the USA blue line is missing a dynamic puck-mover, and Hughes may see an increase in playing time because of it.
8. Logan Cooley, F, USA
One of the youngest members of Team USA is Cooley, the No. 3 pick in the 2022 draft. Not many members of this year's draft class made the cut for the Americans, but Cooley, along with Frank Nazar, is the exception.
The University of Minnesota commit had 75 points with the U.S. National Team Development Program this past year and added 10 points in six games at the U18 Worlds. Cooley is a responsible, two-way center that should fit in nicely down the middle.
9. Brad Lambert, F, Finland
Lambert had an extremely tumultuous 2021-22 season, but one of his biggest highlights was the two games at the World Juniors in December. In two games, he had a goal and four assists, playing on a line with Ville Koivunen and Samuel Helenius. Granted the team played Germany and Austria, but still, results and results.
The winger was taken No. 30 overall in the 2022 NHL Draft by the Jets. He has dynamic upside, with slick hands and excellent skating ability and these World Juniors will be his first chance to prove that he was not worthy of falling as far as he did at the draft.
MORE: Why is Russia not participating at the 2022 World Juniors?
10. Matt Knies, F, USA
Knies is the one player on this list who isn't a first-round pick, or in the case of Bedard a projected first-round pick. The University of Minnesota standout is a second-round pick from 2021 for the Maple Leafs, but he has catapulted up the Toronto prospect rankings.
In his freshman year with the Golden Gophers, Knies recorded 33 points in as many games, earning Second Team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors. He also suited up for Team USA at the Olympics, where he had a goal and an assist. The big-body forward has an exceptional shot and is always a threat to score with the puck.
