Boxing Day: WJC, NHL Thoughts

The yearly wait is over. The World Junior Championships are upon us again.

While Canada embarks on a potential sixth straight title, here are some players I'll be watching as the tournament kicks off...

Taylor Hall (Canada) - Hall is projected to be either the number one or number two pick in the draft, and has played excellently throughout Canada's pre-tournament games. Hall plays a hard, physical game, but also possesses a superior offensive skill set. He is in a great position to have a special tournament, as he'll be lining up alongside his two teammates from Windsor, Greg Nemisz and Adam Henrique. Just like everyone else, I'm expecting big things from Canada's crowned jewel throughout the tournament.

Nikita Filatov (Russia) - Probably the most offensively gifted player in the tournament, expect Filatov's name to be splattered all over WJC score sheets. While Filatov won't have the luxury of his left wing of last year, Evgeny Grachev, who the Rangers decided to keep in Hartford of the AHL, he should still light the lamp countlessly throughout the tournament. Do you think he'll want to show Columbus Blue Jackets' Head Coach Ken Hitchcock what he can do on the world stage? I do.

Patrice Cormier (Canada) - If you want physical (and dirty) play, Patrice Cormier is your guy. Canada's Captain will try to toe the line while setting the tone for Canada physically. When this guy's on the ice, expect fireworks.

Magnus Paajarvi Svensson (Sweden) - Paajarvi Svensson has size and boy does he have speed. But, I'm still not sold on his goal scoring prowess. He can make a statement while leading the Swedish attack up front.

Jordan Schroeder (United States) - Schroeder has not had an enjoyable start to this year's college season. As the Minnesota Gophers' go-to-guy on offense, he has failed to supply the goals and assists expected of the shifty, smart forward. This will be Schroeder's third WJC, so big things are expected. If you're going to judge his play, see how he performs versus Canada, Sweden, and the other top teams. He failed to show up in the U.S.A.'s big games last year.

John Carlson (United States) - Carlson is one of the top defensemen in the tournament. He has size, skill, smarts, and already boasts a cup of coffee in the NHL. He has followed an excellent rookie campaign in the OHL with another excellent season in the AHL with Hershey. If he was playing outside of the Washington franchise, he may be in the NHL right now.

Nazem Kadri (Canada) - Which Kadri is going to show up? The guy who was wheeling and dealing during the Toronto Maple Leafs' exhibition season or the guy who performed so poorly in the early going of the OHL season that he almost wasn't invited to Canada's Orientation Camp? Kadri could prove to be Canada's number one forward. He could also prove to be their thirteenth.

Cam Fowler (United States) - Fowler has it all. He sees the ice well, skates well, and puts up big numbers on the score sheet. With a good tournament, Fowler could cement himself as a top-three pick in the '10 NHL Draft.

While I'll be watching all of these players, as well as many of the other big name players in the tournament, it'll be just as much fun to see what unheralded player(s) step to the forefront. Last year it was Slovakia's Tomas Tatar. Who will it be this year?

..............

With 13 games on the NHL circuit tonight there is no shortage of storylines.

Out in Desert, Ryan Smyth will make his return for the Kings. Who would've thought a 'Yotes/Kings matchup at the end of December would boast the fourth and fifth ranked teams in the West?

The Isles will pay another visit to MSG tonight and take on the suddenly hot Rangers. The Blueshirts will be looking for their fifth straight win, while the Isles will be seeking to up their game. They are only 3-7-0 in their last ten.

The Caps/Devils game should be a dandy. Michal Neuvirth is going to start his third straight game for Bruce Boudreau's club, and supposedly Jose Theodore wasn't very happy about that.

The Habs will visit the Leafs tonight, as well. Need I say more?

Sit down, bring out the Christmas leftovers, and enjoy a great day of hockey, starting with the Canada/Latvia tilt at 4:00 p.m.