Players to own BEFORE the World Juniors

[Jer Bu]

I am doing a bit of speculation here, looking for opportunities where a player might be available now on the waiver wire, and who will almost certainly be a hot commodity once he starts lighting it up at the World Juniors.

Now these players might not actually be breaking news, on these boards, but for those of us in a lot of pools with GM's of varying degrees of prospect knowledge, this can be a great opportunity to buy low and reap the benefits later.

Some of the players I am considering picking up in various pools include Jaden Schwartz and Ryan Strome, and Justin Faulk, but even these guys might be a little too well known already.
Who else do you believe is going to make an impact this year, that may still be available in some pools?

Bu

[Jer Bu]

I will add another one here. Often guys who get drafted early, but who then play outside of the NHL system get forgotten. For the Fin's, Mike Granlund could suddenly become a popular player to watch, and if you want to go a bit more obscure, then Flames prospect Markus Granlund, his brother, could be another. If they both play and show some chemistry, it could bode well for owners of either...

[Dean Youngblood]

I will leave off 2012 eligibles

CAN - Schwartz, Connolly, Scheifele, Strome, Hamilton, Murphy
USA - Etem, Coyle, Bjugstad
SWE - Zibanejad, Klefbom
FIN - Granlund, Armia, Pulkkinen
CZK - Jaskin
RUS - Kuznetsov, Kucherov
DEN - Jensen
SLK - Jurco
SUI - Bartschi
LAT- no one not draft eligible worth owning in fantasy

Those are the players (who have been drafted) worth keeping an eye on. I bolded the players I would pursue. Bartschi, Schwartz, Hamilton, Granlund and Kuznetsov are my personal favourites. I could list many more on Team Canada too but I have to stop somewhere (big Ty Rattie fan if he makes the team)

[metaldude26]

Get Schwartz now because you won't be able to get him after this tournament.

Watch for Clendening on the US blueline to rack up a boatload of points. That team is stacked and he stands to be rewarded.

[Late Round Gem]

Get Schwartz now because you won't be able to get him after this tournament.

Watch for Clendening on the US blueline to rack up a boatload of points. That team is stacked and he stands to be rewarded.

When you say stacked, are there certain US players in particular you're thinking of besides the few mentioned a post or two above? I'm not really well versed in Jr hockey to begin with, let alone teams that are NOT Canada.

[metaldude26]

It's not just about the guys listed by Dean Youngblood above. The Americans have eight former first round picks invited to their selection camp; Nick Bjugstad, Austin Watson, Stefan Noesen, JT Miller, Emerson Etem, Charlie Coyle, Kevin Hayes, and Tyler Biggs; they have several returning players as well some of whom were mentioned above but others include Jason Zucker and Nick Shore; and they also have some other dynamos like Matt Nieto, TJ Tynan and Rocco Grimaldi who could make the squad. And that's just at forward.

There's no bonafide superstar among the bunch but there are several potential ones in the mix and they bring size and experience to the table. I think this year will be as wide open as ever with Canada always strong, Sweden in the same boat, the Americans joining them as perennial contenders and of course Russia is defending champ with many returning players.

[dmvincent]

I am doing a bit of speculation here, looking for opportunities where a player might be available now on the waiver wire, and who will almost certainly be a hot commodity once he starts lighting it up at the World Juniors.

Now these players might not actually be breaking news, on these boards, but for those of us in a lot of pools with GM's of varying degrees of prospect knowledge, this can be a great opportunity to buy low and reap the benefits later.

Some of the players I am considering picking up in various pools include Jaden Schwartz and Ryan Strome, and Justin Faulk, but even these guys might be a little too well known already.
Who else do you believe is going to make an impact this year, that may still be available in some pools?

Bu

Petr Mrazek's value is going to skyrocket. A very intriguing goalie prospect that isn't owned in enough leagues right now. Jaden Schwartz will also see an increase in value, even though he's already pretty darn high on everyone's list. Most of the players mentioned above are definitely worth adding and keeping an eye on. I just wanted to give you a guy that I think will really impress and isn't talked about enough.

[Big Ev]

Johan Larsson. He is going to be in the Top of the points leader board at this tournament.

Jason Zucker.

and if he makes it, Shane Prince.

[JagrBomb]

Johan Larsson. He is going to be in the Top of the points leader board at this tournament.

Jason Zucker.

and if he makes it, Shane Prince.

just had to throw in someone the sens drafted didnt you

[Big Ev]

just had to throw in someone the sens drafted didnt you

there's just so many in this tourney though

[GretzkysMullet]

If there was one surefire elite talent at forward who would that be? Preference also to wingers.

[hawkdog]

Last year's tourney put Coyle on the Map, look for him to have a good tourney and improve on last year.

[ridinryan44]

Nicklas Jensen is a big time sleeper. It will be interesting to see how he fares without a lot of help leading Denmark, but this kid was a surprise standout in his first camp with the Canucks. This tourny could really bring a lot of attention on him and he's pretty much guaranteed to be available in your league. NHL size and hands, compared to Landeskog before the draft. Keep an eye on him.

[dmvincent]

If there was one surefire elite talent at forward who would that be? Preference also to wingers.

As far as wingers, Kuznetsov is that guy.

[GretzkysMullet]

It's funny, ESPN has him listed as a center..