Day 1 of this classic tournament starts on Boxing Day! In Canada all games should be available on TSN 1/2/3/4/5, tsn.ca, or TSN Go. In the United States most games should be available on NHL Network, some games might be tape delayed.
All rosters and lines subject to change. Will try to provide jersey numbers as they come available.
10 AM MT Czechia vs Russia
Czech roster:
Russia roster
Lots of high skill players on both country's rosters. Should be a lot of high end European skill to ooh and awe at. Don't miss Andrei Svechnikov and Filip Zadina who are projected to be top 5 picks in the upcoming draft.
12 pm MT Belarus vs Sweden
Belarus roster
Spoiler!
There is only one NHL drafted player on Baelarus' roster.
Maxim Sushko (PHI 2017 4th 107th OA)
The rest are undrafted and/or eligible for the 2018 draft. The players are likely not high on anyone's draft radar.
If you are really interested you can see the full roster here:
http://2018.worldjunior.hockey/en/teams/belarus/#list
Sweden roster
Sorry Belarus, but this should be a free win for Sweden.
Perhaps the big story for Flames fans here is that Sweden's coach has decided not to put his top 3 forwards (Nylander, Andersson, and Pettersson) on the same line. He has decided to put Flames prospect Lindstrom between Nylander and Pettersson, while top Rangers prospect Andersson will center Karlstrom and Boqvist. The reasoning is to hopefully spread the offense among two lines.
This of course is a huge opportunity for Lindstrom and given Sweden's first opponent is Belarus a low risk move. How huge of an opportunity? Last year Nylander was tied for the tournament lead in points and Pettersson led the SHL in scoring when he left for the WJC camp.
I think Lindstrom will be counted as the defensive conscience of the line, which might fit as he has been praised for 2 way play in the past.
Also watch out for Dahlin who might be the consensus 1st OA pick in the 2018 draft.
Lindstrom will wear #16 for Sweden.
2 pm MT Canada vs Finland
Canada lines based on last practice
Finland lines based on last practice
Easily the match up of the day.
It is kind of unusual for Canada to face such a tough opponent to start the tournament, but I guess that is a side effect of mucking around with tournament groupings so that Canada and USA can face each other in the outdoor game.
Both Canada and Finland are favourites to get a medal.
Canada is a fast team with balance through the line up. On paper the weaknesses are there is no elite scoring talent as there has been in years past, they will have to rely on scoring by comittee. Another potential weakness is size and toughness on the backend. With the exception of Foote, no one on the defence is listed taller than 6'1'' which might not be a problem if the d-men can use their mobility and smarts properly.
Finland has arguably the best d in the tournament. 5 first rounders. They also have two high scoring threats in Vesalainen who is doing impressive things in the Finnish leagues and Tolvanen who is eating up the KHL. However where Finland cannot match Canada is forward depth.
Dube is expected to be the 1st LW for Canada throughout this tournament and has been getting time on the PP and PK.
Valimaki is starting on the 1st d pairing for Finland and is being paired with Hesikanen. I wonder how much it bothers Gulutzan that Valimaki is playing the right side
Dube will wear the 'C' and #9 for Canada.
Valimaki will wear the 'C' and #6 for Finland.
Tuulola will wear #19 for Finland (if he plays)