The World Championships begin tomorrow, a few notable prospects I will be keeping an eye on throughout the tournament include:

Finland – Jesse Puljujarvi (EDM)

Sweden – Joel Eriksson Ek (MIN)

Russia – Ilya Sorokin (NYI), Igor Shestyorkin (NYR), Ivan Telegin (WPG, unsigned), Kirill Kaprizov (MIN) and Valeri Nichushkin (DAL)

*Telegin was suspended by the Jets last season for not reporting to the Jets AHL team, but he gained interest after a pretty good World Cup with Russia before the season started. Maybe he finds another team and gets a ‘restart’ in terms of reputation.

Switzerland – Denis Malgin (FLA)

United States – Anders Bjork (BOS), Clayton Keller (ARI), JT Compher (COL), Jordan Greenway (MIN), Charlie McAvoy (BOS), Daniel Brickley (undrafted) and Cal Petersen (BUF)

Canada – Eric Comrie (WPG), Josh Morrissey (WPG)

Some of the more prominent teams still have gaps to fill with their lineups, they usually add players from eliminated Stanley Cup playoff teams after round 2 is complete. Team USA has brought a very young team, but when you look over the entire rosters at EliteProspects.com, you will see every team has brought pretty young teams so it isn’t that surprising, the World Championships have moved more towards developing players for their countries programs rather than bringing the veteran guys who played in Olympics or World Cup. It will be interesting to see how the trend goes now that the NHL is not attending the 2018 Olympics and if that will change countries mindsets of bringing amateur players over professionals to these World Championship tournaments.

Find the entire schedule HERE. As well as, the TSN listings and NHL Network listings to find out where you can watch the games. My PVR is already set!

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Below I have posted my record for the three rounds of CHL predictions as well as my Final predictions for all three leagues; OHL, WHL and QMJHL.

(6-2 in first round, 4-0 in second round, 1-1 in third round)

J. Ross Robertson Cup Final

Erie Otters (W1) vs. Mississauga Steelheads (E2) – Prediction: Otters in 6

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(6-2 in first round, 2-2 in second round, 2-0 in third round)

Ed Chynoweth Cup Final

Regina Pats (E1) vs. Seattle Thunderbirds (W2) – Prediction: Pats in 6

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(8-0 in first round, 3-1 in second round, 1-1 in third round)

President’s Cup Final

Saint John Sea Dogs (1) vs. Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (5) – Prediction: Sea Dogs in 5

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The WHL Bantam Draft is happening today. Check out the draft list HERE. First overall pick, Kaiden Guhle (Brendan Guhle’s (BUF) younger brother) was taken first overall by the Prince Albert Raiders. Planning for way down the line in your keeper list, Kaiden is eligible for the 2020 NHl Draft, so in three years! Put him on your 2020 Draft List!

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AHl First Round has wrapped up

The second round has already started with Grand Rapids winning Game 1 against the Chicago Wolves 4-1. Jared Coreau is 4-0 so far in the playoffs and has only given up eight goals on 129 shots against (.938 SV%). The Griffins look like the team to beat in the AHL, as of right now. They are getting scoring from Tyler Bertuzzi (2-4-6), Evgeny Svechnikov (1-3-4).

There are a few goalies who are playing great for their teams; Kasmir Kaskisuo (Toronto, TOR), Pheonix Copley (Hershey, WSH), Ville Husso (Chicago, STL) and Zane McIntyre (Providence, BOS) all had great first rounds. Coreau vs Husso and Copley vs McIntyre will be dueling each other in the second rounds.

Mackenzie Blackwood (Albany, NJD) did all he could to keep his team in every game against the Toronto Marlies, but couldn’t get the offensive help from his team. Blackwood finished his playoffs with a 2.13 GAA and .928 SV%. Look for him to garner some attention at next year's Devils training camp, Keith Kinkaid is an UFA and Scott Wedgewood is a RFA.

As for the offense, Danton Heinen (BOS) is making a name for himself, four goals, two assists for six points in Providence’s five game series. Ryan Carpenter (SJ) leads the AHL Playoff scoring with four goals, three assists for seven points in the Barricuda’s five game series against the Stockton Heat. David Warsofsky (PIT) leads all defensemen in scoring (3-3-6) in five games, but Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins were upset by the eighth seed Providence Bruins. Tied with Warsofsky is Justin Holl (TOR) with one goal, five assists for six points in four games, for more information on Holl, have a listen to Peter Harling’s quick take on the latest episode of Dobber Prospects Radio.

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A couple of plugs for the DobberProspects.com articles:

Check out our latest Mock Draft 2.0, the Draft Lottery has been drawn, the first 15 draft slots have been decided. The DobberProspects.com writing staff have mock drafted the first round again, so go and check it out!

So much mocking! The DobberProspects Radio podcast has posted its latest episode, check it out HERE. Peter and I mock draft the first 15 picks, go over some players grabbing our attention in CHL and AHL playoffs and catch up with DobberHockey/DobberProspects own, Cam Robinson. Have a listen and enjoy!

Feel free to leave comments, questions or concerns below, have fun playing the game of Fantasy Hockey.

Paul Zwambag
@zwambag