Tampa Bay Lightnings Prospects at 2023 World Juniors

The Future

With the World Juniors around the corner I decided to right up a quick article about all my players participating in the tourney as well as some honorable mentions!

Enjoy and Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to you and your families!

Czech:

Matyas Sapovaliv

Big Bodied Centre, will centre top line alongside Jiri Kulich and Eduard Sale, this line has the potential to help them get another gritty podium finish. His size and skill set him up for a future as a middle 6 Centre similar to a Pavel Zacha.

Jiri Kulich

My favourite for tournament MVP if he can lead a underdog Czech team to the Podium. Kulich is developing into a top line forward everyday, and he hopes to lead this team with 9 drafted players.

Slovak:

Dalibor Dvorsky

If Slovakia makes it past the quarters, it is because of Dalibor, he plays a 200 ft game and has an underrated shot as seen by his 18 goals in 20 games since joining Sudbury in the OHL. My Dark Horse to be part of the players of the tournament.

Sweden:

Anton Whalberg

One of the youngest players on a veteran stacked Swedish team, expect Whalberg to fill a bottom 6 checking role on a historically good team. Whalberg has been putting up strong numbers in the SHL as an 18 year old and may see more responsibilities as the tournament progresses.

Noah Ostlund

This is an important tournament for Ostlund, being the 16^th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft he has underwhelmed since being drafted. If Ostlund can secure a top 6 role and produce at a PPG rate it will do wonders for his future outlook as a potential top 9 Forward for the Sabres Organization.

Otto Stenberg

Stenberg similar to Whalberg is among the youngest players for this Swedish squad and should start off in a bottom 6 role. He would be my pick to move up the lineup if the vets struggle or if Sweden is slow out of the gate.

Denmark (U20-A):

Oscar Fisker-Molgaard

The only entry I included from the A division who have already concluded their tournament. Oscar has to be one of my favourite prospects in Tampa’s system. He is a player who leaves it all on the ice and has a future as a heart a sole 3^rd liner who every team loves come playoff time. OFM finished with 5 pts in 4 games while skating with an “A” on his jersey as an 18 year old.

Eligible and Would Be Playing If Not for NHL (or Russians):

Conor Bedard (NHL)

Danila Yurov (RUS)

Dimitry Simashev (RUS)

Pavel Mintyukov (RUS & NHL)

Written By: Justin Levergneux of The Guys with Hair Podcast