2024 IIHF World Championship Preview: 10 NHL prospects you need to know

The IIHF Men’s World Championship in Czechia is full of NHL stars this year – but there’s also an abundance of top prospects to choose from.

That’s what makes this tournament fun – the wide variety of players from all over the world coming together to chase gold. Some pros are using it as a chance to springboard themselves to an Olympic spot, while some of the best young players in the game are hoping it helps prove to the world they’re the real deal.

After looking at 15 NHL players to watch in Czechia from May 10-26, here’s a look at 10 drafted prospects to keep a close eye on:

Will Smith, C, San Jose Sharks (USA)

After putting up the most points in the NCAA this year, Smith impressed in the exhibition game against Slovakia, scoring a goal on a solid individual effort. The Boston College forward is one of the best players to ever come out of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, highlighted by an incredible 127-point campaign last year. He was the U-18 World Championship MVP last year after helping the team win gold and was a key piece of the group that took home the World Junior Championship this past January. The biggest question here: will an explosive showing at this tournament, plus the impending addition of Macklin Celebrini, result in Smith turning pro next season? I’d argue he’s ready.

Ryan Leonard, RW, Washington Capitals (USA)

Smith’s right-hand man with both the USNTDP and BC, Leonard is a beast of a player himself. He also had a great exhibition showing against Slovakia and truly looks like a pro already. He’s not huge at six-foot, but he’s built like a tank, plays an aggressive game is one of the best goal-scoring prospects outside of the NHL. Leonard has an excellent shot, sees the ice so well and is difficult to move in tight areas. I expect Leonard to shine like Cutter Gauthier did last year.

Trey Augustine, G, Detroit Red Wings (USA)

There’s a chance we won’t see much of Augustine. Alex Lyon and Alex Nedeljkovic will battle it out to become the team’s No. 1 for now, but Augustine is no slouch. At 19, he’s one of the best goalie prospects in the world and already has an incredible record with the Americans at different levels. He’s been the team’s starter at the past two World Juniors, winning gold this year and bronze as a rare 17-year-old starter in 2023. Now, with Michigan State University, this is a good chance for him to see higher-level competition and add another piece to his incredible legacy with USA Hockey.

Gavin Brindley, RW, Columbus Blue Jackets (USA)

A late addition to USA’s roster, Brindley was one of the top sophomores in the NCAA this year and a standout with the University of Michigan. Brindley played his best tournament with USA at the recent World Juniors, finishing with six goals and 10 points while showing great chemistry with fellow Wolverine Frank Nazar. Brindley turned pro at the end of the season, making his debut against the Carolina Hurricanes on April 16. It was a brief taste of what’s to come for the team’s young star winger, who has a chance to play a top-six role next year with the Blue Jackets. But first, big things are expected from him in Czechia.

Jesper Wallstedt, G, Minnesota Wild (Sweden)

Like Augustine, there’s a valid chance Wallstedt won’t play in any of the games for the Swedes. But as one of the top goaltenders outside of the NHL, it won’t be long until he’s the best option available for the Tre Kronor. He was incredible for the Swedes last year, posting a .947 SV% and 0.67 GAA, and is coming off a nice year with the AHL’s Iowa Wild. Filip Gustavsson and Samuel Ersson are Sweden’s veteran options this time around but Wallstedt has shown to be a game-breaker for the national team at various levels.

Felix Unger Sörum, RW, Carolina Hurricanes (Sweden)

Unger Sörum was one of my favorite draft picks of the 2023 NHL Draft, and he’s been flying up prospect rankings ever since. The Hurricanes may have struck gold here, with Unger Sörum becoming one of Sweden’s top contributors at the World Juniors after putting up double digits at the U-18s last spring. FUS showed his playmaking chops with Leksands’ SHL team this year, his first full year of pro hockey, and I can see him hanging with some of Sweden’s best players after great showings already with the men’s squad. I know the Canes love him, and I can’t wait until he’s an NHLer.

Oliver Kapanen, C, Montreal Canadiens (Finland)

One of Finland’s youngest players, the 20-year-old is coming off a mega season that saw him register 34 points in 51 games with KalPa. That was good for sixth among U-21 scoring and fourth on KalPa, which is impressive on its own. He signed in the SHL for next year earlier this week and could still sign his NHL entry-level contract in the near future. But right now, this tournament will be a good measuring stick to see how he handles playing against NHL pros.

Vinzenz Rohrer, RW, Montreal Canadiens (Austria)

As the only other NHL-affiliated player on the Austrians besides Marco Rossi, Rohrer will have his fair share of attention in Czechia. He’s coming off his first year of pro hockey, putting up 19 points in 49 ganes while skating in six games with the Austrian men’s team. He didn’t produce anything there, but he has speed and a good work ethic that should make him difficult to play against.

Maksymilian Szuber, D, Utah (Germany)

The 21-year-old had an impressive run as a rookie in the AHL, registering 28 points in 70 games with Tuscon. He even made his NHL debut against Seattle on April 9, playing a physical, two-way game. The 6-foot-3 defenseman is mobile for his size, and as the lone NHL-affiliated defender coming off the year he did, I expect him to play heavy minutes for the Germans. He’s come a long way since getting drafted in the sixth round in 2022, and after helping his nation win silver last year, he’ll want to up the stakes this time around.

Oscar Fisker Mølgaard, C, Seattle Kraken (Norway)

Mølgaard is a detailed-oriented forward who wont blow you away with his numbers, but he’ll give you a full commitment at both ends of the ice. This will be his second World Championship apperance, but he was actually one of Denmark’s best senior team players throughout the year. He was also great at the World Juniors, albeit in the Division IA tournament. Defensively responsibly, I feel like he plays with even more pace and confidence this year compared to last year.