With last week’s World Junior Summer Showcase in the rearview mirror, the fine folks at The Athletic took to projecting rosters for the tournament that begins this December. The esteemed panel of Corey Pronman, Scott Wheeler and Max Bultman weighed in on four of the top rosters for the tournament. And there are a few Blackhawks prospects who made the lineups — and some who didn’t — that are worth discussing.
United States Roster
The Blackhawks had four prospects in the Showcase for the United States, and each of them showed well. But the collection of talent for the US in this year’s tournament is talented, skilled and deep. So I was interested to see which prospects they projected making the roster.
Three of Chicago’s four prospects made their lineup — but the one omission was a surprise. They list Frank Nazar as the third-line center and Gavin Hayes as the right wing on the fourth line, with Sam Rinzel on the third defensive pairing. Oliver Moore is missing from their 12 forwards, despite having a few highlight-worthy moments. Moore is listed as the only extra forward by The Athletic.
Moore isn’t the only big name missing from the lineup, but here’s their justification for not including a few popular names — and the inclusion of one Blackhawks prospect:
But withꦐ a defense corps that’s going to skew small, I inste♕ad opted for Gavin Hayes, who also had a nice week in Plymouth, but brings more heaviness to the fold.
It’s great to see these analysts seeing that level of value in Hayes’ complete game, opting to give him a spot of over Moore, Gabe Perreault and Cole Knuble. One name to circle for the US is James Hagens,ℱ who isn’t draft eligible until 2025. They have him list🐈ed as the second-line center.
The projections at The Athletic include only the four lines of forwards and three defensive pairs. Steven Ellis at wrote his comments about the ten prospects who stood out at the Showcase on Monday morning and had the following to say about Moore♔, who is still very much in play to make the final roster:
He has speed to burn, and he showed th𓂃at more and more each game. He had a pair of goals in the final game , plus a few other highlight-reel moments. There’s enough center depth to truly dominate the main world juniors, but you can’t keep Moore’s speed and e𝄹nergy off the roster. He’s versatile, smart and so dangerous with the puck on the breakaway.
Chris Peters at also published his roster projections for the United States on Monday. He has all four Blackhawks prospects on the roster, with Moore again as an extra forward and Hayes on a big fourth line. Peters has Rinzel on his fourth pair of defensemen, however. Here’s what Peters said about Rinzel’s roster spot:
Sam Rinzel is one of those guys that USA kind of needs, but I don’t know that he solidified anything for himself in camp. He’s the biggest defenseman, a graceful skater and he’s got some skill. But his puck management waned as the camp wor🔴e on and you wonder if he’s ready to take the step. I like the player and I think the opportunity is there for him to seize it, but he’s got to prove himself in the second half.
Canada Roster
Hockey Canada isn’t working out this summer, opting instead to hold virtual meetings with a group of prospects they’re considering for the tournament. The Blackhawks have a few players included in those calls, and two Chicago draft picks are on the projected roster here.
The guys have Kevin Korchinski on the top defensive pair for Canada, and forward Samuel Savoie is on the left wing for their fourth line.
Here’s what they said about Korchinski being at the top of the blue line group — noting that it might be a Blackhawks’ decision if he’s even available:
Korchinski, if available, should be the clear leader of this blue l♌ine. He and Owen Pickering would give their blue line size, mobility and offense and will be leaned on, whether on the same or different pairs. Korchinski would likely be on a power-play unit.
They did not projeꦕct a Blackhawks prospect on the r♎osters of Sweden or Finland.
