Germany's Leon Draisaitl celebrates after scoring against Slovakia.
photo: Matt Zambonin / HHOF-IIHF Images
You look at the names on paper, and you know what to expect. Except, of course, things don’t always work out that way. Here in Kosice, the eight teams are more or less positioned where you’d think after four games—with some surprises—but they got to where they are through often surprising contributions. Here’s a look at who have been the best players so far.
Germany—1st place—12 points
No one could have seen Germany winning its first four games. Yes, these have been against the lower-ranked teams, but Germany hasn’t won its first four games at the Worlds since 1930! And they can thank Leon Draisaitl for that. He scored a sensational game winner in the final minute against Slovakia and has three goals in four games. This after finishing his NHL season with 50 goals, one behind Rocket Richard winner Alexander Ovechkin. As Leon goes, so goes Deutschland.
Finland—2nd place—10 points
Everyone knew the 18-year-old Kaapo Kakko was a great young player. Everyone knew he was the top European prospect for the upcoming NHL draft. But no one could have predicted he’d have the impact on the tournament that he’s having. Six goals in four games, three of that number highlight reel material. His teammates joke about how talented he is, how the top players don’t intimidate him, how they’re actually relying on the kid to take the team as far as he wants. Someone to look for in the coming week in Slovakia, and in the coming 20 years around the world.
Canada—3rd place—9 points
Canada always has depth and talent, but the scoring looked just a little thin after John Tavares flew home before the first game with an injury. Well, 24-year-old Anthony Mantha was given the chance to prove himself, and he’s run with it. Unexpectedly, he’s the team’s leading scorer with five goals and nine points, and although this might have sounded a bit odd a week ago, his offence is something Canada will need if it hopes to go deep into the playoffs. It may be his first Worlds, but he’s making it memorable.
United States—4th place—8 points
The Americans have been just a touch out of sorts so far, but Jack Eichel leads the team with five assists (no goals yet). They lost the opener to the emotionally-jacked Slovaks, and gave up three goals to Britain, but they’ve also won their last three games and with the roster they have are likely to get much better in the next week. The 22-year-old Eichel is playing in his third World Championships and is a long-time USA Hockey participant, and although he has plenty of talent around him (Patrick Kane), he will be a key part of the team’s success.
Denmark—5th place—5 points
Morten Poulsen seems to have been hiding in plain sight. The 30-year-old Dane is in his eighth World Championship, and prior to this year scored just six goals in 46 games. Yet in Slovakia he already has three in four games, all coming in the 9-0 romp over Great Britain. Denmark’s three remaining games are against the United States, Canada, and Slovakia, and if they are to earn any vital points in the standings towards their dream of a place in the quarter-finals, continued contributions from Poulsen would only help.
Slovakia—6th place—3 points
With three goals in four games, 23-year-old Matus Sukel has emerged as the team’s leading scorer. He opened the scoring in the team’s first game, a 4-1 win over the United States. He also scored two important goals against Canada, the opener, again, and then midway through the third period to tie the game, 5-5. He was never drafted into the NHL but this past season played with Slovan Bratislava in the KHL.
France—7th place—1 point
Playing in his tenth World Championship, Damien Fleury has three goals in four games, including one in the critical 5-4 overtime loss to Denmark. The French got one point for that result, and it might be a key to determining their fate for next year, especially if demotion is at stake in the team’s final game against Great Britain. Fleury also scored the tying goal early in the second period against Germany and also scored against Canada. He has the experience and the skill to help keep the team in the top pool for 2020.
Great Britain—8th place—0 points
Let’s face it, Great Britain is in tough. They need goals from anyone, any time, but if their number-one goalie Ben Bowns can keep them in the game, they might be able to sneak a point or two in their remaining games against Slovakia and France (realistically, not so much Finland). Bowns has been excellent, but he can’t hold the fort alone. Still, his play has kept the scores closer than what might otherwise have been the case.
Germany—1st place—12 points
No one could have seen Germany winning its first four games. Yes, these have been against the lower-ranked teams, but Germany hasn’t won its first four games at the Worlds since 1930! And they can thank Leon Draisaitl for that. He scored a sensational game winner in the final minute against Slovakia and has three goals in four games. This after finishing his NHL season with 50 goals, one behind Rocket Richard winner Alexander Ovechkin. As Leon goes, so goes Deutschland.
Finland—2nd place—10 points
Everyone knew the 18-year-old Kaapo Kakko was a great young player. Everyone knew he was the top European prospect for the upcoming NHL draft. But no one could have predicted he’d have the impact on the tournament that he’s having. Six goals in four games, three of that number highlight reel material. His teammates joke about how talented he is, how the top players don’t intimidate him, how they’re actually relying on the kid to take the team as far as he wants. Someone to look for in the coming week in Slovakia, and in the coming 20 years around the world.
Canada—3rd place—9 points
Canada always has depth and talent, but the scoring looked just a little thin after John Tavares flew home before the first game with an injury. Well, 24-year-old Anthony Mantha was given the chance to prove himself, and he’s run with it. Unexpectedly, he’s the team’s leading scorer with five goals and nine points, and although this might have sounded a bit odd a week ago, his offence is something Canada will need if it hopes to go deep into the playoffs. It may be his first Worlds, but he’s making it memorable.
United States—4th place—8 points
The Americans have been just a touch out of sorts so far, but Jack Eichel leads the team with five assists (no goals yet). They lost the opener to the emotionally-jacked Slovaks, and gave up three goals to Britain, but they’ve also won their last three games and with the roster they have are likely to get much better in the next week. The 22-year-old Eichel is playing in his third World Championships and is a long-time USA Hockey participant, and although he has plenty of talent around him (Patrick Kane), he will be a key part of the team’s success.
Denmark—5th place—5 points
Morten Poulsen seems to have been hiding in plain sight. The 30-year-old Dane is in his eighth World Championship, and prior to this year scored just six goals in 46 games. Yet in Slovakia he already has three in four games, all coming in the 9-0 romp over Great Britain. Denmark’s three remaining games are against the United States, Canada, and Slovakia, and if they are to earn any vital points in the standings towards their dream of a place in the quarter-finals, continued contributions from Poulsen would only help.
Slovakia—6th place—3 points
With three goals in four games, 23-year-old Matus Sukel has emerged as the team’s leading scorer. He opened the scoring in the team’s first game, a 4-1 win over the United States. He also scored two important goals against Canada, the opener, again, and then midway through the third period to tie the game, 5-5. He was never drafted into the NHL but this past season played with Slovan Bratislava in the KHL.
France—7th place—1 point
Playing in his tenth World Championship, Damien Fleury has three goals in four games, including one in the critical 5-4 overtime loss to Denmark. The French got one point for that result, and it might be a key to determining their fate for next year, especially if demotion is at stake in the team’s final game against Great Britain. Fleury also scored the tying goal early in the second period against Germany and also scored against Canada. He has the experience and the skill to help keep the team in the top pool for 2020.
Great Britain—8th place—0 points
Let’s face it, Great Britain is in tough. They need goals from anyone, any time, but if their number-one goalie Ben Bowns can keep them in the game, they might be able to sneak a point or two in their remaining games against Slovakia and France (realistically, not so much Finland). Bowns has been excellent, but he can’t hold the fort alone. Still, his play has kept the scores closer than what might otherwise have been the case.