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Toronto Maple Leafs: 2016 World Juniors Recap of Leafs Top Prospects

By James Middleton

Oct 2, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; aToronto Maple Leafs right wing Kasperi Kapanen (71) skates with the puck chased by Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall (55) in the second period t Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; aToronto Maple Leafs right wing Kasperi Kapanen (71) skates with the puck chased by Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall (55) in the second period t Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 15, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; The Toronto Maple Leafs logo at center ice before the start of the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Team USA:

Auston Matthews: Another excellent tournament by a draft-eligible player, Matthews did nothing to dissuade the thinking he will go anywhere but first overall. While Puljujarvi and Laine improved their draft stocks, there probably isn’t anything they could have done to knock Matthews off the top spot.

The San Franciso native was fantastic this tournament in leading the Americans to a bronze medal, while also scoring the most goals ever for an American at a single World Juniors (tied with Jeremy Roenick). What sets him apart from the two Finns is the fact he is a legit number one centre in the mold of an Anze Kopitar.

Barring a catastrophic injury, Matthews will be an early favorite for rookie of the year, with this tournament showing off his elite combination of size, speed, hands, shot and 200 foot game. He looked like a man among boys over the course of the tournament, and is a legit franchise altering talent.

Matthew Tkachuk: Playing wing on a line with Matthews, Tkachuk also had an excellent tournament by tying his teammate in points for Team USA. Despite looking a little light, he showed flashes of his dad Keith throughout this tournament.

I have the winger locked in as the fourth-best player available this June, and he should become a tremendous player in the NHL. While not as mean or physical as his dad, Tkachuk reminded me of another highly-picked American – James van Riemsdyk.

The Arizona native has excellent hands and shot for his size. He should continue his fabulous season with the London Knights on the wing with Leafs top prospect Mitch Marner, on a team that looks bound for the Memorial Cup.

Next: Team Canada

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