Dan’s Daily Links: Happy Boxing Day, World Juniors Too!

If you’re not into the World Junior Championships, it is time we got you into it. The Pittsburgh Penguins will have only one prospect in the tournament this year–Sweden’s Filip Hallander, who was a Penguins second-round choice in the 2018 NHL draft–but there will be more than a few draft-eligible prospects to drool over, including consensus first-overall pick Jack Hughes.

Here is everything Team Canada, from their emotional captain selection to the power play (TSN)

And here is everything Team USA, which sadly isn’t nearly as much as what we know about Team Canada’s breakfast habits. In fact, a great preview comes courtesy of a Montreal Canadiens blog. Cheers, boys! (Habs Eyes on the Prize).

Sadly, Team USA’s page on USA Hockey includes dead links and not much news.

The Penguins did have a few prospects on the WJC radar, including Jordy Bellerive, Calen Addison and Justin Almeida. Addison was an early cut in the selection process, while Almeida was a periphery name. Bellerive has fallen behind as he works to recover from the burns he suffered in a camp-fire accident, last summer.

Three players to watch on each team (Sportsnet) AND check out the December draft rankings (Sportsnet)

The New York Islanders are feeling pretty good about themselves, compared to where everyone thought they would be without John Tavares. Before the Penguins recent surge, the Islanders held a playoff spot and they won’t be going quietly (Newsday)

Our pals at Pensburgh have a good look at the rest of the Metro Division (Pensburgh)

And for our subscribers–a look at what the Penguins have gotten right this season, from Matt Cullen to Marcus Pettersson (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)