from Ian Kennedy of The Hockey News,
The World Championship was filled with NHL stars. Many of them, including MacKenzie Weegar, JJ Peterka, Moritz Seider and Dominik Kubalik, played exceptional hockey. Others, whether it was Nico Hischier or Mikko Rantanen, were at times overshadowed by players from European professional leagues, the AHL and college.
The top 10 performers from the 2023 IIHF men’s World Championship feature some familiar NHL faces, AHL standouts and one NCAA player who looks ready to make the NHL jump.
4. MORITZ SEIDER, D, GERMANY
A late addition to Germany’s roster, it’s hard to imagine Germany winning silver without Seider, a former Calder Trophy winner with the Detroit Red Wings. Seider led Germany in time on ice by a landslide, and despite being outscored by Kai Wissmann and Moritz Muller on the German blueline, Seider’s role in controlling the pace of games and ensuring top forwards did not have an easy ride to the net was crucial. Germany preached a team game the entire tournament, but whenever that approach floundered, Seider was there to clean up the mess with his ability to transport the puck and to physically contain opponents.
6. DOMINIK KUBALIK, F, CZECHIA
In four NHL seasons, Kubalik has been as consistent of a scorer as it comes. The Detroit Red Wings forward has always received critique for his 200-foot game, but he played a responsible role on both sides of the puck in this tournament. Voted a tournament all-star, Kubalik finished second overall in scoring with 12 points in eight games. He’s an opportunistic scorer, and perhaps there’s more offensive output that could come at the NHL level if those opportunities present themselves.
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from Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now,
While there certainly appears to be more clarity as to whether Veleno has an NHL future he does exactly what that future will be remains behind cloud cover. Can he score enough to be a top-nine forward? Or is Veleno destined for fourth-line duty as an NHLer?
We still dont know. At 6-foot-1 and 203 pounds, Veleno definitely possessed the tools to be a physical presence on the ice. He frankly admits that he needs to up his game in this area.
Thats definitely one thing that I want to bring to the table, Veleno said. Ive got the size for it and the ability to be hard to play against. It doesnt necessarily mean I should go out of my way to run guys. I dont think Im that type of player.
I think what I could do is use my intensity and my physicality and my size to win more puck battles and more races.
If Veleno can score between 12-15 goals per season and play with a physical presence, he can be a valuable Red Wing for many years to come.
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It's definitely been a tale of two Kubaliks last season, and now this - I wonder what held him back in the back stretch - being forced to be defensively responsible? Limited ice time? It's curious.
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