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This week, several Anaheim Ducks prospects were named to preliminary rosters for the 2021 World Juniors. Here are the updates:
FOUR DUCKS PROSPECTS NAMED TO USA’S PRELIMINARY WJC ROSTER
Sam Colangelo, Jackson LaCombe, Henry Thrun and Trevor Zegras were all named to USA’s preliminary roster for the 2021 World Juniors. Zegras is the only returnee of the group and the team will need to cut four players before naming their final roster.
ALBIN SUNDSVIK NAMED TO SWEDEN’S PRELIMINARY WJC ROSTER
Ducks sixth-round pick Albin Sundsvik was also named to a preliminary roster for the World Juniors. He’ll be one of 34 players competing to represent Sweden at the tournament.
THIMO NICKL NAMED TO AUSTRIA’S PRELIMINARY WJC ROSTER
Nickl, a fourth-round pick by the Ducks in this year's NHL draft, was named to Austria's preliminary roster. He joins Marco Rossi as the only other drafted player on roster.
As for this week’s poll questions, here are the results and my thoughts on how they turned out:
QUESTION: Would you feel confident in Anthony Stolarz as Anaheim's backup goalie if Ryan Miller doesn't return?
(Votes: 87)
Yes: 78% No: 22%
While I think everyone would like to see Ryan Miller return, if he doesn't, the Ducks should feel confident in using Anthony Stolarz as the team’s backup goalie. He has some NHL experience and is coming off an excellent season in the AHL.
QUESTION: Do you agree that a top-line forward is the Ducks biggest need?
(Votes: 36)
Yes: 86% No: 14%
Anaheim’s key area of weakness is their offense. They don’t have a single legitimate top-line forward on their roster and if they want to make a push for the playoffs, adding a top forward, center or winger, would go a long way.
QUESTION: How many Ducks prospects do you think will make USA’s final WJC roster?
(Votes: 28)
3 players: 43% 2 players: 25% 4 players: 18% 1 player: 14%
I think the safest bet is two or three Ducks prospects cracking USA’s final roster. We know Zegras is a lock and given that they only have nine defensemen listed on the preliminary roster, odds are that LaCombe and Thrun aren’t both cut. Whether Colangelo makes the team could also go either way, with so much talent to compete against up front and seven returning forwards.
QUESTION: Do you think Albin Sundsvik will make Sweden’s final WJC roster?
(Votes: 21)
No: 76% Yes: 24%
While I’d like to see Sundsvik crack the roster so we can get a better look at him, I think it could be unlikely. Sweden will have a deep group this year and with such a large preliminary roster, he may not be able to win a spot.
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OTHER DUCKS ARTICLES FROM DECEMBER Colangelo, LaCombe, Thrun and Zegras named to USA’s preliminary WJC roster Albin Sundsvik named to Sweden’s preliminary WJC roster