Battle of 2025 & 2026 potential first overall picks

How do the Montreal Canadiens factor into this one, well I would imagine that their scouts will be on hand for this game.

It will be impossible for Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton to not have their eyes on this matchup, because of the hockey lovers that they are. Team Canada's Gavin McKenna might be out of reach for the Habs at the 2026 NHL Draft, but this guy is a special player. Meanwhile, the American James Hagens is uber-talented in his own right and is projected to go first overall in this June's draft.

Hagens is getting top-line minutes for the American centring a Boston College line with Gabe Perrault and Ryan Leonard. Given the chemistry alone, Hagens should feel at ease in his first World Junior tournament. But the way he has played throughout the Americans' first two games has done plenty for his draft stock.

McKenna is playing on the second line with Seattle Kraken 2024 eighth-overall pick Berkly Catton and Columbus Blue Jackets 2023 fourth-round pick Luca Pinelli. McKenna isn't playing the same minutes as Hagens, but he makes something happen each time he's on the ice. Two franchises are going to be very happy over each of the next two drafts.

I expect the battle between the two countries and two of the most exciting young undrafted NHL Draft prospects to be a can't-miss game. The reputation of the battle and the rivalry between the two countries is on for another New Year's Eve special. Both countries want to and aren't satisfied with achieving anything less than a gold medal.

Impression of the game

American starting goaltender Trey Augustine won the goaltending battle over Canada's Carter George. Canada had plenty of high quality chances, but they just took far too many penalties to be able to sustain any pressure. When they did put together some time in the American zone, Augustine stood tall.

There are a few guys that are definitely not giving enough, considering the Canadiens offence stalled. I think the decision's to leave Zayne Parekh and Carter Yakemchuk off the teams are tough ones. Canada needs some goals, and they don't have any pure offensive defenders to chip in.

Hagens and McKenna were involved, but they didn't impact much on the scoresheet. Team USA took advantage of Canada's inability to stay out of the penalty box. I think on most nights if you take 10 penalties, you aren't going to come out with a win.

USA won the game 4-1 and while it was a physical affair with many spirited bouts, Canada was outplayed by the rival Americans.