NHL scout's Top 5 European draft prospects to watch at the WJC

The world junior championships is always a good place for fans and scouts alike to take a look at some of the best NHL draft eligible prospects. This year, there aren’t many representing the North Americas (Canada has zero with Nolan Patrick injured).

Yahoo Canada Sports asked legendary talent evaluator, Goran Stubb, the NHL’s director of European scouting, to breakdown the top prospects currently playing in Europe who will be at the tournament.

The defending champions from Finland begin their title defence on Dec. 26 against the Czech Republic at Montreal’s Bell Centre.

KRISTIAN VESALAINEN, F, FINLAND (Frolunda HC)

A power forward who played both in the Swedish and Finnish leagues during the fall. An under-18 world champion with Finland in April. He was a Swedish senior and junior champion with Frolunda HC in 2016. A strong, mobile powerful winger.

ELIAS PETTERSSON, F, SWEDEN (Timra IK)

The fast, speedy star is having a sensational season with Timra in the Swedish minors (12 goals, 15 assists in 27 games in the Allsvenskan league). A skilled crowd-pleaser.

MIRO HEISKANEN, D, FINLAND (IFK Helsinki)

He’s only 17 but a leading defenceman with IFK Helsinki in the Finnish league. He has improved a lot during this season. A skilled two-way defenceman.

MARTIN NECAS, F, CZECH REPUBLIC (HC Kometa Brno)

Necas was captain of the Czech under-18 team when they won their first ever Ivan Hlinka tournament in August. Having a great season with Brno in the Czech league. Skilled, mobile, fast centre with a great set of tools.

LIAS ANDERSSON, F, SWEDEN (HV71)

A smart, cool forward with a lot of skills. Andersson is a regular in the Swedish league (5 goals, 4 assists for 9 points in 24 SHL games.)