The United States is bringing back two players this month as it defends its rare gold medal at the IIHF men’s hockey world championship.
The International Ice Hockey Federation’s marquee tournament is often a tough sell because it falls in May during the NHL playoffs. Golden goal scorer Tage Thompson is still playing for the Buffalo Sabres and captain Clayton Keller and goalie Jeremy Swayman played in the NHL first round. Swayman also has a child on the way.
Some players need to recover from injuries after grueling seasons and there’s no Olympics on the horizon as a carrot to attend.
But that doesn’t mean there are no intriguing players at this year’s hockey worlds. The Florida Panthers missing the playoffs after back-to-back titles opened some unexpected options for their players’ countries.
Here are eight players to watch at the IIHF world championships:
Dec. 29: USA forward Ryker Lee (RW) (17) shoots the puck as Slovakia forward Tobias Pitka (28) defends during the first period.
Dec. 29: Slovakia goalie Micha Pradel (1) stops USA forward Teddy Stiga (4) on a breakaway during the first period.
Dec. 29: Czechia’s Vojtech Cihar is checked by Finland’s Emil Hemming.
Dec. 29: Anton Frondell celebrates his power-play goal against Sweden in the third period against Germany. He scored twice in the 8-1 victory.
Dec. 29: Viggo Bjorck (21) also scored twice for Sweden in the game, as did Jack Berglund.
Dec. 29: Sweden’s Felix Carell checks Germany’s Lenny Boos in the first period.
Dec. 29: Germany’s Elias Pul (9) celebrates his tying goal against Sweden with teammate Gustavs Griva. Germany scored on a 2-on-0 break, but Sweden pulled away in the second period.1 / 7
Hockey's best young stars face off at world junior championships
Dec. 29: USA forward Ryker Lee (RW) (17) shoots the puck as Slovakia forward Tobias Pitka (28) defends during the first period.
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Hockey's best young stars face off at world junior championships
Dec. 29: USA forward Ryker Lee (RW) (17) shoots the puck as Slovakia forward Tobias Pitka (28) defends during the first period.
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Hockey's best young stars face off at world junior championships
Dec. 29: Slovakia goalie Micha Pradel (1) stops USA forward Teddy Stiga (4) on a breakaway during the first period.
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Hockey's best young stars face off at world junior championships
Dec. 29: Czechia’s Vojtech Cihar is checked by Finland’s Emil Hemming.
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Hockey's best young stars face off at world junior championships
Dec. 29: Anton Frondell celebrates his power-play goal against Sweden in the third period against Germany. He scored twice in the 8-1 victory.
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Hockey's best young stars face off at world junior championships
Dec. 29: Viggo Bjorck (21) also scored twice for Sweden in the game, as did Jack Berglund.
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Hockey's best young stars face off at world junior championships
Dec. 29: Sweden’s Felix Carell checks Germany’s Lenny Boos in the first period.
7 / 7
Hockey's best young stars face off at world junior championships
Dec. 29: Germany’s Elias Pul (9) celebrates his tying goal against Sweden with teammate Gustavs Griva. Germany scored on a 2-on-0 break, but Sweden pulled away in the second period.
USA’s Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers
He’s usually unavailable because of deep NHL playoff runs. But he’ll be the USA’s marquee player and the lone Olympic gold medal winner on the team. If he helps the USA repeat, he’ll be the first American on the triple gold club with Olympic, world championships and NHL titles. He’s scheduled to arrive on May 19. Boston’s Mason Lohrei and Edmonton prospect Isaac Howard are the returnees. Washington’s Ryan Leonard and Boston’s James Hagens have chemistry from Boston College and the world junior championships.
Canada’s Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks
He had a spectacular sophomore season. He set a Sharks team record with 115 points, was a standout for Team Canada at the Olympics and is a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award for most outstanding player. He’ll be Canada’s captain.
Canada’s Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
He joined after the Penguins were eliminated by the Flyers. He’s a triple gold club member already and played in last year’s tournament. That super team featuring Nathan MacKinnon, Crosby, Celebrini and others was stunned by Denmark in the quarterfinals. Crosby will be an alternate captain.
Finland’s Aleksander Barkov, Panthers
He missed the 2025-26 NHL season after injuring his ACL during his first day in training camp. This will give him an opportunity to suit up for his country after he missed the Olympics. His NHL teammate, Anton Lundell, will also play for Finland.
Sweden’s Lucas Raymond, Detroit Red Wings
He finished third in Olympic scoring with nine points and is coming off his third consecutive 70-point season with the Red Wings.
Switzerland’s Roman Josi, Nashville Predators
Switzerland lost to the USA in the 2025 championship game and is the host country this season. It has its share of NHL players, including Predators captain Josi, Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, Nino Niederreiter, Pius Suter and J.J. Moser.
Sweden’s Ivar Stenberg
He’s projected to be one of the top picks in the 2026 NHL Draft. He helped Sweden win the world junior championships. Gavin McKenna, the projected top pick, isn’t playing in this tournament
Latvia’s Alberts Smits
He’s another top prospect for the NHL draft. He already has represented his country at the world juniors and Olympics this season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World championships hockey stars to watch as tournament gets underway
