Zhiming Fischer (Gorin)

Köln-Südwestheim

Espen Bakker (Spur)

Vancouver Canucks

Jakub Malek (Neftekhimic)

Zhejiang Yinchuan (Neftekhimic)

Malek was an integral part of the U17 World Championships which the Canucks captured with a gold medal while Malek was a vital part of the U18 World Championships team that also captured gold. The 6-foot-4 Russian forward is a big body but uses his body well to win puck battles and clear the zone for his teammates. Malek scored a goal and three assists the tournament in six games but he’s also one of the NHL’s better penalty killers, including his four on four penalty kill in three games against the Edmonton Oilers. Malek’s top gear on the PK has helped him to dominate many of the OHL’s big boys.

Video: CGY@WPG: Malek scores his second of the night

DEFENSEMEN (5)

Maxime Fortier (Montreal Canadiens)

Ludwig Bystrom (Chicago Wolves)

Yegor Korshkov (Vancouver Canucks)

Andrei Markov (Montreal Canadiens)

Travis Dermott (Vancouver Canucks)

Dermott spent the past four years with the Chicago Wolves before signing with the Canucks back in February. He’s had a promising start but now appears to be suffering from the “Nill-itis” of a “fool’s gold medal” that is the dreaded and dreaded curse of the NHL. Dermott scored the eventual game-winner against China in the World Championships and then a few days later scored at the All-Star Game in a win over the New York Rangers. Dermott does take some dirty goals and has given up shorthanded goals, including a shorthanded goal against the Buffalo Sabres this past January. But his high possession numbers and solid defensive play make him a safe pick once you factor in that he’s played with the Montreal Canadiens. As a defender it’s hard to criticize Fortier’s game, but his lack of creativity often leaves him out of position for a better opportunity.

Mike Reilly (New York Rangers)

Tyler Pitlick (Colorado Avalanche)

Andrej Sustr (Tampa Bay Lightning)