5 young NHL stars we’d like to see play for Team USA at the World Championship

Apr 27, 2026 - 21:30

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5 young NHL stars we’d like to see play for Team USA at the World Championship originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Team USA owns the hockey world at the moment, with wins at the Olympics from both men and women, and last year broke its long drought at the World Championship, winning gold for the first time since 1933.

They’ve been able to build their dominance by leveraging the World Championship to their benefit. Last year, they challenged players who missed out on the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off roster to prove they belong by dominating the World Championship. Tage Thompson and Clayton Keller did so.

They guided the Americans to their first gold since 1933, and then won gold at the 2026 Olympics. Additionally, they are now leading their teams in the playoffs.

But for youngsters hoping to make the 2028 World Cup of Hockey roster, joining the American squad for the World Championship could do them a lot of good.

Here are five players we’d like to see play for Team USA at the World Championships:

Will Smith, RW, San Jose Sharks

Due to the brilliance of Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith is almost forgotten when talking about the San Jose Sharks’ young talents. But Smith had a solid rookie season of 18 goals and 45 points, and followed it up with 24 goals and 59 points in 69 games this season.

If Smith does join Team USA, it’ll be Smith’s third time participating in this event. In his first two appearances, the 21-year-old had seven assists in 15 games. Now, with two NHL seasons under his belt, Smith would be a top-line player, depended on to produce offensively.

Another American Sharks player who could be inconsideration to make the team is Collin Graf. The undrafted winger posted 21 goals and 46 points in 81 games while being one of the best penalty killers in the NHL. Graf has never played international hockey, but his rapid development makes him deserving of a chance.

MORE: Five young NHL stars we’d like to see play for Team Canada at the World Championship

Matthew Knies, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs

While the Toronto Maple Leafs struggled all season, it resulted in an up-and-down year for Matthew Knies. Injuries also significantly hampered his impact, as his goals, shots on goal, and hits were all lower than what he produced in his sophomore season.

If there was one positive, Knies’ playmaking took a huge jump forward. The 23-year-old recorded 43 assists and 66 points, both career highs in his three-year career. If Knies can become a 30-goal scorer and mix in 40-assist seasons, he can become a true first-line power forward winger.

Playing for Team USA at the World Championship could help him do that. Knies has never played in the World Championship, but he has represented the Americans at the World Junior Championship and the 2022 Olympics, when NHL players were ineligible.

If Knies joins the Americans at the World Championships, he could continue to develop his game and make a good impression on the American staff as he looks to earn a spot on the 2028 World Cup of Hockey roster and the 2030 Olympic team.

MORE: Which 3 NHL teams could target Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies in a trade?

Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, St. Louis Blues

Jimmy Snuggerud, alongside Robert Thomas and Dylan Holloway, was dominant for the St. Louis Blues following the Olympic break. The 21-year-old recorded 11 goals and 27 points in 16 games to end the season, finishing his rookie season with 21 goals and 51 points in 70 games.

Snuggerud has a strong international reputation, winning gold at the world juniors and silver at the U-18s. If he does join the American roster, it would be his first time participating in an international event at the senior level.

Similar to Knies, with whom he played at the University of Minnesota, Snuggerud has proven at the NHL level that he is more than just a scorer. Snuggerud possesses an elite shot, but he routinely showed impressive playmaking instincts as the season went on.

MORE: Blues' Jimmy Snuggerud Named Rookie Of The Month For March

Ryan Leonard, RW, Washington Capitals

Following a similar mold to the Tkachuk brothers, Ryan Leonard is a pest on the ice with plenty of skill. Leonard finished his rookie campaign with 20 goals and 45 points in 75 games, while playing in limited third-line minutes.

Despite that, Leonard consistently demonstrated the speed and physicality he possesses, throwing 124 hits and firing 153 shots on goal. At 21, Leonard is a two-time gold medalist at the world juniors and a gold medalist at the U-18s.

The Hockey News’ Sammi Silber has already confirmed that Leonard will be joining Team USA at the World Championship, and, like Knies, a strong offensive performance coupled with his physicality will make a great impression on the American coaching staff.

MORE: Ryan Leonard To Play For Team USA At Worlds As Capitals Ponder Playing In Tournament

Zeev Buium, D, Vancouver Canucks

Zeev Buium has been a winner at every stop in his early career. A two-time winner at the world juniors, a gold medalist at the U-18s, a National Champion with the University of Denver, and last year was a gold medal winner with the Americans at the World Championship.

Buium is a silky-smooth offensive defenseman who faced the challenges of being a young NHL defenseman head-on. As part of the Quinn Hughes deal, Buium is now expected to lead the Vancouver Canucks blueline through their rebuild, and a chance to learn from other skilled American defenders at the World Championship would do Buium a lot of good.

The 20-year-old’s offensive game is fairly polished for his age, but he has strides to take defensively and physically. A chance to play meaningful hockey could help him do so.