The World Juniors are almost upon us!

Normally, hockey’s most exciting tournament would be yet another excuse to celebrate the holiday season. Instead, that the tournament is being played at all stands as a moral dilemma unto itself.

In the months leading up to the tournament, members of Sweden’s coaching staff tested positive for COVID-19, as did dozens of potential players. There were logistical errors that heightened the risk. Upon arrival to Edmonton, eight players from Team Germany tested positive, along with two more staff members for Sweden.

As such, I feel it’s important to express that this tournament probably shouldn’t be played. It’s reckless, at best.

But the tournament’s going to happen. It kicks off on December 25th, with a pair of Group A matchups: Switzerland versus Slovakia and Germany versus Finland, before Russia plays the USA in the evening’s marquee matchup.

So, let’s take a quick look at what to expect from the teams in Group A, followed by Group B tomorrow.