BASEL, Switzerland – If the bookends of the scouting season are set by the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the NHL Draft, then the U18 World Hockey Championships are the climax in this annual story.

We've introduced all of the characters by now, leading and supporting alike, and this is one last chance for many of them to prove their quality in as high-stakes a setting as the calendar can offer. International pride and draft position are on the line. No pressure, right?

Sweden are the defending champions after beating Team USA 6-4 in an electrifying, back-and-forth gold medal game at last year's tournament in Landshut; only their second gold in the tournament's history, their first coming in 2019.

Their ability to win it all for the third time in four tournaments will depend upon whether they can gene