World Junior 2015 Preview: Sweden's youth might suppress shot at fourth consecutive medal

GROUP B: SWEDEN
2014 finish: Silver medal
2014 round-robin record: 4-0-0-0, 22 GF/7 GA

Yahoo! Canada Sports has asked North American-based players, some of whom are playing in the world junior championship, to break down their national teams.

One trait that is attributable to Team Sweden is that it seems to function better as an underdog than as a favourite.

The blue and gold, which has played in the past three WJC finals and medalled in 6-of-7 tournaments, might stack up as the former, especially after giving up a 15 goals in two pre-competition games against Canada and Team USA. Sweden is fronted offensively by William Nylander, the mostly vaunted Toronto Maple Leafs forward prospect in a generation and has two AHLers on loan with wing Jacob de la Rose and defenceman Robert Hägg. Overall, though, only ten players on the preliminary roster are 19 years old and the squad is unsettled in goal; Samuel Ward played both pre-competition games while Linus Söderström was rested; an injury will apparently keep Jonas Johansson from competing at all .

"We don't look at the age on the passports when we make the teams but at the same time, there is the matter of experience," Sweden coach Rikard Grönborg says. "We've moved the puck well at the power play and in the transition.

"It's a young team but we believe there's a lot of upside."

Clearing the dirty area is probably Job One, especially since the No. 1 goaltender slot is in flux due to injuries. Hägg will be expected to be the fixer on the back end, which includes only two other 19-year-olds in Julius Bergman and Robin Norell. The country's best NHL draft prospect, 17-year-old D-man Oliver Kylington, is out for the tournament with an undisclosed injury.

"He's an experienced player," de la Rose, a Montreal Canadiens pick who's entering his third world junior, says of Hagg. "He's going to be helpful for our team."

Ultimately, the question is whether Sweden will be able to create enough zone time to allow thes likes of Nylander, creative Carolina Hurricanes draft choice Lucas Wallmark and other forwards such as Axel Holmström, Adrian Kempe and Oskar Lindblom to flourish. They struggled to contain the speed of Team USA during Tuesday's pre-competition finale in Kingston.

"We have to get our defensive game together," de la Rose says.

Sweden opens against Czech Republic on Boxing Day and is also up against Denmark, Switzerland and Russia in Group B at Air Canada Centre. It's likely just a matter of when and how often the 18-year-old Nylander will do something to put a charge into Leafs fans.

"He's a guy who passes and shoots well," Grönborg says. "He's pretty dynamic on the offensive end. It's pretty tough to scout him because he does each of those things so well, especially on the power play."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sebastian Aho (D, Skelleftea AIK — Sweden Hockey League)

While the 5-foot-10 defender went undrafted by the NHL in June due to his size, he is the best distributor on Swedes' blueline and is a big cog on what stacks up as a potentially potent power play.

"He's not that big so he needs other skills," Bergman says. "He's good with the puck; good hockey mind. He's a really smart player."

Julius Bergman (D, London Knights — OHL)

The San Jose Sharks second-rounder is a honorary linemate of Max Domi with London, since he's so at ease at jumping up into offensive rushes. Bergman skates well and can chip in offensively. Bergman's role might expand now that Kylington is out for the tournament.

Jacob de la Rose (F, Hamilton Bulldogs — AHL)

Sweden's captain has been able to hold up physically as a 19-year-old with the Montreal Canadiens farm team. Doesn't profile as a high scorer but is tough to play against.

"He's a guy who's going to be a real leader on the team," Gronborg says. "He's the guy who's played the most international team games ever. Hopefully he can pass that experience on to our guys."

Robert Hägg (D, Hershey Bears — AHL)

Could be the linchpin in the Swedish defenceman after playing on succcesive silver-winning squads.

"H'll bring in some positive energy and some strength in the D zone," Bergman says. "And in a little in the offensive zonev as well."

Adrian Kempe (F, MODO Hockey — SHL)

Nylander's club team linemate was selected No. 29 overall in the NHL draft by the Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings. Kempe is a worker-bee winger

William Nylander (F, MODO Hockey — SHL)

As the Leafs' beacon of hope, the 18-year-old is under the biggest microscope of any player in Group B. Nylander has quick hands and makes even quicker decisions and should be a leading scorer.

"His puck-handling is amazing," de la Rose says. "He's the whole package. He's one of the best players."

Lucas Wallmark (F, Lulea HF — SHL)

Carolina Hurricanes fourth-rounder is a strong playmaker who will be called upon to form a second wave of attack when Nylander is getting a breather.

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet.