Are they growing up or just going down? It's just a matter of time until we all find out.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe said Rasmus Sandin was taken out of the lineup for salary cap purposes, signalling an activation of a player from long-term injured reserve may be in the works.

The younger generation may have been the ones in the spotlight, but the U-18 World Championship showcased the best the 2021 NHL draft class had to offer.

Connor Bedard may have been the center of attention, but Shane Wright finished the U18s with one of the best performances Canada has ever seen at the tournament. It's yet another piece that makes Wright one of the best hockey prospects in the world right now.

In a game highlighted by some of the game's top young players from the past decade, Team Canada has taken gold for the first time since 2013 in an electric bout with Russia on Thursday.

There are many things the hockey world should be celebrating and talking about today, but thanks to the NHL’s decision to not suspend Tom Wilson this week, the focus instead takes place on what happened at Madison Square Garden last night.

He started the tournament as Russia's third goalie, and now he's one of the leading candidates to win the top goalie honor at the U-18 World Championship.

Days after the Tom Wilson-Artemi Panarin incident, the two teams brawled in New York and once again, we have a culture debate in hockey.

Canada vs. Russia. Bedard vs. Michkov. One of the best rivalries in hockey is ready to re-ignite after an exciting semifinal day in Texas on Wednesday.

The GM and President are out and assistant GM Chris Drury is reportedly moving on up. But was the rebuild really not going well enough?

Do good things really come to those who wait? As Michael Houser found out this week, they just may. Here are five other players that made a name for themselves after debuting later in their careers.

The United States won't play for a medal this year, but Dylan Duke's play has gotten people talking – and his status as a prospect definitely is trending upwards after a strong tournament.

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe says forward Nick Foligno is day-to-day with an upper-body injury and will not play on Thursday while goaltender Frederik Andersen will join the Toronto Marlies on a conditioning stint.

One of the top goaltenders for the 2021 NHL draft, Benjamin Gaudreau had to wait 417 days between starts. He didn't let that opportunity go to waste, and after some strong performances for Canada, he's showing scouts what he's capable of.

We already know he's the most lethal offensive player in the world, but putting up a century mark before the playoffs would really serve notice.

The top two prospects for the 2023 NHL draft have been putting on a pyrotechnic display at the World Under-18 Championship and it's potentially just a glimpse of great things to come.

There's a lot of blame to go around for the Tom Wilson's latest moment of infamy, from the league to his team to the players' association. But most of that blame belongs to the player himself.

The Toronto Maple Leafs dropped a one-goal lead late in regulation to the Montreal Canadiens, but the bigger loss could be that of Nick Foligno. The forward left in the second period with an upper-body injury and did not return.

USA won't compete for a medal for the first time since 2003, while Canada, Russia and Finland all advance. The final four is ready to go in Texas.

Six-years into his pro career, Michael Bunting has had an awakening to become of Arizona's most important players. The rest of the league needs to take notice.

The Hurricanes ascend to the top as the Presidents' Trophy race gets serious. Meanwhile, other teams just want a ticket to the post-season. Find out how we ranked them.

McDavid is scoring at a rate not seen in a quarter century. His 2020-21 is arguably the best season ever by a player in a league-abbreviated season, but who are the other contenders?

Benched earlier in the tournament, Francesco Pinelli bounced back in a big way for Team Canada en route to winning Group A. Canada will be looking for more of that moving forward - and scouts are happy with what they've seen.

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Justin Holl will miss the team's next game after he took a puck to the face during the team's 5-1 win against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night.

With Luke Hughes out with an injury, USA had to find help to make up for the big loss on the blueline. 2022 draft prospect Lane Hutson has been exactly what the Americans were looking for.

USA barely edged out Finland and Canada, Russia and Sweden score big wins. The preliminary round is over and Texas, and all that's left is the games that count the most.

The Vancouver Canucks placed right wing Jake Virtanen on leave Saturday following allegations of sexual misconduct.

Early goals in their respective games was all it took to secure wins at the U-18 World Championship with just one day left in the round-robin.

The expansion team paid its fees and now GM Ron Francis can acquire players. But who will be the first to sign?

Matvei Michkov is drawing comparisons to some big-time NHL stars, and as he continues to show at the U-18 World Championship, there's a reason there's so much hype surrounding the Russian scoring star.

Which NHL-affiliated prospects took the biggest tumbles in our scouting panel's rankings? The unorthodox hockey calendar had a major influence on the list this year, and that's why you shouldn't panic.

Matvei Michkov scored four goals, including a lacrosse goal, USA came from behind late to beat the Czechs and Belarus and Sweden both came home victorious. Catch up with all the action on Day 4 at the World U-18 Hockey Championship.

The Anaheim Ducks netminder was a college legend who wore the Team USA jersey with pride and played on some very good Sabres teams.

It's been a strange and difficult year for player development, but some youngsters have improved significantly year over year regardless. Which NHL-affiliated prospects caught our scouts' eyes the most?

Mason McTavish has been a big leader for Canada early at the U-18 World Championship. Not that should surprise anyone given his season.

Jason Spezza recorded his 966th point to tie himself with Maurice (Rocket) Richard on the all-time list and Joe Thornton notched his 1100th as the veterans helped the Toronto Maple Leafs reach the next step in their goal of a Stanley Cup.

Finland once again shows you can't underestimate them and Canada just holds on against Latvia. Catch up with all the action from Day 3 in Texas.

HBCU Tennessee State is reportedly looking into feasibility and our prospect expert thinks the fit is perfect.

Danila Klimovich wasn't on many people's radars ahead of the U-18 World Championship. But with four goals in two games, he's quickly becoming a name to watch for the 2021 NHL draft.

Canada comes out swinging, USA holds on, Belarus takes a massive victory and we've got another incredible comeback. Catch up with all of the happenings of Day 2 in Texas.

TNT has been a great partner for the NBA and now the hockey world gets a chance to see what Turner Sports execs can do for the game.

Nikita Chibrikov will be counted to be one of Russia's key players in the run up to the U-18 World Championship medal round. As he showed on Monday, the 2021 draft prospect is ready for everything thrown at him – and scouts are noticing.

A pair of near-comebacks highlighted Day 1 of action in Texas – a day of U-18 World Championship play that didn't lack excitement or drama.

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen took part in his first full practice in over a month. With the team subject to NHL salary cap limitations, there are scenarios that can play out that would see Andersen gets some games in before the playoffs.

The New York Rangers are surging and the veteran center has been a driver - while finding chemistry with Alexis Lafreniere.

In a season headlined by scintillating performances from the game's young superstars, Sidney Crosby has quietly carried a hobbled Penguins team to first place. He's a sleeper MVP candidate.

The junior hockey season has been anything but normal, but the U-18 World Championship will once again give fans a chance to watch the top prospects in the world - including a few budding phenoms.

The Maple Leafs have long demonstrated the skill to defeat their opponents. But the club put its playoff game face on after a couple of physically-charged wins agains the Jets.

Six months after the 2020 NHL draft, some prospect would be selected higher today. But the lack of action in development league has limited the amount of movement

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Zach Bogosian will miss the remainder of the regular season and likely some of the playoffs with a shoulder injury, head coach Sheldon Keefe disclosed on Friday.