The Daily: Red Wings Prospects Tested At WJC; Pens Trade Rumors

A Canada vs. USA Final at the World Championships in St. Paul would certainly be in the best interest of the Detroit Red Wings. But having Sweden reaching the final would also be beneficial.

NCAA scoring leader Max Plante (47th, 2024) will be trying to help two-time defending champion USA capture a third consecutive title. Slick-passing Plante was a member of last year’s championship team.  He is enjoying a dominant season with Minnesota-Duluth, boasting 16 goals and 14 assists for 30 points in 20 games.

The Americans’ title defense will start Friday with a game vs. Germany.

Meanwhile, Carter Bear (13th, 2025) is playing for a Canada, a country that has won the WJC in 2020, 2022 and 2023. The Canadians open with Czechia (7:30 p.m.).

Detroit draft pick Eddie Genborg (45th, 2025) will be playing for the Sweden team that opens the tournament Friday (noon) vs. Slovakia. The hard-hitting Genborg is having a noteworthy season (eight goals, seven assists) for Timra in the Swedish Hockey League.

The best-on-best WJC format is perfect for NHL teams to evaluate key prospects. If you can perform well at this tournament, it’s an indication of being a top prospect.

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Red Wings Extra

Travis Hamonic was plus-one in Detroit’s 3-2 overtime win against the Washington Capitals on Sunday. That marked the first plus-game the Detroit defenseman has logged since Oct. 30. He was minus-12 between Halloween and last Saturday.

That's leadership 👊⭐️

DETAILS | 🔗 https://t.co/Wi8LkM1M8l pic.twitter.com/uXHbkGFpRF

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) December 22, 2025

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