Four big reasons Leaf fans should be watching the World Juniors.

Fans in Toronto should be paying attention to a lot more than just the Canadian squad at the World Junior Championship.

The currently rebuilding Maple Leafs will boast no less than four prospects at this year's World Junior Championship and none of them from the Canadian squad. The Leafs will have three forwards and a goaltender representing three different nations at the tournament.

Two of the three forwards are former second round draft picks with 2016 second round pick Carl Grundstrom (57th overall) and 2015 second round pick Jeremy Bracco (61st overall) both making the cut for the Swedish and American rosters respectively. Joining them at the tournament will be former third round draft pick in 2015 Martin Dzierkals (68th overall) who will play forward for Latvia.

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As for Toronto's lone goaltender at the tournament, it will be another American player in Jeremy Woll who the Leafs drafted in the third round of the 2016 draft (62nd overall).

Plenty of reason to keep a close eye on rival nations.