The best part about ranking one of the deepest draft classes in almost a decade is the joy of playing favorites without any concerns that you may have shortchanged a prospect or two.
Such has been the case when analyzing the high-caliber Class of ‘23, where two generational talents — Regina Pats center Connor Bedard and HK Sochi sniper Matvei Michkov — are comfortably perched at the top thanks to near-historic production levels at every level they’ve ever played in.
But immediately thereafter, there are at least three additional forwards — Michigan center Adam Fantilli, Swedish pivot Leo Carlsson, and Winnipeg Ice offensive dynamo Zach Benson — who would undoubtedly have challenged for first overall in any other draft year since 2015, when the hype surrounding a vaunted group led by Connor McDavid stretched deep into first round and beyond.
This hypothetical scenario naturally creates a lengthy debate, such as whether or not Fantilli — a dual-threat center with excellent speed — would have made scouts in 2016 work harder to justify drafting Auston Matthews ahead of him. And in Matthews, we’re talking about the NHL’s reigning Most Valuable Player.
Naturally, this made-up conundrum speaks more to Fantilli’s all-star potential than it marginalizes Matthews’ upward Hall-of-Fame trajectory. But the point stands — the upper tiers of the 2023 draft class will offer more than one bottom feeder the chance at nabbing a franchise-changing prospect who can step right in and make an immediate impact.
But before we get ahead of ourselves with group-chat fantasies or video-game franchise building, it’s imperative to remind everyone that any draft class must stand the test of time before its merits can be proportioned against the NHL’s entire draft catalog that dates back to the early 1960’s. The 2023 group obviously isn’t ripe for an analysis centered on NHL scoring levels. But once the draft is complete and they’ve kickstarted their NHL careers, there are established benchmarks we can use to compare them with previous groups.
It’s been eight seasons since the aforementioned 2015 draft, which means there’s enough raw-production data to label it as one of the best draft classes in league history. One way to validate that claim is to compare individual NHL production levels from the top players taken that year.
According to the wonderful work done by the crews at NHL.com and Records.NHL.com, there have been only four draft classes since the 1979 WHA-NHL merger where four or more players averaged a point per game or higher after seven post-draft seasons (using seven seasons instead of eight since the 2022-23 campaign has not been completed):
1979 Draft (9): Glenn Anderson (1.23), Michel Goulet (1.19), Brian Propp (1.10), Neal Broten (1.09), Mark Messier (1.07), Mike Gartner (1.07), Mats Naslund (1.04), Anton Stastny (1.04), Ray Bourque (1.03)
1980 Draft (6): Jari Kurri (1.45), Denis Savard (1.34), Paul Coffey (1.26), Barry Pedersen (1.14), Bernie Nicholls (1.11), Steve Larmer (1.01)
1988 Draft (6): Teemu Selanne (1.32), Alexander Mogilny (1.20), Mark Recchi (1.16), Jeremy Roenick (1.14), Joe Juneau (1.06), Mike Modano (1.02)
2015 Draft (4): Connor McDavid (1.43), Kirill Kaprizov (1.17), Mitch Marner (1.07), Mikko Rantanen (1.00)
Therefore, it’s more than fair to say that the 2015 group has not only lived up to expectations as one of the best draft classes of all time, but that they rightfully set a new standard for future groups to be measured against. In the meantime, it’s important to identify three key factors that justify mentioning the 2023 draft class in the same breath as the award-winning and highly productive groups from 1979, 1988, 1990, 2003, and 2015.
1. Star power
At least one NHL club will one day regard the 28th of June, 2023 as a watershed moment in their franchise’s history. Because that’s the night that Bedard, Michkov, Fantilli, and a gang of other star-caliber draft picks don an NHL jersey for the first time. There should be at least four teams who grab a prospect on that summer night who may have gone first overall in any of the seven NHL drafts since the McDavid-Jack Eichel sweepstakes of 2015. As we know, McDavid undoubtedly is the greatest player we’ve seen since the days of Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, and Alex Ovechkin is about to be come the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer. And while neither appear ready to pass that torch to anyone else in the league, the 2023 draft offers two top two contenders who have he skill and desire to erase their efforts from the record books.
In Bedard, we’re witnessing a living, breathing challenger with the ability to one day knock the greatest player in the sport off his perch. That means every matchup between Bedard and McDavid will be a Page 1 story, potentially for more than a decade. Of course, there’s no reason to believe that the Oilers’ megastar is completely unaware of the fact that Bedard, who stars for the WHL’s Regina Pats, not only overtook McDavid’s impressive scoring marks at the under-20 world juniors, but also outproduced the Erie Otters edition of McDavid by a significant margin through the first 125 games of their respective pre-draft CHL careers.
As far as Michkov goes, he’s simply the best Russian draft prospect since Ovechkin, and the numbers (0.74 points per game) back it up. Although Ovechkin’s former RSL was not welcoming to natural goal scorers, he still needed 53 games to hit the 13-goal, 23-point mark in his draft season of 2003-04 (0.43 points per game). Nuff said.
2. League play and production
Although it hasn’t been quantified (yet), this year’s draft class seems to feature an extraordinary number of 17- and 18-year-old prospects who are either the undisputed best player on their team or among the league leaders in scoring.
For example, the WHL at one point last month had first-year-draft eligibles occupy five of the league’s first six spots in overall scoring, and Bedard, Kelowna’s Andrew Cristall, and Benson currently sit first, third, and fourth, respectively, in points-per-game average. OHL’er Colby Barlow at one point was the OHL’s leading goal scorer and is on pace to score 53 times, which would be the highest by an OHL first-year eligible since John Tavares potted 58 for the London Knights in 2008-09. Fantilli leads the NCAA in scoring as a freshman. Dvorsky and Frolunda J20 potential first-rounder Noah Dower-Nilsson own two of the highest point-per-game averages in the J20 Nationell. Russian defenseman Mikhail Gulyayev has the highest points-per-game average among MHL rearguards, while Austrian blueliner David Reinbacher leads rookie defensemen in scoring in Switzerland’s elite NLA.
These placements in league overall scoring are not common for prospects ranked outside the top three or five of a given draft class, and the aforementioned names just scratch the surface on how impressive these first-year eligibles are performing against older contemporaries in both junior and adult-age circuits.
3. Positional depth
Before the season, the general assessment of the 2023 draft class was that it was thin on defensemen but loaded at every other position, to include goalie. This was validated by NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings, which listed only one defenseman — WHL’er Lukas Dragicevic at 12 — within the first 17 slots for North American skaters. Still, teams that aim for need at the draft have shown a willingness to create draft lists tailored for a specific position, and that list will identify their “best players available” when it comes time to announce the pick. If a list is defense-heavy, then the likelihood of an off-the-board pick increases.
Now that we’re seven full months into the draft season, it’s evident that the Class of ‘23 isn’t entirely devoid of blueline talent, and it would be prudent to expect teams to address a need on the back end regardless of how deep the forward or goalie pools are. For example, the 2020 draft was incredibly forward-heavy based on NHL Central Scouting’s set of in-season rankings, and only 14 of the first 62 picks were defensemen.
Still, there were six taken in Round 1 that year, which probably is double what many would have predicted for 2023 earlier this season once Day 1 is complete. Dragicevic, fellow CHL’ers Beau Akey, Etienne Morin, and Oliver Bonk, Austrian David Reinbacher, Sweden’s Axel-Sandin Pelikka, and Russians Mikhail Gulyayev and Dmitriy Simashev are the favorites to land in Round 1. Overall, this can be considered below-average defense depth for a given draft class, but it’s important to note that over 40 percent of the current top-50 in NHL defense scoring for the 2022-23 season were selected outside of Round 1. My contention is that history will be kinder to 2023 draft-eligible defensemen than what mainstream preseason and midterm rankings depict.
If the 2023 draft’s first round is forward happy, it’s expected that goalies are expected to make up the difference for the perceived lack of top-rated defenders. In fact, this year’s group of netminders may be the deepest in years, and it not out of the question that at least three — WHL’er Carson Bjarnason, the NAHL’s Adam Gajan, and USHL import Michal Hrabal — may crack the later end of the first round, which hasn’t happened when four goalies in 2006 went in the top 30, including NHL mainstays Jonathan Bernier (11th overall) and Semyon Varlamov (23rd).
Rankings
Connor Bedard, C (Regina Pats, WHL)
5’10, 185 | 7/17/05 | Shoots Right | North Vancouver, B.C. | Preseason Rank: 1st
As already mentioned, Bedard deservedly is the most hyped draft prospect since McDavid because he’s produced at record-setting clips everywhere he’s played and looks unstoppable in the process. Through March 2, Bedard’s current points-per-game average of 2.52 has him finishing his draft-year campaign with 144 points, which would be the most by a WHL’er since the 1995-96 season when three players eclipsed the 148-point mark. Coincidentally, 1995-96 was also the last time an NHL player hit McDavid’s current 1.90 points-per-game average. He’s as electrifying as advertised and is undoubtedly on his way to prolonged NHL excellence.
Matvei Michkov, RW (HK Sochi, KHL)
5’10, 172 | 12/9/04 | Shoots Left | Perm, RUS | Preseason Rank: 1A
Bedard may be the most hyped draft prospect since McDavid, but thanks to the 18-year-old Michkov’s unprecedented KHL production, we’ve reached the point (again) where it’s fair to question just how wide a gap in talent there is between Bedard and Russian contemporary. Michkov began his draft season with contending SKA in the KHL, but there simply wasn’t enough ice time to go around. He eventually landed with lowly HK Sochi, a team mired in a lengthy losing streak and a 6-27-7 record. In their final 27 games with Michkov in the lineup, Sochi went 6-19-2, including a 3-0-1 streak to close out season. In the finale, Michkov produced his finest performance of the season — a Michigan goal (the umpteenth of his career) and four assists in a 5-3 win over Kunlun on Feb. 26.
Michkov’s spectacular effort capped his Sochi totals to 20 points in 27 KHL games (9 goals, 11 assists), giving him the KHL record for points-per-game average by a pre-draft teenager with at least 25 games.
Adam Fantilli, C (Michigan, Big-10)
6’2, 195 | 10/12/04 | Shoots Left | Nobleton, Ont. | Preseason Rank: 3rd
Fantilli to the 2023 crop is what Jack Eichel was among the vaunted class of 2015 — a big, powerful scoring machine of a center who is pacing to finish his freshman season as the nation’s leading scorer. Although his No. 4 Michigan Wolverines have had their share of inconsistencies, the blame certainly can’t be directed towards Fantilli, who anchors the top line, scores in the clutch, and impacts shifts in inventive fashion. He finished the regular season with an NCAA-best 50 points in 29 games (20 goals, 30 assists), and Fantilli also topped the nation with a 1.72 points-per-game average and won 52 percent of his faceoffs. Winning a national scoring crown is a fantastic achievement for an 18-year-old freshman, and there should be little doubt that he is the most deserving collegian for the Hobey Baker Award, and in his draft year no less. Joining an exclusive list that includes Eichel (2015) and Hockey Hall of Famer Paul Kariya (1993) has done wonders for Fantilli’s reputation as the popular choice for the No. 2 pick behind Bedard. But Fantilli’s No. 1-worthy pre-draft resume still comes up short against Michkov’s, and that in itself tells you how great this 2023 group could become.
Leo Carlsson, LW/C (Orebro, SHL)
6’3, 198 | 12/26/04 | Shoots Left | Karlstad, Sweden | Preseason Rank: 4th
Carlsson is a big-bodied self-starter and line driver who creates off the rush and has done enough to warrant the additional duty of power-play specialist. Whether he’s slinging darts from the circle or orchestrating the possession from the half-wall on Orebro’s top power-play unit, Carlsson demonstrates pro-level poise and advanced decision-making. He shows soft hands and a quick catch-and-release when receiving tough passes but can also dipsy-doodle his way into space to maximize his shooting angle. Carlsson, who is a natural center slotted at wing for both league and international play, SHL production for a first-year draft eligible is excellent — Carlsson has tallied 9 goals and 15 assists for 24 points in 41 games, which is the highest single-season total for an 18-year-old draft prospect since Elias Lindholm recorded 30 points in 48 matches in his draft season of 2012-13.
Zach Benson, LW (Winnipeg Ice, WHL)
5’9, 163 | 5/12/05 | Shoots Left | Chilliwack, B.C. | Preseason Rank: 9th
Benson may have played alongside Bedard at the CHL Top Prospects Game in January, but riding shotgun isn’t something he’s programmed to do. He’s easily the most dynamic forward available after Bedard and Michkov, and there is little doubt that the CHL-leading Winnipeg Ice — already armed with multiple NHL first-round draft picks — wouldn’t be nearly as fun to watch without Benson hard-charging his way each and every shift. His listed measurements are just that — numbers, because Benson plays fearless, absorbs contact, and stays strong on his edges while maintaining 360-degree awareness. Scoring in bunches comes naturally, as he’s already accumulated multiple double-digit scoring streaks, and Benson’s toughness and off-the-puck play are exemplary. In fact, he’s score more short-handed goals (6) than power-play tallies (4), and 73 of his 93 points have come away from the man advantage.
Will Smith, C (U.S. U18, NTDP)
6’0, 181 | 3/17/05 | Shoots Right | Boston, Mass. | Preseason Rank: 12th
Add Smith to the growing list of 2023 draft prospects who can make an offensive zone possession look like a free skate. Smith doesn’t slot in the opportunistic category because he truly works hard for his chances and processes difficult decisions in nanoseconds. It’s fair to say that calling Smith a smart center would be an understatement that sells his hyper-advanced brain short. The puck always finds him in prime real estate, and Smith has produced like he’s the last guy in this draft class a goalie would want to square up to if neither Bedard nor Michkov were an option. Smith absolutely wore out international competition at both his U18 tournaments, where he produced a mind-numbing 10 goals and 18 points in 9 games played. Displaying game-breaking speed and quick hands to make a goalie think any of Smith’s high-danger has a chance to get past him. His 1.95 points-per-game average may not lead the NTDP, but it quite obvious and it is Smith who drives that bus. He’s committed to Boston College.
Dalibor Dvorsky, C (AIK, Allsvenskan)
6’1, 201 | 6/15/05 | Shoots Left | Zvolen, Slovakia | Preseason Rank: 6th
The 17-year-old Slovakian pivot has destroyed Swden’s J20 circuit to a tune of 21 points in 10 games, and that’s after he was one of the Nationell’s top scorers in his draft-1 campaign of 2021-22. But it’s been in the adult-age Allsvenskan where Dvorsky’s NHL readiness has become apparent, and it has little to do with his pro-level frame. Dvorsky in this draft class is as good as it gets when it comes to shutting down the opposition and delivering reliable three-zone play, and it’s only a matter of time until he plays himself into a full-time SHL role. On the puck, Dvorsky is a highly-intelligent puck distributor who executes precision weaves, cycles, and give-and-go’s, and he is a trusted option to run the power play from the right half wall. These impressive traits were on full display as Slovakia’s second-line center at the 2023 under-20 world junior hockey championship, where Dvorsky’s impact was both stark and immediate. Not only did the well-built pivot bail his mates out with unselfish play in the defensive end, but Dvorsky also showed his usual willing to pay a high price in front of the net, battle tooth and nail in corners, and engage in personal 1-on-1 battles that eventually wore down his opponent.
Colby Barlow, LW (Owen Sound Attack, OHL)
6’1, 187 | 2/14/05 | Shoots Left | Orillia, Ont. | Preseason Rank: 16th
Barlow is Owen Sound’s heart and soul, all-situations stopper, and leading scorer. He’s produced several lengthy goal streaks, which have helped vault him into second in the OHL with a career-best 42 goals in 52 games. He’s a two-way power forward with a deadly shot and release, and the puck settles onto his blade in an instant. Opposing defenders have to be aware of his ability to whip a high-velocity shot from within his skates or when overextended — his shot is a game-changer. On the penalty kill, Barlow is on the Attack’s top unit and keeps his feet in constant motion while remaining highly active and aggressive throughout his shift. He deceptively quick while challenging the points and shows a willingness to finish off his checks with authority, even when down a man. His stick blade remains on the ice at all times, even while in motion, and he seems to make it a point to keep it in the passing or shooting lanes. There are a bunch of intangibles and leadership traits to make his numbers pop even louder, but even when he’s off his game, the puck always finds a way in.
Eduard Sale, LW (Kometa Brno, Tipsport Extraliga)
6’2, 174 | 3/10/05 | Shoots Left | Brno, Czech Rep. | Preseason Rank: 26th
The top Czech prospect for the 2023 draft, Sale destroyed the DHL Junior League as its second-leading scorer a season ago and followed up that performance with consistent work in the Czech Extraliga, which is no joke when it comes to competitiveness and physicality. Sale comes to play every shift and avoids selfish play and the unnecessary fancy stuff, even in tournament laughers against his own year group. His reward for playing attentive and composed under intense in-game situations has been a regular shift for a team that needed a late-season surge to clinch a playoff spot, and a close study of Sale’s stretch-run play reveled a youngster who genuinely put team success first yet still found a way to produce big moments in the process. Much like previous Czech-league prospects earmarked for the first round of the NHL draft such as Martin Necas (2017), Filip Chytil (2017), and Jiri Kulich (2022), Sale plays a middle-six role with consistent power-play time thanks to elite-level vision, a soft touch, and ability to win his 50/50 battles in key moments. Sale’s effort away from the puck is both commendable and cerebral, and we’re deep enough into his young career to know he can light it up against his peers on the international stage, but that teams are likely just as intrigued by his adult-league play that screams NHL readiness, especially for his constant shoulder-checking, forecheck pressure, and effective stick-in-the-lane defense. With 12 points in 41 matches (6 goals, 6 assists), Sale is producing at a draft-year clip similar to his aforementioned countrymen.
Brayden Yager, C (Moose Jaw Warriors, WHL)
5’11, 166 | 1/3/05 | Shoots Right | Saskatoon, Sask. | Preseason Rank: 5th
In a draft class brimming with off-the-charts point producers, Yager continues to be overlooked as a near-elite phenom despite mastering critical intangibles in all three zones that make him one of the toughest shift-to-shift matchups in the WHL. He’s certainly lived up to the hype that surrounded him after being selected third overall in the 2020 WHL bantam draft and winning the 2022 CHL Rookie of the Year, which he earned via a 34-goal season in 2021-22 that broke Theo Fleury’s Moose Jaw record for 16-year-olds. He boasts a plus-plus wrister and is regarded as lethal a shooter as linemate and Seattle draftee Jagger Firkus, although Yager’s had less puck luck getting his shots through as he did a season ago. Still, Yager has done plenty in the scoring department this season (24 goals, 68 points in 59 games), and a trained eye will catch all the little things he accomplishes on a given shift that simply make life miserable for the opposition. One can make a strong case that he is right there with Dalibor Dvorsky as the best two-way center available in 2023. He’s listed at 5-foot-11 and 166 pound, but Yager looks and plays bigger than his measurements.
Mikhail Gulyayev, LHD (Omskie Yastreby, MHL)
5’10, 172 | 4/26/05 | Shoots Left | Novosibirsk, Russia | Preseason Rank: 15th
Gulyayev has essentially split his draft season between all three Russian leagues, but his MHL production this season has been among has the best ever for a 17-year-old defenseman after his 35 points in 2021-22 set an MHL record for 16-year-old blueliners. Gulyayev is a fun playmaker and puck rusher with exceptional vision and passing ability. He is surrounded with plenty of talent with Omskie Yastreby in the MHL, but this season he delivered for Omskie Krylia in the VHL to earn a quick KHL promotion. Regardless of the level of competition before him, it’s impossible to not notice Gulyayev when he’s on or off the puck. His play-to-play decision making is vastly superior to the majority of defensemen in his league, let alone only those eligible for the draft. But Gulyayev can do more than just pile up the points or quarterback a power play, as he’s a solid hitter, dedicated penalty killer, and clutch stopper in late/close situations. He has 25 points in 22 games (2 goals, 23 assists) and is the only MHL rearguard averaging over a point per game.
Calum Ritchie, C (Oshawa Generals, OHL)
6’1, 185 | 1/21/05 | Shoots Left | Oakville, Ont. | Preseason Rank: 11th
The 6-foot-2, 187-pound pivot has been one of the few bright spots in Oshawa’s inconsistent season in which they’re saddled with one of the few losing records in the OHL. He’s always one of the few Generals in a given game who will not punch his time care early, and he seems to enjoy contesting or attacking every square of ice. In the process, the demonstrative Ritchie has produced at a point-per-game pace (1.00) through March 3. Only Colby Barlow and Quentin Musty have scored more points among 2023 first-year eligibles. Ritchie’s intense style is quite consistent and doesn’t he require a reminder or nudge to get him back on his game. If anything, his coach might want to tell him to slow the pace down to conserve energy for the later stages of periods. Ritchie is no slouch reputation-wise, as he was second pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection behind Musty. You don’t get picked that high in any draft if you don’t have some flair, and Ritchie executes high-end plays (toe drags, dangles, line-walking, etc.) with more precision. His wrister already fits into the plus-plus category and Ritchie also is detail-oriented when battling for the puck.
Nate Danielson, C (Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL)
6’1, 185 | 9/27/04 | Shoots Right | Red Deer, AB | Preseason Rank: 25th
There’s a ton to like about this possession-driving pivot who for the second straight campaign has shouldered the offensive load for Brandon by leading the Wheat Kings in every key offensive category while looking strikingly calm and decisive in the process. Danielson is a big, rangy, slick dual-threat center who was the fifth pick in the 2019 WHL bantam draft, and the more you watch him perform, the more you accept that he’s deserving of a high draft slot, and he might crack the NHL sooner than most prospects taken ahead of him. Mistake-free hockey is Danielson’s usual reward to his coaching staff and teammates for entrusting him with the heavy lifting. Danielson is a deadly open-ice threat who will punish opponents for the slightest over-commitment, and he continues to make difficult scenarios in neutral-zone traffic look easy. He’s got a great attitude, plays physical, can win battles against bigger defenders, and is Brandon’s most reliable option at the faceoff dot. These traits when combined with his gaudy numbers (71 points in 57 games) are reminiscent of former Wheatie center Brayden Schenn, who went fifth overall to the Los Angeles Kings in the 2010 draft. Making such a heavy-handed comparison can be unfair at times, but the truth is that Danielson reveals all the tools you want in a No. 1 center.
David Reinbacher, RHD (Kloten, NLA)
6’2, 185 | 10/25/04 | Shoots Left | Hohenems, Austria | Preseason Rank: NR
Reinbacher’s maturity and poise as an 18-year-old defenseman in Switzerland’s elite league is already at off-the-charts levels. It’s simply uncommon in European elite leagues for a pre-draft blueliner to shoulder middle-pairing responsibilities that include quarterbacking the power play, yet Reinbacher not only earned such a critical role, but also has excelled in it once he took over. Reinbacher’s effort level, strength in battles, pass accuracy, and offensive-zone awareness represent a slice of what he brings on a nightly basis, and his heavy shot with little backswing. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound defender continues to lead all NLA rookie defensemen with 19 assists and 22 points in 45 games.
Andrew Cristall, LW (Kelowna Rockets, WHL)
5’10, 167 | 2/4/05 | Shoots Left | Vancouver, B.C. | Preseason Rank: NR
A midseason 14-game absence from a lower-body injury may have cost this energetic net-filler a chance to showcase his elite skill at the CHL Top Prospects Game. But Cristall — the WHL’s third-highest scorer with a 1.74 points-per-game average — shouldn’t need a single-game exhibition to prove he belongs near the upper half of what could become the greatest NHL draft class ever assembled. Cristall leads the Rockets with 75 points in 44 games (33 goals, 42 assists), and his four-goal outburst in his return to the lineup in a 5-2 win over Everett on Feb. 15 was just one of multiple examples of his value to a team that relies heavily on his nightly production. Cristall like most upper-tier teenage draft prospects has few limitations that aren’t worth fussing over, and his ability to get open or create an opening for his pro-level wrist shot is a difference maker from a simple standstill. Again, we’re talking about a kid who was literally second in WHL scoring behind Conor Bedard before missing a month and a half with a lower-body injury, but the good news is that Cristall has shown no after-effects since coming back.
Axel Sandin-Pelikka, RHD (Skelleftea J20, Nationell)
5’11, 176 | 3/11/05 | Shoots Right | Gallivare, Sweden | Preseason Rank: NR
Exciting, athletic, and insanely poised under the most harrowing situations a defender will face, Sandin-Pelikka is an ankle-breaking puck rusher and power-play quarterback who shook off unjustified tags by playing like he belonged in the SHL. Unfortunate for Sandin-Pelikka is that Skelleftea has been the best team in the SHL for most of the 2022-23 season and they have a handful of junior-age defensemen with the edge in experience. Still, the slippery rearguard got into 22 contests and even scored a pair of goals despite averaging less than nine minutes a game. A national team mainstay who combined for 9 points in 12 games between the three major U18 tournaments to date, Sandin-Pelikka crushed his return to the J20 Norra Division, where he led all rearguards with 13 goals and a 1.30 points-per-game average. But above all his accomplishments this season, it’s more likely that his elite-level shot creation, shot power, and shot accuracy have NHL suitors clamoring for the chance to have him run their power play.
Ryan Leonard, RW (U.S. U18, NTDP)
6’0, 192 | 1/21/05 | Shoots Right | Northhampton, MA | Preseason Rank: 27th
Leonard is the heart, soul, and muscle of the NTDP 18’s prolific top line that features Will Smith and Gabe Perrault. Leonard may flank one of the draft’s best puck distributors in Smith, but it’s quite rare for the trio to create a chance that wasn’t initiated with Leonard’s elite mobility or sacrifice. provided hard-nosed play and in-your-face physicality. The younger brother of the Nashville Predators’ winger John Leonard, Ryan is native Bay Stater who is more of a finisher than a dual threat but can still make finesse plays at maximum speed and put the perfect touch on passes. Leonard has 68 points in 42 games and is tied for the team lead with 10 power-play goals.
Daniil But, RW (Loko Yaroslavl, MHL)
6’5, 203 | 2/15/05 | Shoots Left | Yaroslavl, RUS | Preseason Rank: 8th
A horse of a winger and high-volume shooter who can bring the heat with his cannon, But (pronounced Boot) is the tallest forward prospect slated to go in the first round of the 2023 draft. After smoking the MHL last season with 17 goals in 49 matches (the most by a 16-year-old), the 6-foot-5 behemoth maintained the intensity to earn a 15-game KHL stint and even scored his first two goals in Russia’s top circuit. His 4.6 shots per game in the MHL ranked sixth among skaters who appeared in 30 or more contests, and But finished the regular season with 18 goals in 32 games. Owning an imposing frame doesn’t necessarily mean But should be classified as your classic power forward, as he’s more of a gentle giant when given the chance to mash an opponent and will pull up near the goal to set up a possession or find a cutter to connect with. Still, But has been a load to handle for opposing defense, and coaches at both the KHL and MHL levels reward him with extended minutes and key zone starts in late/close situations.
Otto Stenberg, LW/C (Frolunda J20, Nationell)
5’11, 180 | 5/29/05 | Shoots Left | Stenungsund, Sweden | Preseason Rank: 7th
Viewed as a near-lock for the top-15 before his draft season, Stenberg in 2022-23 has dealt with the injury bug and a bout with inconsistency, but reverted to his smooth-skating, shot-ripping self in the second half with Frolunda J20 to earn a lengthy SHL promotion. Although expectations were high after he notched 35 points in 38 games for an underachieving Frolunda squad a season ago, Stenberg only seemed to produce up to his level as a top-line player for Sweden’s under-18 squad at four major tournaments. In fact, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound gunslinger produced at a higher clip against international competition (12 goals, 19 points in 15 tournament games) than in the J20 for Frolunda (22 points in 24 Nationell contests). Nonetheless, Stenberg looks completely healthy, engaged, and dangerous int he second half. He’s a brilliant stickhandler, pro-level playmaker, and pronounced finisher who scores clutch goals and can take over games with his possession tactics, a blistering shot, and insane vision driven by a highly-advanced hockey IQ.
Oliver Moore, C (U.S. U18, NTDP)
5’11, 188 | 1/22/05 | Shoots Left | Mounds View, MN | Preseason Rank: 23rd
A Minnesota-raised speed merchant who can put on a stickhandling show and make gorgeous passes from anywhere, Moore has proven he can drive a line on his own without requiring optimal in-game conditions or a strong on-ice support group. Although Moore, a natural center, does not play on the NTDP 18’s top line, his 55 points in 35 contests through March 2 is 23 more than his closest teammate. You can count on the future Minnesota Golden Gopher to light up opposing defenses with his blazing speed, elite vision, a scorer’s touch near the net, and low-maintenance playmaking ability.
Jayden Perron, RW (Chicago Steel, USHL)
5’9, 163 | 1/11/05 | Shoots Right | Winnipeg, Man. | Preseason Rank: NR
A Winnipeg native committed to the University of North Dakota, Perron is the USHL’s top-rated non-NTDP prospect for the 2023 NHL draft. Perron wasted little time establishing himself as one of the league’s top players in 2022-23, recording points in his first nine games, including five straight multi-point efforts from Oct. 7-21. Through March 1, Perron is fifth in USHL scoring with 51 points in his first 47 games, and his 136 shots ties him with linemate Mack Celebrini for sixth in the circuit. Perron is a slasher with a powerful stride and excellent balance who is very quick off the hop and occasionally explodes into open ice. Both his slapper and wrister can be classified as heavy, and Perron has scored from distance with a rapid catch-and-release wrister off the pass. His hands are soft and lightning quick, helping him deaden tough passes and deliver the puck in one motion. But what might be most impressive about Perron’s diverse skill set are his acute hockey sense and timely physicality.
Quintin Musty, LW (Sudbury Wolves, OHL)
6’2, 200 | 7/6/05 | Shoots Left | Hamburg, NY | Preseason Rank: 19th
Injury history notwithstanding, Musty’s resume and production and listed measurements screams top-five talent, beginning with his No. 1 overall selection in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. Blessed with a massive frame, incredible vision and passing skills, and an advanced feel for the game, the native Buffalonian and pass-first winger already has established noteworthy draft-year benchmarks that may convince a team picking early to overlook a short but growing list of injuries. For starters, his 18-game point-scoring streak from late October to late December remains the second-longest in the OHL this season. And although a hand injury from a fight forced him to miss most of January (to include the CHL Top Prospects Game), Musty has been on fire since his return, recording 17 points in 12 games, highlighted by a four-assist performance on Feb. 25. He is an attacker who doesn’t always play with pace, but he’s proven to excel at varying speeds while using flashy inside-out moves and peelbacks that provide him with just enough space for multiple targets. Musty is a power winger and battler as well, using his 6-foot-3 frame to overpower or wear out the opposition.
Gavin Brindley, RW (Michigan, Big-10)
5’8, 165 | 10/5/04 | Shoots Right | Fort Myers, Fla. | Preseason Rank: 20th
A 5-foot-8, 165-pound speedster who has played his way into first-round pick discussion, Brindley delivered inspiring performances as a top-line freshman for No. 4-ranked Michigan and also for Team USA at the 2023 world juniors. The native Floridian was one of several productive, multi-purpose threats on a powerful Tri-City squad in the USHL last season, so his 28 points in 34 contests on a talent-heavy Wolverines’ roster in 2022-23 shouldn’t be surprising. He is a swift and energetic playmaker with plus-plus hands who was a difference maker during his draft-1 season for a loaded team, and he plays like he’s five inches taller while competing hard no matter the situation. Nine of Brindley’s 10 goals through March 2 came in his previous 12 games.
Matthew Wood, RW (Connecticut, HE)
6’4, 193 | 2/6/05 | Shoots Right | Nanaimo, B.C. | Preseason Rank: 18th
Any 18-year-old freshman who skillfully leads his NCAA team in scoring is going to garner more attention than the average first-year phenom, and Wood is no stranger to accounting for most of the damage his squad does to the opposition. After posting BCHL-best numbers in goals (45), points (85), and points-per-game average (1.85) to win the league’s 2021-22 Brett Hull Trophy for top scorer, Wood’s transition to Storrs has been profoundly seamless. Through March 3, the 6-foot-4, 193-pound winger has recorded a team-best 21 assists and 31 points in the first 33 matches of his college career. Although he still has a few more games to go, it bears mentioning that the last time a draft-eligible freshman led any Hockey East team in scoring was in 2015, when Jack Eichel topped the Boston University Terriers with 71 points in 40 games. The biggest question surrounding Wood’s potential as an NHL impact player is whether a visible lack of pop will hinder him as opponents get bigger, faster, and stronger. For now, creating chances, displaying impeccable vision and pass accuracy, and unfurling a deadly wrist shot remain his calling cards once he’s on the puck, even if he’s usually moving slower than the average forward on the ice.
RHD Beau Akey (Barrie, OHL)
6’0, 170 | 2/11/05 | Shoots Right | Waterloo, Ont. | Preseason Rank: NR
Akey was Barrie’s No. 1 before fellow righty Brandt Clarke showed up midseason from the NHL, but Akey never skipped a beat while executing his critical role and responsibilities. Through 56 games, Akey’s 46 points (10 goals, 36 assists) are tied with Clarke for the team lead in defense scoring, although the 20-year-old Clarke has played in 33 less matches. Nonetheless, Akey proved he could anchor a competitive team’s defense corps in all conceivable situations before the arrival of a heralded former top-10 pick such as Clarke, which helps explain why NHL Central Scouting elevated his Watch List grade to an “A”, which is a formal way of saying he’s first-round quality. He is a physical stopper on the back end; one who uses elite multi-directional mobility to cover ground and close on the opposing puck carrier while fixing him to the outside. On offense, Akey is both a deadly accurate shooter and passer from his forehand or backhand. He shares a striking similarity with a young Shea Weber, as Akey can crunch an opponent into the boards, activate a ton off draws, and make high-risk decisions which are calculated, executed properly, and rarely result in an untenable situation that he can’t fix himself.
Dmitriy Simashev, LHD (Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, KHL)
6’4, 198 | 2/4/05 | Shoots Left | Kostroma, Russia | Preseason Rank: NR
Simashev is the long arm of the law for top-ranked Loko Yaroslavl in the junior-age MHL after he received well-earned KHL promotions at the start and midway points of the 2022-23 season, He took to his expanded role against adult competition in Russia’s top league and made a difference skating for the KHL’s third-best team. Simashev’s size, strength, and reach served him well in both circuits, but most impressive about Simashev’s KHL play beyond defending below the dots were his smart reads that either kickstarted breakouts or extended offensive-zone possession, and a muted creativity with the puck that comes out of nowhere to make you do a double take. His numbers (1 goal, 11 assists in 33 MHL games) certainly don’t reflect Simashev’s ability to create time, space, or high-danger chances, be he can be fun to watch thanks to ankle-breaking moves, no-look slap fakes, and the perfect touch on lead passes from his backhand. There’s little reason to think Simashev’s point-producing capacity is limited, and being a pre-draft teenage defenseman for a stacked organization like Lokomotiv probably serves as the primary reason he spends more time putting out fires than anything else, which in turn limit his forays deep into opposing territory. Nonetheless, Simashev is back with Loko Yaroslavl and should man the top pairing as they challenge for a Kharlamov Cup.
Lenni Hameenaho, RW (Assat, SM-Liiga)
6’0, 173 | 11/7/04 | Shoots Right | Kajaani, Finland | Preseason Rank: 28th
It seems like there’s at least one European league prospect every draft who personifies “playing the game the right way”, and Hameenaho certainly fits that bill. He represents the cream of one of the thinnest Finnish draft contingents we’ve seen in some time, and if only one Finn goes in Round 1, Hameenaho should be the safest bet. Although Hameenaho’s scoring through March 3 for Assat’s A-Team in the SM-Liiga (9 goals, 10 assists for 19 points in 47 games) isn’t exactly in line with the draft-year production of recently- drafted Finns such as Mikko Rantanen (28 points in 56 games), Anton Lundell (28 points in 44 games), and Jesperi Kotkaniemi (28 points in 57 games), Hameenaho deserves recognition for not only leapfrogging fellow right wing Kasper Halttunen as the top Finnish draft prospect, but for also for averaging nearly 16 minutes a game and leading all SM-Liiga under-19 skaters with 145 shots. But how exactly does he classify? As meat-and-potatoes as his game appears, the simple or subtle plays he executes get the job done in all three zones. Even without the benefit of blazing speed, Hameenaho is capable of covering up in the defensive zone and lugging the puck up ice with an impressive display of soft hands, clean stickhandling, and stubborn puck control.
RHD Etienne Morin, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
6’0, 180 | 3/9/05 | Shoots Left | Salaberry-de-Valleyfld, QC | Preseason Rank: NR
Morin is a smooth-skating two-way defenseman who plays a complete game and rank among the top-scoring blueliners in the QMJHL. He can tailor his game to suit any operating environment, and Morin regularly delivers wire-to-wire performances in which he was the game’s best defenseman in both ends. Backing down from a challenge in not in Morin’s DNA, and you can see why which opponents give up so quickly when engaged with him in the corners or along the boards. Morin a team-high 40 helpers and place fourth in QMJHL defense scoring with 57 points in 57 games, and owning a howitzer for a shot propelled Morin to rack up 25 power-play points (5 goals, 20 assists) while ranking fifth among QMJHL rearguards with 173 shots.
Ethan Gauthier, RW (Sherbrooke, QMJHL)
5’11, 175 | 1/26/05 | Shoots Right | Phoenix, Ariz. | Preseason Rank: 21st
The first pick in the 2021 QMJHL Entry Draft and the son of former NHL defenseman Denis Gauthier, Ethan serves a purpose on a contending team by showing excellent vision, slick passing in traffic, and reliable stickhandling to enter the zone under full control with time and space to boot. Although he was a highly-coveted asset that was added to their roster a season ago, the Phoenix didn’t need or ask Gauthier to carry them back to respectability after a dismal 2020-21. Rather, he was given plenty of room to grow, and when Sherbrooke started winning in bunches, Gauthier’s confidence with the puck skyrocketed. His 2022-23 campaign have been plenty successful, as Gauthier is a point-a-game contributor locked into the top six on the Western Conference’s top contender.
Charlie Stramel, C (Wisconsin, Big-10)
6’3, 212 | 10/14/04 | Shoots Right | St. Paul, Minn. | Preseason Rank: 17th
A powerful, thinking-man’s center with ideal size who has recovered from an injury-riddled 2021-22 to produce a healthy freshman season in Madison. The Badgers were a disappointment during conference play and are not favored to qualify for the Frozen Four. But Stramel’s introduction to college hockey has helped his overall game grow despite nondescript production on a slumping team. Nonetheless, the former NTDP’er has been rewarded with consistent middle-six center usage that hovers near 16 minutes a game and includes a dedicated assignment as net-front presence on the power play. Stramel classifies as a two-way power center; one who dominates the low slot, delivers crushing hits, and controls the pace of a game with calculated maneuvers and passes. Although he’s listed at 6-foot-3 and 212 pounds, the Rosemount, Minn. Native moves quite well and shows agility and a quick first step.
Denver Barkey, C (London Knights, OHL)
5’8, 155 | 4/27/05 | Shoots Left | Newmarket, Ont. | Preseason Rank: NR
Aside from having a better name for baseball than hockey, there’s not much to complain about when discussing Barkey’s season with the powerhouse London Knights. After serving a key role for Team Canada at the 2022 under-18 Ivan Hlinka Tournament, Barkey’s been a top-six play driver for the Knights, accumulating 55 points in 56 games (20 goals, 35 assists) and providing spark in the rare instances when London goes through the motions. Although he was the 16th pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection and one of the best players on a Memorial Cup contender, Barkey can be categorized as a sleeper for the late first round. His hustle, energy, and work-rate set the right example, but his vision off board battles and the forecheck, coupled with great hands and a blistering shot, have turned him into one of the OHL’s deadliest scoring threats among first-year draft eligibles.
Luca Cagnoni, LHD (Portland Winterhawks, WHL)
5’9, 180 | 12/21/04 | Shoots Left | Burnaby, B.C. | Preseason Rank: NR
A skilled, minute-eating offensive defenseman who serves on Portland’s top pairing, Cagnoni was undrafted into the WHL but in his second season has established himself as one of the circuit’s most skilled blueliners. He is one of the top shooters among draft-eligible rearguards, and his high-velocity cannon from the deep point has been used as the primary shooting option for an entire five-man unit. Cagnoni’s 14 goals and 213 shots at press time is fifth and second, respectively, among WHL defenders, and he’s hammered at least six shots in a game 12 times through his first 56 contests. His slapper has a well-deserved reputation for surgical precision and overwhelming power, so it’s fair to say that Cagnoni is on an opposing goalie’s mind before the puck is even dropped.