2023 NHL Draft: Early Top 32 Rankings

Steven Ellis
Steven Ellis
Connor Bedard
Credit: (Photo by Steven Ellis/The Hockey News)

As we await final roster cuts, could be days away from seeing the likes of Montreal’s Juraj Slafkovsky and Seattle’s Shane Wright make their NHL debuts just months after getting selected at the 2022 NHL draft.

So, naturally, it’s a great time to talk about next year’s crop.

The COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected the 2023 Draft class, with many top prospects missing significant development time over the past few years. But that hasn’t stopped the high-end talent from emerging – and early indications suggest this could be an above-average class, especially at the high end.

And that starts with Connor Bedard, the 17-year-old phenom out of Regina. Bedard is the consensus No. 1 prospect and is already off to a flying start. Matvei Michkov, a Russian scoring star with no shortage of highlight clips, would be the top prospect in many other drafts, which is saying something. Adam Fantilli has the best shot at surpassing Michkov in the rankings, but that’s all dependent on a strong NCAA freshman season.

It’s still too early to throw out wild hot takes. We don’t have much to work with this season just yet: most of the top prospects played at either the Hlinka Gretzky Cup or the World Junior Championship in August, with most domestic leagues only starting recently.

So, let’s take a look at 32 of the best 2023 NHL Draft prospects to kick off the season.

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Initial Top 32

1. Connor Bedard, C (Regina, WHL)
Bedard has been heralded as yet another superstar in the making for a while now, and there’s nothing to suggest he’s in danger of falling out of the top spot. The dynamic two-way forward can play center, on either wing and, even at 5-foot-9, he has shown the ability to be a physical presence, too. Bedard is as well rounded as they come, and with an NHL-ready shot, he won’t need much time to adjust in the NHL. Bedard has superstar potential.

2. Matvei Michkov, RW (St. Petersburg, KHL)
An injury in the pre-season has kept the highly skilled Michkov out of SKA’s lineup until this past weekend. He brings every tool you’d want from a high-end forward prospect to the table and drives the net better than most. Michkov stands at just 5-foot-10, but his mixture of speed and skill with the puck makes him so dangerous, and few kids his age can pull off lacrosse goals as frequently as Michkov. He’s signed to a KHL deal until 2025-26, so the team that takes him must be patient.

3. Adam Fantilli, C (University of Michigan, NCAA)
When Wright received exceptional status ahead of the 2019 Draft, many believed Fantilli – born nine months later – deserved the honor. Since then, all Fantili has done is impress, putting up tremendous numbers with the USHL’s Chicago Steel and capping off the 2021-22 season with an excellent U-18 World Championship effort. He has the physical maturity and the smarts to take control in the NCAA, and he’s going to ease the pain of losing out on Bedard for whoever snags Fantilli.

4. Brayden Yager, C (Moose Jaw, WHL)
Bedard is far from the only high-end Western-based prospect this year. Yager is already off to a good start with the Moose Jaw Warriors and should top his impressive 34-goal campaign in his first full WHL season last year. Yager was especially impressive at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup back in August, showcasing why he’s one of the best goal-scorers early on with a goal per game.

5. Cameron Allen, D (Guelph, OHL)
While the 2023 Draft will be dominated by high-end talent, Allen won’t need to wait long for his name to be called. He was one of Canada’s best players at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and was the OHL’s top rookie last season after missing a year due to COVID-19 shutdowns. Intelligent, mobile and offensively inclined, Allen has the makings of a prototypical modern-day NHL defenseman.

6. Zach Benson, C (Winnipeg, WHL)
If the biggest knock against Benson is his smallish 5-foot-10 frame, that’s fine. His offensive game is enormous, totaling 63 points as a rookie on a strong Winnipeg ICE team before putting on a two-way clinic at the Hlinka Gretzky. Some scouts think he’s one of the smartest all-around forwards in the draft. There’s real boom potential here.

7. Leo Carlsson, C (Orebo, SHL)
Carlsson played nearly a full season in the top Swedish league, with his nine points tying him with Vancouver Canucks prospect Jonathan Lekkerimaki for second in U-18 scoring. He’s already off to a good start this season and should be given better opportunities as the season progresses.

8. Dalibor Dvorsky, C (AIK, SWE)
The summer world junior tournament didn’t do much to elevate Dvorsky’s draft profile, but the team was decimated without Slafkovsky, Simon Nemec, and Filip Mesar. Internationally, few players were as successful as Dvorsky last year and he’s set for more consistent duty with his Swedish men’s team, AIK. He does an excellent job of getting himself into scoring position and can shoot the puck as well as anyone in this draft class.

9. Eduard Sale, RW (Brno, Czechia)
Sale had one of the most explosive starts to the season, putting up four goals and six points for a Czechia team that needed all the scoring help it could get at the Hlinka Gretzky. Sale had 23 assists in 28 games with the Czech U-18 team last year and has been one of Brno’s better offensive weapons early on. He’s already playing against men, and, at this point, don’t be shocked if he’s a genuine top-five contender before long.

10. Calum Ritchie, C (Oshawa, OHL)
Ritchie started the season by winning gold and leading the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in scoring. Ritchie made the OHL all-rookie team with Oshawa last year and should take his game to another level this year. Like many young prospects, Ritchie missed 2020-21 due to COVID-19 – a season where many considered him the best OHL draft prospect in the province. That meant he had to play a bit of catch-up last year, but he was a standout.

11. Colby Barlow, LW (Owen Sound, OHL)
Barlow was a scoring machine with the Attack last year, potting 30 goals and 47 points as a rookie and another five goals in seven playoff games. Barlow’s wrist shot can be devastating, and his defensive game looked improved during the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Rounding out his game will be a big task this season, but there’s a lot to like early on.

12. Matthew Wood, RW (University of Connecticut, NCAA)
After a huge BCHL campaign, followed by an impressive showing at the Hlinka Gretzky, Wood has the potential to fly up the rankings this year. He’s been a high-output contributor everywhere he has played, and while the BCHL isn’t the strongest of leagues, he’s pegged for a big season at Connecticut.

13. Nate Danielson, C (Brandon, WHL)
Already a captain in his second full WHL campaign, Danielson slotted in well on a Wheat Kings team that featured Ottawa Senators prospect Ridly Greig. The team isn’t as strong this year, so a lot of focus will be placed on Danielson to keep this team in the playoff picture. He’s back, healthy, and ready to cause some damage.

14. Riley Heidt, C (Prince George, WHL)
Heidt’s career to date has been spent on a bad Cougars squad, but he’s been anything but a disappointment. Heidt is smart, creative, and possesses good speed and a quick shot while easily driving the play. He’s off to a great start to 2022-23, starting with a fantastic Hlinka Gretzky showing. There’s a lot to like here, and the ceiling is high.

15. Andrew Cristall, LW (Kelowna, WHL)
Small, but shifty, Cristall started the Hlinka in a depth role and finished with six points in five games. He’s off to a hot start, following up a 69-point season with seven points through three games. Cristall could end up being a top-10 talent from this class the way he’s projecting despite his small frame.

16. Charlie Stramel, C (University of Wisconsin, NCAA)
Stramel is one of the draft’s oldest prospects, missing the 2022 cutoff by a month. A physically dominant forward, Stramel makes life difficult for opponents on the rush and isn’t afraid to get creative. It’ll be interesting to see how he develops against older college competition this year.

17. Kasper Halttunen, RW (HIFK, U-20)
Already off to over a point-per-game start in U-20 play, Halttunen has also seen some action in the top pro league. Haltunen is big at 6-foot-3 but moves like a much smaller winger and has a powerful wrist shot. Halttunen’s versatility will keep scouts enthused.

18. Otto Stenberg, C (Frolunda, SWE U-20)
A leader at a young age, Stenberg seems to always get the most out of whoever he plays with. He was one of Sweden’s standout stars at the Hlinka Gretzky and looked good as an underager at the U-18 World Championship last spring. Stenberg hasn’t skated in the SHL yet, but he’s looking good with Frolunda’s U-20 club. Otto’s two younger brothers, Ivar and Knut, have also caused significant damage in the Swedish youth ranks.

19. Will Smith, C (USNTDP)
After putting up a point per game with the U-17 U.S. National Team Development Program last year, Smith was bumped up to the U-18 squad. He continued his masterful work with 27 points in 28 games, earning a key role at the U-18 World Championship. Don’t be surprised if the Boston College commit moves up the ranks by June.

20. Caden Price, D (Kelowna, WHL)
Keep a keen eye on Price this season. With four assists in three games, Price has already taken his offensive game to another level – something scouts knew he was capable of before the 2020 WHL draft. His Hlinka Gretzky showing was fantastic, and he’s only getting started.

21. Mikhail Gulyayev, D (Omsk, KHL)
Gulyayev has bounced around a bit between Russian leagues this year, including a stint with Omsk in the KHL. An offensive defender, Gulyayev played a significant role as an underager on Russia’s Hlinka Gretzky championship outfit in 2021 and followed it up with a big campaign in the MHL. There’s the Russian factor here, but he’s got tremendous skill.

22. Ethan Gauthier, RW (Sherbrooke, QMJHL)
Gauthier was electric with Canada’s U-18 team this past summer, registering six goals and seven points in five games en route to gold at the Hlinka. He then started his QMJHL season with three points in his first two games while bringing energy to every shift. Gauthier only had 39 points last year, but as he continues to round out his offensive game, he might be one of the more prominent movers in the Q this year.

23. Ryan Leonard, C (USNTDP)
Leonard, a Boston College commit, is off to a hot start with the USNTDP – which isn’t a surprise after stepping up in a big way for the U-18 team as an underage last year. A pure goal-scorer, Leonard seems fearless when on the attack and has a great motor to boot. He still needs to work on his playmaking and defensive play.

24. Quentin Musty, LW (Sudbury, OHL)
The first overall pick from the 2021 OHL draft, Musty had a decent first year in the OHL and was named to the league’s second all-rookie team. He possesses a heavy shot and moves quite well for someone standing at 6-foot-3. He likely won’t be a high-output producer in the NHL, but he’s well-rounded.

25. Theo Lindstein, D (Brynas, SWE U-20)
Lindstein had a strong Hlinka Gretzky showing with Sweden and got into a handful of SHL games last year, too. He’s smart, controlled, and fantastic at setting up plays. Lindstein likes to carry the puck, and his hockey sense is impressive.

26. Oliver Moore, C (USNTDP)
Moore can sometimes be a tough cookie to crack, and that’s a great thing. “Clever” is a term to describe Moore’s puck-passing abilities, and in bursts, he doesn’t typically lose many puck races. This season is about Moore improving his all-around play.

27. Zeb Forsfjall, LW (Skelleftea, SWE U-20)
Forsfjall has had a quiet start to the Swedish U-20 season, but he was excellent at the Hlinka. Forsfjall plays a solid two-way game and does an excellent job setting up his teammates in high-danger situations.

28. Hunter Brzustewicz, D (Kitchener, OHL)
Brzustewicz is off to Kitchener after a surprising de-commit from the Michigan Wolverines. He played a more defensive role at the Hlinka Gretzky, which might suit him best at the next level. Reliability is the name of Brzustewicz’s game, and while he doesn’t need to stand out to play his best, he’ll often surprise you with his skill.

29. William Whitelaw, RW (Youngstown, USHL)
Whitelaw hasn’t let his small frame stop him from putting a beating on goalies across the United States. He had 110 points in 55 games with Shattuck’s U-18 team last year and has been Youngstown’s best player early. His 5-foot-9 frame will be the thing that tears him down the most, but the skill is apparent.

30. Gavin Brindley, RW (University of Michigan, NCAA)
Brindley had a strong 2021-22 and is set to begin his freshman season with Michigan. Brindley has quick hands, speedy feet, and a knack for the net. The big question is his defensive play and physical strength.

31. Maxim Strbak, D (Sioux Falls, USHL)
Strbak had a fantastic international season with Slovakia last year and, despite not recording a point at the summer World Junior Championship, he was quite noticeable. He’s already playing a big role with the Sioux Falls Stampede in his first year in North America.

32. Lukas Dragicevic, D (Tri-City, WHL)
Dragicevic was a surprise omission from Canada’s Hlinka team, but he’s off to a strong start with Tri-City. He’s known best for his offensive instincts, and his skating is above average for the age group. His decision-making with the puck is the biggest knock, but he has an excellent toolkit to work with.

Other notables: Koehn Ziemmer, RW (Prince George, WHL), Noel Nordh, RW (Brynas, SWE U-20), Kalan Lind, C (Red Deer, WHL), Oliver Bonk, D (London, OHL), Carson Rehkopf, C (Kitchener, OHL), Tyler Peddle, C (Drummondville, QMJHL), Michael Hrabal, G (Omaha, USHL), Luca Pinelli, C (OTtawa (OHL), Gabe Perreault, LW (USNTDP), Alex Ciernik, LW (Sodertalje, SWE U-20)

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