The top 15 centers to watch for the 2023 NHL Draft

Credit: (Photo by Steven Ellis/Daily Fac

The depth down the middle this year is utterly bonkers.

Centermen always tend to get some extra love at the NHL Draft, but can you remember a time when there were this many high-end options to choose from? It wouldn’t be surprising if seven of the top 10 picks were natural centers.

If winger Matvei Michkov falls past Montreal, there’s a good chance the top five could be solely made up of centermen. Led by Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli – the consensus Nos. 1-2 – this is the year to snag your top middleman of the future.

We’ve looked at 15 of the top goaltenders, and 15 of the top wingers. Today, it’s time to check out 15 of the top centers ahead of the draft in Nashville from June 28-29.

Connor Bedard, C (Regina, WHL)

You already know everything you need to know about the NHL’s next superstar. After scoring 71 goals and 143 points in 57 regular season games, Bedard followed it up by scoring 10 goals and 20 points in just seven playoff games with Regina. Bedard then finished the year by winning the CHL’s MVP, top prospect and top scorer awards before wrapping it up with the IIHF’s male player of the year honor. Truly a special season for an exceptional prospect. Congrats, Chicago.

Adam Fantilli, C (University of Michigan, NCAA)

Fantill’s rookie campaign saw him lead the NCAA with 65 points en route to the Hobey Baker Award as the best men’s college hockey player. That’s one heck of a consolation prize for the team that misses out on Bedard, because Fantilli would go No. 1 in most other years. Whether or not he decides to return to Michigan next year, it’s clear Fantilli is ready for the big leagues. Think Jonathan Toews during his prime.

Leo Carlsson, C (Orebro, SHL)

Carlsson combines speed, physicality and a penchant for highlight-reel plays. He has size, creates havoc in front of the net and held his own against quality competition in the SHL. The highest-scoring U-19 player in Sweden, Carlsson isn’t far from being NHL-ready. He showed signs of that being the case at the men’s World Hockey Championship, where he served on the top line with Lucas Raymond all tournament long.

Will Smith, C (USNTDP)

Smith was named MVP of the U-18 Worlds after scoring nine goals and 20 points in just seven games en route to a gold. It was one of the best tournament performances ever, with Smith recording at least a point in every single game. His creativity is among the best in the class, and he’s as good of a playmaker as it gets. He was the center of note with the USNTDP this year, but some scouts wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up becoming a winger down the line. Given he’ll have the same linemates in college as he did this year, that’s going to wait.

Zach Benson, (Winnipeg, WHL)

Benson played a little of both center and the wing, but he seems more destined for the wing down the line. He dealt with an injury to close out the season but still managed to pot 36 goals and 98 points. He’s only 5-foot-10, but he’s strong, has a great release and his shift-to-shift effort level will never waver. Benson will be a big-time play driver, and if your team manages to draft him outside of the top five, you will be thrilled.

Dalibor Dvorsky, (AIK, HockeyAllsvenskan)

Most hype has quieted down for Dvorsky over the past year, but he still put decent numbers playing against men. The raw talent is there, and if he falls outside the top 15, Dvorsky could just become one of the bigger steals. It feels like we’re always looking for a bit more out of him. Still, the raw skill is there, and he has a solid CV. Plus, he earned some MVP consideration for the way he dominated with Slovakia at the U-18s.

Oliver Moore, (USNTDP)

Moore is easily the fastest skater in the draft, and he’s also one of the hardest-working. Some scouts I’ve talked to think Moore has some untapped potential to become one of the better players in this draft class. He’s so quick, and he also knows how to use his speed to his advantage as a playmaker. There’s a reason why USNTDP coach Dan Muse always wanted to mention Moore’s exploits when talking about the team’s top stars: Moore is incredible.

Nate Danielson, (Brandon, WHL)

Danielson feels like a “safe” pick. I’m not sure he’s more than a 50-60 point guy in the NHL, but he’s consistent and valuable enough at both ends of the ice that he’ll have a solid, young career. I know some scouts like him more than I do, but I have no doubts that he’ll have a long, strong NHL career.

Brayden Yager, (Moose Jaw, WHL)

Statistically, 78 points in a draft year is solid. He had 50 assists and showed he can be a highlight-reel machine. But there have been enough off-games to get some scouts concerned. He can play all situations, but he rarely engages physically and most scouts wanted to see more goals out of him. I like him as a complementary winger more than a center down the road.

Cal Ritchie, (Oshawa, OHL)

What Ritchie lacked in high-end offense this year, he made up for in extra defensive responsibility and more willingness to engage physically. And while he only had a point per game in the OHL, he decimated the Hlinka Gretzky with Canada before the season started. He’s going to be a dependable two-way center in the NHL.

Otto Stenberg, (Frolunda, Sweden U-20)

Scouts are completely mixed here. The highs are high. The lows are low. He looked out of place in the SHL but was excellent against kids his own age. The raw talent is there, especially as a 200-foot threat that can be dangerous around both nets. His biggest asset might be his play-reads.

David Edstrom, (Frolunda, Sweden U-20)

Edstrom went from being on nobody’s midseason rankings to absolutely flying into first-round conversation late in the year. Whether it be his improved production later on, or his outstanding showing at the U-18 World Championship on Sweden’s top line, Edstrom showed he meant business. He’s 6-foot-3 with a knack for the net and good footwork – mixed in with some pro experience – is a good start.

Gracyn Sawchyn, (Seattle, WHL)

Sawchyn left the USNTDP in 2022 and used it as a chance to earn more ice time and opportunity with Seattle. After scoring at a point-per-game pace, it worked, but he’s just incredibly smart and deceptive with the puck. He’ll be a solid playmaker one day.

Oscar Fisker Mølgaard, (HV71, SHL)

Mølgaard didn’t produce much in the SHL, but the fact that a 2005-born played more than 40 games against some of the best competition in Europe is nothing to sneeze at. He was excellent against U-20 competition, and, honestly, the smart, controlled, two-way center could end up becoming one of the biggest steals of the draft given his pro-ready tools.

William Whitelaw, (Youngstown, USHL)

Whitelaw hasn’t let his small frame stop him from putting a beating on goalies across the United States. His 5-foot-9 frame will be the thing that tears him down the most, but the skill is apparent.

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