2023 NHL Draft: Top Prospects at the World Championship

The IIHF men's World Championship is always an interesting event. Select NHLers who either miss or are eliminated early from the playoffs head off to represent their countries, while some nations include top prospects or players from their domestic leagues.

Oftentimes, the game’s biggest stars don’t go to the tournament, so we weren’t blessed with Sidney Crosby in a Canadian jersey for the first time since the 2015 World Championship. We were, however, given the opportunity to see a few of the 2023 NHL draft’s top players. Adam Fantilli and Leo Carlsson, among others, were able to showcase what they can do. Not all opportunities were made equal, so while some had big opportunities to build on their draft stock, others were fighting for minutes or battling injuries.

Let’s take a look at how some 2023 draft prospects performed while taking on quality competition at the World Championship.

While Fantilli played everywhere, from the first and second line to spending time as the 13th forward, he was able to give a flash of what he can do in the semifinal against Latvia. His game-winning goal featured the highlight-reel fundamentals. The skill, speed and shot were all on display as he dangled a Latvian defender and sniped a beautiful goal to give Canada the lead in the third period.

Overall, his three points in 10 games weren’t anything to write home about, but he had moments of strong play throughout the tournament. Fantilli was also tossed from a game for a hit to the head that was borderline and likely wouldn’t have even been a minor in the NHL. With that said, IIHF rules are much stricter, and it made sense given that fact.

Fantilli wasn’t a star at the worlds the way we’ve seen other draft eligibles over the years, but his role fluctuated, and he wasn’t really in a prime position to take over. At the end of the day, his draft season was capped with a World Championship gold medal after winning the World Junior Championship, the Hobey Baker, and NCAA scoring and goal-scoring titles, among other accolades. Not a bad year.

Carlsson was given the reigns as the Swedes’ top-line center, primarily playing with Lucas Raymond and Jonatan Berggren. The top Swede eligible for the 2023 NHL draft had three goals and two assists in eight games, including a two-goal performance against an American team who hadn’t lost to that point. Carlsson was the tournament's top draft-eligible player from start to finish.

Carlsson could have had a few more points had the bounces gone his way or a shot off the post bounces in rather than out, but the five points were a solid effort nonetheless. His shot, skill and strength were on display as he did everything we’ve seen all year in Orebro, working off the boards and making solid plays in all three zones.

The biggest development was that he proved he can play center at a high-level event. While he played on the wing in the SHL for most of the year, he has been a natural center for most of his career, and he’s been projected as such all year long. Proving it at the World Championship was pivotal in solidifying his draft stock.

The World Championship was supposed to be a coming-out party for Reinbacher, but after being hit awkwardly by Swedish defender Rasmus Sandin, he missed three games and left a big hole on the back end for Austria. Thankfully, Reinbacher returned during the tournament to play in the team’s final two games, including helping Austria avoid relegation against Hungary with an assist on the game-tying goal to send the game to extra time.

Reinbacher was solid yet unspectacular in his four games with just one assist to show for it. He attempted to step up in the play and be a difference-maker for Austria a number of times – including on the play where he was injured – but was often cut off and shut down by the opposing teams. He was aggressive defensively, thwarting play on his own before moving the puck up ice. He wasn’t a star by any means, but he was solid and didn’t look out of place against men at the international level.

It wasn’t a standout tournament for Oscar Fisker Molgaard and Denmark, but he showed some of the impressive tools and tendencies that have made some fall in love with his game. The Danish center played primarily bottom-six minutes and wasn’t much of a difference-maker, but he also wasn’t really given the room to run that he would need to be an impact player.

He was able to make the most of his limited playing time, averaging less than 10 minutes a game and showing his improved skating, high work rate and intelligence when reading and reacting to play. He was disruptive and constantly battling for the puck and staying engaged in the play. O.F.M. is an interesting player who plays a pro-style game built on high-level processing ability. It will be interesting to see just where he goes when the draft rolls around.

This was an interesting tournament for Vesterheim. He was featured sparingly for Norway, playing fourth-line minutes for the most part, but he was able to put those minutes to good use. He looked quick and intelligent, looking to capitalize on his opponent's mistakes. He didn’t get on the scoresheet, but he proved capable in a limited role against men, which was all anyone could ask of Vesterheim.

Vesterheim is a solid mid- to late-round prospect who seems to make the right decisions. He plays a modern game but needs to improve his all-around tool set just a bit. There is a lot to like, and he showcased those pro-style traits in the tournament, but he’s got a ways to go to still. He should have his name called on Day 2 of the NHL draft, though.