THN.com/podcast. Connor Bedard [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk3MzM5MjQ0NzU3MjYzNzgz/khp_5699-copy.jpg] Connor Bedard Although the 2023 NHL draft will always be remembered as the Connor Bedard draft, there’s a very good chance we talk about it as one of the best in recent memory. With talents such as Adam Fantilli, Matvei Michkov and Leo Carlsson projected to be taken early on and highly skilled players such as Will Smith and Zach Benson likely selected shortly after, the 2023 draft class has several players who could be top-of-the-lineup players at the next level. We’ve come to the end of the draft season, and it’s time for your favorite bald draft analyst to settle on a final draft board for the season. Hours of video, live viewings and countless discussions with people on the public and private sides of scouting and draft analysis have led me to this. First, for any new readers to my draft ranking, I'll explain my process quickly. These rankings are my opinion from my own views on each one of these players. If I have not seen a player, I will not rank them. While size on the extreme ends matters, it is not a deciding factor for me on a player. If an undersized player doesn’t let his size hinder him, I have faith that the tools and skills will work out. Getting to the inside, leveraging body positioning and understanding how to use their smaller stature are all factors for smaller players. Additionally, if a player is 6-foot-6 but can’t skate or has issues in space, I am less inclined to value that player because height doesn’t equal talent. Big isn’t always good. As for traits that I personally value, intelligence, mobility, skill and the ability to chain plays together are what I look for. I find physicality valuable but often overrated in the sense that hitting everything that moves is often a bad decision. Functional physicality is the name of the game. You can hit another player all you want, but if it’s two seconds after a pass is made or you are just hitting a guy with no intention of recovering the puck, it’s useless and often takes you out of the play. With all of that out of the way, thank you for following along for yet another draft year. I am always open to discussion on these rankings, and I would love to hear your feedback, so reach out to me on Twitter [https://twitter.com/theTonyFerrari]. Without further ado, let’s get to the 2023 draft board. Height and weight information are from the final NHL Central Scouting list. 1. Connor Bedard, C, Regina (WHL), 5-foot-10, 185 pounds The season that Connor Bedard put together this year has been nothing short of exceptional. Bedard has established himself as a generational offensive talent. He will step into the NHL and already be one of the most dangerous shooters in the league, bringing a plethora of different shots to the table. Whether using his all-world curl and drag shot, setting up for a one-time shot, a quick release off the rush, or using a defender as a screen and feathering it through traffic, Bedard is able to score a number of ways. Across the WHL regular season and playoffs and adding in his World Junior Championship production, Bedard had 90 goals and 186 points in 71 games. He’s certainly not perfect, with some questionable shot selection and a wavering commitment to the defensive side of things, but both of those issues can be fixed with some small changes to his mindset and maturity when he gets to the NHL level. 2. Adam Fantilli, C, Univ. of Michigan (NCAA), 6-foot-2, 195 pounds The most complete player in the draft and a legitimate candidate to be a franchise No. 1 center, Fantilli is going closer to Bedard than anyone is admitting publicly. The University of Michigan product blends power, skill and speed, unlike any prospect in the draft class. Fantilli understands the nuances of the defensive game and turns play around as swiftly as anyone. Fantilli drives play so positively at both ends of the ice, using his skating and intelligence to identify the dangerous play and attack the opponents when they are vulnerable. Fantilli is a high-level finisher who can beat you from distance or collect a puck in tight and tuck it behind a netminder. His playmaking is impressive as well, using changes of pace and his frame to create separation to open passing lanes. The Ontario-born center is the only player ever to win a gold medal at the world juniors and World Championship, as well as the Hobey Baker in their draft year. In just about any other draft, Fantilli would have gone first overall going back to 2016. The Anaheim Ducks should be over the moon with the No. 2 pick. 3. Leo Carlsson, C, Orebro (SHL), 6-foot-3, 198 pounds A natural center who has played on the wing quite a bit this season, Carlsson has a blend of skill and strength that makes him such an interesting prospect. The power in his game isn’t used to blow guys up with big hits; rather, he uses his strength to protect the puck, put defenders on his back and drive to open space. He is a skilled passer who makes plays under pressure and uses the threat of his shot effectively. He possesses a very good shot and gets his chances from in tight, using his puck skill and body to find holes in a netminders positioning. His skating has taken big strides this season. He played with Sweden’s men’s team at the World Championship as the No. 1 center alongside Lucas Raymond and Jonatan Berggren. With three goals and two assists in eight games, Carlsson was the best draft-eligible player at the tournament. 4. Matvei Michkov, RW, Sochi (KHL), 5-foot-10, 172 pounds The ultimate enigma of the 2023 draft class, Michkov has scored everywhere he’s gone, but the process wasn’t always there to start the season while in the SKA system. The change in his game when he was moved to Sochi was outstanding, and we finally saw the Michkov that we all wanted to see. He was playing hero hockey and ignoring open passing opportunities and finding himself in bad spots. Whereas he was skating into pressure and trying to force plays earlier in the year, he began to use his teammates and put himself into better positions off-puck. Michkov’s willingness to get into high danger became far more evident in Sochi, working through traffic rather than running into it. Michkov has a wicked shot that can beat goalies from distance, but he is infinitely better when he plays with intelligence and attacks the middle of the ice. 5. Will Smith, C, USNTDP (USHL), Six-foot, 181 pounds Will Smith is one of the most entertaining players in the draft class with his skill and creativity on offense. He was the driver and catalyst on one of the most entertaining lines at any level of hockey. Smith has some of the best hands in the class, deking and dangling defenders as if they did something to offend him. The USA Hockey National Team Development Program’s top-line center cuts to the middle in the offensive zone and draws defenders into his orbit before filtering the puck to his linemates for open chances. If given space to shoot himself, the 'Fresh Prince' has no hesitation to fire it on net from high-danger areas. Smith has to engage defensively and understand when to use his highly entertaining skill as he advances to higher levels of play where systems won’t be as open, but the talent is tantalizing. 6. Oliver Moore, C, USNTDP (USHL), 5-foot-11, 188 pounds While he hasn’t received the same level of hype as the NTDP’s top line, Oliver Moore very well could be their most translatable and NHL-ready player. With skating and speed that would instantly be in the top tier of the NHL and a tactical play style that is centered on advancing play to the next positive step, Moore is an intriguing prospect for any NHL club. He plays a solid defensive game, using his speed to pressure opponents and a good stick to take away passes and turn play up ice quickly. He may not have the same high-level finishing or flashy playmaking as his teammate Will Smith, but he brings more speed, refinement, and translatability overall. There is a world where despite playing second fiddle on this year’s U.S. NTDP squad, Moore could very well be the best NHLer of the bunch. 7. Zach Benson, LW, Winnipeg (WHL), 5-foot-9, 163 pounds One of the smartest players in this year’s draft class, Benson plays the game two or three steps ahead of the rest of the players on the ice. Whereas most players have a Plan A and maybe a Plan B, Benson usually has a Plan C, D, and E. He is undersized and has more quickness than pure speed, but the intelligence he possesses makes him hard to pass on right outside of the top tier of this draft. Benson has a good shot but will need to continue getting stronger to keep that as an asset moving to the pro ranks. He is an excellent playmaker who makes everyone around him better. On a Winnipeg team with Matt Savoie, Conor Geekie and a number of other WHL stars, Benson has been the straw that stirs the drink for one of the CHL’s top teams. 8. Axel Sandin Pellikka, RHD, Skelleftea (SHL), 5-foot-11, 176 pounds The draft’s top offensive blueliner is a wonderful skater and excellent passer, blending those tools in all three zones to make an impact. Sandin Pellikka can run a power play with intelligence and poise, walking the blueline to find passing and shooting lanes while having the recognition and skill to step into open space to generate a scoring chance for himself. He understands how to read off of his opponents and pick apart their weak points when the puck is on his stick. He has some work to do defensively, but he shows the ability to lead with his stick and defend with skill. His size will likely be a hindrance defensively, but he can manage if he improves his defensive reads and cuts plays off quickly with his skating and skill. 9. Ryan Leonard, RW, USNTDP (USHL), 5-foot-11, 192 pounds The thunder to Will Smith’s lightning, Ryan Leonard is a winger who will go through you if he doesn’t see a path around you. He attacks the middle in the offensive zone, skating downhill at defenders with speed and power while having the requisite skill level to dangle opponents when necessary. Leonard shows the most defensive aptitude of any of the NTDP’s top-line players, using his strength and physicality to his advantage, but his positional play must continue to improve. Leonard has a wicked release from a distance and can make tidy work of loose pucks in tight. He is a finisher with developing playmaking abilities, showing that he can be an excellent complement to a highly-skilled center in a team’s top six. 10. Dmitri Simashev, LHD, Yaroslavl (KHL), 6-foot-4, 198 pounds Simashev is one of the most interesting prospects in the draft, solely because the more you watch him, the more you ask yourself why the production hasn’t come along. Simashev has all of the tools. He is an excellent skater, physical force, deft puck-handler, crisp passer and an intelligent defender with a booming shot. Simashev could easily be the best defender in the draft class if he can pull his package all together when surrounded by talent that is better. There have been a number of times when Simashev makes a pass down the wall and then bursts into the slot with speed but doesn’t receive the return pass. He has set players up in high-danger areas around the net just for them to shank their shot wide. Simashev has plenty of unrealized offensive potential. With that said, he is a stout and tactical defender who uses his size well and turns play around very efficiently. His floor is high, but his ceiling is fascinating. 11. Quentin Musty, LW, Sudbury (OHL), 6-foot-2, 200 pounds The former No. 1 pick in the OHL draft has slowly emerged as the top NHL draft-eligible prospect from the OHL. Musty suffered from mononucleosis early in the year, which helps explain his slow start. As soon as he recovered from the illness, which coincided with a coaching change in Sudbury, Musty was off to the races. A playmaking power forward with an underused but excellent shot, Musty found himself just one point back of Colby Barlow for the scoring lead among OHL draft-eligible players despite playing in six fewer games. Musty improved with each passing week throughout the season. He blended power and skill, making plays with defenders on his back, finding passing lanes with ease at times. If he starts to use his shot more, he could be one of the most lethal dual threats in the draft class. 12. Gavin Brindley, RW/C, Univ. of Michigan (NCAA), 5-foot-9, 165 pounds Brindley faced a process of adjusting to the NCAA during the first half of his freshman season. He had to step into a bigger role with Frank Nazar injuring himself before the season even got underway. Brindley was doing so many of the little things right but wasn’t being rewarded for it to start the year. He was tenacious on the forecheck, playing bigger than his size would suggest in board battles, outskating the competition on every shift and just coming up short on the scoresheet. After helping the Americans to a bronze medal at the World Junior Championship, Brindley returned to the NCAA with a vengeance. His 28 points in 21 games post-WJC made him one of college hockey’s most dangerous players. The production was finally matching the process, and Brindley became one of Michigan’s most important offensive weapons. His size may make some teams shy away, but the undersized forward plays with all of the vigor you could want. 13. Mikhail Gulyayev, LHD, Omsk (KHL), 5-foot-10, 172 pounds This year’s ‘All Gas, No Brakes’ defender is Russian blueliner Mikhail Gulyayev. He skates like the wind, has creativity with the puck in the offensive zone, and can run a power play with a high rate of success thanks to his mobility, skill, and cerebral offensive mind. His defensive game can be a bit of a mess at times, especially against bigger, stronger players, but Gulyayev has tools that can mitigate that weakness if developed properly. Gulyayev has the mobility to evade forecheckers on the breakout, but he has faltered under pressure at times. Gulyayev is a swing on upside with a realization that the NHL gets faster and more skilled every year. 14. Otto Stenberg, C/W, Frolunda (J20 Nationell), 5-foot-11, 180 pounds Stenberg was the captain of the Swedish U-18 squad, leading them to the silver medal. The captain tied William Nylander’s scoring record at the U-18 tournament with 16 points across seven games. He played across the J18, J20, and SHL levels in Sweden with Frolunda this season. His performance in the SHL was possibly most encouraging as he showed the mature habits you would like to see from a junior-aged player against men while not forcing the offensive skill game that he possesses. He forechecked hard, played into the middle of the ice in the attacking zone and grew more efficient along the boards as he learned how to establish body position and use his skating to his advantage. Stenberg understands how to play at both ends of the ice and should develop into a high-paced two-way skilled forward who can excel in transition and be a dual-threat scorer with more time in the SHL and a patient development approach. 15. Daniil But, LW, Yaroslavl (MHL), 6-foot-5, 203 pounds The Russian winger could be a sneaky pick that winds up going higher than some expect because he brings a lot of what NHL clubs love. He is a giant who has some intriguing puck skills and a great shot. He isn’t the fleetest of foot, but he is a decent skater. Despite his mobility being average, he is quite good in small area instances throughout a game, showing quickness in tight spots. He can get off the boards quickly and create his own shot or find a teammate in the slot. Oftentimes, players who have the height like But often struggle with pucks in their feet and handling in tight, but that isn’t an issue for the big Russian. With the finishing power that But possesses, combined with the quickness of his small-area game and puck skill, he could be one of the most interesting developmental prospects in the draft class. 16. Jayden Perron, RW, Chicago (USHL), 5-foot-9, 163 pounds A premier playmaker who can pass the puck through the smallest of windows with pinpoint accuracy. Perron is quite undersized, which makes him a risk, but he shows the traits that allow smaller players to succeed at the next level. He establishes body position, getting under defenders along the boards and using his feet to kick pucks to his stick in a board battle. He is quick in and out of battles, using his combination of agility and puck skills to find his way out of trouble. The skill is undeniable, and he plays with pace, but he does lack true high-end speed. Going to North Dakota will allow him to get stronger, hopefully adding some power into his stride, and work his way to the pro game at his own pace. 17. Tom Willander, RHD, Rogle (J20 Nationell), 6-foot-1, 180 pounds A riser throughout the season, Willander is a candidate to go in the top 20 if a team falls in love with his toolset and his understanding of the game that he has the capability to play. Willander is an excellent skater who reads play at a highly efficient level at both ends of the ice. His defensive game is predicated on his combination of using his mobility to close in on attackers, his excellent stick to strip the puck, and the mindset to instantly move the puck up ice to start the offensive rush. His offensive game is reserved, but when he sees an opportunity, especially against lower-level competition, he will attack with pace and skill. While the young Swedish defender is able to make skilled plays in the offensive zone, he tends to make the safe and steady play to advance the play. Willander understands when and where to take chances more effectively than almost any other defender in the class. 18. Andrew Cristall, RW, Kelowna (WHL), 5-foot-9, 167 pounds One of the 2023 NHL draft’s most divisive prospects, Andrew Cristall brings some of the highest-end skill in the class in combination with some of the most intense mobility concerns. Cristall is a magician with the puck on his stick in the offensive zone, deking and dangling opponents with quick and precise hands. He can rip a snap shot from the home plate area in the offensive zone or make a pass so pretty, you’d marvel at how it got to its destination. At the WHL level, he can do all of that with ease because he can get into the offensive zone and do his work. At the pro level, his pace and separation speed will be put to the test. He struggles to find room for himself when it’s not created by his puck-handling ability, and he lacks the strength to overpower opponents. He needs to get with a skating coach and bring his skating up quite a bit. If he does, though, he could be a top-five impact player in the class. That’s a big “if” though. 19. Alex Ciernik, LW/RW, Sodertalje (Allsevskan), 5-foot-11, 176 pounds Ciernik is one of the draft’s most electric skaters, shifting weight and putting defenders on their heels with his speed. The young Slovak has been playing in Sweden’s second-division men’s league just as Dvorsky has and has scored at a higher rate than his fellow countryman. Ciernik is a play-creator and enables his linemates to disappear into space as he controls the puck and attracts defenders. He plays with high skill and loves to test the limits of his passing ability. The young winger will try to find seams that aren’t evident to others. His shot is improving, but he is a playmaker at heart. 20. Gabe Perreault, LW, USNTDP (USHL), 5-foot-11, 165 pounds The ultimate complementary player, Perreault is a play connector. He and Will Smith broke Auston Matthews' NTDP U-18 season scoring record of 117 points, but it’s Perreault that sits atop the list with 132. Perreault is one of the most intelligent players in the draft class, and he put his name on the map at the World Men's Under-18 Championship where he helped the U.S. squad to the gold medal. The NTDP winger is excellent at playing bumper in the neutral zone, making the give-and-go passes or giving his teammates passing outlets. He has some skating issues that will need a fair amount of work, but his intellect makes up for it. He has a great shot, excellent passing habits and good puck skill. If Perreault is the third-best player on a line, he has all of the tools to help push play positively. He needs a play driver, but he can do a lot to make an impact despite the limitations. 21. Dalibor Dvorsky, C, AIK (Allsevskan), 6-foot-1, 201 pounds Dvorsky is another one of the most interesting players in the draft class because the opinions vary so much on him. Some believe Dvorsky will be a top-six center who has high-end goal-scoring ability and can be “the man” on his line the way that he was at the U-18s. Others believe he will be a solid two-way center who will play on the third line and be a contributor on the power play, with his U-18 play being more a case of a physically mature player beating up on less physically mature players. What I’ve seen is a player who is a good finisher but will need a driver alongside him – a high-level complementary player. His defensive positioning is good but breaks down when he is hemmed into his own zone. His speed and explosiveness aren’t exactly at the level you’d like to see in a high-end center. When carrying the puck, there is a noticeable downshift in his speed and agility as well, becoming a bit more of an average skater when the puck is on his stick. 22. Timur Mukhanov, LW/RW, Omsk (MHL), 5-foot-7, 178 pounds Mukhanov is a supremely skilled winger who plays with pace and intelligence. Mukhanov reads and reacts to the opposition, knocking down breakout passes and taking pucks in the neutral zone and turning them into offensive chances. Mukhanov is a summer birthday, so there is still plenty of runway for his development. With impressive puck skill, attacking the middle of the ice and rarely playing without a backup plan, Mukhanov should benefit from a trade that could allow him to play in the KHL next season. 23. David Reinbacher, RHD, Kloten (Switzerland), 6-foot-2, 185 pounds Reinbacher is a defender who has received a lot of praise for his aggressive play style and production against men in the Swiss league. He has many of the tools that NHL teams look for when projecting blueliners. He is mobile, shows good puck-handling ability and throws his body around regularly. So much is being made about him being the “Next Moritz Seider,” but anytime you go chasing an archetype, you usually fall flat on your face. Reinbacher is a good defender, but a lot of his production comes on the power play, and he chases his hits at times, regularly taking himself out of the play. There is a solid base of tools to work with, but you might be passing up on some upside if you take him too early. 24. Oscar Fisker Molgaard, W/C, HV71 (SHL), Six-foot, 163 pounds O.F.M. is an incredibly smart player who's begun to incorporate his speed and hands in a way that has made him a dangerous player at the junior and men’s levels in Sweden. He jumped over to Sweden in his draft-minus-one season after playing at home in Demark growing up. Fisker Molgaard understands how to play an effective defensive game, using his quickness to pressure puck carriers and win races to loose pucks. His offensive game has grown over the course of the season in the SHL. His playmaking has always been a strength thanks to his vision and ability to read the ice, but his shot has become more effective as the year wore on. He was the best player at the U-18 World Championship Div. 1-A, leading the tournament with 12 points in five games. 25. Gracyn Sawchyn, C/RW, Seattle (WHL), 5-foot-11, 157 pounds A highly skilled playmaker who has incredible shiftiness and elusive skating. Sawchyn plays on a powerhouse squad in Seattle, and his minutes were downgraded as the team loaded up with players like Dylan Guenther and Brad Lambert for a playoff run. Sawchyn plays a slick game with some of the best hands in the draft and excellent vision. Sawchyn’s value goes well beyond the stat sheet. He understands the flow of the game, dictating what happens on the ice with the puck on his stick and interjecting himself when it’s on his opponents. From his skating to his puck skill to his passing, he’s got all the makeup for a productive NHL offense creator. 26. Eduard Sale, LW, Brno (Czechia), 6-foot-2, 174 pounds Playing against men this season in the top Czech league, Sale has been solid but unspectacular. He is a good skater and skilled passer who can find teammates in the offensive zone with precision. Sale is very good in transition, transporting the puck through the neutral zone and weaving through traffic to get his team in the attacking zone. He is quite an intelligent player, focusing on playing in the middle of the ice. Sale is a good shooter, but it lacks pop. He is slender and should add muscle to his frame over the next couple of years. The biggest thing that Sale is going to need to do over the next couple of years is to get stronger, be more consistent and continue to play a smart and projectable game. 27. Riley Heidt, C, Prince George (WHL), 5-foot-10, 178 pounds Heidt is a pure playmaker who elevates the danger level of anyone on his line with his passing ability. Riley Heidt is a silky-smooth passer who uses deception as a playmaker to enhance his offensive game. It’s not often a player can make passes cross-body or with the puck pulled into his feet the way Heidt does, but that ability to contort his body position and make a pass from irregular positions has been noticeable in Heidt’s game. His one-timers don’t get the love that they deserve because he isn’t well-known as a goal-scorer, but they’re certainly elements of his game that provide value, especially on the power play. Heidt will need to work on upping the pace at times and being a more consistent defensive presence, but the offensive creativity and passing ability are valuable assets for whoever drafts Heidt. 28. William Whitelaw, RW, Youngstown (USHL), 5-foot-9, 173 pounds Whitelaw is an undersized skilled winger who plays a water-bug game and does everything he can to put opposing players on their heels. Whitelaw is excellent at corralling the long flip pass through the neutral zone, tracking the puck over his shoulder and creating separation like an NFL wide receiver. Whitelaw has a wicked quick release and gets to the net front as well as anyone in the draft class despite his size. He needs to engage on the defensive end of the ice a bit more, but he should have time to develop that side of his game as he is heading to the University of Wisconsin, where he will get time to get physically stronger and round out his game. 29. Tanner Molendyk, LHD, Saskatoon (WHL), 5-foot-11, 182 pounds Molendyk is a wonderfully toolsy defender who should probably score more than he has because of his natural ability. He is absolutely outstanding in transition, moving the puck up the ice with effective passing and crisp skating. There may not be a defender in the draft from the CHL who is a better defender in transition, as Molendyk shuts opposing rushes down with excellent reads and fluid movement. The offensive upside may never be realized, but there is so much that Molendyk brings to the game. 30. Nate Danielson, C, Brandon (WHL), 6-foot-1, 185 pounds The co-captain of the Brandon Wheat Kings is an excellent skater who uses his mobility to gash opponents through the neutral zone. Danielson does an excellent job of providing defenders an outlet in their own zone before bursting through the neutral zone, building speed and generating chances off the rush. Danielson is a quick-strike attacker who plays a north-south game with developing confidence in his puck skill. Danielson lacks dynamism, but he plays a steady game that leads to good results. He projects as a solid middle-six forward who can provide efficient transition and finishing talent off the rush. 31. Colby Barlow, LW, Owen Sound (OHL), Six-foot, 190 pounds The placement of Barlow here is going to throw some for a loop. The Owen Sound captain approached 50 goals in the OHL this season and has shown some physicality, using his body along the boards and on the forecheck. Barlow attacks up ice as the off-puck striker but lacks the speed and dynamism to be the primary puck carrier. He is willing to shoot from anywhere in the offensive zone, oftentimes being willing to shoot from above the faceoff dots. He was scoring on shots that went off of the goaltender or just squeaked through, which isn’t going to work at the next level. Barlow is a player that often gets tunnel vision, keying in on the goaltender and going straight there without much vision for the rest of the ice. Barlow is a player who will play at the NHL level but the upside may be limited. Generally, physically mature players beating up on junior players and racking up stats without the processing speed, skill, and diversity to their offensive game have limited upside. 32. Brayden Yager, C/RW, Moose Jaw (WHL), 5-foot-11, 166 pounds Yager played center on Moose Jaws’ top line for much of the season, developing a decent playmaking touch to go along with his shot. Unfortunately, production and raw shooting talent never seemed to line up as he failed to reach 30 goals this season despite hitting 34 last year. Yager’s defensive game has been praised throughout the draft process but it hasn’t stuck out in a meaningful way in my viewings. He puts in an effort on the opponent's zone entry but fails to continue working defensively, oftentimes getting lost in the shuffle. He doesn’t show the traits of being the primary puck carrier and loops around in the offensive zone waiting for passes. If playing on the wing and being utilized on the powerplay, he could reach a higher ceiling but the shooting regression and lack of play driving from the middle might limit what he could be. 33. Luca Cagnoni, LHD, Portland (WHL), 5-foot-9, 180 pounds A puck-moving defender who has overcome plenty of adversity going from undrafted into the WHL to his team's top defender as an 18-year-old. Cagnoni is undersized for a defender which leads to some struggles in his own end at times but his mobility could give him a path to becoming a decent transition defender. In the offensive zone, Cagnoni will creep in from the blueline to create mismatches and attack on the backside. In transition, Cagnoni has the ability to lead the rush as the primary puck carrier or join the rush as an off-puck threat. The intrigue of Cagnoni comes from his ability to be involved with generating chances and attacking up ice. The Portland defender is a boom-or-bust prospect. 34. Nick Lardis, RW, Hamilton (OHL), 5-foot-11, 165 pounds After the trade from Peterborough to Hamilton, Lardis started scoring the lights out. With Peterborough this season, he was putting together a solid season with 19 points in 36 games. He was generating chances and showcasing the tools that could make him a very good goal-scorer. He was getting to high-danger areas, getting into open pockets of space for scoring chances, and showing off a high-motor game. When Lardis arrived in Hamilton, more opportunities came available and he started filling the net. Scoring 25 goals and 46 points in 33 games, Lardis put himself on the map. He could be a sneaky first-round pick. 35. Martin Misiak, C/W, Youngstown (USHL), 6-foot-2, 194 pounds One of the best forecheckers in the draft, Martin Misiak came to the USHL partway through the season after playing in Slovak pro hockey to start the season. Misiak started slow on the scoresheet in the USHL but he was doing all of the little things well. He began to produce toward the end of the season and he has been over a point per game in the playoffs. Misiak has pro habits in all three zones which should give him value in the middle-six at the NHL level. His offensive upside is his biggest question but he’s shown flashes of outstanding play. 36. Anton Wahlberg, C/W, Malmo (SHL), 6-foot-3, 194 pounds A big, skilled center who has played at the SHL and J20 level this season. Wahlberg’s skating has improved throughout the season, making him a dangerous transition player. The big Swede is strong on the puck, protecting it well at the men’s level. Wahlberg is excellent at working from the boards to the middle of the ice in the offensive zone. His shot is very good and he’s outstanding and getting himself into open space off the puck. Wahlberg should play in the SHL full-time next season which will allow him to continue to face competition that match his physical strength and skill. 37. Matthew Wood, RW, UConn (NCAA), 6-foot-3, 193 pounds After a very successful college season where he racked up 34 points in 35 games, Wood joined Canada’s U-18 squad and helped them to a bronze medal with 13 points in seven games. Statistically, Wood has been great this season. He is a solid finisher who can crash and bang around the net. Wood’s skating may have improved a bit this season but there is still a way to go for Wood to have NHL-level mobility. He is a complimentary player who has some size and finishing ability. 38. Bradly Nadeau, C, Penticton (BCHL), 5-foot-10, 161 pounds The top Jr. A player in the 2023 draft class, Bradly Nadeau was the top player on a powerhouse BCHL squad. He plays with pace and skill, annihilating the competition at the Jr. A level. There are times when you worry about bad habits creeping in as he is clearly a step ahead but with a few years ahead of him at the University of Maine, Nadeau should be able to work any of them out of his game. A dual-threat attacker who can blast through defensive pressure with his speed, Nadeau is a development project. 39. Calum Ritchie, C, Oshawa (OHL), 6-foot-2, 185 pounds After an up-and-down year in Oshawa, Ritchie had a solid end of the season and looked good at the U-18s. Ritchie is an intelligent player who plays a good positional game at both ends of the ice. He was leaned on heavily in Oshawa after the OHL trade deadline and with that, his confidence grew with the puck on his stick. Ritchie is a good playmaker who tactically uses his passing ability to set his teammates up. The Oshawa center is a good puck transporter through the middle of the ice as well. While his offensive upside may be a question, he plays a solid all-around game that could make him valuable throughout a lineup. 40. Luca Pinelli, RW/C, Ottawa (OHL), 5-foot-9, 165 pounds An undersized forward who plays with tenacity and skill, creating havoc in the offensive zone and generating offensive chances in bulk. Pinelli is a very skilled playmaker. His arsenal includes one-touch passes, quick slip passes, and crisp seam passing. Pinelli attacks space off the puck, bursting into pockets and getting in behind defenders. His straight-line speed could use some work, but he has excellent edges and great hands that allow him to be elusive and shifty as an offensive creator. 41. David Edstrom, C, Frolunda (J20 Nationell), 6-foot-3, 185 pounds A sturdy center who played quite well at the SHL level against men this season, Edstrom is a methodical forward with good finishing ability and a tendency for getting within 15 feet of the net. He can clean up loose pucks around the crease or deflect pucks on shots from a distance. Edstrom plays a sound 200-foot game as well, which should bode well for his long-term projection. At the U-18s, Edstrom routinely made his linemates look better with his intelligent play in all three zones. 42. Noel Nordh, RW, Brynas (J20 Nationell), 6-foot-2, 196 pounds Nordh split his season between the SHL and J20 levels, looking solid at both. His offensive game is simple but effective, going to the net and playing in high-traffic, high-danger areas. He plays with some jam and doesn’t shy away from contact. He is a good skater but could afford to add a bit more pop in his first few strides. He has some skill in his game that can flash from time to time but as a whole, Nordh is a very process-driven player. 43. Denver Barkey, C, London (OHL), 5-foot-9, 155 pounds There may not be a player in the 2023 draft class that exemplifies being overlooked because of size better than Denver Barkey. He was one of the Knights' best players throughout the season and a true catalyst for a long playoff run for the Knights. When he was out of the lineup, the team didn’t quite look the same. The London Knights forward is a highly skilled and hard-working center that understands the intricacies of connecting small plays all over the ice to ensure a positive final result. He’s an excellent passer and a sneaky good finisher. He could be the mid-round steal of the draft. 44. Samuel Honzek, LW/C, Vancouver (WHL), 6-foot-4, 186 pounds The big Slovak center came over to the WHL for increased exposure and had a solid season with the Vancouver Giants. He brings an interesting mix of puck protection and skill with a big frame. He has good vision on the ice, finding teammates in the middle of the ice. His skating is good, but he can be a bit stagnant when pressured. When he keeps his feet moving, he is a powerful forward with some finesse to his game. It’s just very inconsistent at this time. 45. Charlie Stramel, C/W, Univ. of Wisconsin (NCAA), 6-foot-3, 212 pounds After an underwhelming season at the University of Wisconsin, Stramel will look to ride his previous success to a relatively high draft choice. He has a good base level of skill and uses his size effectively when it comes to protecting the puck. He still has room to grow when it comes to being a physical presence away from the puck. Stramel has a good shot that he uses off the rush, going north-south. He lacks lateral agility but could be a very good off-puck winger who can get himself to the net offensively. 46. Felix Nilsson, C/W, Rogle (J20 Nationell), Six-foot, 174 pounds The Swedish forward is on the younger side of the draft class with a late June birthday, so the flashes of on-puck skill and high-paced playmaking at the SHL level are intriguing. His J20 play has been quite impressive. Nilsson plays a sound 200-foot game, pressuring with intensity and energy that allows him to make an impact without the puck. With some added strength, he could become a bit more explosive, and his shot could pop a bit more. Nilsson is a very smart, quick attacker who plays with some fun skills. 47. Trey Augustine, G, USNTDP (USHL), 6-foot-1, 183 pounds In a draft class with very few netminders showcasing the consistency needed at the next level, Augustine has displayed exactly that for the NTDP. The American netminder isn’t quite the 6-foot-3 goalie that teams look for, but he is crisp in net, ensuring his movements are calm and efficient while still showcasing the athleticism needed to make the impact saves that truly make the difference in a game. 48. Michael Hrabal, G, Omaha (USHL), 6-foot-6, 209 pounds A massive netminder who has had some ups and downs this season. His second half in the USHL was a bit underwhelming as he seemed to be a bit fatigued, and his play dipped. His mobility looked a bit slower than it did in the first half. He covers a lot of the net but doesn’t stay tight to his body when moving laterally, opening holes under his arms as well as the five-hole. With that said, when Hrabal is on his game, he is a wall of a human. He showed it at the U-18s for stretches, taking away space and using his length to close the bottom of the net off with ease. 49. Jakub Dvorak, LHD, Liberec (Czechia), 6-foot-5, 203 pounds A defensive blueliner that was injured throughout the year and showed well at the U-18s. Dvorak boasts great size and does great work around the front of the net defensively. He can shut down a cycle and get things moving in the right direction. He’s certainly not an offensive dynamo, but the value he can provide defensively makes him a unique talent in the class. He played against men this year at home in Czechia and didn’t look out of place. 50. Lukas Dragicevic, RHD, Tri-City (WHL), 6-foot-1, 190 pounds If you love all-out offensive attacking blueliners, you’ll love Dragicevic. The Tri-City defender is excellent with the puck on his stick in transition, looking to create off the rush and generate offense for a squad that struggled to compete and produce at times. Dragicevic plays like a rover, with the freedom to not only join the rush but lead it as well. His defensive habits are going to need some cleaning up, but there is a ton of upside in his game. Big-time boom-or-bust potential. 51. Oliver Bonk, RHD, London (OHL), 6-foot-2, 180 pounds 52. Roman Kantserov, RW, Magnitogorsk (MHL), 5-foot-9, 176 pounds 53. Aram Minnetian, RHD, USNTDP (USHL), 5-foot-11, 192 pounds 54. Carson Rehkopf, C/LW, Kitchener (OHL), 6-foot-2, 193 pounds 55. Matthew Soto, RW, Kingston (OHL), 5-foot-11, 179 pounds 56. Beau Akey, RHD, Barrie (OHL), Six-foot, 170 pounds 57. Arvid Bergstrom, LHD, Djurgarden J20 (J20 Nationell), 5-foot-11, 161 pounds 58. Aydar Suniev, LW, Penticton (BCHL), 6-foot-2, 198 pounds 59. Easton Cowan, C, London (OHL), 5-foot-10, 170 pounds 60. Maxim Strbak, RHD, Sioux Falls (USHL), 6-foot-2, 205 pounds 61. Jaden Lipinski, C, Vancouver (WHL), 6-foot-3, 204 pounds 62. Carey Terrance, C, Erie (OHL), 6-foot-1, 175 pounds 63. Danny Nelson, LW, USNTDP (USHL), 6-foot-3, 202 pounds 64. Kasper Halttunen, LW/RW, HIFK (Liiga), 6-foot-3, 207 pounds 65. Carter Sotheran, RHD, Portland (WHL), 6-foot-3, 197 pounds 66. Lenni Hameenaho, RW, Assat (Liiga), Six-foot, 173 pounds 67. Theo Lindstein, LHD, Brynas (SHL), Six-foot, 180 pounds 68. Brady Cleveland, LHD, USNTDP (USHL), 6-foot-5, 211 pounds 69. Koehn Ziemmer, RW, Prince George (WHL), Six-foot, 202 pounds 70. Caden Price, LHD, Kelowna (WHL), 6-foot-1, 185 pounds 71. Yegor Klimovich, RW, Sibirskie (MHL), 5-foot-9, 159 pounds 72. Griffin Erdman, LW, Waterloo (USHL), 5-foot-10, 174 pounds 73. Alexander Rykov, RW, Chelyabinsk (VHL), Six-foot, 176 pounds 74. Scott Ratzlaff, G, Seattle (WHL), 6-foot-1, 175 pounds 75. Quinton Burns, D, Kingston (OHL), 6-foot-1, 180 pounds 76. Nico Myatovic, LW, Seattle (WHL), 6-foot-2, 182 pounds 77. Zeb Forsfjall, LW, Skelleftea J20 (J20 Nationell), 5-foot-9, 167 pounds 78. Ryan Fine, RW, USNTDP (USHL), 5-foot-7, 177 pounds 79. Hunter Brzustewicz, RHD, Kitchener (OHL), Six-foot, 190 pounds 80. Jesse Nurmi, LW, KooKoo (U20 SM-sarja), 5-foot-10, 165 pounds 81. Jakub Stancl, LW, Vaxjo J20 (J20 Nationell), 6-foot-3, 201 pounds 82. Carson Bjarnason, G, Brandon (WHL), 6-foot-3, 186 pounds 83. Etienne Morin, LHD, Moncton (QMJHL), Six-foot, 180 pounds 84. Mathieu Cataford, RW, Halifax (QMJHL), 5-foot-11, 190 pounds 85. Andrew Gibson, RHD, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL), 6-foot-3, 196 pounds 86. Charlie Cerrato, LW, USNTDP (USHL), 5-foot-11, 185 pounds 87. Andrew Strathmann, LHD, Tri-City (USHL), 5-foot-11, 187 pounds 88. Matthew Mania, RHD, Sudbury (OHL), 6-foot-1, 180 pounds 89. Ignat Lutfullin, LW, SKA St. Petersburg (MHL), Six-foot, 163 pounds 90. Tristan Bertucci, LHD, Flint (OHL), 6-foot-2, 172 pounds 91. Albert Wikman, LHD, Farjestad J20 (J20 Nationell), 6-foot-1, 191 pounds 92. Noah Dower Nilsson, C, Frolunda J20 (J20 Nationell), Six-foot, 174 pounds 93. Jordan Tourigny, RHD, Shawinigan (QMJHL), 5-foot-11, 165 pounds 94. Ethan Gauthier, RW, Sherbrooke (QMJHL), 5-foot-11, 175 pounds 95. Will Vote, RW, USNTDP (USHL), 5-foot-8, 160 pounds 96. Jesse Kiiskinen, RW, Lahti U20 (U20 SM-sarja), 5-foot-11, 178 pounds 97. Lukas Hes, RW, Berani Zlin U-20 (Czechia U20), 6-foot-3, 187 pounds 98. Emil Jarventie, LW, Ilves (U20 SM-sarja), 5-foot-10, 167 pounds 99. Juraj Pekarcik, LW, Nitra (Slovakia), 6-foot-1, 183 pounds 100. Petter Vesterheim, RW, Mora IK J20 (J20 Nationell), 5-foot-11, 165 pounds HM Kalle Carlsson, C, Orebro J20 (J20 Nationell), Six-foot, 172 pounds HM Tuomas Uronen, RW, HIFK U20 (U20 SM-sarja), 5-foot-11, 183 pounds HM Coulson Pitre, C, Flint (OHL), 6-foot-1, 172 pounds HM Gavin McCarthy, RHD, Muskegon (USHL), 6-foot-1, 185 pounds HM Ondrej Molnar, LW, Erie (OHL), 5-foot-10, 170 pounds HM Adam Csabi, RW, Karlovy Vary U20 (Czechia U20), 5-foot-10, 161 pounds HM Paul Fischer, LHD, USNTDP (USHL), 6-foot-1, 195 pounds HM Adam Cedzo, RW, HC Ocelari Trinec (Czech U20), 5-foot-10, 163 pounds HM Cameron Allen, RHD, Guelph (OHL), Six-foot, 194 pounds HM Dominik Petr, C, Lukko U20 (U20 SM-sarja), 6-foot-2, 172 pounds HM Drew Fortescue, LHD, USNTDP (USHL), 6-foot-1, 176 pounds HM Frantisek Dej, C, HC Modre Kridla Slovan (Slovakia2), 6-foot-4, 200 pounds HM Tanner Adams, RW, Tri-City (USHL), 5-foot-11, 184 pounds HM Tyler Peddle, LW, Drummondville (QMJHL), 6-foot-1, 195 pounds HM Gennadi Chaly, RHD, Waterloo (USHL), 5-foot-10, 201 pounds HM Eric Schneller, RHD, Rogle BK J20 (J20 Nationell), 5-foot-11, 183 pounds
