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Draft Rankings

2023 Draft Class

By Jesse Ambrock

2023 NHL Draft — Top 20 Pre-Draft Rankings

As of June 2023.

Top 20 Rankings

1. Connor Bedard, C, Regina Pats (WHL)

The defining franchise center of this class and the clear best prospect. He produced 71 goals and 72 assists (143 points) in 57 WHL games — the most productive WHL season since 1995-96 — while also setting Canadian World Junior records with 9 goals and 14 assists (23 points) in 7 games and dominating every touch of the puck. His shot is already described as one of the best in the world, and combined with elite handling, vision, and competitiveness, he projects as a high-end No. 1 NHL center with genuine Hart-caliber upside.

2. Adam Fantilli, C, University of Michigan (NCAA)

Another true No. 1 center candidate with size and scoring that translate extremely well to the NHL. As a freshman at Michigan, he recorded 30 goals and 35 assists (65 points) in 36 games, led the NCAA in scoring, and won the Hobey Baker Award while being one of the youngest players in college hockey. At 6-foot-2, he combines speed, physicality, shot, and competitive two-way play, giving him a projection as a top-line center who can drive play, score 90 points at peak, and handle heavy matchups.

3. Leo Carlsson, C/LW, Örebro HK (SHL)

An elite two-way center/winger who already excelled against men in the SHL. He produced 10 goals and 15 assists (25 points) in 44 SHL games as a draft-eligible forward, made Sweden’s World Championship roster as an underage forward, and consistently showed the size (6-foot-3), puck protection, and decision-making to drive possession. His combination of floor and ceiling at center gives him high value in this class.

4. Matvei Michkov, RW, HK Sochi/SKA St. Petersburg (KHL/MHL)

The most purely gifted offensive winger in the draft and arguably the second-best raw talent behind Bedard. On loan to Sochi in the KHL, he posted 9-11-20 in 27 GP, with a draft-eligible point-per-game rate among the best for his age in the league despite limited early usage at SKA. His elite hands, shooting, creativity, and goal-scoring instincts give him 100-point upside as a winger; Russian contractual uncertainty and some defensive concerns are the only reasons he is not higher.

5. Will Smith, C, USNTDP U18

The NTDP’s premier offensive center and a high-end top-line upside bet. He delivered one of the highest-scoring U18 NTDP seasons ever, topping 120 points across program games and shining at the U18 World Championship as tournament MVP, where he led in scoring. His deception, playmaking, and in-zone creativity are elite, and although his defensive game and skating need refinement, his offensive ceiling at center is too high to rank lower than this in a prospect-only view.

6. Ryan Leonard, RW, USNTDP U18

A goal-scoring power winger with a big-game profile and a very translatable style. He scored the golden goal for the United States at the U18 Worlds, finished with 8 goals in that tournament, and recorded over 90 points for the NTDP while playing a direct, heavy game that gets into defenders’ bodies and into the slot. His shooting, competitiveness, and ability to play a power forward role against top competition project to a top-line or high-end second-line NHL winger who can excel in the playoffs.

7. Zach Benson, LW, Winnipeg ICE (WHL)

An undersized but exceptionally intelligent and competitive winger who drove one of the WHL’s best teams. He posted 36 goals and 62 assists (98 points) in 60 games, out-producing several bigger, more hyped peers while playing in all situations and showing excellent defensive engagement for his size. His skating, anticipation, and play-driving at even strength suggest a top-six winger who can tilt the ice.

8. Dalibor Dvorský, C, AIK (HockeyAllsvenskan)

A two-way center who has already played significant time versus men in Sweden’s Allsvenskan. He split his season between AIK and junior levels, producing solid pro numbers and then dominating at the U18s, scoring 8 goals in 7 games for Slovakia while carrying their offense. His frame, shot, and responsible 200-foot game project to a strong second-line NHL center with a chance to push higher if his offense fully pops.

9. David Reinbacher, RD, EHC Kloten (NL — Switzerland)

The top right-shot defenseman in the class and a strong candidate to become a top-pair NHL defender. Playing in Switzerland’s top league, he logged heavy minutes against men and produced 3 goals and 19 assists in 46 games while facing top competition and handling penalty-kill and late-game situations. His size (around 6-foot-2), mobility, and calm, efficient game with the puck suggest a strong projection as a top-four defender with true top-pair potential.

10. Colby Barlow, LW, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)

A goal-scoring power winger with leadership traits and a strong two-way game. At 6-foot and around 195 pounds, he scored 46 goals and 33 assists (79 points) in 59 OHL games, wearing the captain’s “C” and playing in all key situations for Owen Sound. His release, willingness to get inside, and responsible play without the puck give him a strong probability of becoming a top-six NHL winger with 30-goal potential.

11. Dmitri Simashev, LD, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL/MHL)

A 6-foot-4 left-shot defenseman with high-end skating who already looked comfortable in the KHL. He played limited KHL minutes but handled them well and showed strong transition defense and gap control, while adding more offensive confidence at the junior level. His size, mobility, and defensive ceiling point to a shutdown top-four projection with room for more if his puck game continues to evolve.

12. Gabriel Perreault, RW, USNTDP U18

The NTDP’s most productive forward and one of the most creative playmakers in the draft. He broke the NTDP single-season scoring record with over 130 points, thriving alongside Smith and Leonard and consistently dissecting defenses with vision and touch. Concerns about his skating and size are real, but his IQ, hands, and offensive feel give him legitimate top-six scoring upside as a primary playmaker.

13. Brayden Yager, C, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)

A shot-first center with strong two-way habits and a relatively safe projection. He recorded 28 goals and 50 assists (78 points) in 67 WHL games, showing a heavy one-timer on the power play and good defensive engagement while sometimes deferring too much to linemates offensively. If his playmaking continues to develop and he leans more into his shot, he projects as a strong middle-six center who can score and take tough minutes.

14. Nate Danielson, C, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

A high-floor, two-way center with size and strong habits in all three zones. He put up 33 goals and 45 assists (78 points) in 68 games for a weaker Brandon team, carrying heavy matchup duties while still driving offense. His skating, intelligence, and versatility give him an excellent chance to become a matchup second-line center who can chip in 60-plus points.

15. Quentin Musty, LW, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

A big, skilled winger whose upside is driven by a combination of size, hands, and creation ability. At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, he scored 26 goals and 52 assists (78 points) in 53 OHL games, frequently looking like the best player on the ice when engaged and creating chances off the wall and in traffic. Consistency and off-puck play are works in progress, but the top-six, power-winger upside is high enough to justify this mid-first-round slot.

16. Oliver Moore, C, USNTDP U18

The best pure skater in the draft and a center whose speed should translate directly to the NHL. He posted strong numbers with the NTDP in a more two-way, matchup role behind Smith, which may have muted his raw point totals. If his puck skills and finishing catch up to his wheels, he projects as a high-end middle-six or even second-line NHL center who can tilt the ice with transition speed.

17. Samuel Honzek, LW, Vancouver Giants (WHL)

A 6-foot-3 power winger who played big minutes for Vancouver and showed notable growth over the year. He produced 23 goals and 33 assists (56 points) in 43 games, missing time with injury, then returning to again be a focal point. With his size, skating, and improving playmaking, he projects as a middle-six winger with a realistic chance to play up the lineup.

18. Matthew Wood, RW, UConn (NCAA)

A big, scoring winger who exceeded expectations as the youngest player in NCAA Division I. He recorded 11 goals and 23 assists (34 points) in 35 games for UConn, leading the team in scoring while still developing his skating and strength. His shot and offensive sense suggest a strong chance as a top-six NHL goal scorer if he can add a half-step and more consistency in his off-puck game.

19. Otto Stenberg, C/W, Frölunda (SHL/J20)

A versatile forward who shuttled between Frölunda’s SHL and J20 teams and starred for Sweden internationally. While his pro production was modest, he impressed at the U18 Worlds with 7 goals and 9 assists in 7 games, often being Sweden’s most dangerous forward. His skating, shot, and competitiveness point to a likely outcome as a strong middle-six forward capable of playing center or wing.

20. Easton Cowan, RW, London Knights (OHL)

A late-surging winger whose motor, intelligence, and escalating production demanded serious first-round consideration. He posted 20 goals and 33 assists (53 points) in 68 regular-season games, then exploded in the OHL playoffs with 21 points in 20 games as London’s top forward. His relentless forechecking, retrieval game, and ability to drive lines without needing touches on every shift give him a clear projection as a middle-six NHL winger with top-six upside if his skill continues to develop.

Notable Prospects Just Outside the Top 20