With the draft two months away, I thought it would be fitting to start ranking players in the draft. Here are my top 32 players in this draft.
1. Connor Bedard, C, Regina Pats (WHL)
5’10/185 | Right Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Elite Goal Scorer
NHL Projection: NHL Superstar
| Team | League | GP | G | A | PTS |
| Regina Pats | WHL | 57 | 71 | 72 | 143 |
| Regina Pats (playoffs) | WHL | 7 | 10 | 10 | 20 |
| Canada U20 | U20 WJC | 7 | 9 | 14 | 20 |
2. Matvei Michkov, RW, HK Sochi (KHL)
5’10/148 | Left Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Brilliant offensive IQ
NHL Projection: Superstar Goal Scorer
| Team | League | GP | G | A | PTS |
| SKA-Neva St. Petersburg | VHL | 12 | 10 | 4 | 14 |
| HK Sochi | KHL | 27 | 9 | 11 | 20 |
| Kapitan Stupino | MHL | 5 | 4 | 3 | 7 |
3. Adam Fantilli, C, University of Michigan (NCAA)
6’2/187/Left Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Excellent Pace and Awareness
NHL Projection: Star Point Producer
| Team | League | GP | G | A | PTS |
| University of Michigan | NCAA | 36 | 30 | 35 | 65 |
| Canada U20 | U20 WJC | 7 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
4. Leo Carlsson, C/LW, Örebro HK (SHL)
6’3/194 | Left Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Versatile offensive player with great hands for his size
NHL Projection: Elite Two Way Forward
| Team | League | GP | G | A | PTS |
| Örebro HK | SHL | 44 | 10 | 15 | 25 |
| Örebro HK (playoffs) | SHL | 13 | 1 | 8 | 9 |
| Sweden U20 | U20 WJC | 7 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
5. Zach Benson, C, Winnipeg ICE (WHL)
5’10/159 | Left Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Awesome Puck Skills and Motor
NHL Projection: Elite Playmaking Forward
| Team | League | GP | G | A | PTS |
| Winnipeg ICE | WHL | 60 | 36 | 62 | 98 |
| Winnipeg ICE (playoffs) | WHL | 2 | 2 |
36 G, 62 A, 98 Pts in 60 Games | 2 points in 2 playoff games
6. Will Smith, C, USA U18 (NTDP)/USNTDP Juniors (USHL)
6’0/172 | Right Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Elite Playmaking Ability and Shifty Skating
NHL Projection: Elite Playmaking Forward
| Team | League | GP | G | A | PTS |
| US National U18 Team | USDP | 52 | 42 | 62 | 104 |
| USNTDP Juniors | USHL | 20 | 15 | 27 | 42 |
7 David Reinbacher, RD, Kloten (NL)
6’2/187 | Right Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Great Defensive Game and Above Average Skating
NHL Projection: Top 4 Two Way Defenseman
| Team | League | GP | PTS |
| EHC Kloten | NL | 46 | 22 |
| EHC Kloten (playoffs) | NL | 3 | 2 |
| Austria U20 | U20 WJC | 5 | 2 |
8. Nate Danielson, C, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
6’1/185 | Right Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Consistent and Well-Rounded Play Driver
NHL Projection: Top 6 Two Way Center
| Team | League | GP | G | A | PTS |
| Brandon Wheat Kings “C” | WHL | 68 | 33 | 45 | 78 |
9. Oliver Moore, C, USA U18 (NTDP)
5’11/176 | Left Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Incredible Skater
NHL Projection: Top 6 Two Way Center
| Team | League | GP | G | A | PTS |
| US National U18 Team | USDP | 53 | 26 | 38 | 64 |
| USNTDP Juniors | USHL | 23 | 8 | 17 | 25 |
10. Colby Barlow, LW, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
6’1/187 | Left Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Excellent Shot and Maturity/Leadership
NHL Projection: Top 6 goal scoring Winger
| Team | League | GP | G | PTS |
| Owen Sound Attack “C” | OHL | 59 | 46 | 79 |
| Owen Sound Attack “C” (playoffs) | OHL | 4 | 3 |
11. Andrew Cristall, LW, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
5’10/165 | Left Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Very High Skill and Creativity
NHL Projection: Top 6 playmaking Winger
| Team | League | GP | G | A | PTS |
| Kelowna Rockets | WHL | 54 | 39 | 56 | 95 |
| Kelowna Rockets (playoffs) | WHL | 4 | 1 |
12. Dalibor Dvorsky, C, AIK (Allsvenskan)
6’1/201 | Left Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Great Vision (Sees Everything on the Ice)
NHL Projection: Top 6 playmaking Forward
| Team | League | GP | G | PTS |
| AIK J18 | J18 Nationell (playoffs) | 4 | 5 | 7 |
| AIK J20 | J20 Nationell | 10 | 10 | 21 |
| AIK | HockeyAllsvenskan | 38 | 6 | 14 |
| Slovakia U20 | U20 WJC | 5 | 3 |
13. Riley Heidt, C, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
5’11/179 | Left Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Strong Skating and Playmaking
NHL Projection: Top 6 playmaking Forward
| Team | League | GP | G | PTS |
| Prince George Cougars | WHL | 68 | 25 | 97 |
| Prince George Cougars (playoffs) | WHL | 8 | 2 | 6 |
14. Matthew Wood, C/RW, University of Connecticut (NCAA)
6’3/190 | Right Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Excellent Shot and Hands for his Size
NHL Projection: Top 6 Goal scoring Forward
| Team | League | GP | G | A | PTS |
| University of Connecticut | NCAA | 35 | 11 | 23 | 34 |
15 Gabriel Perreault, LW, USA U18 (NTDP)/USNTDP Juniors
5’11/165 | Left Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Power Play Specialist
NHL Projection: Top 6 Goal scoring Forward
| Team | League | GP | G | PTS |
| US National U18 Team | USDP | 55 | 46 | 110 |
| USNTDP Juniors | USHL | 23 | 19 | 45 |
16 Ryan Leonard, C, USA U18 (NTDP)/USNTDP Juniors
5’11/181 | Right Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Skill Plays at High Speed
NHL Projection: Top 6 Goal scoring Forward
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | PTS |
| 2022-23 | US National U18 Team | USDP | 49 | 42 | 76 |
| USNTDP Juniors | USHL | 17 | 11 | 20 |
17 Axel Sandin Pellikka, RD, Skellefteå AIK (SHL)
5’11/181 | Right Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Strong IQ and Puck Moving Skill
NHL Projection: Top 4 Offensive Defenseman
| Team | League | GP | G | PTS |
| Skelleftea AIK J18 | J18 Nationell | 5 | 3 | |
| Skelleftea AIK J20 | J20 Nationell | 31 | 16 | 36 |
| Skelleftea AIK | SHL | 22 | 5 | |
| Sweden U20 | WJC U20 | 7 | 1 |
Skelleftea AIK J18 (J18 Nationell): 3 points in 5 Playoff Games
Skelleftea AIK J20 (J20 Nationell): 16 G, 20 A, 36 Pts in 31 games | 1 points in 2 playoff games
Skelleftea AIK (SHL): 5 points in 22 games
Sweden U20: 1 points in 7 games
18. Brayden Yager, C, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
6’0/165 | Right Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Offensive Positioning and Great Shot
NHL Projection: Top 6 Playmaking forward
| Team | League | GP | G | PTS |
| Moose Jaw Warriors | WHL | 67 | 28 | 78 |
| Moose Jaw Warriors (playoffs) | WHL | 6 | 5 | 10 |
19. Eduard Sale, RW, HK Kometa Brno (Czechia)
6’1/168 | Left Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Jack-of-all-trades
NHL Projection: Top 6 Playmaking Forward
| Team | League | GP | G | PTS |
| HK Kometa Brno | Czechia | 43 | 7 | 14 |
| Czechia U20 | U20 WJC | 7 | 1 | 6 |
20. Calum Ritchie, C, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
6’2/187 | Right Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Puck Skills and Legit Center
NHL Projection: Top 6 Power Forward Center
| Team | League | GP | G | PTS |
| Oshawa Generals | OHL | 59 | 24 | 59 |
| Oshawa Generals (playoffs) | OHL | 6 | 2 | 6 |
21. Otto Stenberg, C/LW, Frölunda HK J20 (J20 Nationell)
5’11/181 | Left Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Great Transition Offense
NHL Projection: Top 6 Playmaking forward
| Team | League | GP | G | PTS |
| Frolunda HC J18 | J18 Nationell | 6 | 3 | 8 |
| Frolunda HC J18 (playoffs) | J18 Nationell | 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Frolunda HC J20 | J20 Nationell | 29 | 11 | 26 |
| Frolunda HC J20 (playoffs) | J20 Nationell | 2 | 2 | |
| Frolunda HC | SHL | 23 | 3 |
22. Mikhail Gulyayev, LD, Omskie (KHL)
5’10/170 | Left Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Great Skating Power Play QB
NHL Projection: Top 4 Offensive Defenseman
| Team | League | GP | G | PTS |
| Avangard Omsk | KHL | 13 | 1 | |
| Omskie Krylia | VHL | 12 | 4 | |
| Omskie Yastreby | MHL | 22 | 2 | 25 |
| Omskie Yastreby (playoffs) | MHL | 13 | 8 |
23. Quentin Musty, LW, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
6’2/190 | Left Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Great Shot and Net Driving
NHL Projection: Top 6 Goal-Scoring Winger
| Team | League | GP | G | PTS |
| Sudbury Wolves | OHL | 53 | 26 | 78 |
| Sudbury Wolves (playoffs) | OHL | 4 | 4 |
24. Gavin Brindley, C, University of Michigan (NCAA)
5’9/157 | Right Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Great Skating and Effort Level
NHL Projection: Top 6 Two-Way Center
| Team | League | GP | G | PTS |
| University of Michigan | NCAA | 41 | 12 | 38 |
| USA U20 | U20 WJC | 7 | 4 |
25. Samuel Honzek, LW, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
6’4/185 | Left Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Good Skating and Compete Level
NHL Projection: Top 6 Power Forward Winger
| Team | League | GP | G | PTS |
| Vancouver Giants | WHL | 43 | 23 | 56 |
| Vancouver Giants (playoffs) | WHL | 4 | 4 |
26. Bradly Nadeau, C, Penticton Vees (BCHL)
5’10/163 | Right Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Great Shot and High Top Speed
NHL Projection: Top 6 Playmaking Winger
| Team | League | GP | G | PTS |
| Penticton Vees | BCHL | 54 | 46 | 113 |
| Penticton Vees (playoffs) | BCHL | 15 | 10 | 15 |
27. Lukas Dragicevic, LD, Tri-City Americans (WHL)
6’2/181 | Right Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Dynamic Playmaking
NHL Projection: Top 4 Offensive Defenseman
| Team | League | GP | G | PTS |
| Tri-City Americans | WHL | 68 | 15 | 75 |
| Tri-City Americans (playoffs) | WHL | 6 | 4 |
28. Dmitri Simashev, LD, Yaroslavl (KHL)
6’4/201 | Left Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Great Skater for such a big Defender
NHL Projection: Top 4 Defensive Defenseman
| Team | League | GP | G | PTS |
| Lokomotiv Yaroslavl | KHL | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| Loko Yaroslavl | MHL | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Loko-76 Yaroslavl | MHL | 29 | 10 | |
| Loko-76 Yaroslavl (playoffs) | MHL | 10 | 6 |
29. Jayden Perron, RW, Chicago Steel (USHL)
5’8/157 | Right Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Great Playmaking and Skating
NHL Projection: Top 6 Playmaking Forward
| Team | League | GP | G | Pts |
| Chicago Steel | USHL | 60 | 24 | 71 |
30. Ethan Gauthier, RW, Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)
5’11/176 | Right Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Great Consistency and High Motor
NHL Projection: Top 9 Goal-Scoring Forward
| Team | League | GP | G | PTs |
| Sherbrooke Phoenix | QMJHL | 66 | 30 | 69 |
| Sherbrooke Phoenix (Playoffs) | QMJHL | 4 | 2 | 7 |
31. Daniil But, LW, Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)
6’5/203 | Right Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Great Shooter with a Huge Frame
NHL projection: Top 9 Power Forward Winger
| Team | League | GP | G | PTS |
| Lokomotiv Yaroslavl | KHL | 15 | 2 | 2 |
| Loko Yaroslavl | MHL | 26 | 15 | 26 |
| Loko Yaroslavl | MHL | 7 | 4 | 9 |
| Loko-76 Yaroslavl | MHL | 6 | 3 | 6 |
32. Koehn Ziemmer, RW, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
6’0/194 | Right Handed Shot
Defining Attribute: Great Hands and Pro Frame
NHL Projection: Top 9 Playmaking Forward
| Team | League | GP | G | PTS |
| Prince George Cougars | WHL | 68 | 41 | 89 |
| Prince George Cougars (Playoffs) | WHL | 8 | 3 | 6 |
Bet Now
HockeywizScouts 