Scouts' Honour Scouting Top 10 Draft Rankings

[Kris]

Unlike many years where the tournament is dominated by 19 year olds, the 2023 World Junior Hockey Championships served as a showcase for many of the talented draft eligible players that have made the upcoming draft one of the most hyped in some time. Whether or not it reaches the heights of 2003 like some in the hockey world are putting out there is yet to be seen. Whatever way you slice it, the draft will provide elite talent. Here is a look at Scouts' Honour's look at the top 10 eligible prospects:

1. Connor Bedard, C, Regina Pats (WHL) - there hasn't been a player with this sort of hype surrounding them since another Connor. Big shoes to fill, no doubt about it. Bedard brings elite level puck skills and hockey IQ, highlighted by an NHL level release that he is able to get off from a variety of angles. As with most junior players, there are holes in Bedard's game that will require attention but anyone drafting him is not doing so to make him into a 200 foot player. It's to harness the package into an elite level goal scorer. The question that will need to be answered is whether the hype will match the production. Thus far, it has exceeded all expectations but can he reach generational status?

2. Matvei Michkov, RW, Sochi (KHL) - for a few seasons now, the hype train has tried to turn the 2023 draft into a battle between a pair of generational talents in Bedard and Michkov. The political turmoil and contract status of Michkov has brought that all to a halt over the past few months. On talent alone, Michkov's skill package rivals that of Bedard and stands out as the 2nd best offering in this draft class. A true goal scorer in the mold of Ilya Kovalchuk and Alex Ovechkin. The drawbacks are what will determine where he gets drafted.

3. Adam Fantilli, C, University of Michigan (NCAA) - if this were a mock draft, you may find Fantilli slotting into the 2nd spot behind Bedard, but on talent and ability alone, he is a step back, granted a small one. Fantilli's blend of size and speed are rarely seen in any player, let alone one that is only 18. The biggest question out there about Fantilli is whether the offensive skills he possesses will develop to an elite level. While he may not have hit the ground running at the WJC, a move down the lineup may have been the best thing for him. He showcased a more well-rounded skill set that allowed him to play the game in different ways. Fantilli has all the makings of a long-time, #1 centre for some team.

4. Leo Carlsson, C/LW, Orebro (SHL) - in most draft years, Carlsson would be talked about as the #1 rated prospect heading into the draft but not all drafts have the top end talent of 2023. Carlsson is like Adam Fantilli in many ways in that he combines a pro style frame with a top notch skills. The difference between the two is in the skating ability. While not a poor skater by any means, Carlsson is a step behind Fantilli in terms of skating ability and speed. How much of a sticking point that will be for teams remains to be seen but it would be shocking if it allowed him to slip out of the top 4.

5. Zachary Benson, LW, Winnipeg (WHL) - after the top 4 is where the draft class opens up and variance will be found. Aside from Bedard and Michkov, Benson may possess the most high end offensive skills of the draft. The question marks for Benson will revolve around his size and not having elite skating. Many of the same things were said about Patrick Kane and that hasn't stopped him from being one of the best offensive players in the league for some time. Benson appears cut from a similar cloth to Kane.

6. Brayden Yager, C, Moose Jaw (WHL) - a season or so ago, Yager was viewed as a potential #2 overall pick behind Connor Bedard. In many eyes, Yager has failed to reach the lofty levels of other draft eligible prospects of the past year or so which has left him dropping out of the top 5 and into the later top 10 range on many lists. On talent alone, Yager is clearly a top 5 piece. He is a dangerous goal scorer capable of producing big numbers but consistency has been an issue and may ultimately drop Yager further towards pick #10 as opposed to the top 5.

7. Will Smith, C, USNTDP - Contrary to Brayden Yager, Smith has been a fast-rising prospect over the last few months. Originally thought of as a potential late 1st rounder, Smith began to catch people's attentions and has seen a meteoric rise up the draft board. Of the top 10 prospects in this draft, he may bring the most complete game. Smith plays a solid 200 foot game but it doesn't take away from his ability at the offensive end. The question with Smith will be what is his top end? While he is in the Patrice Bergeron mold, the questions will linger about if the offensive skillset will continue to develop to the point where he can produce 1st line numbers or if he will end up as a quality 2nd line centre.

8. Eduard Sale, LW, Kometa Brno (CZE) - Sale continues the resurgence of Czech hockey. He was another of the draft eligible players that continue to earn more ice time during the WJC and didn't disappoint. While many would have been looking for bigger numbers in the tournament, Sale acquitted himself very well. Many will look forward to seeing him in a more prominent role. He has already plied his trade in the top men's league in Czechia and has not looked out of place. A solid playmaker while not lacking for goal scoring ability, Sale will need to convince scouts that he can be a play driver and not a complimentary player in the top 6.

8. Andrew Cristall, LW, Kelowna (WHL) - the biggest question mark going into the draft with Cristall will be around size. Look at the stats and watch the kid play and there is no doubting the talent level, it's top notch. If he can prove strong enough and able to take on larger players at the NHL level, he has the makings of a top line point producer. Much like Zach Benson, the question marks will determine where in the draft Cristall ends up being taken. The numbers he has put up this season will surely catch the attention of a team willing to overlook his size.

9. Dalibor Dvorsky, C, AIK (SWE) - another of the underage players that continued to grab a more prominent role as the WJC played itself out, Dvorsky was put into some important roles for the Slovaks. While he didn't produce much in the way of numbers, he played solid hockey at both ends of the ice, taking key draws and killing penalties. His game progressed as the tournament went on and will have garnered attention in the scouting community. Not unlike Will Smith, the biggest question mark with Dvorsky may be whether or not he possesses a high end skill package that will make him a reliable producer at the next level or if he will fall into the role of an Anthony Cirelli.

10. Lukas Dragicevic, D, Tri-City (WHL) - while the 2022 draft class was seen as a good one for defencemen, the 2023 class seems to fall short of that. It doesn't mean that there aren't some intriguing names. With the pro game becoming more and more about skill and transition ability from the back end, players that can provide those qualities will always be in high demand. Knowing that the draft is weaker for high end D, a team may be willing to take a shot on a player like Dragicevic. He already has NHL size and is a much coveted right shot dman that produces offences as seen by his team leading 50 points. While his skating may not be of the calibre of a Quinn Hughes or Cale Makar, it is not a detriment. However, it could be a drawback for some teams looking for dmen that are a little more fleet of foot. Dragicevic should be one of the more interesting prospects to pay attention to when June rolls around.

Honourable Mentions:
Colby Barlow, RW, Owen Sound (OHL)
Calum Ritchie, C, Oshawa (OHL)
Axel Sandin-Pelikka, D, Skelleftea (SHL)
Mikhail Gulyayev, D, Omskie Yasterby (MHL)
Riley Heidt, C, Prince George (WHL)

[Carolina Gm-Andrew]

Thanks for the well written piece!

I think most people agree with your top 4 (even if not the order).

Really like everything I’ve heard about Benson. Felt the same way about Yager but some concerns are starting to be brought up there.

Anyone have a good feel for Andrew Cristall. The more I read on him the more I think he should be where Kris has him but it certainly seems like a coin flip whether he ends up going top 10-12 ish.

Most people don’t have Lukas in the top ten but figuring out the top D prospect for this draft could be a tall task!

Thanks again for your insights!