1. Connor Bedard (C) Regina Pats, WHL
This is the Connor Bedard draft. He will be one of the most talented kids to ever be selected into the NHL, and it's not just the Canadian hype machine - Bedard has time and time again proven that he is just too good for his current level of play. He flat-out dominated the WHL, posting the most impressive stat line for a first-time draft-eligible prospect, ever. He went onto the World Juniors where he put up one of the single best performances we have ever seen at that tournament, en route to a gold medal for the second straight tournament. He even had a short, but utterly dominant playoff on route to a first-round loss at the hands of Saskatoon. He has one of the greatest shots we have ever seen as a prospect, he can score from anywhere on the ice. He gets the shot off so quick in so many different ways. He has perfected the curl and drag shot that Auston Matthews has popularized in particular, and this allows him to change the angle of his release to shoot through triangles, and between legs - this confuses goalies because of how difficult it can be to track the puck when he is doing this. He has an elite offensive skillset - he has the skating, puck skills, vision, and IQ to be a dominant offensive weapon in the NHL for the next 20 years. He is a special talent that will come into the NHL and dominate right off the bat no matter the circumstances. Don't be surprised if he is the first rookie since 05/06 to break the triple-digit point marker. He is that good.
2. Matvei Michkov (LW) Sochi, KHL
Yes, there is the burning question on everyone's minds with Michkov of "Where will he go" given he is from, and plays in Russia. He also has a contract that won't see him coming over to play in the NHL until at least the 2026-27 season. Because of these factors, GM's may not want to risk a high selection on a small offensive winger, and whether or not he will come over when their job isn't guaranteed tomorrow. That being said, as someone who has no dog in that fight, and doesn't have to worry about office politics, I think Michkov is still the second most talented player in this class. He just put up one of the best offensive seasons for a draft-eligible player in KHL history. And he did this on the league's worst team, a team whose leading score had 30 points. Michkov, who came in halfway through the season and only played 27 games, had 20. Michkov's game revolves around his shot, and how well he manages the puck in the offensive zone. He is elusive with the puck on his stick, able to make quick decisions that lead to scoring chances. Michkov has some of the best offensive zone positioning out of any player in the draft, he thinks the game one or two plays ahead of every other player on the ice and anticipates where the puck will be unlike any player in this class. His shot, IQ, and offensive skill will make him an elite winger in the NHL one day. Teams will regret passing on him once he reaches the NHL.
3. Adam Fantilli (C) Michigan, NCAA
Fantilli is one hell of a prospect and in other years would be the odds-on favorite to go #1. The 6’2” Fantilli provides a combination of size, skill, speed, and power that NHL teams will salivate over. He had a historic season as a freshman in the NCAA, a season that saw him take home the Hobey Baker as college hockey's top player in the nation. Only the third freshman to ever take home the award, after Jack Eichel and Paul Kariya. Fantilli is able to drive play with such confidence, able to use his skating and IQ in both zones to create and nullify scoring opportunities. One thing I have always appreciated about Fantilli is that even when he fails, he will always try it again if he deems it’s his best course of action, he has such confidence in his own game and I love that about him. Fantilli is one of the best finishers in the draft, he can beat goalies in a plethora of different ways, whether it be from a distance, along a half wall, or in front of the net, Fantilli is always a threat to score. Fantilli’s game reminds me of Taylor Hall at the same age, able to use his speed, puck skills, and shot to be an ultra-dangerous offensive weapon.
4. David Reinbacher (D) Kloten, NL
If you have been aware of my presence for any amount of time, this placement of Reinbacher shouldn't surprise you. I think day by day it is becoming common knowledge that Reinbacher is probably the best defender in this class, I have been saying this since early November. I digress with pumping my own tires, though. David Reinbacher just had the single-best season for a draft-eligible defender in the history of the National League and has been playing against men in Switzerland for the past 2 seasons. The thing with Reinbacher is the offense isn’t the best part of his game, it was my biggest question coming into the season but he has really alleviated those concerns with his play in the NL. He has shown some good offensive IQ this year with his shot selection, in that he is shooting with a purpose whether that be at sticks for tips, or purposely wide for redirections along the back wall, or even just a seeing-eye shot from the point. It’s something that has improved considerably since last year. His defense is where I would say his greatest strengths lie. He is really good at using his physicality, he is quite effective at squeezing out players in transition along the boards. He is not afraid at all to lay the body - he will get this twinkle in his eye and zero in on someone and just lay them out, and he picks his spots well doing this. Reinbacher reminds me of a young Kronwall in this regard of his game. He has a very good stick in the defensive zone and maintains his gaps really well, he does at times get beat to the outside, and is something that he may need to work on going forward, but Overall he is a very stout player in the defensive end. A few things that he will need to work on is how he moves laterally - he is a great skater, but only really North-South. I don’t find he uses his edges often to cut into the middle of the ice, he more just attacks it if he does if that makes sense - and he doesn’t have that flawless, effortless stride when walking the blue line, he more just shimmy’s around, and if he is caught in a pinch he doesn‘t have the shiftiness to get out of it like a Hughes can and he has a tendency panic And make odd plays as a result. He also needs to work on his puck skills - he bobbles the puck at times and doesn‘t always receive passes very crisply. This could be because of the talent of his teammates at the WJC - I found this was particularly bad at the WJC. Both these things are things he could work on going forward. I think Reinbacher has all the capabilities to become a number-one defender in the NHL. I think he will compare to Moritz Seider or Alex Pietrangelo in the NHL.
5. Will Smith (C) USNTDP
Smith can be a polarizing player to watch, he can go quiet for three-quarters of the game, then all the sudden explode and pop off 3 points in quick succession. One of the first things you’ll see stands out with Smith after watching him is his skating, in particular his lateral mobility and edge work. He is able to pivot and change direction without losing any momentum. He isn’t a blazing-fast player like his teammate Oliver Moore, but Smith is still a good north-south skater in his own right. He can get up to speed fast and his top-end speed is very good also. His skating ability, paired with his great puck skills allows him to be an uber-dangerous player in transition, weaving around in the neutral zone and finding zone entries one after another. His IQ is elite and is one of the smartest players in the draft. He excels at anticipating the plays his teammates are going to make and puts his body in excellent positions to create scoring chances. One thing I notice he does a lot is make subtle movements with the puck, causing the defenders to move their feet only for Smith to attack the space created by him doing this, he has excellent deception and creativity. There are concerns about Smith’s effort level and two-way play - I personally think that once Smith gets to higher levels, his two-way game will start to shine through more than it may have at the NTDP. He has the IQ to be a great two-way forward, he just needs to commit to it more. All in all, Smith is one of the highest potential kids in the draft, has first-line center upside, and could be a very dangerous player once he reaches the NHL.
6. Leo Carlsson (C) Orebreo, SHL
One of the more NHL-ready players in this draft class. Carlsson played with and against men in the SHL for the entire season putting up a respectable stat line in the progress. Carlsson is a big man that uses his size and vision extremely well in the offensive zone. He is great at maneuvering the puck in small spaces and is a beast within a few feet of the goal mouth. He is a powerful skater that loves to attack the middle of the ice to create offense, he has a great shot but at times can overpass the puck when a shot would have been more beneficial. He is surprisingly good in transition, even though he isn’t the most fleet of foot. He uses his puck skills very well to pick apart the defense, and isn’t reliant on speed like most strong transitional players are. I think he is a very safe bet to be a top-6 player in the NHL, I just don’t know if he has that next level to his game that others do in this draft. I’m not convinced on the upside and that’s why I have him this “low”. That said, I really like the player and he reminds me a lot of Joe Thornton with how well he uses his size and playmaking ability in the offensive zone to create scoring chances for his team.
7. Matthew Wood (RW) UConn, NCAA
Wood just had one of the best seasons in the history of the NCAA as an underage player (in the modern era) - in fact, if you look exclusively at points per game Wood had the best season; the player that he is competing with? Jonathan Toews. Wood has been an interesting one for me all season, I started off very pessimistic about his game after the Hlinka when he had a bad tournament. He was trying too much with the puck and trying to play hero, not using his teammates enough. I quickly changed my view on him after a goal he assisted on against Ohio State. In the play in question, Wood gathers up the puck in the neutral zone and starts chugging up the ice with an Ohio State forward draped on his back. Wood with pressure from both the defender in front of him and behind him from the back checker he is holding off with one arm and gains entry to the offensive zone. His teammate helps Wood out by throwing a pick on the defender, taking him out of the play so Wood attacks the net, shoots for a rebound then chases his rebound where his teammate finished off the crazy individual effort from Wood. This single play convinced me that he is one of the highest potential players in this class. He has the Hands, the Vision, the IQ, and a shot that is coming along nicely - and he is starting to show that he is able to engage, and be a dominant physical presence. I have been comparing him to Jason Robertson for a lot of the year, but I actually think he reminds me of Leon Draistaitl more with how unmovable he is becoming with the puck on his stick.
8. Zach Benson (LW) Winnipeg, WHL
I really like Benson as a player, he is one of the most determined prospects I have ever seen on skates, he is always having his feet moving and wants to create a play for his team; he is one of the draft's best two-way forwards simply because he never gives up on a play.. His motor is fantastic, and on an absolutely stacked Winnipeg Ice roster this year, Benson has looked like the most dangerous offensive play driver on the team. Remember, this is a team that has players like Matthew Savoie and Connor Geekie who went in the top-11 of last year's NHL draft. Benson is an extremely intelligent hockey player, he is able to position himself extremely well all over the ice, able to anticipate plays in all three zones, and react accordingly. It’s his intelligence combined with his compete level that makes Benson one of the safest players in this draft. He may not have the explosive skating stride or the size that GM’s may want, but Benson is going to be a very good hockey player for a long time in the NHL. He may be close to Brad Marchand if everything goes right for him.
9. Brayden Yager (C) Moose Jaw, WHL
I know a lot of other people in the scouting world are somewhat down on Yager after a rather disappointing season with Moose Jaw. While I agree that he maybe didn’t have the season you’d expect coming into the season, I still think that his game will translate really well in the NHL. I think he can be a centreman once he turns pro, he has shown promise at being a committed two-way forward, and he has shown good progress in the defensive zone as the year progressed - he is no longer cheating as much trying to get an odd-man rush going as he did last year. He instead is committed at sticking to his man and covering the slot more than in the past, he still has work to be done but I have seen nice progress in this part of his game. Most already know that Yager is a north-south skater with a real dangerous shot from almost anywhere on the ice. He is excellent when carrying the puck in transition and makes smart plays with the puck once he gains zone entry, always looking and waiting for what help he has. A few things I’d like to see him improve on going forward are both his willingness to cut to the middle of the ice and attack that ice more, as right now not that he is perimeter oriented, he just has a tendency of cutting to the outside than inside when he has speed, it makes him an easy read for any competent defender, and more consistency in his offensive game. All in all, I really like Yager’s game, and I do believe he has #1 center upside, he is better than his stat line suggested this season. His game reminds me of Nathan MacKinnon.
10. Tom Willander (D) Rogle BK, SHL
This is probably a surprise to some people, but if you have watched enough Willander this season you know that his game had only gotten better and better as the season progressed. And if you know anything about what kind of defenders I LOVE he fits that mold to a T as a big, poised, smooth-skating defender with excellent physical tools and defensive ability. There are Rumours that he will be playing college hockey next season at Boston University, where he can get accustomed to North American ice and maybe be a D partner for Lane Hutson. Willander’s mobility is one of the first things you will notice about his game, he is excellent at puck retrievals and for the most part, has mistake-free breakouts. He possesses strong gap control against the rush and his frame and physical abilities allow his in-zone defensive game to thrive as well. The biggest question marks about his game are his offense, and I have seen this part of his game improve so much this season, he has excellent vision from the blue line, and he uses it very effectively to get his shots through to the goalie. I also saw as the season progressed just how confident he became at holding the puck and making plays himself, rather than just making a simple no nonsense play, he became the driver of the offense for a few plays a game. If he can develop this confidence more into more dangerous scoring chances, he could be a very dangerous player in the NHL. All in all, Willander is a raw and toolsy player with sky-high potential in my opinion, if he is able to continue his progression I could see a Oliver Ekman-Larsson like impact in the NHL.
11. Dalibor Dvorsky (C) AIK, Allsvenskan
Dvorsky is a hotly contested prospect in this class, he is a pretty safe, projectable two-way center once he reaches the NHL. He is a very smart player in the defensive zone and does an excellent job at containing chances, keeping quality shots to a minimum. He is great at reading the play in the defensive zone and is always ready to pounce at an opportunity to force a turnover, he has great details to his game. Offensively it’s a mixed bag in my opinion, he was otherworldly at the U18’s, basically putting a recently promoted Slovakian squad on his back to a 4th place finish at the tournament, showcasing that against his age group - he is one of the best prospects. He showcased an elite finishing ability, confidence with the puck, and a willingness to do whatever it took to help Slovakia win. On the other hand, you have a Dvorsky who, against men in the Allsvenskan this year and even at the WJC, showed that his offensive consistency wasn’t where one would expect it to be. He was consistently a passenger for his teams and wasn’t willing to try to drive the offense himself, it’s a concern I have with him game going forward and it may be something that limits his offensive input once he reaches the NHL. All in all, I think he compares similarly to Logan Couture.
12. Eduard Sale (RW) Brno, Extraliga
Sale came into the year with a good amount of hype behind his name, he was excellent at the U18’s as an underager and there was an expectation for him to possibly be a top-5 selection coming into the season. While those expectations may have been a bit optimistic, I still think that he is one of the most talented offensive contributors in the entire draft class. Sale played his draft season in his native Czechia suiting up for HC Kometa Brno in the Czech Extraliga. He enjoyed modest success only able to put up 14 points in 43 games but those numbers don’t tell the entire story. He enjoyed the second-best season for a u18 skater in the past 10 years, only being beaten out by Martin Necas who scored 15 points in his u18 year, and this while getting 4th line minutes and little power play time, that number with a bit of context becomes more impressive. With Sale, there is a risk factor teams are going to have to consider, the style of game he plays is really only tailored for a top-6 role in the NHL - he can drive the offense, and is a really smart and crafty player; but when it comes to any sort of engagement in the defensive zone… At this point in his career, it is basically non-existent. When Sale isn’t driving play, he can tend to fade away and disappear. He reminds me of Ales Hemsky who was a similar player while he played in the NHL. I’m just hoping that whoever drafts him doesn’t try to make him change his game to conform to a bottom-6 role.
13. Nate Danielson (C) Brandon, WHL
Coming into the year, I was extremely high on Danielson, but in the early stages of the year I was disappointed by his play, but after reevaluating I came to appreciate his game again. Danielson played on a Brandon team that struggled to score many goals this season, he, as the team captain was the engine for their offense this season putting up an impressive 78 points in 68 games. Danielson is a really well-rounded prospect, he is almost everything you’d want in a center prospect, he is extremely smart at both ends of the rink,; he is a natural center that takes control of center ice, and is an intimidating presence because of how well he positions himself for scoring opportunities, or to take them away. He has great decision-making skills, able to find open teammates with slick passes, take smart shots, or just manipulate time and space on the ice. Danielson may not be as sexy of a pick as some other extremely talented offensive players around him, but this is a guy that will help you win come playoff time. I think he projects as a really good second-line center in the mold of Philip Danault.
14. Oliver Moore (C) USNTDP
Oliver Moore is the best skater in this draft class and one of the fastest skaters in the world - he combines that with a dog-like determination and work ethic on the ice and is extremely versatile as a player, able to play almost any role if you ask him. The NTDP this year had a “Big-4” at forward, there were 4 players that really established themselves from the rest of the team, three of them (Perreault, Smith, Leonard) all played on the same line this season, able to feed off each other to produce. The fourth, Oliver Moore was tasked to play with a different array of players throughout the season and was given tougher matchups and as a result, his scoring may look a bit disappointing to the other 3. That being said, Moore is an excellent driver of offense and is a nightmare to defend against if he has any sort of speed. His transitional abilities are among the best in the class and he is fantastic on the forecheck, constantly hounding defenders on their breakouts and forcing them to make mistakes because of how quickly he closes in. I think he is going to be an excellent penalty killer in the NHL also because of his speed, paired with his determination. I do have questions about his decision-making at times, and he does get tunnel vision when he is going at full speed so he may not be the best driver of offense in the NHL but he is the type of player Gm’s and coaches love. He reminds me of a more offensive Andrew Cogliano at the same age.
15. Etienne Morin (D) Moncton, QMJHL
Yes, I am quite bullish on Morin and his game, I think he is being heavily slept on in this class and has a chance at being a very good defender in the NHL for a long time. This draft out of the QMJHL is rather weak and I think it is highlighted by Morin, he is a fantastic offensive blueliner capable of accumulating tons of points because of his excellent vision and great offensive IQ. He has a great first pass and is a great lateral skater, able to pivot quickly, and is very deceptive from the blueline as a result, he uses this well on the powerplay by getting a penalty killer to commit to him, only for him to pivot, then step around the player into open ice where he opens up more scoring lanes as a result. Another thing that should be highlighted with Morin is his shot, he is excellent at getting the puck to the net to create chaos. He has a heavy shot and it is very accurate from range. He used this to great effect all year to create rebounds and scoring chances for the Wildcats. The last thing i’d like to mention is that although he will need to work on his defensive side of the puck, he already has good fundamentals to be a good defender, he has tight gaps and an active stick, the problem he has is that he isn’t able to read the play very well at times and can get caught flat-footed as a result. Overall I think that Morin has legit top-4 potential in the NHL, and if things go well you can expect an Evan Bouchard-like impact once he reaches the NHL.
16. Colby Barlow (RW) Owen Sound, OHL
Barlow is a classic example of a player that does many things right but other than maybe his shot, he doesn’t do anything really fantastic. He is a very mature and well-rounded player who enjoyed a very strong season in Owen Sound this season - scoring 46 goals and 79 points in 59 games. Barlow, as a 17-year-old served as team captain for the Attack, something that doesn’t happen too often anymore and is a testament to how mature he is at such a young age. So the first thing that pops out to you when watching Barlow is his shot, it’s not world-beating but he positions himself well along the half-wall and is able to get his shot off quickly, and accurately. He isn’t afraid to battle for pucks along the cycle where he uses his frame well to fend off defenders. All in all, Barlow isn’t a super flashy prospect that is going to wow you whenever he steps on the ice, but he has many little details to his game that pro teams are going to love. He reminds me of a mix between Timo Meier and Christan Fischer.
17. Ryan Leonard (C/RW) USNTDP
Leonard was a third of the NTDP’s electric top line this season. He is a kid whose game is very easy to fall in love with - he is a smallish power forward that is able to with puck battles with ease. He isn’t afraid of getting his nose dirty, whether that be driving to the front of the net, or digging for pucks in the corners, Leonard is always giving his all on the ice. Leopard is a player that can play all three forward positions so he is very versatile, he is able to play a checking role if you need him to, he is able to play and keep up with more skilled forwards in a top-6 role and open space for them on the ice, and he is an excellent penalty killer. His shout is something that has gotten better and better as the year has progressed to a point where he is a legitimately dangerous shooting option. He really the type of player that the GM and coach loves come draft time, he is a very polished prospect who shouldn’t take too much time to get acclimated to the NHL game. The problem I have with Leonard is that I don’t think he is able to drive the offense enough to warrant a selection higher than the players I ranked ahead of him, I don’t think the upside with Leonard is that great, even if he is a slam dunk NHLer - He reminds me of Dawson Mercer.
18. Lukas Dragicevic (D) Tri-City, WHL
Dragicevic is a polarizing figure in the scouting world, he has been called a fourth forward at times this year and while I can see what can make them think this, I think it’s an extremely valuable part of his game, and something that makes him rather unique in this class. He is never afraid to activate from the blue line and join the rush in transition, or sneak in from the point to get closer to the net to give his forwards an extra option below the hash marks, creating more space as a result. It is a trait that he lives and dies by, when it works he looks great and is leading the charge offensively for his team; if it doesn’t it makes it seem as if he is completely incompetent at defending and that’s where the “fourth forward” narrative started. But what he is able to do with the puck on his stick in the offensive zone, elevates those concerns a bit for me. He has an excellent shot from the blue line and is able to run an offense just as good as any defender in this class, and has a 6’2” frame to help build out a more competent defensive game. He’s a project but he has some of the highest potential out of any defender in this class. He reminds me of Kevin Korchinski.
19. Daniil But (RW) Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, KHL
Seeing Tage Thompson’s rapid succession to a unicorn-like player in the NHL, it makes players like But more desirable for NHL teams. Big, raw, and lanky forwards who aren’t afraid to shoot and have a good offensive skillset will have people thinking “What if he hits hit potential”. But is just a raw player, he has a somewhat wonky skating stride and is very good at creating chances in the middle of the ice, he is definitely more of an east-west player in this regard. He uses his size at 6’4’ well and shows flashes of good decision-making in the offensive zone, but all in all his decision-making can use some work. He has the physical tools to become an NHL contributor in some regard, but it remains to be seen how he can develop his offensive skillset to really be a top06 contributor in the NHL. He reminds me of a mix between Jimmy Hayes and the aforementioned Tage Thompson.
20. Otto Stenberg (C) Frolunda, SHL
Stenberg was a player I was fooled by this year, I started out the year having him around this area then in the middle of the season I was following his game in the Swedish junior leagues and was disappointed he wasn’t doing more offensively compared to a Noah Dower Nilsson for example so I had him drop down my ranking in the mid-season. It wasn’t until I took a closer look into his game that I realized that Stenberg isn’t the type of player that is going to dominate the scoresheet at any level, he is going to produce similar numbers no matter what level he plays because he has a very pro game and doesn’t cheat to put up a more impressive stat sheet. And because of it Stenberg is right back to around where he originally was at the start of the season for me. Stenberg is an excellent two-way forward that is able to affect the game at both ends of the rink. He has fantastic work ethic, a great shot, and is quite the physical centreman. He may not have the upside as other players in the draft but he should be a responsible two-way middle06 center in the NHL for a long time. He reminds me a lot of Shane Pinto.
21. Graycn Sawchyn (C) Seattle, WHL
This is a player that grew on me more and more throughout the season, he was a draft-eligible player on one of the most stacked teams in the CHL and was still able to produce at a point per game rate this season and got much better as the season progressed. Sawchyn is such a smart player, he is able to anticipate the play really well and puts himself in really good positions to make plays in all three zones, this tells me he has good or very good hockey IQ - probably the most important attribute in a high impact player at the NHL level. He is similar to a prospect like Ryan Leonard in my opinion, it’s just he doesn’t have the polish that Leonard has at the same age. I think that Sawchyn should be a good middle-6 option in the NHL, he can be a good complimentary winger in the top-6 but I think he’ll be a very good third-liner that is able to use his determination and smarts to lead a third line. He reminds me of a smaller Jonathan Toews.
22. Tristan Bertucci (D) Flint, OHL
I believe that Bertucci is one of the most undervalued players in this class. You take a look at his profile, the kid stands at 6’2” and weighs 180 lbs, looking at that you know that there is some physical maturation to be done, and if he adds an extra 10-15 lbs he could be a very difficult player to play against. Bertucci has great mobility, he is able to use his four-way mobility well in both zones. He uses it well in the defensive zone to escape pressure applied by forecheckers, to give himself a better look for a breakout, then if he can’t find a good look, he isn't afraid of carrying the puck through transition and into the offensive zone. One thing that I don’t like is that he is too timid to go further than the hash marks when he does this. I'd like to see more confidence in his offensive ability when he does this and be more assertive. His mobility in the offensive zone is impressive too, he uses it effectively as a way of deception. If he is being pressured while having the puck at the point he will quickly pivot, forcing the defender to move his stick, or his feet and Bertucci is able to make a quietly effective pass to a teammate. Speaking of Bertucci at the point, he is one of the best defenders in the draft at getting the puck to the net and causing chaos as a result. He frequently shoots through numerous screens to either find the net or create a juicy rebound. Defensively is where I think Bertucci shines the most, he has a very good active stick and is able to thwart pressure because of it. His mobility allows him to keep a tight gap with opposing forwards and he has a calm and poised approach to his defence. It never really looks like he is panicking on the ice. Honestly, Bertucci reminds me of Devon Toews, and I think he can bring a strong defensive game while chipping in a bit of offense once he reaches the NHL.
23. Dmitri Simashev (D) Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, KHL
The first thing you’re going to notice about Simashev is how big he is - he already stands at 6’4” and weighs just over 200 lbs already. The big defender spent a good chunk of his season playing in the KHL, 18 games to be exact, and played well against much older competition. As a big defender, Simashev can really move well, and paired with his size and defensive prowess it can be really easy to really become a fan of Simashev’s game. He will be an NHLer, that’s no question, he is excellent at defending the front of the net, and winning loose puck battles in the corners. He has good tight gaps and has a really effective poke because of his length, he is really good at nullifying any sort of rushes with speed because attackers have to be wary of his big, long stick. He also has some good IQ, mostly in the defensive zone but we have also seen flashes of anticipating plays well in the offensive zone as well, however, he lacks finishing ability. He gets good chances but he either mishandles the puck or takes a bad shot. Personally, I don’t think he is ever a massive point producer. I think he’ll be a very good defensive defender once he reaches the NHL, and if he can work on his physical play he could be a feared one at that. I think he reminds me of Erik Cernak.
24. Quentin Musty (LW) Sudbury, OHL
It has been an up-and-down season for Musty, the once 1st overall selection in the OHL draft started off the season slowly but after a coaching change, his offensive production really started to skyrocket. Musty is a big-bodied forward that possesses an incredible shot from the perimeter, he can really whip it and pick his spots if given the time and space. He has great puck skills and is really good at maneuvering the puck in small spaces on the ice and when he decides to use his body to his full advantage, there are very few players who are able to take the puck away. The problem with Musty is his lack of effort and consistency, he can be lazy on the ice and make dumb plays, but he isn't always engaged in the play and at times just floats in the offensive zone awaiting the puck rather than put himself in better scoring positions. He also has suspect IQ and decision-making, he isn’t always able to process the game very quick,ly and at times it seems as if he is a step behind the play at hand. He can be a frustrating player to watch because you can really tell he could be a great player he just hasn’t pieced it all together, yet. He actually reminds me of Juraj Slafkovsky.
25. Calum Ritchie (C) Oshawa, OHL
Calum Ritchie had a disappointing season, there is no doubting that. He came into the year with aspirations of being a top-10 selection but his play this season wasn’t as consistent as you’d expect from a player that was poised to go that high. Ritchie played for one of the worst teams in the OHL this season, the Oshawa Generals where he put up a point per game season. Ritchie is a bigger two-way centreman that likes to slow the playdown and use his vision and IQ to create the bulk of his offense in the offensive zone. He actually did quite a good job at creating scoring chances this year, but his linemates had a serious lack of finish, so some of his disappointing production in the OHL can be attributed to this. One thing I’d like to point out about Ritchie is he is a great two-way player, he is great at stripping the puck and causing turnovers in the defensive end. At the start of the season, I thought that he was overvalued but I think he has gone on to be an undervalued player as the year progressed. He still has great IQ, and vision and is a very capable two-way forward. In a better circumstance, he would have produced more offensively. He reminds me of Ryan O’Reilly.
26. Gabriel Perreault (RW) USNTDP
Perreault is a polarizing player in my opinion, he just became the highest-scoring player in the history of the NTDP, beating out names such as Jack Hughes, Patrick Kane, and Auston Matthews who have gone on have extremely successful NHL careers yet something feels different with Perreault compared to the others I mentioned. I’ll start with the positives with Perreault - he has an excellent feel for the game, he is great at anticipating the play and being in excellent spots to create or finish off plays. He has excellent puck skills and isn’t afraid of attacking the middle of the ice, and in particular cutting towards the goalie - he’s fearless in this regard, he shows great deception, able to contort his body in different directions to throw off defenders, only to explode into the open ice he created for himself to make a play. A very capable offensive player. Now the negatives, the first thing anyone talks about is his skating, which definitely needs to be improved upon, he doesn’t stay low during his crossovers and losses a lot of speed as a result, and as a smaller forward not having this explosive skating can be a real hindrance at higher levels. He is also quite weak on his skates, he is easily knocked off the puck and needs to bulk up to prevent this more. I also think that although he scored the most out of the dangerous NTDP top line this year, he wasn’t the guy who drove play, Leonard and Smith were the play drivers on that line, and Perreault was a really good complementary piece. I’m worried that going forward, if he doesn’t have that amazing chemistry to his linemates as he did for the NTDP, he could struggle to score. He is a high-upside player, no doubt - sky is really the limit here but I have definite concerns on how his game will transition to the NHL. He reminds me of a less pesky Brad Marchand.
27. Maxim Strbak (D) Sioux Falls, USHL
A lot of people may take a look at Strbak’s offensive totals and write him off - but I’ll be the first to tell you you’d be a fool to do so. Strbak is one of the best pure defensive defenders in the entire draft class and has been great this season for Slovakia internally at both the U20’s and U18’s where he was probably the most noticeable defender on the ice for the nation in both tournaments. He isn’t afraid to line players up for checks and picks his spots real well, he isn’t going to leave his partner scrambling on a 2-1 because he wanted to go for a hit. He also is excellent with his stick, which he uses to great effect to hound players in the corners or nullify rush chances against him. An underrated aspect of Strbak’s game is his ability to transition defense to offense rather seamlessly - he is great on breakouts and puck retrievals and seldom makes mistakes. He is a very poised defender that should be an NHLer in some capacity some day. He reminds me of Adam Pelech.
28. Riley Heidt (C) Prince George, WHL
Maybe it’s just me but Heidt is an impressive centreman who puts up points, but his play is kind of bland and he really doesn’t push the tempo of the game how you’d think a player who just put up 97 points would. He likes to watch the puck too much at both ends of the rink and doesn’t show much hustle in his game. He’s skilled and picks his spots well, has great vision and positioning on the ice though - he loves to create his offense from the perimeter and will look off cutting to the center of the ice to continue to find a play on the outside. To me, there are concerns if his game is more tailored to be a junior scorer, but at the end of the day, you can’t completely ignore the state. He reminds me of Ryan Spooner.
29. Nick Lardis (LW) Brantford/Hamilton, OHL
One of my biggest risers since the start of the season, Lardis started off the season with the Peterborough Petes but after the Petes decided to go all in he was traded to Hamilton at the trade deadline. Safe to say this was the best thing that could have happened to Lardis who took advantage of increased responsibility and ice time and lit up scoresheets as a Bulldog.
One of the first things you notice when watching Lardis is just how quick he is, he can get up to speed as well as most players in this class, he also has excellent top speed which combined with his acceleration makes him one of the best North-South skaters in the draft. Another great thing about his game is he is always moving his feet, and has a great motor; constantly moving and trying to make something happen for his team. One thing I noticed as soon as he arrived in Hamilton is how good he was at getting lost in coverage and finding soft spots on the ice where he could utilize his shot, which he got to showcase a lot in Hamilton scoring 25 goals in only 33 games played there. Some of the issues I have with Lardis is an upside, as a smallish scorer at the junior level, does he have the necessary vision, puck skills, and IQ to be a top-6 player once he reaches the NHL? I’m not sure. One thing I’m confident with is that his skating, motor and shot should allow him a good chance at being a productive middle-6 producer once he turns pro, I really like Lardis and think he has the potential to be a good NHLer, he reminds me of Nick Robertson at the same age.
30. Oscar Fiskar Molgaard (C) HV71, SHL
One of my personal favorite prospects for this draft class. Fiskar Mølgaard is a player that doesn’t necessarily do one thing particularly well, is more just a sum of many good attributes that allow him to be a quietly effective player at whichever level he is at. If he had any standout skill though, it’d be his IQ which is higher than average. He is excellent at putting himself into positions to help a play at both ends of the rink. He is good at anticipating the play and reacting accordingly. He already has good habits to his game, and isn’t a guy that is going to cheat to pile up the points. Mølgaard also has a great motor, he is never caught floating and is always keeping his feet moving chasing the play or presenting himself as a passing option when he doesn't have the puck on his stick. Overall, Mølgaard doesn’t have the highest potential as he is limited by his lack of explosive offensive skillset, but he is such a well-rounded player that it may be something he focuses on developing moving forward. He reminds me of Alexander Wennberg.
31. David Edstrom (C) Frolunda, SHL
Big Swedish centreman really had his coming out party of sorts at the U-18’s for Sweden. He uses his size really well and is an absolute pest in front of the net, it must be a nightmare for goalies looking around him when he is screening in front. He is great at battling and winning battles in front and is great at deflecting pucks that come his way. Edstrom is extremely dangerous when he gets the puck around the goal mouth, he has a quick and accurate release in tight and if he gets a clean look goalies stand no chance at stopping him. Edstrom is very good at reading and anticipating the play at hand, he is able to plant himself in great positions to disrupt the enemy team and is particularly good at playing in the cycle. For a big guy, Edstrom isn’t a terrible skater, he is able to get up to speed quickly but doesn’t have the greatest top-end speed or lateral mobility. He lets his IQ and being in the right place at the right time pile up the points for him. Overall a player that has consistently risen up my board this season and I think he has a middle-6 upside in the NHL. He reminds me of Oskar Sundqvist.
32. Samuel Honzek (C) Vancouver, WHL
Big centreman came over from Slovakia to play in the WHL and has been a very pleasant surprise this season. Honzek is a strong two-way centre that isn’t afraid to get involved in the play physically. He also is a pretty good skater for his size and with his big frame is quite proficient in the corners and in front of the net, he also has a finesse to his game that sees him able to make difficult passes in the offensive zone on occasion and he isn’t afraid to attack open ice. He is most everything you’d want in a middle-6 centre at the next level and if you believe he can play centre at the next level then he could be worthy of a selection much higher than this. I however don’t think he’ll be a centreman as a pro. He doesn’t have as much upside as a lot of the players around him, and he doesn’t have the greatest hockey IQ. He reminds me a bit of Pavel Zacha.
33. Anton Wahlberg (C) Malmo, SHL
Physical centreman plays a mature game already at such a young age. Has a respect for the defensive side of the game and the offense is progressing nicely.
34. Ethan Gauthier (RW) Sherbrook, QMJHL
High motor forward with size that possesses a good shot. Pretty safe projection to the NHL - question with him is what is his upside?
35. Axel Sandin Pelikka (D) AIK, SHL
Small yet talented offensive defender is one of the higher-upside defenders in the class. Struggles with puck retrievals on a larger ice surface, this problem will likely be exploited on the smaller ice in North America.
36. Theo Lindstein (D) Brynas, SHL
Has a good foundation as a potential top-4 two-way defender, decision-making is what causes pause with Lindstein’s game.
37. Kalan Lind (RW) Red Deer, WHL
A combination of a great motor and an ability to get under the opponent's skin will make Lind a highly coveted player come draft day. Can put up points also.
38. Caden Price (D) Kelowna, WHL
High IQ defender with excellent breakouts and decision-making. Doesn’t use his size well, and can be inconsistent in the defensive end. If things go right with Price he could be one of the best defenders in class
39. Jakub Dvorak (D) Liberec, Extraliga
Big physical defender with a very good defensive game, competes hard, good skater but makes questionable plays with the puck at times.
40. Felix Nilsson (C) Rogle, SHL
High IQ centreman with excellent decision-making at both ends of the ice. He has great vision and is a great playmaker. Skating is good also. Not the most dynamic offensive player.
41. Andrew Cristall (LW) Kelowna, WHL
He can score points in bunches in junior, but his effort level is inconsistent and for a small player he isn’t the best skater. High risk-reward selection.
42. Beau Akey (D) Barrie, OHL
Excellent on breakouts and in transition, has size and great decision making at both ends. Has defensive inconsistencies but if he can iron those out he can be an NHL defender for a long time.
43. Carson Rehkopf (C) Kitchener, OHL
Big centreman that can dominate the cycle and is very proficient in front of the net. Does a lot well but may not have the IQ to put it all together.
44.. Damian Clara (G) Farjestad, J20 Nationell
Will end up being the first Italian selected in the NHL Draft. Top-ranked goaltender on my list has a good combination of size and mobility. Needs to work on his rebound control.
45. Gavin Brindley (RW) Michigan, NCAA
Honeybadger forward is always moving his feet and trying to make an impact on the play. Upside and size are a concern but he should be a nice complementary piece in the NHL.
46. Mikhail Gulyayev (D) Omsk, KHL
Small offensive defender with a smooth skating stride. Has high offensive upside but his height gives me questions with how he’ll be able to defend in the NHL.
47. Michael Hrabal (G) Omaha, USHL
Big yet raw goalie takes up a lot of space in the net. When he is on, he is on but has trouble with inconsistency.
48. Quinton Burns (D) Kingston, OHL
Raw and physical defender was relied heavily upon for Kingston in the second half. If he can refine his offensive game and consistency, he could be a beast.
49. Oliver Bonk (D) London, OHL
Steady two-way defender has played important minutes for a London team playing in OHL final. Upside is limited.
50. Charlie Stramel (C/RW) Wisconsin, NCAA
Power-forward enjoyed an unspectacular season but has great tools and should be a guy teams covet. Upside is the question.
51. Matthew Mania (D) Sudbury, OHL
Offensive defender with good size really found his game after a mid-season coaching change. Needs help on the defensive side of the puck.
52. Alex Ciernak (LW) Sodertalje, Allsvenskan
Speedy winger with skill isn’t the biggest but enjoyed a solid season in the Swedish second league. There are questions with his decision-making.
53. Roman Kantserov (LW/C) Metallurg, KHL
The talented Russian forward is a tireless worker on the ice and can wow you with his speed. Maybe not the best decision making and his hands at times aren’t able to keep up with his feet.
54. Jayson Shaugabay (C/LW) Warroad Hugh, USHS
He has dominated Minnesota High School hockey for the past 2 seasons. High upside player with excellent puck skills and IQ. It’ll be interesting to see how he plays against better competition.
55. Bradly Nadeau (LW) Penticton, BCHL
An excellent offensive player that is able to drive offense. He possesses a great shot and is very dangerous when he is given time and space. Size and quality of competition are the issue here
56. Tanner Molendyk (D) Saskatoon, WHL
One of the best skaters in the entire draft class can wow you with how he moves around the ice. Offensive game and defensive consistency can use work. High upside.
57. Hunter Brzustewicz (D) Kitchener, OHL
Another defender who love to drive the offense from the point. Isn’t afraid to pinch and it creates more scoring chances as a result. Defensive effort is the concern.
58. Jayden Perron (LW) Chicago, USHL
Small but skilled forward is a talented offensive contributor. Excellent in transition thanks to his speed, deceptiveness and puck skills.
59. Timur Mukhanov (C) Omsk, KHL
One of the more talented kids I have ranked outside the first round, upside is high but if he can’t play a top-6 role he may not play at all.
60. Nico Myatovic (RW) Seattle, WHL
Good two-way forward that possesses good speed and puck skills. He may be a kid that would produce more if he wasn’t on such a stacked team. Good upside.
61. Jordan Tourigny (D) Shawinigan, QMJHL
Had a rough year for a rebuilding Shawinigan team. He is great on the breakout and is really good a running a PP. Better than his numbers suggest.
62. Gavin McCarthy (D) Muskegon, USHL
A poised defender that skates well and does a great job defending. Raw but his toolset is starting to come along nicely.
63. Kalem Parker (D) Victoria, WHL
Excellent defender in his own zone, has strong gaps, excellent stick and is just starting to find his offensive game. Undervalued defender.
64. Mazden Leslie (D) Vancouver, WHL
Excellent puck carrier and has great breakouts. The defensive game needs work but he is such a good offensive play driver, even if he gets tunnel vision at times.
65. Carey Terrence (LW) Erie, OHL
66. Justin Kipkie (D) Victoria, WHL
67. Dylan MacKinnon (D) Halifax, QMJHL
68. Lenni Hameenaho (LW) Assat, Liiga
69. Luca Pinelli (C/LW) Ottawa, OHL
70. Aram Minnetian (D) NTDP
71. Andrew Gibson (D) Soo, OHL
72. Alexander Rykov (LW) Traktor, KHL
73. William Whitelaw (C ) Youngstown, USHL
74. Adam Gajan (G) Green Bay. USHL
75. Carson Bjarnason (G) Brandon, WHL
76. Koehn Zimmer (RW) Prince George, WHL
78. Kasper Haltunnen (LW) HIFK, Liiga
79. Andrew Strathmann (D) Youngstown, USHL
80. Yegor Zavragin (G) Mamonty Yugry, MHL
81. Hoyt Stanley (D) Victoria, BCHL
82. Jacob Fowler (G) Youngstown, USHL
83. Jesse Kiiskanen (RW) Pelicans, Liiga
84. Danny Nelson (C ) NTDP
85. Jonathan Castagna (C ) St. Andrews Prep, CAHS
86. Tommaso De Luca (C/LW) Spokane, WHL
87. Petter Vesterheim (C/LW) Mora, Allsvenskan
88. Coulson Pitre (C/RW) Flint, OHL
89. Trey Augustine (G) NTDP
90. Mathieu Cataford (C/RW) Halifax, QMJHL
91. Juraj Pekarcik (C/LW) Nitra, Slovakia
92. Denver Barkey (C/LW) London, OHL
93. Rodwin Dionicio (D) Windsor, OHL
94. Brady Cleveland (D) NTDP
95. Noah Dower-Nilsson ((LW/C) Frolunda, J20 Nationell
96. Griffin Erdman (RW) Waterloo, USHL
97. Cameron Allen (D) Guelph, OHL
98. Felix Unger Sorum (LW) Leksland, J20 Nationell
99. Michael Hagens (D) Chicago, USHL
100. Luca Cagnoni (D) Portland, WHL
This is the Connor Bedard draft. He will be one of the most talented kids to ever be selected into the NHL, and it's not just the Canadian hype machine - Bedard has time and time again proven that he is just too good for his current level of play. He flat-out dominated the WHL, posting the most impressive stat line for a first-time draft-eligible prospect, ever. He went onto the World Juniors where he put up one of the single best performances we have ever seen at that tournament, en route to a gold medal for the second straight tournament. He even had a short, but utterly dominant playoff on route to a first-round loss at the hands of Saskatoon. He has one of the greatest shots we have ever seen as a prospect, he can score from anywhere on the ice. He gets the shot off so quick in so many different ways. He has perfected the curl and drag shot that Auston Matthews has popularized in particular, and this allows him to change the angle of his release to shoot through triangles, and between legs - this confuses goalies because of how difficult it can be to track the puck when he is doing this. He has an elite offensive skillset - he has the skating, puck skills, vision, and IQ to be a dominant offensive weapon in the NHL for the next 20 years. He is a special talent that will come into the NHL and dominate right off the bat no matter the circumstances. Don't be surprised if he is the first rookie since 05/06 to break the triple-digit point marker. He is that good.
2. Matvei Michkov (LW) Sochi, KHL
Yes, there is the burning question on everyone's minds with Michkov of "Where will he go" given he is from, and plays in Russia. He also has a contract that won't see him coming over to play in the NHL until at least the 2026-27 season. Because of these factors, GM's may not want to risk a high selection on a small offensive winger, and whether or not he will come over when their job isn't guaranteed tomorrow. That being said, as someone who has no dog in that fight, and doesn't have to worry about office politics, I think Michkov is still the second most talented player in this class. He just put up one of the best offensive seasons for a draft-eligible player in KHL history. And he did this on the league's worst team, a team whose leading score had 30 points. Michkov, who came in halfway through the season and only played 27 games, had 20. Michkov's game revolves around his shot, and how well he manages the puck in the offensive zone. He is elusive with the puck on his stick, able to make quick decisions that lead to scoring chances. Michkov has some of the best offensive zone positioning out of any player in the draft, he thinks the game one or two plays ahead of every other player on the ice and anticipates where the puck will be unlike any player in this class. His shot, IQ, and offensive skill will make him an elite winger in the NHL one day. Teams will regret passing on him once he reaches the NHL.
3. Adam Fantilli (C) Michigan, NCAA
Fantilli is one hell of a prospect and in other years would be the odds-on favorite to go #1. The 6’2” Fantilli provides a combination of size, skill, speed, and power that NHL teams will salivate over. He had a historic season as a freshman in the NCAA, a season that saw him take home the Hobey Baker as college hockey's top player in the nation. Only the third freshman to ever take home the award, after Jack Eichel and Paul Kariya. Fantilli is able to drive play with such confidence, able to use his skating and IQ in both zones to create and nullify scoring opportunities. One thing I have always appreciated about Fantilli is that even when he fails, he will always try it again if he deems it’s his best course of action, he has such confidence in his own game and I love that about him. Fantilli is one of the best finishers in the draft, he can beat goalies in a plethora of different ways, whether it be from a distance, along a half wall, or in front of the net, Fantilli is always a threat to score. Fantilli’s game reminds me of Taylor Hall at the same age, able to use his speed, puck skills, and shot to be an ultra-dangerous offensive weapon.
4. David Reinbacher (D) Kloten, NL
If you have been aware of my presence for any amount of time, this placement of Reinbacher shouldn't surprise you. I think day by day it is becoming common knowledge that Reinbacher is probably the best defender in this class, I have been saying this since early November. I digress with pumping my own tires, though. David Reinbacher just had the single-best season for a draft-eligible defender in the history of the National League and has been playing against men in Switzerland for the past 2 seasons. The thing with Reinbacher is the offense isn’t the best part of his game, it was my biggest question coming into the season but he has really alleviated those concerns with his play in the NL. He has shown some good offensive IQ this year with his shot selection, in that he is shooting with a purpose whether that be at sticks for tips, or purposely wide for redirections along the back wall, or even just a seeing-eye shot from the point. It’s something that has improved considerably since last year. His defense is where I would say his greatest strengths lie. He is really good at using his physicality, he is quite effective at squeezing out players in transition along the boards. He is not afraid at all to lay the body - he will get this twinkle in his eye and zero in on someone and just lay them out, and he picks his spots well doing this. Reinbacher reminds me of a young Kronwall in this regard of his game. He has a very good stick in the defensive zone and maintains his gaps really well, he does at times get beat to the outside, and is something that he may need to work on going forward, but Overall he is a very stout player in the defensive end. A few things that he will need to work on is how he moves laterally - he is a great skater, but only really North-South. I don’t find he uses his edges often to cut into the middle of the ice, he more just attacks it if he does if that makes sense - and he doesn’t have that flawless, effortless stride when walking the blue line, he more just shimmy’s around, and if he is caught in a pinch he doesn‘t have the shiftiness to get out of it like a Hughes can and he has a tendency panic And make odd plays as a result. He also needs to work on his puck skills - he bobbles the puck at times and doesn‘t always receive passes very crisply. This could be because of the talent of his teammates at the WJC - I found this was particularly bad at the WJC. Both these things are things he could work on going forward. I think Reinbacher has all the capabilities to become a number-one defender in the NHL. I think he will compare to Moritz Seider or Alex Pietrangelo in the NHL.
5. Will Smith (C) USNTDP
Smith can be a polarizing player to watch, he can go quiet for three-quarters of the game, then all the sudden explode and pop off 3 points in quick succession. One of the first things you’ll see stands out with Smith after watching him is his skating, in particular his lateral mobility and edge work. He is able to pivot and change direction without losing any momentum. He isn’t a blazing-fast player like his teammate Oliver Moore, but Smith is still a good north-south skater in his own right. He can get up to speed fast and his top-end speed is very good also. His skating ability, paired with his great puck skills allows him to be an uber-dangerous player in transition, weaving around in the neutral zone and finding zone entries one after another. His IQ is elite and is one of the smartest players in the draft. He excels at anticipating the plays his teammates are going to make and puts his body in excellent positions to create scoring chances. One thing I notice he does a lot is make subtle movements with the puck, causing the defenders to move their feet only for Smith to attack the space created by him doing this, he has excellent deception and creativity. There are concerns about Smith’s effort level and two-way play - I personally think that once Smith gets to higher levels, his two-way game will start to shine through more than it may have at the NTDP. He has the IQ to be a great two-way forward, he just needs to commit to it more. All in all, Smith is one of the highest potential kids in the draft, has first-line center upside, and could be a very dangerous player once he reaches the NHL.
6. Leo Carlsson (C) Orebreo, SHL
One of the more NHL-ready players in this draft class. Carlsson played with and against men in the SHL for the entire season putting up a respectable stat line in the progress. Carlsson is a big man that uses his size and vision extremely well in the offensive zone. He is great at maneuvering the puck in small spaces and is a beast within a few feet of the goal mouth. He is a powerful skater that loves to attack the middle of the ice to create offense, he has a great shot but at times can overpass the puck when a shot would have been more beneficial. He is surprisingly good in transition, even though he isn’t the most fleet of foot. He uses his puck skills very well to pick apart the defense, and isn’t reliant on speed like most strong transitional players are. I think he is a very safe bet to be a top-6 player in the NHL, I just don’t know if he has that next level to his game that others do in this draft. I’m not convinced on the upside and that’s why I have him this “low”. That said, I really like the player and he reminds me a lot of Joe Thornton with how well he uses his size and playmaking ability in the offensive zone to create scoring chances for his team.
7. Matthew Wood (RW) UConn, NCAA
Wood just had one of the best seasons in the history of the NCAA as an underage player (in the modern era) - in fact, if you look exclusively at points per game Wood had the best season; the player that he is competing with? Jonathan Toews. Wood has been an interesting one for me all season, I started off very pessimistic about his game after the Hlinka when he had a bad tournament. He was trying too much with the puck and trying to play hero, not using his teammates enough. I quickly changed my view on him after a goal he assisted on against Ohio State. In the play in question, Wood gathers up the puck in the neutral zone and starts chugging up the ice with an Ohio State forward draped on his back. Wood with pressure from both the defender in front of him and behind him from the back checker he is holding off with one arm and gains entry to the offensive zone. His teammate helps Wood out by throwing a pick on the defender, taking him out of the play so Wood attacks the net, shoots for a rebound then chases his rebound where his teammate finished off the crazy individual effort from Wood. This single play convinced me that he is one of the highest potential players in this class. He has the Hands, the Vision, the IQ, and a shot that is coming along nicely - and he is starting to show that he is able to engage, and be a dominant physical presence. I have been comparing him to Jason Robertson for a lot of the year, but I actually think he reminds me of Leon Draistaitl more with how unmovable he is becoming with the puck on his stick.
8. Zach Benson (LW) Winnipeg, WHL
I really like Benson as a player, he is one of the most determined prospects I have ever seen on skates, he is always having his feet moving and wants to create a play for his team; he is one of the draft's best two-way forwards simply because he never gives up on a play.. His motor is fantastic, and on an absolutely stacked Winnipeg Ice roster this year, Benson has looked like the most dangerous offensive play driver on the team. Remember, this is a team that has players like Matthew Savoie and Connor Geekie who went in the top-11 of last year's NHL draft. Benson is an extremely intelligent hockey player, he is able to position himself extremely well all over the ice, able to anticipate plays in all three zones, and react accordingly. It’s his intelligence combined with his compete level that makes Benson one of the safest players in this draft. He may not have the explosive skating stride or the size that GM’s may want, but Benson is going to be a very good hockey player for a long time in the NHL. He may be close to Brad Marchand if everything goes right for him.
9. Brayden Yager (C) Moose Jaw, WHL
I know a lot of other people in the scouting world are somewhat down on Yager after a rather disappointing season with Moose Jaw. While I agree that he maybe didn’t have the season you’d expect coming into the season, I still think that his game will translate really well in the NHL. I think he can be a centreman once he turns pro, he has shown promise at being a committed two-way forward, and he has shown good progress in the defensive zone as the year progressed - he is no longer cheating as much trying to get an odd-man rush going as he did last year. He instead is committed at sticking to his man and covering the slot more than in the past, he still has work to be done but I have seen nice progress in this part of his game. Most already know that Yager is a north-south skater with a real dangerous shot from almost anywhere on the ice. He is excellent when carrying the puck in transition and makes smart plays with the puck once he gains zone entry, always looking and waiting for what help he has. A few things I’d like to see him improve on going forward are both his willingness to cut to the middle of the ice and attack that ice more, as right now not that he is perimeter oriented, he just has a tendency of cutting to the outside than inside when he has speed, it makes him an easy read for any competent defender, and more consistency in his offensive game. All in all, I really like Yager’s game, and I do believe he has #1 center upside, he is better than his stat line suggested this season. His game reminds me of Nathan MacKinnon.
10. Tom Willander (D) Rogle BK, SHL
This is probably a surprise to some people, but if you have watched enough Willander this season you know that his game had only gotten better and better as the season progressed. And if you know anything about what kind of defenders I LOVE he fits that mold to a T as a big, poised, smooth-skating defender with excellent physical tools and defensive ability. There are Rumours that he will be playing college hockey next season at Boston University, where he can get accustomed to North American ice and maybe be a D partner for Lane Hutson. Willander’s mobility is one of the first things you will notice about his game, he is excellent at puck retrievals and for the most part, has mistake-free breakouts. He possesses strong gap control against the rush and his frame and physical abilities allow his in-zone defensive game to thrive as well. The biggest question marks about his game are his offense, and I have seen this part of his game improve so much this season, he has excellent vision from the blue line, and he uses it very effectively to get his shots through to the goalie. I also saw as the season progressed just how confident he became at holding the puck and making plays himself, rather than just making a simple no nonsense play, he became the driver of the offense for a few plays a game. If he can develop this confidence more into more dangerous scoring chances, he could be a very dangerous player in the NHL. All in all, Willander is a raw and toolsy player with sky-high potential in my opinion, if he is able to continue his progression I could see a Oliver Ekman-Larsson like impact in the NHL.
11. Dalibor Dvorsky (C) AIK, Allsvenskan
Dvorsky is a hotly contested prospect in this class, he is a pretty safe, projectable two-way center once he reaches the NHL. He is a very smart player in the defensive zone and does an excellent job at containing chances, keeping quality shots to a minimum. He is great at reading the play in the defensive zone and is always ready to pounce at an opportunity to force a turnover, he has great details to his game. Offensively it’s a mixed bag in my opinion, he was otherworldly at the U18’s, basically putting a recently promoted Slovakian squad on his back to a 4th place finish at the tournament, showcasing that against his age group - he is one of the best prospects. He showcased an elite finishing ability, confidence with the puck, and a willingness to do whatever it took to help Slovakia win. On the other hand, you have a Dvorsky who, against men in the Allsvenskan this year and even at the WJC, showed that his offensive consistency wasn’t where one would expect it to be. He was consistently a passenger for his teams and wasn’t willing to try to drive the offense himself, it’s a concern I have with him game going forward and it may be something that limits his offensive input once he reaches the NHL. All in all, I think he compares similarly to Logan Couture.
12. Eduard Sale (RW) Brno, Extraliga
Sale came into the year with a good amount of hype behind his name, he was excellent at the U18’s as an underager and there was an expectation for him to possibly be a top-5 selection coming into the season. While those expectations may have been a bit optimistic, I still think that he is one of the most talented offensive contributors in the entire draft class. Sale played his draft season in his native Czechia suiting up for HC Kometa Brno in the Czech Extraliga. He enjoyed modest success only able to put up 14 points in 43 games but those numbers don’t tell the entire story. He enjoyed the second-best season for a u18 skater in the past 10 years, only being beaten out by Martin Necas who scored 15 points in his u18 year, and this while getting 4th line minutes and little power play time, that number with a bit of context becomes more impressive. With Sale, there is a risk factor teams are going to have to consider, the style of game he plays is really only tailored for a top-6 role in the NHL - he can drive the offense, and is a really smart and crafty player; but when it comes to any sort of engagement in the defensive zone… At this point in his career, it is basically non-existent. When Sale isn’t driving play, he can tend to fade away and disappear. He reminds me of Ales Hemsky who was a similar player while he played in the NHL. I’m just hoping that whoever drafts him doesn’t try to make him change his game to conform to a bottom-6 role.
13. Nate Danielson (C) Brandon, WHL
Coming into the year, I was extremely high on Danielson, but in the early stages of the year I was disappointed by his play, but after reevaluating I came to appreciate his game again. Danielson played on a Brandon team that struggled to score many goals this season, he, as the team captain was the engine for their offense this season putting up an impressive 78 points in 68 games. Danielson is a really well-rounded prospect, he is almost everything you’d want in a center prospect, he is extremely smart at both ends of the rink,; he is a natural center that takes control of center ice, and is an intimidating presence because of how well he positions himself for scoring opportunities, or to take them away. He has great decision-making skills, able to find open teammates with slick passes, take smart shots, or just manipulate time and space on the ice. Danielson may not be as sexy of a pick as some other extremely talented offensive players around him, but this is a guy that will help you win come playoff time. I think he projects as a really good second-line center in the mold of Philip Danault.
14. Oliver Moore (C) USNTDP
Oliver Moore is the best skater in this draft class and one of the fastest skaters in the world - he combines that with a dog-like determination and work ethic on the ice and is extremely versatile as a player, able to play almost any role if you ask him. The NTDP this year had a “Big-4” at forward, there were 4 players that really established themselves from the rest of the team, three of them (Perreault, Smith, Leonard) all played on the same line this season, able to feed off each other to produce. The fourth, Oliver Moore was tasked to play with a different array of players throughout the season and was given tougher matchups and as a result, his scoring may look a bit disappointing to the other 3. That being said, Moore is an excellent driver of offense and is a nightmare to defend against if he has any sort of speed. His transitional abilities are among the best in the class and he is fantastic on the forecheck, constantly hounding defenders on their breakouts and forcing them to make mistakes because of how quickly he closes in. I think he is going to be an excellent penalty killer in the NHL also because of his speed, paired with his determination. I do have questions about his decision-making at times, and he does get tunnel vision when he is going at full speed so he may not be the best driver of offense in the NHL but he is the type of player Gm’s and coaches love. He reminds me of a more offensive Andrew Cogliano at the same age.
15. Etienne Morin (D) Moncton, QMJHL
Yes, I am quite bullish on Morin and his game, I think he is being heavily slept on in this class and has a chance at being a very good defender in the NHL for a long time. This draft out of the QMJHL is rather weak and I think it is highlighted by Morin, he is a fantastic offensive blueliner capable of accumulating tons of points because of his excellent vision and great offensive IQ. He has a great first pass and is a great lateral skater, able to pivot quickly, and is very deceptive from the blueline as a result, he uses this well on the powerplay by getting a penalty killer to commit to him, only for him to pivot, then step around the player into open ice where he opens up more scoring lanes as a result. Another thing that should be highlighted with Morin is his shot, he is excellent at getting the puck to the net to create chaos. He has a heavy shot and it is very accurate from range. He used this to great effect all year to create rebounds and scoring chances for the Wildcats. The last thing i’d like to mention is that although he will need to work on his defensive side of the puck, he already has good fundamentals to be a good defender, he has tight gaps and an active stick, the problem he has is that he isn’t able to read the play very well at times and can get caught flat-footed as a result. Overall I think that Morin has legit top-4 potential in the NHL, and if things go well you can expect an Evan Bouchard-like impact once he reaches the NHL.
16. Colby Barlow (RW) Owen Sound, OHL
Barlow is a classic example of a player that does many things right but other than maybe his shot, he doesn’t do anything really fantastic. He is a very mature and well-rounded player who enjoyed a very strong season in Owen Sound this season - scoring 46 goals and 79 points in 59 games. Barlow, as a 17-year-old served as team captain for the Attack, something that doesn’t happen too often anymore and is a testament to how mature he is at such a young age. So the first thing that pops out to you when watching Barlow is his shot, it’s not world-beating but he positions himself well along the half-wall and is able to get his shot off quickly, and accurately. He isn’t afraid to battle for pucks along the cycle where he uses his frame well to fend off defenders. All in all, Barlow isn’t a super flashy prospect that is going to wow you whenever he steps on the ice, but he has many little details to his game that pro teams are going to love. He reminds me of a mix between Timo Meier and Christan Fischer.
17. Ryan Leonard (C/RW) USNTDP
Leonard was a third of the NTDP’s electric top line this season. He is a kid whose game is very easy to fall in love with - he is a smallish power forward that is able to with puck battles with ease. He isn’t afraid of getting his nose dirty, whether that be driving to the front of the net, or digging for pucks in the corners, Leonard is always giving his all on the ice. Leopard is a player that can play all three forward positions so he is very versatile, he is able to play a checking role if you need him to, he is able to play and keep up with more skilled forwards in a top-6 role and open space for them on the ice, and he is an excellent penalty killer. His shout is something that has gotten better and better as the year has progressed to a point where he is a legitimately dangerous shooting option. He really the type of player that the GM and coach loves come draft time, he is a very polished prospect who shouldn’t take too much time to get acclimated to the NHL game. The problem I have with Leonard is that I don’t think he is able to drive the offense enough to warrant a selection higher than the players I ranked ahead of him, I don’t think the upside with Leonard is that great, even if he is a slam dunk NHLer - He reminds me of Dawson Mercer.
18. Lukas Dragicevic (D) Tri-City, WHL
Dragicevic is a polarizing figure in the scouting world, he has been called a fourth forward at times this year and while I can see what can make them think this, I think it’s an extremely valuable part of his game, and something that makes him rather unique in this class. He is never afraid to activate from the blue line and join the rush in transition, or sneak in from the point to get closer to the net to give his forwards an extra option below the hash marks, creating more space as a result. It is a trait that he lives and dies by, when it works he looks great and is leading the charge offensively for his team; if it doesn’t it makes it seem as if he is completely incompetent at defending and that’s where the “fourth forward” narrative started. But what he is able to do with the puck on his stick in the offensive zone, elevates those concerns a bit for me. He has an excellent shot from the blue line and is able to run an offense just as good as any defender in this class, and has a 6’2” frame to help build out a more competent defensive game. He’s a project but he has some of the highest potential out of any defender in this class. He reminds me of Kevin Korchinski.
19. Daniil But (RW) Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, KHL
Seeing Tage Thompson’s rapid succession to a unicorn-like player in the NHL, it makes players like But more desirable for NHL teams. Big, raw, and lanky forwards who aren’t afraid to shoot and have a good offensive skillset will have people thinking “What if he hits hit potential”. But is just a raw player, he has a somewhat wonky skating stride and is very good at creating chances in the middle of the ice, he is definitely more of an east-west player in this regard. He uses his size at 6’4’ well and shows flashes of good decision-making in the offensive zone, but all in all his decision-making can use some work. He has the physical tools to become an NHL contributor in some regard, but it remains to be seen how he can develop his offensive skillset to really be a top06 contributor in the NHL. He reminds me of a mix between Jimmy Hayes and the aforementioned Tage Thompson.
20. Otto Stenberg (C) Frolunda, SHL
Stenberg was a player I was fooled by this year, I started out the year having him around this area then in the middle of the season I was following his game in the Swedish junior leagues and was disappointed he wasn’t doing more offensively compared to a Noah Dower Nilsson for example so I had him drop down my ranking in the mid-season. It wasn’t until I took a closer look into his game that I realized that Stenberg isn’t the type of player that is going to dominate the scoresheet at any level, he is going to produce similar numbers no matter what level he plays because he has a very pro game and doesn’t cheat to put up a more impressive stat sheet. And because of it Stenberg is right back to around where he originally was at the start of the season for me. Stenberg is an excellent two-way forward that is able to affect the game at both ends of the rink. He has fantastic work ethic, a great shot, and is quite the physical centreman. He may not have the upside as other players in the draft but he should be a responsible two-way middle06 center in the NHL for a long time. He reminds me a lot of Shane Pinto.
21. Graycn Sawchyn (C) Seattle, WHL
This is a player that grew on me more and more throughout the season, he was a draft-eligible player on one of the most stacked teams in the CHL and was still able to produce at a point per game rate this season and got much better as the season progressed. Sawchyn is such a smart player, he is able to anticipate the play really well and puts himself in really good positions to make plays in all three zones, this tells me he has good or very good hockey IQ - probably the most important attribute in a high impact player at the NHL level. He is similar to a prospect like Ryan Leonard in my opinion, it’s just he doesn’t have the polish that Leonard has at the same age. I think that Sawchyn should be a good middle-6 option in the NHL, he can be a good complimentary winger in the top-6 but I think he’ll be a very good third-liner that is able to use his determination and smarts to lead a third line. He reminds me of a smaller Jonathan Toews.
22. Tristan Bertucci (D) Flint, OHL
I believe that Bertucci is one of the most undervalued players in this class. You take a look at his profile, the kid stands at 6’2” and weighs 180 lbs, looking at that you know that there is some physical maturation to be done, and if he adds an extra 10-15 lbs he could be a very difficult player to play against. Bertucci has great mobility, he is able to use his four-way mobility well in both zones. He uses it well in the defensive zone to escape pressure applied by forecheckers, to give himself a better look for a breakout, then if he can’t find a good look, he isn't afraid of carrying the puck through transition and into the offensive zone. One thing that I don’t like is that he is too timid to go further than the hash marks when he does this. I'd like to see more confidence in his offensive ability when he does this and be more assertive. His mobility in the offensive zone is impressive too, he uses it effectively as a way of deception. If he is being pressured while having the puck at the point he will quickly pivot, forcing the defender to move his stick, or his feet and Bertucci is able to make a quietly effective pass to a teammate. Speaking of Bertucci at the point, he is one of the best defenders in the draft at getting the puck to the net and causing chaos as a result. He frequently shoots through numerous screens to either find the net or create a juicy rebound. Defensively is where I think Bertucci shines the most, he has a very good active stick and is able to thwart pressure because of it. His mobility allows him to keep a tight gap with opposing forwards and he has a calm and poised approach to his defence. It never really looks like he is panicking on the ice. Honestly, Bertucci reminds me of Devon Toews, and I think he can bring a strong defensive game while chipping in a bit of offense once he reaches the NHL.
23. Dmitri Simashev (D) Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, KHL
The first thing you’re going to notice about Simashev is how big he is - he already stands at 6’4” and weighs just over 200 lbs already. The big defender spent a good chunk of his season playing in the KHL, 18 games to be exact, and played well against much older competition. As a big defender, Simashev can really move well, and paired with his size and defensive prowess it can be really easy to really become a fan of Simashev’s game. He will be an NHLer, that’s no question, he is excellent at defending the front of the net, and winning loose puck battles in the corners. He has good tight gaps and has a really effective poke because of his length, he is really good at nullifying any sort of rushes with speed because attackers have to be wary of his big, long stick. He also has some good IQ, mostly in the defensive zone but we have also seen flashes of anticipating plays well in the offensive zone as well, however, he lacks finishing ability. He gets good chances but he either mishandles the puck or takes a bad shot. Personally, I don’t think he is ever a massive point producer. I think he’ll be a very good defensive defender once he reaches the NHL, and if he can work on his physical play he could be a feared one at that. I think he reminds me of Erik Cernak.
24. Quentin Musty (LW) Sudbury, OHL
It has been an up-and-down season for Musty, the once 1st overall selection in the OHL draft started off the season slowly but after a coaching change, his offensive production really started to skyrocket. Musty is a big-bodied forward that possesses an incredible shot from the perimeter, he can really whip it and pick his spots if given the time and space. He has great puck skills and is really good at maneuvering the puck in small spaces on the ice and when he decides to use his body to his full advantage, there are very few players who are able to take the puck away. The problem with Musty is his lack of effort and consistency, he can be lazy on the ice and make dumb plays, but he isn't always engaged in the play and at times just floats in the offensive zone awaiting the puck rather than put himself in better scoring positions. He also has suspect IQ and decision-making, he isn’t always able to process the game very quick,ly and at times it seems as if he is a step behind the play at hand. He can be a frustrating player to watch because you can really tell he could be a great player he just hasn’t pieced it all together, yet. He actually reminds me of Juraj Slafkovsky.
25. Calum Ritchie (C) Oshawa, OHL
Calum Ritchie had a disappointing season, there is no doubting that. He came into the year with aspirations of being a top-10 selection but his play this season wasn’t as consistent as you’d expect from a player that was poised to go that high. Ritchie played for one of the worst teams in the OHL this season, the Oshawa Generals where he put up a point per game season. Ritchie is a bigger two-way centreman that likes to slow the playdown and use his vision and IQ to create the bulk of his offense in the offensive zone. He actually did quite a good job at creating scoring chances this year, but his linemates had a serious lack of finish, so some of his disappointing production in the OHL can be attributed to this. One thing I’d like to point out about Ritchie is he is a great two-way player, he is great at stripping the puck and causing turnovers in the defensive end. At the start of the season, I thought that he was overvalued but I think he has gone on to be an undervalued player as the year progressed. He still has great IQ, and vision and is a very capable two-way forward. In a better circumstance, he would have produced more offensively. He reminds me of Ryan O’Reilly.
26. Gabriel Perreault (RW) USNTDP
Perreault is a polarizing player in my opinion, he just became the highest-scoring player in the history of the NTDP, beating out names such as Jack Hughes, Patrick Kane, and Auston Matthews who have gone on have extremely successful NHL careers yet something feels different with Perreault compared to the others I mentioned. I’ll start with the positives with Perreault - he has an excellent feel for the game, he is great at anticipating the play and being in excellent spots to create or finish off plays. He has excellent puck skills and isn’t afraid of attacking the middle of the ice, and in particular cutting towards the goalie - he’s fearless in this regard, he shows great deception, able to contort his body in different directions to throw off defenders, only to explode into the open ice he created for himself to make a play. A very capable offensive player. Now the negatives, the first thing anyone talks about is his skating, which definitely needs to be improved upon, he doesn’t stay low during his crossovers and losses a lot of speed as a result, and as a smaller forward not having this explosive skating can be a real hindrance at higher levels. He is also quite weak on his skates, he is easily knocked off the puck and needs to bulk up to prevent this more. I also think that although he scored the most out of the dangerous NTDP top line this year, he wasn’t the guy who drove play, Leonard and Smith were the play drivers on that line, and Perreault was a really good complementary piece. I’m worried that going forward, if he doesn’t have that amazing chemistry to his linemates as he did for the NTDP, he could struggle to score. He is a high-upside player, no doubt - sky is really the limit here but I have definite concerns on how his game will transition to the NHL. He reminds me of a less pesky Brad Marchand.
27. Maxim Strbak (D) Sioux Falls, USHL
A lot of people may take a look at Strbak’s offensive totals and write him off - but I’ll be the first to tell you you’d be a fool to do so. Strbak is one of the best pure defensive defenders in the entire draft class and has been great this season for Slovakia internally at both the U20’s and U18’s where he was probably the most noticeable defender on the ice for the nation in both tournaments. He isn’t afraid to line players up for checks and picks his spots real well, he isn’t going to leave his partner scrambling on a 2-1 because he wanted to go for a hit. He also is excellent with his stick, which he uses to great effect to hound players in the corners or nullify rush chances against him. An underrated aspect of Strbak’s game is his ability to transition defense to offense rather seamlessly - he is great on breakouts and puck retrievals and seldom makes mistakes. He is a very poised defender that should be an NHLer in some capacity some day. He reminds me of Adam Pelech.
28. Riley Heidt (C) Prince George, WHL
Maybe it’s just me but Heidt is an impressive centreman who puts up points, but his play is kind of bland and he really doesn’t push the tempo of the game how you’d think a player who just put up 97 points would. He likes to watch the puck too much at both ends of the rink and doesn’t show much hustle in his game. He’s skilled and picks his spots well, has great vision and positioning on the ice though - he loves to create his offense from the perimeter and will look off cutting to the center of the ice to continue to find a play on the outside. To me, there are concerns if his game is more tailored to be a junior scorer, but at the end of the day, you can’t completely ignore the state. He reminds me of Ryan Spooner.
29. Nick Lardis (LW) Brantford/Hamilton, OHL
One of my biggest risers since the start of the season, Lardis started off the season with the Peterborough Petes but after the Petes decided to go all in he was traded to Hamilton at the trade deadline. Safe to say this was the best thing that could have happened to Lardis who took advantage of increased responsibility and ice time and lit up scoresheets as a Bulldog.
One of the first things you notice when watching Lardis is just how quick he is, he can get up to speed as well as most players in this class, he also has excellent top speed which combined with his acceleration makes him one of the best North-South skaters in the draft. Another great thing about his game is he is always moving his feet, and has a great motor; constantly moving and trying to make something happen for his team. One thing I noticed as soon as he arrived in Hamilton is how good he was at getting lost in coverage and finding soft spots on the ice where he could utilize his shot, which he got to showcase a lot in Hamilton scoring 25 goals in only 33 games played there. Some of the issues I have with Lardis is an upside, as a smallish scorer at the junior level, does he have the necessary vision, puck skills, and IQ to be a top-6 player once he reaches the NHL? I’m not sure. One thing I’m confident with is that his skating, motor and shot should allow him a good chance at being a productive middle-6 producer once he turns pro, I really like Lardis and think he has the potential to be a good NHLer, he reminds me of Nick Robertson at the same age.
30. Oscar Fiskar Molgaard (C) HV71, SHL
One of my personal favorite prospects for this draft class. Fiskar Mølgaard is a player that doesn’t necessarily do one thing particularly well, is more just a sum of many good attributes that allow him to be a quietly effective player at whichever level he is at. If he had any standout skill though, it’d be his IQ which is higher than average. He is excellent at putting himself into positions to help a play at both ends of the rink. He is good at anticipating the play and reacting accordingly. He already has good habits to his game, and isn’t a guy that is going to cheat to pile up the points. Mølgaard also has a great motor, he is never caught floating and is always keeping his feet moving chasing the play or presenting himself as a passing option when he doesn't have the puck on his stick. Overall, Mølgaard doesn’t have the highest potential as he is limited by his lack of explosive offensive skillset, but he is such a well-rounded player that it may be something he focuses on developing moving forward. He reminds me of Alexander Wennberg.
31. David Edstrom (C) Frolunda, SHL
Big Swedish centreman really had his coming out party of sorts at the U-18’s for Sweden. He uses his size really well and is an absolute pest in front of the net, it must be a nightmare for goalies looking around him when he is screening in front. He is great at battling and winning battles in front and is great at deflecting pucks that come his way. Edstrom is extremely dangerous when he gets the puck around the goal mouth, he has a quick and accurate release in tight and if he gets a clean look goalies stand no chance at stopping him. Edstrom is very good at reading and anticipating the play at hand, he is able to plant himself in great positions to disrupt the enemy team and is particularly good at playing in the cycle. For a big guy, Edstrom isn’t a terrible skater, he is able to get up to speed quickly but doesn’t have the greatest top-end speed or lateral mobility. He lets his IQ and being in the right place at the right time pile up the points for him. Overall a player that has consistently risen up my board this season and I think he has a middle-6 upside in the NHL. He reminds me of Oskar Sundqvist.
32. Samuel Honzek (C) Vancouver, WHL
Big centreman came over from Slovakia to play in the WHL and has been a very pleasant surprise this season. Honzek is a strong two-way centre that isn’t afraid to get involved in the play physically. He also is a pretty good skater for his size and with his big frame is quite proficient in the corners and in front of the net, he also has a finesse to his game that sees him able to make difficult passes in the offensive zone on occasion and he isn’t afraid to attack open ice. He is most everything you’d want in a middle-6 centre at the next level and if you believe he can play centre at the next level then he could be worthy of a selection much higher than this. I however don’t think he’ll be a centreman as a pro. He doesn’t have as much upside as a lot of the players around him, and he doesn’t have the greatest hockey IQ. He reminds me a bit of Pavel Zacha.
33. Anton Wahlberg (C) Malmo, SHL
Physical centreman plays a mature game already at such a young age. Has a respect for the defensive side of the game and the offense is progressing nicely.
34. Ethan Gauthier (RW) Sherbrook, QMJHL
High motor forward with size that possesses a good shot. Pretty safe projection to the NHL - question with him is what is his upside?
35. Axel Sandin Pelikka (D) AIK, SHL
Small yet talented offensive defender is one of the higher-upside defenders in the class. Struggles with puck retrievals on a larger ice surface, this problem will likely be exploited on the smaller ice in North America.
36. Theo Lindstein (D) Brynas, SHL
Has a good foundation as a potential top-4 two-way defender, decision-making is what causes pause with Lindstein’s game.
37. Kalan Lind (RW) Red Deer, WHL
A combination of a great motor and an ability to get under the opponent's skin will make Lind a highly coveted player come draft day. Can put up points also.
38. Caden Price (D) Kelowna, WHL
High IQ defender with excellent breakouts and decision-making. Doesn’t use his size well, and can be inconsistent in the defensive end. If things go right with Price he could be one of the best defenders in class
39. Jakub Dvorak (D) Liberec, Extraliga
Big physical defender with a very good defensive game, competes hard, good skater but makes questionable plays with the puck at times.
40. Felix Nilsson (C) Rogle, SHL
High IQ centreman with excellent decision-making at both ends of the ice. He has great vision and is a great playmaker. Skating is good also. Not the most dynamic offensive player.
41. Andrew Cristall (LW) Kelowna, WHL
He can score points in bunches in junior, but his effort level is inconsistent and for a small player he isn’t the best skater. High risk-reward selection.
42. Beau Akey (D) Barrie, OHL
Excellent on breakouts and in transition, has size and great decision making at both ends. Has defensive inconsistencies but if he can iron those out he can be an NHL defender for a long time.
43. Carson Rehkopf (C) Kitchener, OHL
Big centreman that can dominate the cycle and is very proficient in front of the net. Does a lot well but may not have the IQ to put it all together.
44.. Damian Clara (G) Farjestad, J20 Nationell
Will end up being the first Italian selected in the NHL Draft. Top-ranked goaltender on my list has a good combination of size and mobility. Needs to work on his rebound control.
45. Gavin Brindley (RW) Michigan, NCAA
Honeybadger forward is always moving his feet and trying to make an impact on the play. Upside and size are a concern but he should be a nice complementary piece in the NHL.
46. Mikhail Gulyayev (D) Omsk, KHL
Small offensive defender with a smooth skating stride. Has high offensive upside but his height gives me questions with how he’ll be able to defend in the NHL.
47. Michael Hrabal (G) Omaha, USHL
Big yet raw goalie takes up a lot of space in the net. When he is on, he is on but has trouble with inconsistency.
48. Quinton Burns (D) Kingston, OHL
Raw and physical defender was relied heavily upon for Kingston in the second half. If he can refine his offensive game and consistency, he could be a beast.
49. Oliver Bonk (D) London, OHL
Steady two-way defender has played important minutes for a London team playing in OHL final. Upside is limited.
50. Charlie Stramel (C/RW) Wisconsin, NCAA
Power-forward enjoyed an unspectacular season but has great tools and should be a guy teams covet. Upside is the question.
51. Matthew Mania (D) Sudbury, OHL
Offensive defender with good size really found his game after a mid-season coaching change. Needs help on the defensive side of the puck.
52. Alex Ciernak (LW) Sodertalje, Allsvenskan
Speedy winger with skill isn’t the biggest but enjoyed a solid season in the Swedish second league. There are questions with his decision-making.
53. Roman Kantserov (LW/C) Metallurg, KHL
The talented Russian forward is a tireless worker on the ice and can wow you with his speed. Maybe not the best decision making and his hands at times aren’t able to keep up with his feet.
54. Jayson Shaugabay (C/LW) Warroad Hugh, USHS
He has dominated Minnesota High School hockey for the past 2 seasons. High upside player with excellent puck skills and IQ. It’ll be interesting to see how he plays against better competition.
55. Bradly Nadeau (LW) Penticton, BCHL
An excellent offensive player that is able to drive offense. He possesses a great shot and is very dangerous when he is given time and space. Size and quality of competition are the issue here
56. Tanner Molendyk (D) Saskatoon, WHL
One of the best skaters in the entire draft class can wow you with how he moves around the ice. Offensive game and defensive consistency can use work. High upside.
57. Hunter Brzustewicz (D) Kitchener, OHL
Another defender who love to drive the offense from the point. Isn’t afraid to pinch and it creates more scoring chances as a result. Defensive effort is the concern.
58. Jayden Perron (LW) Chicago, USHL
Small but skilled forward is a talented offensive contributor. Excellent in transition thanks to his speed, deceptiveness and puck skills.
59. Timur Mukhanov (C) Omsk, KHL
One of the more talented kids I have ranked outside the first round, upside is high but if he can’t play a top-6 role he may not play at all.
60. Nico Myatovic (RW) Seattle, WHL
Good two-way forward that possesses good speed and puck skills. He may be a kid that would produce more if he wasn’t on such a stacked team. Good upside.
61. Jordan Tourigny (D) Shawinigan, QMJHL
Had a rough year for a rebuilding Shawinigan team. He is great on the breakout and is really good a running a PP. Better than his numbers suggest.
62. Gavin McCarthy (D) Muskegon, USHL
A poised defender that skates well and does a great job defending. Raw but his toolset is starting to come along nicely.
63. Kalem Parker (D) Victoria, WHL
Excellent defender in his own zone, has strong gaps, excellent stick and is just starting to find his offensive game. Undervalued defender.
64. Mazden Leslie (D) Vancouver, WHL
Excellent puck carrier and has great breakouts. The defensive game needs work but he is such a good offensive play driver, even if he gets tunnel vision at times.
65. Carey Terrence (LW) Erie, OHL
66. Justin Kipkie (D) Victoria, WHL
67. Dylan MacKinnon (D) Halifax, QMJHL
68. Lenni Hameenaho (LW) Assat, Liiga
69. Luca Pinelli (C/LW) Ottawa, OHL
70. Aram Minnetian (D) NTDP
71. Andrew Gibson (D) Soo, OHL
72. Alexander Rykov (LW) Traktor, KHL
73. William Whitelaw (C ) Youngstown, USHL
74. Adam Gajan (G) Green Bay. USHL
75. Carson Bjarnason (G) Brandon, WHL
76. Koehn Zimmer (RW) Prince George, WHL
78. Kasper Haltunnen (LW) HIFK, Liiga
79. Andrew Strathmann (D) Youngstown, USHL
80. Yegor Zavragin (G) Mamonty Yugry, MHL
81. Hoyt Stanley (D) Victoria, BCHL
82. Jacob Fowler (G) Youngstown, USHL
83. Jesse Kiiskanen (RW) Pelicans, Liiga
84. Danny Nelson (C ) NTDP
85. Jonathan Castagna (C ) St. Andrews Prep, CAHS
86. Tommaso De Luca (C/LW) Spokane, WHL
87. Petter Vesterheim (C/LW) Mora, Allsvenskan
88. Coulson Pitre (C/RW) Flint, OHL
89. Trey Augustine (G) NTDP
90. Mathieu Cataford (C/RW) Halifax, QMJHL
91. Juraj Pekarcik (C/LW) Nitra, Slovakia
92. Denver Barkey (C/LW) London, OHL
93. Rodwin Dionicio (D) Windsor, OHL
94. Brady Cleveland (D) NTDP
95. Noah Dower-Nilsson ((LW/C) Frolunda, J20 Nationell
96. Griffin Erdman (RW) Waterloo, USHL
97. Cameron Allen (D) Guelph, OHL
98. Felix Unger Sorum (LW) Leksland, J20 Nationell
99. Michael Hagens (D) Chicago, USHL
100. Luca Cagnoni (D) Portland, WHL
