Category: Features

Top 10 Two-Way Forwards in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.

By Isaiah Bouchard

The 2023 NHL entry draft is getting ever closer to hockey fans, and the excitement fans have for who their teams are going to draft this year is ever higher as the regular seasons across the globe are coming to an end, and playoff season is just around the corner. And there is a lot for fans to be excited for this year, as the draft is looking like one of the strongest in years.

Connor Bedard is looking increasingly like a franchise-level player, rivaling the likes of Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Nathan Mackinnon, Austin Matthews, and Connor McDavid. Adam Fantilli would have been a first-overall pick in arguably the last six drafts, Leo Carlsson is the next big center to come out of Sweden, and he is a must-grab in the top 5. And, of course, there is the Russian sniper: Matvei Michkov, who, despite being signed to the KHL until 2026, is so good that any team picking in the top 5 will be more than willing to wait for the Russian star.

But after the big 4 in this year’s draft, who fills out the remaining slots is always an exciting mystery come draft day. Teams must allocate their scouting resources to best support the organization’s roster on draft day. Who needs the top defensemen? Say, over-the-top sniper or goaltender? That is why we at DraftPro are excited to present an in-depth look at every position and who best thrives in that position. Who is the best sniper? The best power forward? offensive defensemen? Hopefully, after this 8-part series, all these questions will be answered.

Seven DraftPro scouts were asked their top 5-7 players for the following positions: sniper, playmaker, two-way forward, power forward, offensive defenseman, defensive defenseman, two-way defenseman, and goaltender. Their lists were recorded separately, and then once all seven scouts handed in their lists, their results were compared to one another. The final lists you read here determined the average each player placed. This is not a ranking of the best players overall, simply a ranking of who is the best for each given position. Players may be placed on multiple lists, as many players are not one-dimensional, and can not be forced into one category.

Thank you to the following scouts for providing their lists: Jared Brown, Matt Hnatiuk, Tyler Karoway, Andrew LeBlanc, Murray Caldwell, Andy Miller, and Jody Horak.

Two-way forwards are arguably one of the most crucial pieces to any hockey team, on the NHL level or lower. As the name suggests, two-way forwards excel at playing at both ends of the ice. Their ‘jack of all trades’ play style means they aren’t usually king at anything in particular. They can’t shut down offense like the best defensemen, and they can’t rack up points like the best playmaker, but their utility in a multitude of situations makes them a key role when out there on the ice. That is why having an excellent two-way forward is like having an advantage unlike no other. A strong two-way forward often, not always, but often plays center, utilizes incredible stick checking, vision, and is capable of seeing both offensive and defensive plays develop around the ice.

So here are DraftPro’s Top 10 two-way forwards in the 2023 NHL Draft Class:

First, our honorable mentions: Riley Heidt, Carson Rehkopf, Colby Barlow, Koehn Ziemmer, Alex Wiermier, Kalan Lind, Noah Dower-Nilsson, Aydar Suniev, Bradley Nadeau, Nico Myatovic, Danny Nelson, Calum Ritchie, and Gavin Brindley.

Connor Bedard, Regina Pats, WHL, #1 overall (1st Round).

“Bedard is an incredibly smart player on the ice. We all know about his sniper shot and unreal offensive production, but his defensive game is slightly underrated. His anticipation of where the puck is going coupled with his sheer strength and stick work make him one of the greatest prospects we’ve ever seen.” – Tyler Karoway.

Yes, you can be more than one thing. And you can be more than two, three, four, or five things concerning Connor Bedard. The tools Bedard has in his sniper and playmaking game, such as his excellent hockey IQ and vision, can be applied well to his defensive game as well. This makes him efficient at both ends of the ice. But this isn’t a ‘the best defense is an overwhelming offense’ type of player. Bedard is a genuine defensive threat playing center, and his ability to pickpocket will give him even more ways to snuff out opposing offense in the future.

Adam Fantilli, University of Michigan, NCAA, #2 overall (1st Round).

“Fantilli is one of those forwards that can do it all. He has great velocity on his shot, he will bury you into the boards, and with his improving speed, he is always going to find a way to beat his opposition.” – Tyler Karoway.

Fantilli is similar to Bedard in that his tools to score goals and make plays can also be applied to his defensive game. He’s a larger-than-average player, standing at 6’2″, making him already built like a defenseman. He’s also excellent at utilizing every ounce of his height and weight advantage. Mainly in his great board play. Coupled with his incredible speed for such a larger player and you got one of the best recovery forwards in the draft. Being able to knock guys off pucks with relative ease and help shift the momentum back for his team makes him an underrated defensive player.

Dalibor Dvorský, AIK, HockeyAllsvenskan, #13-18 overall (1st Round).

“Dvorský is a fantastic play reader and has excellent anticipation on the defensive side of the puck. He doesn’t cheat for offense and regularly is putting himself in good defensive positions to assist his defensemen.” – Jared Brown.

As Jared mentioned, Dvorský is a player who utilizes his excellent patience and very level-headed style of play. He’s not known to make many big mistakes, which is a great quality for a two-way guy. As Brown said, he consistently positions himself to assist his defensemen. This makes him more effective in the common plays players will find themselves in. While Fantilli and Bedard are more capable of making the big saves and highlight spots, Dvorský will often remain the unsung hero as he grinds his way through every shift, never really missing a beat. Sometimes the greatest defensive players are not the flashiest.

Zach Benson, Winnipeg Ice, WHL, #5-7 overall (1st Round).

“Has high hockey IQ, hustles all over the ice, and plays just as hard in the defensive zone as he does in the offensive zone.” – Jody Horak.

Benson is capable of taking complete control of a game when he is firing on all cylinders. His overwhelming speed and tenacity make him hard to stop when he gets going. This makes him an effective player in the defensive zone, as he is not one to let the opposing players cycle the puck for long. He’s not a wild bull, however, as he has built up an excellent reputation for his IQ when out on the ice. Making high effort plays to snuff out opposing offense but has the wherewithal not to leave his goalies and defenders hanging while doing so.

Oliver Moore, University of Minnesota, NCAA, #8-#12 overall (1st Round).

“Moore is one of the most demanding working prospects in the 2023 class. Demanding in the sense that he’s always busting his butt to get the puck back when his team doesn’t have the puck. He plays that complete 200ft game that every coach wants their center to play and is a player that can play in all situations for his club.” – Jared Brown.

Moore is sort of the quintessential two-way forward and arguably the first pure two-guy on this list. He has high utility, high work effort and can apply these skills on both ends. This is obviously an excellent quality to have in a prospect, and many players who have this ability to perform effective and consistent two-way efforts are usually guaranteed a future NHL spot in one way or another. Because of this, Moore is seen as a sort of safe pick early on and has been growing in interest as the seasons are ending. That, coupled with his underrated offensive prowess, means Moore could be walking up to the stage a little earlier than many scouts anticipated at the beginning of the year.

Otto Stenberg, Frölunda HC, SHL, #18-22 overall (1st Round).

“Stenberg is a player with great offensive upside, and he uses his skating to cover and, at times, gets really low to support his defense on the breakout. He is a 200-foot player who puts in a consistent effort.” – Andy Miller.

Stenberg is a player that seems to be up in the air as to where he will land in the draft order come July. He’s got many upsides but no real hook that makes him stand out compared to his fellow Swedes, speedy forwards, or two-way forwards. But despite this, Stenberg just doesn’t seem to have many downsides. Like Moore, he is a safe pick, and like Benson, he has an excellent combination of skating and high-effort play styles. The only difference is that Stenberg seems to hone his abilities in the two-way department more so than Benson or Moore. His skating should be praised even more in a sense, as he has some of the best agility in the draft class. This makes him excellent at utilizing his 200-foot game that Andy mentioned.

Brayden Yager, Moose Jaw Warriors, WHL, #7-10 overall (1st Round).

“Plays with poise, intensity, grit, focus & excellent compete in all three zones.” – Murray Caldwell.

Now we’re getting into the players that our scouts just had to mention. Yager’s name came up a few times when discussing the best two-way forwards in the draft. And likely, his name was mentioned due to Murray’s words: “Poise, intensity, grit, and focus.” Yager is also a smooth and controlling player when on the ice. He has a lot of control and doesn’t make many mistakes. This confidence at all ends and his incredible shot made Yager a favorite to be a potential Top 5 pick. While those aspirations have fallen slightly, Yager is still undoubtedly an excellent prospect, and his two-way game has much to do with that.

Leo Carlsson, Örebro HK, SHL, #3-5 overall (1st Round).

“A young player who has become well known for his two-way, power forward plays in Sweden. His smooth skating allows him to move quickly and cleanly in all areas of the ice. He is able to defend his zone and is a threat to put up points or make a great play in the offensive zone.” – Matt Hnatiuk.

It was a close call between Leo Carlsson and Brayden Yager for the #3 spot. But in the end, Carlsson has just proven to be a bit more dedicated to his defensive game than Yager. Regarding #3 spots, Carlsson practically guaranteed a Top 5 position in July. Not only Top 5, but Carlsson is rumored even to go higher than Michkov. And one can’t help but think that Carlsson’s excellent two-way play is the cause for that, as it makes him excel in more situations. Carlsson is big and can play at both ends. What more do you want in a player?

Nate Danielson, Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL, #11-15 overall (1st Round).

“Supportive at both ends of the ice, moves the puck effectively from the defensive zone to the offensive zone.” – Jody Horak.

If you’re looking for the purest of two-way forwards, look no further than Nate Danielson. This guy drops anchor as a centerman like no other player in this draft. He falls into a defensive position so naturally and utilizes all the skills of a defenseman to protect the net and drive offense back into his team’s possession. Danielson is a unique player in this draft as he is heavily team-oriented. All players are, to some extent, but Danielson’s entire playstyle depends on the players around him working together. This doesn’t necessarily make Danielson a star compared to some other players, but his ability to play the level-headed style of game he does, and rack up the points that he has, makes him an undeniably crucial player to have on your team.

Will Smith, Boston College, NCAA, #4-6 overall (1st Round).

“Smith gets the most out of whoever he is playing with. Reliable defensive game and a great motor.” – Andrew LeBlanc.

Will Smith and Nate Danielson were neck and neck for this position. But while they both play defensive games and Danielson’s dedication to the defensive end is admirable, Will Smith is just too good on the offensive end. And they are called two-way forwards for a reason. If you have already read our TOP 10 Playmakers list, then you know just how good Will Smith is on the offensive end. No other player in this draft is as obviously dedicated to both ends of the ice as Will Smith, other than maybe Danielson, but again, his offensive prowess places him a little higher than Danielson. Find him on our TOP 10 Playmakers list to see just how good Will Smith is on the offensive end. But he is certainly #1 at something, and that is being the best two-way forward in the 2023 NHL draft class.

For more information on the 2023 NHL Draft class be sure to pick up your copy of the comprehensive DraftPro 2023 NHL Draft Guide.

https://draftprospectshockey.com/draftpro-2023-nhl-draft-guide/

Top 10 Power Forwards in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft

By Isaiah Bouchard

The 2023 NHL entry draft is getting ever closer to hockey fans, and the excitement fans have for who their teams are going to draft this year is ever higher as the regular seasons across the globe are coming to an end, and playoff season is just around the corner. And there is a lot for fans to be excited for this year, as the draft is looking like one of the strongest in years.

Connor Bedard is looking increasingly like a franchise-level player, rivaling the likes of Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Nathan Mackinnon, Austin Matthews, and Connor McDavid. Adam Fantilli would have been a first-overall pick in arguably the last six drafts, Leo Carlsson is the next big center to come out of Sweden, and he is a must-grab in the top 5. And, of course, there is the Russian sniper: Matvei Michkov, who, despite being signed to the KHL until 2026, is so good that any team picking in the top 5 will be more than willing to wait for the Russian star.

But after the big 4 in this year’s draft, who fills out the remaining slots is always an exciting mystery come draft day. Teams must allocate their scouting resources to best support the organization’s roster on draft day. Who needs the top defensemen? Say, over-the-top sniper or goaltender? That is why we at DraftPro are excited to present an in-depth look at every position and who best thrives in that position. Who is the best sniper? The best power forward? offensive defensemen? Hopefully, after this 8-part series, all these questions will be answered.

Seven DraftPro scouts were asked their top 5-7 players for the following positions: sniper, playmaker, two-way forward, power forward, offensive defenseman, defensive defenseman, two-way defenseman, and goaltender. Their lists were recorded separately, and then once all seven scouts handed in their lists, their results were compared to one another. The final lists you read here determined the average each player placed. This is not a ranking of the best players overall, simply a ranking of who is the best for each given position. Players may be placed on multiple lists, as many players are not one-dimensional, and can not be forced into one category.

Thank you to the following scouts for providing their lists: Jared Brown, Matt Hnatiuk, Tyler Karoway, Andrew LeBlanc, Murray Caldwell, Andy Miller, and Jody Horak.

The power forward is a term and title often hard to recognize for casual fans. But here are qualities that most can agree qualifies a player as a power forward: Physicality, Intensity, Strength, and Speed, or ‘P.I.S.S’ for short. In all seriousness, the Power Forward is a fast-growing player archetype in hockey. In the earlier years, what used to be more of a side position now has names such as Gabriel Landeskog, Blake Wheeler, Mark Stone, Brady Tkachuck, and much more. Their rise in popularity is not surprising when you consider their unique abilities to crash through the defense and offer the qualities of a defenseman in a forward position. As the defensemen around the league got better, the need for bigger and stronger forwards grew.

So who are the best Power Forwards in the draft class of 2023? Here are DraftPro’s Top 10 Power Forwards, as voted on by our scouts.

First, our honorable mentions: Eduard Sale, Koehn Ziemmer, Matt Wood, Charlie Stramel, Danny Nelson, and Kalan Lind.

Ryan Leonard, Boston College, NCAA, #7-11 overall (1st Round).

“A Hard-nosed, strong hockey player who goes to the net hard and is good in tight battles in the offensive zone.” – Jody Horak.

While Leonard is only 5’11”, that doesn’t stop him from playing like a power forward in his mind. Leonard is more than willing to get into the thick of it and is a valuable player in the offensive zone. With his excellent combination of hard-nosed playing and just maybe the best shot in the USDP, it’s not a surprise that Leonard is one of the top players in the USDP this year. Because of his height, he will likely not rank highly on many others’ top power forward lists, but his physicality is undeniably effective for him, so he deserves the nod here.

Nate Danielson, Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL, #11-15 overall (1st Round).

“Overwhelming intelligence, does it all & does it right, controls the ice, has hockey sense, vision, anticipation, extremely quick hands, one of top 3 power forwards in the CHL.” – Murray Caldwell.

Anyone who knows even a little about Nate Danielson knows he is one of the best-defensively-minded forwards in this draft class. Nate Danielson will be fun to watch develop because of his high ceiling. He can skate, has excellent senses, and can score goals, as he broke just over 30 goals this season in Brandon. Danielson stands at 6’1″ and weighs just a bit more than Leonard. If Danielson adds more weight to him, he will develop into a fine power forward. Of course, he is also one of, if not the best two-way guy in this draft (see our TOP 10 two-way forwards to find out), so it will be interesting to see which role Danielson will embrace as he develops.

Kasper Halttunen, HIFK, Liiga, #54-64 overall (2nd Round).

“A large Finn who plays a grinding, power-forward role. He uses his speed and physical play to hunt pucks down and then uses his skill with the puck to get it to the net or to find his linemates for high-quality chances.” – Matt Hnatiuk.

Now we’re getting into the big boys. Haltunnen is 6’3″ and over 200lbs, making him undoubtedly a power-forward type in shape. He also plays a clear-cut power-forward style of play. He is crushing the U20 leagues in Europe and even has a few games in Liiga. Only time will tell just how effectively he can apply his weight in the bigger leagues, but for now, there is a lot of buzz and excitement for Halttunen, and justifiably so.

Dalibor Dvorský, AIK, HockeyAllsvenskan, #13-19 overall (1st Round).

“Dvorský is a quick player for a big young man. He works hard and moves his feet well. He combines his size and speed on the forecheck effectively. He has a high skill set too that will certainly have him selected in the mid to last third of round one.” – Andy Miller.

Dvorský is a player who seems to come up a lot on these lists. And that is no surprise as he seems to do it all. He can make big offensive plays, play very physically, and have a solid defensive mindset. What catches a lot of Scout’s eyes is how well he performs in HockeyAllsvenskan. This is a league for adults, and Dvorský competes just fine at this level. While Dvorský is mentioned a lot, I have certainly heard his name plenty as I wrote this series, his ‘jack of all trades’ persona can only carry him so far when we live in such an ‘X-factor’ era of the NHL. But don’t sleep on Dalibor. His high skill ceiling is an excellent quality to have for a power forward, especially when the height advantage is never a given when moving to the big leagues.

Quentin Musty, Sudbury Wolves, OHL, #33-43 overall (2nd Round).

“Musty is a pain for anyone to deal with. He can get under the opponent’s skin and is a pain in the side for any defender.” – Andrew LeBlanc.

What’s interesting about Quentin Musty as a Power Forward is his preference to set up plays compared to shooting at the net. Power Forwards are much more synonymous with goal-scoring, so seeing such a change with Musty is refreshing. That’s not to say he can’t score, as he is more than capable of pushing past defensemen and setting up his own goals as well. Musty is a great player to have in deep by the net. He can anchor himself down well and has top-notch stick handling. Definitely a dangerous player. And plays well physically.

Colby Barlow, Owen Sound Attack, OHL, #6-10 overall (1st Round).

“Barlow plays a style that hockey fans love, coaches love, and his teammates probably love as well! He’s physically abrasive and brings a heavy forechecking game that forces many turnovers. He plays inside the guts of the ice and is always willing to get his hands dirty.” – Jared Brown.

If you like the Alex Ovechkin style of player, that is, a strong sniper who is more than capable of forcing his will around, then Colby Barlow is your guy. Like Ryan Leonard, Barlow has a strong sniping game and has fast feet, giving him plenty of options to push pass defenders or score goals. It was a close call between Barlow and Musty for the #5 spot, but overall Barlow’s style of play complements the Power Forward in him slightly better.

Samuel Honzek, Vancouver Giants, WHL, #21-31 overall (1st Round).

“Honzek possesses the build to become a quality power forward at the pro level. He’s tough to knock off the puck, has great puck skills, and has the offensive instincts to drive the net hard if he’s got a step on the defender.” – Jared Brown.

Standing 6’4″, Samuel Honzek has much potential as a power forward in the NHL level. He needs to beef out a bit more, but once he does, he is going to be fun to see develop. As Jared said, he’s hard to knock off the puck, don’t be surprised to see Honzek dish out some checks, as he barely falters his positioning. Besides being slightly slower than the other power forwards you will see on this list, Honzek has great senses and shooting. He’s a point-per-game player with the Giants, who he only joined in 2022. Honzek, like Musty, plays a more well-balanced game between passing and shooting. This makes him harder to predict as his size quickly becomes an issue for defenders trying to piece together how to stop such a big player.

Calum Ritchie, Oshawa Generals, OHL, #13-17 overall (1st Round).

“A player with a rare blend of size, mobility, speed, and skill. He has all of the makings of an excellent power forward who can put up very good numbers offensively. His ability to get into hard areas and be very difficult to move out of those areas makes him a formidable opponent.” – Matt Hnatiuk.

Calum Ritchie is another player who fits the mold well for a Power Forward but needs some more bulking up. But aside from that, he has great playmaking abilities, utilizing excellent shooting and positioning to give him chances. He’s obviously hard to knock off the puck and has some of the best skating so far on this list. Ritchie is another player who will be hard to predict where he will land in the draft come July. But with his combination of speed, size, skill, and shooting, he will be a safe pick no matter where he lands in the draft.

Leo Carlsson, Örebro HK, SHL, #3-4 overall (1st Round).

“Carlsson is a beast on the ice and can impose his will at the U20 level. He not only does that, but he has a high skill set and great vision on the ice that helps him to be a responsible player too.” – Andy Miller.

Many seem to forget that Leo Carlsson is 6’3″ and nearing 200 lbs. He’s, of course, an excellent playmaker and two-way guy and has great senses to assist his game. But his ability to crash through the neutral zone and put defensemen on their heels is already damn-near elite. This awesome power forward in him makes him possibly the #3 guy come draft day. Michkov fans may be triggered to hear that, but Carlsson’s weight and size bring so much more potential to his game and future in the NHL. Carlsson’s utility has led to him being named many times on these lists, but he is always the bride’s maid, never the bride for that #1 spot. The same cannot be said for…

Adam Fantilli, University of Michigan, NCAA, #2 overall (1st Round).

“A power forward if there ever was one. He has the size, mobility, and the ability to put up points. His ability to quickly adjust to a higher level of play is something to take note of. He has been able to use his body and skill to accomplish a lot this season.” – Matt Hnatiuk.

The points leader in the NCAA with 30 goals, 35 assists, and 65 points, Matt Hnatiuk, put it perfectly: Adam Fantilli is a power forward if we have ever seen one. Everything about his game screams the title of P.I.S.S! Or perhaps it should be P.I.S.S.S as Adam Fantilli has plenty of strength, speed, and skill. Arguably the best skater on this list, Fantilli’s skating was even noticeable at the World Juniors this year, which was a much more elite crowd to stand out in. With the NCAA’s growing reputation as a difficult and highly competitive league to play in, Fantilli’s dominance should be greatly admired. As easy as it is to praise a guy like Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli might be one of the greatest consolation prizes since Patrick Laine. And as Fantilli’s reputation grows, it’s more likely that he will join that list of greatest #2’s in NHL draft history. And Adam Fantilli from the University of Michigan, is the best power forward in the 2023 NHL draft class.

For more information on the 2023 NHL Draft class be sure to pick up your copy of the comprehensive DraftPro 2023 NHL Draft Guide.

https://draftprospectshockey.com/draftpro-2023-nhl-draft-guide/

By Zackery Robert

The Arizona Coyotes have been drafting in Arizona since 1996 and have had some decent names come up along the way. With one exception to this list, as he was drafted by the jets but only played one season for them before moving to Arizona and then only playing for the Coyotes franchise. Let’s see just how well they’ve drafted throughout their history.

To start off we will go with the most obvious name that comes up when you think of the Arizona coyotes, Shane Doan. Shane was drafted seventh overall in the 1995 draft for what would be the Coyotes franchise. Playing over 1500 games and scoring a little over 400 goals and amassing 972 points in his 21 seasons, which 20 were with the Coyotes jersey on, Doan was the face of the franchise. Doan captained the Coyotes for 13 seasons and retired as the NHL’s longest tenured captain.

Coming up second in the Coyotes best picks would be that of Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Swedish defensemen was selected sixth overall in the 2009 draft and was considered at top defenseman during parts of his time in the desert. With a handful of 40+ point seasons and one 55 point season Ekman-Larsson was a great pick up for the Coyotes especially when their defence was in need of a consistent too pairing player.

Third on this list would be what would be considered one of their two best picks of the last decade. Clayton Keller, with three 60+ point seasons and this year being his first 30+ goal season and his first season that will finish with over a point per game, Keller has turned into the star the Coyotes thought he would be when they drafted him seventh in 2016.

Now for some less than great picks that the Coyotes have made over the years. We start off with 2010 13th overall pick Brandon Gormley. Gormley played a total of 58 games in his NHL career and only 32 with the Coyotes and amassed 4 points in that time. Gormley had the ability to be a second pair defenseman but never even touched that potential. At 13th you would expect a little more result out of the pick.

Next up we will have to go all the way back to their inaugural draft to see the Coyotes select Dan Fichte 11th overall in the 1996 draft. Focht played a total of 82 NHL games between 2001-2004 before retiring fully in 2006. With the Coyotes he played only 18 games and scored zero points in that time. Considering some of the players drafted after Focht, Daniel Briere, Dainius Zubrus, Marco Sturm and Matt Cullen, this pick is quite disappointing.

Third and final pick of this article would be 2007 third overall pick Kyle Turris. Turris had a ton of hype behind him after being selected third overall in 2007 but after a few rocky years in Arizona (then phoenix), he was traded away to the Ottawa Senators. Trading away your third overall player only four years after drafting him and having one of those seasons full time in the AHL doesn’t bode well for your future. Turris only played 137 games for the Coyotes and scored 46 points. Coupled with the lacklustre return on his trade to Ottawa, David Rundblad and Anthony Stolarz, this pick turned out to be more than it was worth for the Coyotes franchise.

Now flash forward to 2023, the Coyotes sit in the bottom eight teams and are eliminated from the playoffs this year. For the Coyotes in their last 10 years of drafting in the first round, (not including 2019) they have selected 10 forwards and four defence, in which only two defence remain with the club, one being a 2022 draft pick in Maveric Lamoureux. With this information it is clear that the Coyotes lack defensive prospects and defence in general on their team so the Coyotes would be hard pressed not to go with defender Axel Sandin Pellikka, even if the Coyotes select higher than Pellikka’s projected 10th overall choice, it would be the best choice for their future. If they choose to go with someone else between six to eight they would be best going for a winger to go along with the trio of young prospects Guenther, Geekie, and Cooley, the latter two play centre, so their best bets could be Eduard Sale, Zach Benson, or Andrew Cristall.

2023 Draft Picks:  1st, 1st (OTT), 2nd, 3rd (EDM), 3rd (WSH), 3rd (NYI), 3rd, 4th, 5th, 5th (VGK), 6th, 6th (CBJ).

For more information on the 2023 NHL Draft class be sure to pick up your copy of the comprehensive DraftPro 2023 NHL Draft Guide.

https://draftprospectshockey.com/draftpro-2023-nhl-draft-guide/

Top 10 Playmakers in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft

By Isaiah Bouchard

The 2023 NHL entry draft is getting ever closer to hockey fans, and the excitement fans have for who their teams are going to draft this year is ever higher as the regular seasons across the globe are coming to an end, and playoff season is just around the corner. And there is a lot for fans to be excited for this year, as the draft is looking like one of the strongest in years.

Connor Bedard is looking increasingly like a franchise-level player, rivaling the likes of Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Nathan Mackinnon, Austin Matthews, and Connor McDavid. Adam Fantilli would have been a first-overall pick in arguably the last six drafts, Leo Carlsson is the next big center to come out of Sweden, and he is a must-grab in the top 5. And, of course, there is the Russian sniper: Matvei Michkov, who, despite being signed to the KHL until 2026, is so good that any team picking in the top 5 will be more than willing to wait for the Russian star.

But after the big 4 in this year’s draft, who fills out the remaining slots is always an exciting mystery come draft day. Teams must allocate their scouting resources to best support the organization’s roster on draft day. Who needs the top defensemen? Say, over-the-top sniper or goaltender? That is why we at DraftPro are excited to present an in-depth look at every position and who best thrives in that position. Who is the best sniper? The best power forward? offensive defensemen? Hopefully, after this 8-part series, all these questions will be answered.

Seven DraftPro scouts were asked their top 5-7 players for the following positions: sniper, playmaker, two-way forward, power forward, offensive defenseman, defensive defenseman, two-way defenseman, and goaltender. Their lists were recorded separately, and then once all seven scouts handed in their lists, their results were compared to one another. The final lists you read here determined the average each player placed. This is not a ranking of the best players overall, simply a ranking of who is the best for each given position. Players may be placed on multiple lists, as many players are not one-dimensional, and can not be forced into one category.

Thank you to the following scouts for providing their lists: Jared Brown, Matt Hnatiuk, Tyler Karoway, Andrew LeBlanc, Murray Caldwell, Andy Miller, and Jody Horak.

Playmakers are the team’s main offensive force. Playmakers tend to hog all of the MVP awards, all the Art Ross, and the Willie Marshal awards. Playmakers tend to hog the glory. But we love them for it. Playmakers also tend to come in many forms. A sniper tends to fit into an all-encompassing mold of a hockey player, but playmakers are much more flexible in this way. They can be a Joe Thornton, making perfect passes from all areas of the ice. A Sidney Crosby, making space for themselves and their teammates with subtle puck-dangling magic. Or a Matthew Barzal, utilizing excellent rink awareness and hockey sense to see potential plays that other players can’t.

With all that being said, here are DraftPro’s Top 10 Playmakers in the 2023 NHL draft class:

First, our honorable mentions: Leo Carlsson, Nate Danielson, Adam Fantilli, Brett Hyland, and Luca Pinelli.

Graycyn Sawchyn, Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL, #36-46 overall (2nd Round).

“One of the best playmakers in the game due to his quick feet. He either shovels a short pass or uses his feet when in tight to kick a pass to a linemate or circles around, drawing the play to himself before distribution of the puck. Extremely dangerous because he elusive.” – Murray Caldwell.

In his first year as a Seattle Thunderbird, Sawchyn is sitting at a point-per-game level and has racked up forty assists. Currently, Sawchyn is seated in a 2^nd round position, but with his playmaking potential, we could see him jump up considerably if a team is looking to bolster its pool of offensive prospects.

Quentin Musty, Sudbury Wolves, OHL, #33-43 overall (2nd Round).

“He is an exceptional setup man, leading the OHL in assists for first-year draft-eligible players. Musty has good vision, and he has a quick release, so defenders must respect that he could pass or shoot.” – Andy Miller.

Musty has made a considerable impact this year. He’s sitting well over a point-per-game and has improved significantly from his rookie season in Sudbury. He’s also a tall player who can throw his weight around, which is a welcomed feature for any position he plays. Suspect Musty to be grabbed in the second, but his size could let him jump a few slots, maybe even all the way into the first.

Riley Heidt, Prince George Cougars, WHL, #18-28 overall (1st Round).

“A similar version to Benson. (Referring to Benson’s excellent speed and hockey sense) He uses higher speeds to get into areas where he draws opponents in before moving the puck quickly and accurately. Has high-end distribution ability but needs to remain consistent.” – Matt Hnatiuk.

Riley Heidt is absolutely tearing up the WHL’s West division. In 64 games, Riley Heidt has racked up 94 points. 70 of those points were assists. To tell you how good that is, he is tied with Connor Bedard in assists. Riley Heidt has no doubt developed an effective style of play. He is a boom or bust of this year’s draft. With a big boom. If Heidt finds a way to utilize his talents effectively and consistently, he could easily be the Mathew Barzal of this year’s draft, a player that many scouts are comparing him to.

Eduard Šalé, HC Kometa Brno, Czechia, #9-15 overall (1st Round).

“Great patience with the puck and excels using his vision when making passes.” – Jody Horak.

Šalé continues to impress as he battles to remain in a top 10 position come draft day. Despite playing with men over in Czechia, he gets noticed. Despite playing on a stacked team Czechia at the World Juniors, Šalé gets noticed. Despite competing with the likes of Dalibor Dvorský, Zach Benson, and Andrew Cristall, Šalé remains a strong contender for a top-10 draft position. Šalé has the skill set, the height, and the momentum to become an excellent player one day, and only time will tell how successful this young Czech will be.

Gabriel Perreault, USNTDP, USHL, #14-20 overall (1st Round).

“A skilled player who can put up points as both a scorer or a playmaker, but he tends to be the distributor more often than not. His ability to read the play as it develops and move the puck at just the right time is something that very few can do. He has excellent timing and awareness/IQ and the ability to make excellent passes on the regular.” – Matt Hnatiuk.

Our first player to be named three times on our scouts lists, Gabe Perreault, is a point-producing machine in the USHL. He’s going to be an excellent consolation prize for teams out in round 1 of this year’s playoffs or perhaps teams who just missed the playoffs. He’s not a bad piece on any team, and his skills as an excellent play-reader will always come in handy.

Oliver Moore, USNTDP, USHL, #8-12 overall (1st Round).

“Handles hot passes, is on & off the stick in a heartbeat, has hard accurate half slap shots, excellent vision, explosive speed, and can reach top speed in two hard strides.” – Murray Caldwell.

Another player representing the USHL, Moore, barely sneaks into the top five. Moore is a dynamic player who was mentioned many times by our scouts in more categories than just playmaker. He was an honorable mention for our top Snipers list and may also appear later in this series. But for now, Oliver Moore is recognized as one of the top playmakers in this year’s draft. He’s fast, plays hard, and has excellent passing and shooting potential.

Zach Benson, Winnipeg Ice, WHL, #5-7 overall (1st Round).

“A speedy forward who has excellent hands and vision. Uses his speed to get into position to move the puck to high-danger areas. Threads his passes consistently through tight seams and is incredibly accurate when moving the puck. High-end hockey IQ and passing ability.” – Matt Hnatiuk.

This is Zach Benson’s second mention in this series. See our Top 10 Snipers article to see where he placed there. But clearly, he is building up tons of value in this draft because of his highly dynamic skill set. He can score, make excellent passes, and has incredible hockey sense. Benson is the top runner for the #5 spot for this year’s draft, and with his plethora of upsides, it’s getting hard to argue otherwise. Benson was nominated three times by our scouts, where he placed 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd.

Will Smith, USNTDP, USHL, #5-7 overall (1st Round).

“He is an incredibly fast skater who has wonderful hands. Smith uses these skill sets with his vision and sets up his teammates with beautiful passes. He will likely finish with a top 5 single season USNTDP U18 record for points and assists this season.” – Andy Miller.

Since we are talking about the #5 spot, it seems so natural to talk about Zach Benson’s main competitor, not named Šalé or Cristall. Will Smith is right at the top in the USHL’s player standings, and he is building up a reputation as a pure playmaker that needs to be feared. Will Smith was nominated five times by our scouts. Being ranked as the 2^nd best playmaker in this year’s draft three times. Very impressive, but not quite as good as our #2 playmaker…

Andrew Cristall, Kelowna Rockets, WHL, #11-17 overall (1st Round).

“Enter Rocket Man. Great IQ, whistle beater, incredibly intelligent, the boy can flat-out fly. He creates turnovers, quarterbacks PP, wicked wrist shots, shoots from any place on the ice, down low right along the line, has the patience of a cat, may have the strongest backhand shot in the WHL, capitalizes on his opportunities, the toolbox may only have a small space in one drawer.” – Murray Caldwell.

Though he isn’t ranked as high on the overall rankings as the previous players are, there is no doubt that when it comes to pure playmaking ability, Andrew Cristall may be the top guy. He’s got excellent stick handling. He utilizes good speed and passing, much like the others on this list. But what gives Cristall the edge is his superior hockey senses. He can read plays and make space for plays unlike anyone else. Cristall just got over Will Smith on this list because he was mentioned six times over Smith’s five. He was ranked #1 by one of our scouts and remained in the top 3 positions by the others. He will undoubtedly be a hot commodity for teams looking to add pure playmaking support to their prospect pool.

Connor Bedard, Regina Pats, WHL, #1 overall (1st Round).

“With his pure goal-scoring ability also comes with the skill to deceive his opponents and gravitate players to him, which opens up passing lanes for him to set up his teammates. He possesses that elite touch on the puck and impressive intelligence to execute skilled passes.” – Jared Brown.

Yeah, I mean… obviously? Right? This is also Bedard’s second time being mentioned in this series. See our Top 10 Snipers list to see where he ranks there, (spoiler, he ranks high.) But Bedard is a franchise player. He’s allowed to dominate these lists. If you don’t know what makes Bedard great, here’s a quick list: Amazing wrister, excellent skating, excellent puck movement, excellent stick handling, and excellent hockey senses. There’s more than that, I’m sure, but here are a few of his credentials: As of right now, he’s sitting at 139 points in the WHL. He got 23 points in 7…SEVEN…games at the World Juniors, He’s been on so many all-star teams, and he’s won a gold medal and was the points leader at the World Juniors. AND Connor Bedard of the Regina Pats is the best playmaker of the 2023 NHL draft class.

For more information on the 2023 NHL Draft class be sure to pick up your copy of the comprehensive DraftPro 2023 NHL Draft Guide.

https://draftprospectshockey.com/draftpro-2023-nhl-draft-guide/

By Zackery Robert

The Anaheim Ducks’ first trip to the draft podium came back in 1993 and have been making draft picks for what will be 30 years this coming June. During this time they have selected both well and poorly, let’s take a look at some of their previous draft day histories.

The Ducks haven’t had much success in their drafting in their earlier years, not until the 2000s did they see some repeated success from the podium. Albeit their most franchise defining selection came all the way in their first draft in 1993 when they selected Paul Kariya.

The Ducks winger had a hall of fame career cut short due to injuries but he made and left his mark on the game with great plays, great goals and a great sense of the game. Kariya finished off his career with 989 points in 989 games, Kariya was very deserving of his high selection at number four and will go down as arguably the best Anaheim Duck of all time.

Another top selection in their history came in the 2003 draft where they selected Ryan Getzlaf. The two-way centre had a career spanning three decades, amassing over 1000 points, and one Cup for the team. Along with being the teams longest serving captain. All said and done Getzlaf will have his number 15 up in the rafters sooner rather than later for the Ducks.

One more top pick in their history comes again from the 2003 draft when they selected Corey Perry in the first round, pick 28. Perry was a goal scorer for the Ducks. Along with helping secure their only Stanley cup in franchise history in 2007, Perry also picked up some individual hardware with a Rocket Richard trophy and Hart trophy in 2010-2011. The 2003 draft produced the most long term team success their franchise has enjoyed to date.

But where there is gold there is also fools gold, and this came in the form of three players in particular. Coming up first must be that of 2nd overall pick in 2005 Bobby Ryan. Being picked second overall always adds pressure but when you add in the fact that he was picked right after Sidney Crosby this pick had plenty of prestige to it. While he was not bad at all, he was just not what the Ducks had hoped for, playing in parts of six seasons with the Ducks. Not once being a point per game player and being traded away, Bobby Ryan did not have the most successful tenure in Anaheim and when you consider that his name was second off the board, this makes it all the more of a hard pick.

Second must come from the 2001 draft where the Ducks picked Stanislav Chistov at 5th overall. He only played 136 games with the ducks out of his total 196 and amassed a total points of 61 in his short career in the NHL before leaving to Russia for the next 10 seasons.

Third on this list comes from the 2000 draft which saw them select Alexei Smirnov 12th overall. Smirnov played only 52 games in his total NHL career, all with the ducks scoring 6 points. There was not much from this pick, the six-foot-three centre never panned out too much for the ducks and that brings him on to this list.

Currently in 2023 the Ducks have a nice group of young talent after a few successful drafts in the past handful of years. They sit at 29th in the league and eliminated from the playoffs. With that their eyes are on the draft and who they could possibly pick. Their most recent track history for drafting shows that they do not particularly favour one league more heavily than any others. As well, given their recent history of picks being pretty even between defence and forward prospects and the prospects ranked in and around the top five the Ducks should be targeting players like, Leo Carlsson, Zach Benson, Matvei Michkov and an outside chance at bulking up their defence by looking at Axel Sandin Pellikka.

These potential players to draft will help fill two needs the ducks lack sorely. Goals for per game and goals against per game. The Ducks currently rank dead last in goals against per game with 4.01 goals against per game and they rank second last in the league for goals for per game at a dismal 2.55 goals per game. Benson is a 100-point player in the WHL, Michkov is potentially the second-best player in this draft behind Bedard and Michkov’s offence is dynamic when not trying to do it all. Carlsson will fit well with their wingers and Pelikka will help bolster their defence in a few years with Drysdale and Zellweger.

When it comes down to it the Ducks have not been the best at drafting overall, but in the last handful of years they have really turned it around so on June 28th 2023 we will see what the Ducks come up with next to add to their draft day selection history.

2023 Draft Picks: 1st, 2nd, 2nd (Bos), 2nd (Col), 3rd, 3rd (Min), 4th, 5th, 6th

For more information on the 2023 NHL Draft class be sure to pick up your copy of the comprehensive DraftPro 2023 NHL Draft Guide.

https://draftprospectshockey.com/draftpro-2023-nhl-draft-guide/

Top 10 Snipers in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft

By Isaiah Bouchard

The 2023 NHL entry draft is getting ever closer to hockey fans, and the excitement fans have for who their teams are going to draft this year is ever higher as the regular seasons across the globe are coming to an end, and playoff season is just around the corner. And there is a lot for fans to be excited for this year, as the draft is looking like one of the strongest in years.

Connor Bedard is looking increasingly like a franchise-level player, rivaling the likes of Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Nathan Mackinnon, Austin Matthews, and Connor McDavid. Adam Fantilli would have been a first-overall pick in arguably the last six drafts, Leo Carlsson is the next big center to come out of Sweden, and he is a must-grab in the top 5. And, of course, there is the Russian sniper: Matvei Michkov, who, despite being signed to the KHL until 2026, is so good that any team picking in the top 5 will be more than willing to wait for the Russian star.

But after the big 4 in this year’s draft, who fills out the remaining slots is always an exciting mystery come draft day. Teams must allocate their scouting resources to best support the organization’s roster on draft day. Who needs the top defensemen? Say, over-the-top sniper or goaltender? That is why we at DraftPro are excited to present an in-depth look at every position and who best thrives in that position. Who is the best sniper? The best power forward? offensive defensemen? Hopefully, after this 8-part series, all these questions will be answered.

Seven DraftPro scouts were asked their top 5-7 players for the following positions: sniper, playmaker, two-way forward, power forward, offensive defenseman, defensive defenseman, two-way defenseman, and goaltender. Their lists were recorded separately, and then once all seven scouts handed in their lists, their results were compared to one another. The final lists you read here determined the average each player placed. This is not a ranking of the best players overall, simply a ranking of who is the best for each given position. Players may be placed on multiple lists, as many players are not one-dimensional, and can not be forced into one category.

Thank you to the following scouts for providing their lists: Jared Brown, Matt Hnatiuk, Tyler Karoway, Andrew LeBlanc, Murray Caldwell, Andy Miller, and Jody Horak.

The sniper is the main force of pure goal-scoring potential on the team. Snipers can score goals in a multitude of ways, but what sets them aside from other goal-scorers on the team is their ability to score long-distance goals via their powerful and accurate shots. Many players can score goals, but goal-scoring alone does not make them snipers. This critical ability to score from a distance is what makes snipers so feared, and loved.

Here are DraftPro’s honorable mentions, players who were given attention from certain scouts but overall lacked consensus from the rest of the team:

Gabriel Perreault, Noah Dower-Nilsson, Koehn Ziemmer, Nick Lardis, Oliver Moore, Carey Terrance, and Luca Pinelli.

And here are DraftPro’s TOP 10 Snipers in the 2023 NHL draft class:

Kasper Halttunen, HIFK, Liiga, #54-64 overall (2nd Round).

“Thrives on the powerplay where he’s given space to get shots off. He’s dangerous from the circles and can also clean up rebounds in front.” – Andrew LeBlanc.

This 6’3″ Fin has a lot to sell to scouts. He’s big, and he’s powerful. Being able to play the role of a Power Forward most nights, it’s Halttunen’s power that makes him such a dangerous sniper as well. Kasper Halttunen is suspected of going in the 2^nd round this year, making him a safe pick to go for after your first pick is already taken. And for teams who gave up their first-round pick and are picking their first player in the second, the big skater with the wicked shot will not be a bad investment.

Zach Benson, Winnipeg Ice, WHL, #5-7 overall (1st Round).

“Slippery, slick, intelligent, elite hockey IQ, a composed brilliant player maker, makes excellent passes like someone much older, pure goal scorer.” – Murray Caldwell.

Zach Benson is a high-utility player who can do many things. In other words, this will not be the last time you see Zach Benson on these lists. He can make offensive and defensive plays, and of course, he can score goals from anywhere. The spots between 5-10 are up in the air for most scout rankings, but one thing Benson has over, say, an Andrew Cristal or Will Smith is his ability to snipe as well. As of writing this review, Benson has 36 goals in 60 games. He is not quite a top 5 sniper, but he definitely needs to be mentioned.

Samuel Honzek, Vancouver Giants, WHL, #21-31 overall (1st round).

“Goalies should be scared when he is on the ice. Honzek’s accuracy sets him apart from the other snipers in this draft class. The release he has on his shot gives his shots so much velocity it’s in the net before the goalie can even react.” – Tyler Karoway.

Like Kasper Halttunen, Honzek is a big boy. At 6’4″ tall, Honzek is a threatening offensive presence on the ice. His big body makes him hard to cover and knock off the puck, giving him more space to unleash his awesome shots. Honzek is an excellent pick for teams in the latter end of the 1^st. As of writing this review, Honzek just broke over the 20-goal mark in his first season in the WHL. It will be exciting to see him grow as he likely will have another year to tear it up with the Giants.

Matthew Wood, University of Connecticut, NCAA, #28-38 overall (1st-2nd Round).

“Wood is a pure goal scorer who gets to the high danger areas and finishes with the best of them.” – Andrew LeBlanc.

Another late 1^st round option, and get this, another BIG boy at 6’3″. This Alberta native had an incredible season in the BCHL last season, where he led the entire league in goals (45) and points (85). Now, in NCAA, Matthew Wood has put up a respectable season, where he is one of the top goal-scorers in his age group. Speaking to former Victoria Royals goaltender: Griffen Outhouse, he had a lot of praise for the young kid, who he stated had an “NHL level shot already,” Matthew Wood is also the first player on this list to be named twice by our scouts. Being ranked as high as 3^rd by Andrew Leblanc.

Brayden Yager, Moose Jaw Warriors, WHL, #6-10 overall (1st Round).

“Excellent release on his shot and super accurate in picking his spots.” – Jody Horak.

Yager just missed out on the top five, but he was mentioned 3 times by our scouts. Being ranked 3^rd, 5^th, and 6^th. Now we’re getting into (almost) our PURE snipers. As a player, Yager brings a lot to the table, but he is a debated name here at DraftPro. But one thing that is impossible to argue against is just how good of a shot he has. Yager has 26 goals and 74 points as of writing this review and continues to be a shining star for in Moose Jaw. After speaking with Yager, for a player feature written earlier this year, it’s clear Yager strives for efficiency and drive as the main influencers for his game. He wants to be a player coaches can count on and keep his performance at a consistently high level.

Adam Fantilli, University of Michigan, NCAA, #2 overall (1st Round).

“Fantilli shoots the puck a lot, and he is incredibly accurate with his shot. If he maintains his shots per game and drops his shooting percentage in half, he will be around a 30-goal scorer, which would be very impressive as a rookie. He has a quick release and hits his spots which will give NHL goalies trouble” – Andy Miller.

Adam Fantilli, as mentioned earlier, would have been the 1^st overall pick last year and arguably the first overall pick of every recent draft until Austin Matthews. Perhaps in time, he could rival even him. Fantilli has it all to be great in the NHL. He’s got a good size, he’s an explosive skater, a highly skilled stick handler, and of course, he has a great shot. It’s this shot that puts him at an advantage over Matvei Michkov. While Michkov’s shot is incredible and elite, if the 2^nd overall picking team requires goal-scoring, Fantilli is not the downgrade from Michkov that we once expected him to be.

Ryan Leonard, USNTDP, USHL, #7-12 overall (1st Round).

“Uses his big frame to hold defenders off and gets the pick off his stick quickly to beat goaltenders.” – Andrew LeBlanc.

The first thing that jumps out with Leonard’s skill set and play style is his explosiveness. He’s a hard fighter, a pest to deal with, and capitalizes on all his opportunities. He is more than capable of racking up points when he’s hot, making him one of the best-looking options in the first half of the first round. Ryan Leonard was mentioned 5 times in our scout’s lists, being ranked around the 3^rd-5^th position. He is no doubt a top 5 sniper in this draft. These top 5 are all very close. Leonard being the 4th best sniper is not a blow to him, he’s an excellent player, and any team will be clamoring to have him with their franchise.

Colby Barlow, Owen Sound Attack, OHL, #6-12 overall (1st Round).

“Barlow is a quick player who has a deceptive shot that he can get off quickly and under pressure. He moves laterally well and can change his shooting lane at the last second. Being a 17/18-year-old top 5 OHL scorer bodes well for his future.” – Andy Miller

Goals tend to win games, so players who can provide goals are a hot commodity in the NHL. This makes Barlow likely one of the top players to come out of the OHL this year. Because as of right now, he has 46 goals with the Attack, which is 4^th overall and 1^st overall for all draft-eligible players. Out of the seven scouts who provided lists, five of them mentioned Colby Barlow and four of those five had him at #3 or higher. Barlow’s skill is so good it’s hard to believe we got two more guys to mention.

Matvei Michkov, HK Sochi, KHL, #2-5 overall (1st Round).

“Michkov’s ability to score from all areas of the offensive zone makes him the most dangerous threat of this class.” – Andrew LeBlanc.

Michkov has come with a lot of questions, but his shot is not one of them. Michkov has arguably the best pure wrist shot in the draft, and while Bedard is a goal-scoring machine, Michkov plays the pure sniper role better than Bedard. He scores through traffic, he scores up close, he scores from afar, he can do it all. He’s good enough to join the HK Sochi in the KHL, so I suspect some growing interest in Michkov’s KHL career, as whoever picks him will be waiting for their own Krill Kaprisov story. Michkov is well worth the wait. Despite him being small, despite him having the looming question of his Russian contract, despite him being questionable in his playmaking and defensive abilities, Michkov is still considered a top 5, maybe even top 3 or 2 level prospect. And that’s all to do with his sniping. That’s how good he is.

Connor Bedard, Regina Pats, WHL.

“What makes Bedard’s goal-scoring potential so unique is his uncanny ability to change the release point of his shot to get around blocking defenders or fool goaltenders. He has the nastiest release I’ve ever seen and has the potential to be the game’s next-best goal scorer.” – Jared Brown.

What else is there to say about Connor Bedard? Connor Bedard was unanimously placed 1^st overall by all of our scouts. Bedard, of course, is more than just a sniper, as he has an argument for best playmaker and two-way forward as well. But for now, Bedard is our clear number-one sniper. He finished his season with 71 goals, playing for the lackluster Regina Pats in one of the strongest WHL leagues in recent memory, so yeah, he can score goals. He also wow’d audiences at the World Juniors, taking every scout who called him ‘pretty good’ and smacked them across the face until they said ‘really good.’ And it shouldn’t be too controversial to say that Connor Bedard from the Regina Pats, is the best sniper in the 2023 NHL draft class.

For more information on the 2023 NHL Draft class be sure to pick up your copy of the comprehensive DraftPro 2023 NHL Draft Guide.

https://draftprospectshockey.com/draftpro-2023-nhl-draft-guide/

Minnesota State High School League State Tournament Review

By Jody Horak

It is every kid’s dream when they lace up skates in Minnesota.  To one day, put on the jersey of the school and community you live in, to skate out onto the ice to 18,000 screaming fans at the Xcel Energy Center, the home to the Minnesota Wild.  To hear the fight song of the school band and the national anthem, to get ready for the introductions, say “hi mom and dad” or wink to the camera, some using the platform to be spoken advertisements for community businesses.  For some, it’s the greatest stage to show off their hair and the hard work and creativity they must do to try and make that treasured “all hockey hair team.”  Most importantly, it’s the hard work and sacrifices made by so many people of the same school and community coming together to watch 20 young men reach the dream of playing in the state high school hockey tournament and trying to achieve that ultimate goal:  winning a state championship with your buddies you’ve skated with and known your whole life.  

It brings a camaraderie like no other, people from all over the state (whose teams are not even in it) coming to take it in and watch the competition level, traditions that have lasted years for many, heck, I even take these four days off from work every year because there is nothing better than watching kids achieve their dreams, the purity and compete level of just playing the game; not for money, not for attention, and certainly not for themselves.  Playing to win a title for each other, their coaches, their families, and their whole community who are all their biggest fans and supporters.  There is nothing better at this level in the entire country folks and it’s not even close.  It’s the time of year where the phrase was coined, “the North hates the metro, the metro hates private schools and everyone hates Edina…”  

Phil Housley (South St. Paul), Neal Broten (Roseau), Jamie Langenbrunner (Cloquet), Matt Cullen (Moorhead), Mark Parrish (Bloomington Jefferson), Paul Martin (Elk River), TJ Oshie (Warroad), Blake Wheeler (Breck), Ryan McDonagh (Cretin-Derham Hall), and Brock Nelson (Warroad)…these are all prominent past and present NHL players whose talent and skills were first put on display playing in the state hockey tournament.  Broten, Langenbrunner, Cullen, Oshie and McDonagh won Stanley Cups and they will be the first to tell you that playing in the Minnesota State Hockey Tournament ranks right up there with winning the Stanley Cup.  Mark Parrish comes back every year to do the broadcasting for the tournament and he’s always so excited and happy to watch these kids and is in awe at the talent and compete level every year.  He played over 700 games in the NHL and he always must mention that the greatest time of his life was playing in this tournament, with his best buddies, and winning state titles… 

This year’s state tournament provided a flair for the dramatics.  Several overtime games, an almost epic upset for the ages, and a first in the 79-year history of the Minnesota State Hockey Tournament: hat tricks from two players on different teams in the state championship game.  That was the instant classic Class A title game between the Mahtomedi Zephyrs and the undefeated Warroad Warriors.  Mahtomedi came back from two goals down twice and scored the game winner in double overtime to end Warroad’s undefeated dream season 6-5 and win the state championship.  After narrowly escaping a crushing upset to Hill Murray in the opening round, the Minnetonka Skippers defeated the Edina Hornets 2-1 in the Class AA championship after an Edina opportunity in the closing minute clanked off both pipes and bounced out.    

The Tourney brings out college coaches from all over the country, NHL and junior league scouts.  It has provided a platform for some players to stand out and get noticed, to try and become the next Broten, Oshie or McDonagh.  Let’s look at the players of the tournament who stood out the most, as it was an extremely talented, competitive list to narrow down. 

Class A 

#30 G, Keaton Walock, Northfield Raiders, 6’0”, 170, L, DOB 11.5.04 

An athletic and poised goaltender, Walock’s play in net almost moved Northfield to the semifinal but came up just short in OT to Orono.  He stopped 48 of 50 shots and a handful of his saves were spectacular.  He moves side to side quickly and his butterfly positioning is spot on, pads tight together, stick in front covering the five-hole.  He squares up to the shooter, does not leave much on the short side and challenges well.  I like his reflexes, quickness, and that he stays focused on the puck and seems to always know where it is.  He gives up rebounds here and there, but he recovers well to get in position to make a second save and cover up the puck.  He plays the position with confidence; nothing seems to rattle him or take away his focus on stopping the puck.  Has a quick glove but his biggest attribute is his technique and quickness playing the butterfly style.  At the goaltending position, Walock was a standout in the tournament.  Walock posted a .95 SV % and a 2.00 GAA in 2 games at the tourney. 

#17 RW, Jayson Shaugabay, Warroad Warriors, 5’9”, 153, R, 4.5.05 

Shaugabay had the best vision and playmaking ability of anyone I watched in the tournament.  His ability to know where everyone on his team is on the ice is an exceptional thing to see.  He had a half dozen passes in this tourney that made your mouth drop or just sit in amazement.  He also protects the puck so well with his positioning, making it difficult for the opposing team to get the puck away from him.  He logged more minutes than any forward in the tournament, playing at a high level and seeming to find a second gear even when shifts were too long.  He had 8 points, 13 SOG, 0 PIM, 0 BS and was a +6 for the tourney.  He is good on his edges and can turn up the ice quickly with his smooth skating.  Has incredible patience with the puck and his decision making.  His team did not win the elusive title but after the tournament, Shaugabay was awarded the Mr. Hockey award, given to the best senior hockey player in the state.  He is committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth and a 2023 NHL draft eligible. 

#18 C, Carson Pilgrim, Warroad Warriors, 5’10”, 157, R, DOB 2.20.06 

If you want a player with speed on your team, look no further than Pilgrim.  He had two hat tricks in this tournament, including in the state championship game.  He is a dynamic skater with elusive speed.  A player can be defending him and in good position and the next thing you know, Pilgrim has blown right by.  He has a great work ethic and hustles on both ends of the rink.  He has great craftsmanship with the puck, soft hands but also the ability to get a wrist shot off and label it for the corners with precision.  Being only a junior, he has tremendous offensive upside to look forward to.  He is an accurate passer, good at keeping it in front of his line mates so they can receive the pass in stride.  He was a big-time performer and the pressure never fazed him throughout the tourney, finishing with 8 points, 26 SOG, 0 PIM, 2 BS and a +6.  Look for him to be one of the top forwards coming out of Minnesota next season.  2024 NHL draft eligible. 

#1 G, Hampton Slukynsky, Warroad Warriors, 6’1”, 179, L, DOB 7.2.05 

Slukynsky may have given up 6 goals in the championship game but he had several point blank, high-quality saves in the game and had a strong tournament overall.  He plays with a calm demeanor and great leadership which is a huge advantage to have in the crease.  He plays a hybrid, butterfly style of goaltending.  He shows great flexibility, has great anticipation in reading the play and when to challenge shooters.  He is active with his stick, will play the puck up and stop pucks behind the net that are dumped in and set it up for his defenseman.  He does not always control his rebounds the best, but he does maintain good positioning and focus to make the second or third save.  Finished the tourney with a .90 SV%, and a 3.33 GAA.  Slukynsky was awarded the Frank Brimsek award the day after the tourney, given to the best senior goaltender in the state.  He will continue his hockey future collegiately at Northern Michigan.  2023 NHL draft eligible. 

#11 LW, Charlie Drage, Mahtomedi Zephyrs, 5’11”, 161, L, DOB 1.26.05 

I don’t think there was anyone in the tournament that was as clutch of a performer as Drage.  Tied 1-1 in the semifinal in a disciplined defensive battle against Hermantown, Drage skated down one on two and ripped a wrister with about 48 seconds left beyond the high slot area and it went upper corner, bar down, sending Mahtomedi to the championship game.  It was there, again, he showed his great leadership and ability to put his team on his back and netted a hat trick in the third period to tie the game against Warroad, coming back from two goals down twice in the period.  There are elements you can teach but the drive and will of this young man reflected his character.  He scores goals with precise shooting and a great release on his wrist shot, but he also plays two-way hockey.  He covers his player defensively and he hustles on the back check.  Has good vision on the ice, makes smart, accurate passes and does not try to force pucks.  Drage had a tournament (8 points, 23 SOG, 0 PIM, 5 BS, +5) many will never forget and brought home a second state championship for Mahtomedi.  2023 NHL draft eligible. 

Class AA

#21 D, Colton Jamieson, Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders, 6’1”, 185, L, DOB 11.28.04 

A talented two-way defenseman, Jamieson is excellent in his transition skating.  He moves the puck from his own zone with accurate, crisp passes.  He has good sense and vision in seeing when the opportunities are available to him to rush the puck up ice and is not hesitant to do so.  Plays a disciplined defensive game, has a strong body that allows him to pin guys in the defensive corner and it’s difficult to get around him.  Positions himself well to be an option for his defensive partner and corrals passes in stride to keep moving up the ice.  He is tough to beat one-on-one defensively and rarely gets beat wide.  He needs to improve finding his assignment in front of his own net sooner, but Jamieson is a great skating defenseman with strong offensive and defensive capabilities.  I thought he was Cretin-Derham Hall’s most consistent player throughout the tourney.  He had 0 points, 7 SOG, 6 BS and was -5 for the tournament.  Committed to the University of St. Thomas.  2023 NHL draft eligible. 

#4 D, Garrett Lindberg, Moorhead Spuds, 5’8”, 165, R, DOB 3.8.07 

Lindberg was Moorhead’s best player in the tournament and only being a sophomore, he looks to have a bright future ahead.  He had a beautiful goal in the quarterfinals when he rushed it up the ice and used his speed to beat the defender wide on his backhand side, and just as he cut to the net pulled the puck to his forehand and roofed it over the goalie into the net.  He had 2 points, 5 SOG, 2 PIM, 5 BS and was a -2 in 2 state tournament games.  He displays incredible patience with the puck, confidence in his decision-making, and does not panic with the puck.  He plays with great maturity as a youngster.  Played penalty kill, power play, and logged heavy minutes as the top defenseman for Moorhead.  Has a good release on his shot from the blue line, keeps it low trying to get it through screens or looking for tips.  Has good gap control on players skating into the defensive zone and angles them wide, not giving them much of a shooting lane.  He is a solid, talented, skilled defenseman.  2025 NHL draft eligible. 

#20 D, Landon Cottingham, Hill Murray Pioneers, 5’10”, 165, R, DOB 4.3.07 

This was a breakout performance for the young Cottingham.  Along with his goaltender, Cottingham almost helped Hill Murray to an epic upset over top-ranked Minnetonka, if only they took 1:01 off the game (when Minnetonka tied the game to send it to OT).  He had two goals and an assist in that game.  His first goal was a result of his strong skating and rushing it over the blue line, seeing he was one-on-three, he rifled a quick wrister from just inside the blue line and beat the goalie high.  It was an amazing individual effort.  He also played solid defensively, blocking shots and tying up players in front of his net, not giving the forwards much space to get to the front of the net or get prime scoring chances.  He is a solid two-way defenseman.  Finished the state tournament with 6 points, 6 SOG, 2 PIM, 2 BS and was a +4.  Helped lead Hill Murray to a consolation trophy and was named to the all-tournament team, the only sophomore from the whole tourney to make it.  2025 NHL draft eligible. 

#12 RW, Gavyn Thoreson, Andover Huskies, 5’8”, 183, L, DOB 10.30.04 

Despite not being as consistent as I’ve seen him be before, Thoreson was still one of the standout players in the tournament.  In three state tournament games, he had 7 points, 18 SOG, 6 PIM, 1 BS and was a +5.  He possesses great speed and has great playmaking skills but also glimpses of scoring touch, with his go to the net style of play.  He has great edgework, stops and starts quickly and eludes defenders with his shifty edges.  He finds ways to get open with his speed on the breakout and catch passes on the fly with soft hands.  His work ethic is unmatched, he is always outhustling others on the ice.  He did get knocked around more than I’ve seen before, and it could have been playing against bigger, stronger forwards (Minnetonka) but he will need to increase his strength and balance on his skates at the next level.  He has a lot of speed, finesse, playmaking ability and a compete level that make him an intriguing prospect.  He is committed to St. Cloud State University.  2023 NHL draft eligible.  

#21 RW, Bobby Cowan, Edina Hornets, 5’11”, 176, R, DOB, 6.12.06 

I’ll be honest, never even heard of Bobby Cowan until the state tournament.  I know his name now.  He can score goals and he has a lot of finesse to his game and great dangling capabilities that he displayed a few times throughout the tourney.  He took the puck and toe-dragged one defender and went through the legs of the other before roofing it into the upper corner on the goaltender on one of his goals in the tournament.  He finished the tournament with 7 points, 12 SOG, 2 PIM, 1 BS and was a +6, and was a catalyst for Edina in getting to the state championship game.  He will not dazzle you with his skating but his natural ability to shoot the puck and score goals along with his crafty, soft hands makes him someone to keep an eye on next season.  He does a great job separating from defenders in the neutral zone to be an option for long, breakout passes.  Has a shoot first mentality, balanced on his skates and good at getting into high scoring areas.  2024 NHL draft eligible. 

#18 C, Jackson Nevers, Edina Hornets, 6’0”, 202, R, DOB 7.27.05 

Nevers is the heart and soul of this Edina team.  He has a tremendous work ethic, wears the “C” and shows incredible leadership.  He plays a tough, strong game and is not afraid to be physical.  He is a solid two-way forward, plays smart in all zones, back checks hard defensively and goes to the net hard offensively.  He is great in the face-off circle.  He is heavily relied upon to play against opposing team’s best forwards.  Very capable and successful penalty killer.  He keeps his feet moving, stops and starts, has his stick in the passing lanes and forces shots from the perimeter or low-quality scoring areas.  He does a good job dishing off passes coming into the offensive zone and then going to the net hard for rebounds.  Nevers had 2 points, 10 SOG, 2 PIM, 4 BS, and was a +4 in three games at the tournament.  He plays very consistently, knows and understands the game with great hockey sense.  Potential to be a bottom six forward, and a solid penalty killer at the NHL level.  Nevers is committed to the University of Minnesota.  2023 NHL draft eligible. 

#23 D, John Stout, Minnetonka Skippers, 6’0”, 179, L, DOB 4.20.06 

Stout is a poised, elite level skater who has vast offensive capabilities from the back end.  He has great sense when to pass it up the ice or can see when he has time and space and will rush it up ice.  He can get caught in the offensive zone too much when the puck gets turned over but with his skating ability is able to get back and defend quickly.  He is excellent quarterbacking the power play and trying to draw penalty killers out of position and creating odd-man situations in dangerous scoring areas.  Plays disciplined hockey, very good defending on the rush, steps up appropriately and angles well.  He has excellent playmaking ability with his meticulous passing and patience with the puck.  He was Minnetonka’s best defenseman in my opinion and a huge reason they won the state championship.  He finished with 2 points, 8 SOG, 0 PIM, 6 BS and was a +3 for the tourney.  Stout has a bright future ahead of him and should be considered a solid defensive prospect for next season.  Committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth.  2024 NHL draft eligible. 

#19 RW, Hagen Burrows, Minnetonka Skippers, 6’2”, 165, R, DOB 10.13.05 

Burrows was Minnetonka’s best player in the tournament and that is saying a lot with how much talent they have on their team.  He is a natural goal scorer who just knows how to score goals, and where to shoot from.  He is an excellent prototype of a power forward.  He plays a strong, tough, physical style of offense.  Protects the puck well in tight and in the corners with his balance and size.  Plays smart in the neutral zone, can create turnovers with his anticipation and move the puck into the offensive zone to create scoring opportunities.  He will not blow you away with his speed, but his skating is solid for his size and his crossovers are quick.  Played on the power play down low, creating many scoring chances trying to skate out to the front of the net and get shots.  Burrows scored timely goals all tournament long and was a huge factor in Minnetonka winning the state championship.  Finished the tourney with 5 points, 10 SOG, 4 PIM and was a +3.  I look for him to receive more notoriety next season after his performance in the tourney.  2024 NHL draft eligible. 

Photos courtesy Aaron Lavinsky & Glen Stubbe, Star Tribune

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By Isaiah Bouchard

Welcome to Draft Prospects Hockey’s introduction to the 2023 NHL Draft Class series. This is a multi-part series which we will be releasing over the next couple weeks to give you the readers some insight on whom we feel is the cream of the crop for 2023.

As the 2022/23 season for the CHL is beginning to open up this September and early October, one can look at the plethora of prospects being produced by the WHL this year, where 14 of the top 64 prospects via DraftPro’s rankings are coming from WHL teams, and 9 are coming from the OHL. As of right now, as we look at the start of the 2022/23 season, there are only 2 players from the QMJHL to make the top 64. Despite of this, one should not overlook the top QMJHL player for the 2023 draft class: Ethan Gauthier.

Gauthier finished his rookies season with the Sherbrooke Phoenix with 39 points in 62 games. And just recently helped his team win gold in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in 2022, scoring 7 points in 5 games. Placing 4th overall in points, alongside the WHL’s Zach Benson and the OHL’s Cameron Allen. “Really burst onto the national scene after his past summer’s Hlinka-G” said DraftPro’s head QMJHL scout: Christian B-Cote. Gauthier proved himself a high value prospect, beating out fellow 2023 entry draft candidates Reilly Heidt, Colby Barlow, and Quinten Musty to name a few. Making Gauthier, who currently sits at #47 on DraftPro’s top 64 ranking, a potential player to climb the rankings if he can follow up his HGC (Hlinka Gretzky Cup) performance with an explosive QMJHL season with the Phoenix.

Speaking of Phoenix, Gauthier joins Austin Matthews as a representative of players from Arizona, being born on January 25th, 2005, in Phoenix Arizona. He now lives in Canada and considers himself Canadian as he looks to complete his 7th season in Canada.

“Initially was thought of a 3-4th line on that Canadian team but kept scoring his way up in the lineup.” B-Cote said as we looked at Gauthier’s first season in QMJHL. “He is an excellent playmaker/scoring threat.” B-Cote goes on. Gauthier has quickly made a case for being an overlooked prospect this year. He posses the abilities that many other high-end talents have in this year’s draft class. He’s smart, a strong skater, and positions himself in ways that brings confidence to his coaches and players around him. “He’s got an imposing presence on the ice in the sense that he plays bigger than his listed size.” B-Cote adds in regard to his impact on the ice. “He will wisely protect the front of his net and act super responsibly. On the rush, he exudes patience and hockey-intellect. Ethan Gauthier is not only an excellent player, he makes everyone around him better. I could see him creeping into the 1st round.” B-Cote’s final words summarize Gauthier’s impact as a player. Suspect more from this exciting player both on the ice and in the rankings as the season moves forward.

The second player to make DraftPro’s top 64 rankings is Tyler Peddle from the Drummondville Voltigeurs, coming in exactly at #64. He is another player with the likely potential to climb. Also, as his last two seasons were split with the QMJHL in 2022 and the Shattuck St. Mary’s in 2021, he finds himself playing for the Voltigeurs once again, hoping to increase his point total from last year (35pts) with a team he now has a years’ experience with. “His greatest asset is his positioning, notably on the breakout, and the way he can create space for himself.” B-Cote said when asked Peddle’s greatest asset on the ice.

His ability to control the breakout feeds into his style of an ‘offense first’ forward. “You can tell he wants the puck and there’s no risk in giving it to him.” B-Cotes says, giving high praise to a confident player who feels comfortable with the offensive side of the game. “Whether it’s identifying needs defensively then quickly switching to offense-mode, Tyler displays a supreme level of hockey IQ.” B-Cote said in regard to Peddle’s defensive game, showing a valuable mentality in not undermining the defensive aspects of his game. “Don’t be surprised if you see him reverse-hit, like Forsberg did back in the day, then skillfully stickhandle through opponents in the neutral zone.”

To start off the QMJHL’s large list of defensemen, the Halifax Mooseheads produce another Mackinnon to put into their alumni, this time with likes of one Dylan Mackinnon. If one is looking for a strong defensively minded player then look no further than Dylan Mackinnon. “He’s a confident player who finishes checks in the offensive zone without sacrificing chances in his own end.” B-Cote said when asked what stood out about this player. He is also developing into an effective defensemen in more regards than simply defense, “Makes beautiful passes along the ice and possesses an accurate wrist shot.” B-Cote adds, referring to Mackinnon as: “A very strong defender in all aspects.”

Mackinnon’s stats may not pop out at first glance, but one shouldn’t pass over the fact he helped team Canada in the HGC, getting himself 1 assist, and finishing with a positive plus/minus. “I believe he will continue to make positive contributions in his second season with the Mooseheads.” B-Cote stated to summarize his thoughts on Mackinnon.

In opposite light of Mackinnon, who plays much like a classic defensemen, we have the Shawinigan Cataractes’s Jordan Tourigny. Tourigny plays like a true offensive defensemen, utilizing strong passes and skating to generate most of his offense. According to B-Cote, Tourigny favors to build momentum for his team via strong passes from behind the net, where he is often the one to begin the breakout for his team.

“To that effect, he displays a good vision for where to pass.” B-Cote adds, in reference to Tourigny’s playmaking abilities. On top of this, Tourigny is very much a player with strong utility in his game. “His skating is on-par with peers in the QMJHL but he’s not afraid to jump towards loose pucks along the boards in his zone.” B-Cote describes his ability to skate at a high level, while also putting himself in grittier situations. “In the offensive zone, he will stay well inside the blue line and direct pucks to the net with force, not necessarily to score on clean shots but to create chaos for the opponent. Jordan T can be deployed in all situations…” B-Cote finishes his summary on Tourigny by calling him an “important piece” to a rebuilding Cataractes team.

“Mathieu Cataford has a myriad of valuable strengths; simply labeling him a play-making scorer is too restrictive.” B-Cote said when discussing Mackinnon’s teammate, Mathieu Cataford. Cataford finished his season with the Mooseheads scoring 46 points, higher than one Ethan Gauthier, as well as anyone else on this list. He also showed up for the HGC, where he got an assist, and joined his fellow QMJHL players in representing the QMJHL in a year where the other CHL leagues are stacked with talent.

But to truly sell the value that Cataford has as a prospect, here is the rest of Christian B-Cote’s quote on Cataford: “On attack, he’s constantly adjusting the angle of attack near the net. He skates with an evidently powerful stride in straight lines and carries the puck effortlessly. He’s a creative, heads-up, smart passer, using a give-n-go play with his partners to score. Defensively, he will quickly transform takeaways into scoring chances by giving zero time for the opposing D to set up. If that wasn’t enough, he’s effective in the faceoff dot and displays excellent leadership qualities.” Cataford without a doubt has the potential to be a steal of a pick in the 2nd to 3rd round that he is suspected to go in. To add to B-Cote’s praise, Cataford is also a well-built player, likely being over a 6’0” tall player once he is in the NHL, making him a player tons of upsides and practically no downsides. The sky is the limit for this young forward.

If one is looking for a steady and reliable defensemen, than look to Étienne Morin. “the second-year Wildcat has every tool you’d want in a defenseman: smooth skating, poise, nice stretch passes and a good shot from the point. Then, in his zone, he uses his stick well and quickly puts pressure on opposing forwards entering.” B-Cote said when discussing Morin’s many upsides. Though Morin’s downside falls into his own fervor as a player in a competitive league. “He will need to continue up his compete level” B-Cote adds in addition to his bulk disadvantages that are by no means insurmountable. With the proper gains, and application of his physical game and strength, B-Cote sees a highly rewarding top 2 defensemen for a team willing to put in the time, Describing Morin as a player with a “High ceiling and no real flaws.” And as his natural growth takes place, suspect that already short list of downsides to shrink.

Another late round defensemen on this list, Luke Coughlin hopes to win over fans with his highly talented skating ability. “Coughlin immediately stands out given his fluid skating, especially backwards. He makes quick direction changes with ease, mainly without the puck.” B-Cote describes by far Coughlin’s greatest skill on the ice. He is a defensemen with immense potential to play in the offensive zone but lacks the proper pieces as of right now. “he likely needs to develop more poise and patience.” B-Cote says in reference to Coughlin’s game when he has the puck.

Coughlin seems to struggle to apply these skills he has as a skater and stickhandler into his offensive game. While he seems reckless at times, such as “throwing the puck away instead of buying himself more time” according to B-Cote, he also seems self-restrictive in other aspects. B-Cote continues on by outlining his playstyle on the blueline. Describing him as a player who stickhandles with great confidence but is yet to truly apply his ability to skate, dangle, and pass in the offensive zone, despite him having no problem flexing these skills at his end of the ice. These downsides however are common with young players. Like Morin, Coughlin will be a rewarding player for teams willing to put in the time. If Coughlin can fix these issues, he will certainly jump in the draft.

Our last defensemen on this list, Nathan Drapeau has the fortunate December birthday that gave him one more season prior to his draft eligible year. He in turn has more experience than many others on this list. He’s also a memorial cup winner with the Sea Dogs last season and is starting fresh with a new team; the Val-d’Or Foreurs. “He’s tough to play against and possesses a reliable shot from the point to give his linemates scoring chances.” B-Cote said about the late round underdog. And after finishing the 2021/22 season with 15 points and a very impressive 25 +/-, Drapeau gives good reason to go in 2023, playing that harder style as a defensemen not many are quick to fill at a young age.

The final player on this list and the QMJHL best offering for a skater between the pipes: Kyle Hagen. Though he doesn’t carry with him a large resume under the QMJHL, where he has only one game. He does carry impressive credentials such as being a 1st round pick, as a goalie, in the QMJHL’s draft. He caught the attention of QMJHL GMs where he kept consistently high numbers on a struggling Lac St. Louis Lions team. “I liked him a lot in the summer showcases leading up to his Q draft year, given his quickness, technique, and focus.” B-Cote said in reference to the new QMJHL star. Still high praise and excitement being built for a player who hasn’t truly started in the QMJHL.

He’s also developed a good character at a young age, being well regarded as a polite and kind young man. Giving his proper respects to all those on and off the ice, even to those simply “holding doors open” according to B-Cote, describing Hagen as a very cordial young man. Like most goalies, suspect Hagen to go in the later rounds in 2023, but don’t be surprised if he grows into a late round steal as the years go by.

For more on QMJHL prospects, and the 2023 draft class as a whole, be sure to pick up a copy of our 2023 Draft Preview Magazine available later this fall and subscribe to our bi-monthly DraftPro newsletter full of up-to-date info and scouting reports.

By Isaiah Bouchard

Welcome to Draft Prospects Hockey’s introduction to the 2023 NHL Draft Class series. This is a multi-part series which we will be releasing over the next couple weeks to give you the readers some insight on whom we feel is the cream of the crop for 2023

The Oshawa General’s Calum Ritchie takes the highest spot for an OHL Representative in DraftPro’s Top 64 players in the 2023 draft class. Ritchie claims the #7 spot, but with only one rookie season in the OHL under his belt, Ritchie still has a lot more to show this 2022/23 season. Look no further than his appearance in the 2022 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup where he put up 10 points for his team in only 5 games. This was the highest point total in the entire tournament beating out his fellow teammates Brayden Yager and Zach Benson (#5 and #8 on DraftPro’s rankings respectively) making Ritchie an intriguing prospect to follow this season as he comes to represent the OHL in a season where the WHL has never looked so filled with talent.

“Ritchie is one of those forwards that can lead the attack for his team, and he did that on many nights in his rookie season for the Gens.” Says DraftPro’s head director of scouting, Jared Brown. “He’s consistently produced at every level/event he’s played at due to his dynamic skill set and dual shot-pass threat.”

Ritchie is making his name as a reliable player in a myriad of situations, a threat at every level of play. A momentum producer for his team, letting his many set of skills be applied to not only his game, but his team’s game as well.

“One thing he does extremely well is building up positive speed differentials when attacking defenders off the rush and pushing them on their heels. Quick weight shifts and change of speed makes him a deceptive skater which is a valuable asset to have when creating offense in transition.” Brown goes on. All of this barring in mind that he has only played one OHL season, and while he has experienced the growing pains of many a rookie, Ritchie still impresses.

“His play suffered some inconsistencies as the OHL regular season winded down last year, but I was impressed by how he was able to turn things around in the playoffs and tied two NHL affiliated prospects in scoring with their first-round exit to Kingston.” Brown describes Ritchie’s fluctuating performance as a rookie. These consistency issues are common for young players, and what should be noted is Ritchie’s strong performance in the playoffs last year, which when coupled with his performance at the HGC (Hlinka-Gretzky Cup) Calum Ritchie is not a player to struggle in high pressure situations. Fully suspect this player to thrive again if the Generals make it to the playoffs again next season, and with Ritchie playing center, its highly likely that they return to the playoffs again in 2023.

No. 10 on DraftPro’s rankings and the third highest wingman out of the 64 players is Colby Barlow of the Owen Sound Attack. Barlow put up similar numbers to Calum Ritchie last year, and similar to Ritchie, Barlow had his rookie season last year. Also similar to Ritchie is Barlow’s size, coming in a 6’1” and averaging at around 195-200lbs. He was also in the HGC, putting up 5 points for his team.

“He’s one of the better skaters from an early look at the 2023 draft. His skating mechanics are incredibly profound as he explodes through his strides for impressive straight-line acceleration.” Said DraftPro’s Jared Brown, giving Barlow high praise as a skater, which is an ever-important skill to have in the modern NHL. Brown goes on: “He’s able to be a ferocious forechecker due to his speed and size to pressure defenders quickly and force them into mistakes/turnovers.” From the get-go, Barlow looks to have the potential to play power forward roles for his team. This coupled with his pure goal scoring ability makes Barlow an intriguing asset to have on any team.

Brown had this to say about Barlow’s goal scoring performance last year: “Barlow broke Owen Sound’s team record for goals by a 16-year-old last year which was previously set at 22 goals by Bobby Ryan in 2003-2004 season. It was and wasn’t surprising when you think about it. Barlow does an excellent job finding open spots in the middle ice and opening himself up to passes.” And Brown goes on: “Excellent at quickly getting his hands set and ready to deliver the puck with power and speed.”

Overall Barlow gives himself a good argument for one of the most dynamic wingers in the league. His size, skating, and shooting abilities is making him an ever more impactful player on his team, and potentially even the entire OHL if he’s only going to improve from his rookie season. “Barlow earned the trust of his coaches last year in Owen Sound earlier on and was used in all situations even in the playoffs, something that’s impressive for a 16-year-old.” Brown says to sum up Barlow’s impactful rookie season. It’s going to be interesting to see the competition arise from Ritchie and Barlow, two impactful rookie players who are going to use their dynamic skill sets to push their teams in 2023. But there is one more player making an argument for a top 10 pick in 2023.

Quentin Musty, an American player who plays for the Sudbury Wolves lands at #11 on Draft Pro’s Top 64 prospects. Like Barlow, Musty is a winger, making their close placement to one another on the rankings that much more indictive on how tight the competition is in the OHL this year. Musty also put on a similar performance in point total, also on his rookie season, and put up 5 points in the HGC, similar to Barlow, only this time on his American team, where he had one less game than Barlow. Musty also has a slight size advantage over Barlow, being 6’2” and coming in at 205lbs.

Unlike Barlow, who shows glimpses of a power forward skill set, Brown describes Musty as a pure power forward winger. “He’s a big power forward that will engage physically, has elite skill, can pass through layers, and place his shots top corner to beat goalies high.” Brown continues on his vast skill set: “He oozes creativity, dynamic puck skills, and imagination to dance defenders 1-on-1 and pull fans out of their seats with his dekes.”

While it seems Musty has all the skill to be a “Impactful top 6 winger in the NHL” according to Brown, there are still some hurdles to overcome. “His game can be very inconsistent at times and his pace are areas that need to continue showing growth” Brown says. Similar to Ritchie and Barlow, Musty is coming off of a rookie season that proceeded a Shakey post covid OHL. Brown still had a lot of positivity to shine on Musty’s performance last year: “He was on a young rebuilding Sudbury team last year but still played a prominent offensive role for his club”, he goes on by saying: “Expectation is for him to continue to lead the offensive for Sudbury while showcasing why he’s a potential top ten draft pick.” This season, which is hoping to be much more stable, is going to be a big one for a winger with a lot to prove as he sits just outside DraftPro’s Top 10.

The OHL’s highest ranking defensemen and DraftPro’s #31 overall prospect is the Guelph Storm’s Cameron Allen. “Allen has almost everything you look for in a defenseman. He can skate plays out, join the rush, match the puck carrier’s speed to defend the rush wonderfully. Has a strong point shot that can beat goalies from range, makes plays inside the offensive zone, can be physically abrasive and a thorn in his opponents side with terrific man-on-man defense.” Says DraftPro’s head scout Jared Brown. This quote should be a telling sample of what makes Allen a great defensemen and future NHLer. Brown goes on by praising Allen as a he “established himself quickly on the Guelph Storm last year” and was quick to play the role as a “top 4 defensemen.”

During the HGC is when Allen truly came into his own as a defensemen. He led all other defensemen in points by the end of the tournament and established himself as “a great leader for team Canada”. This passion for the game was very clear during his OHL season and during the HGC this past summer. “He can let his emotions get the best of him at times showing that he is a very passionate player and person.” Brown said, referring to Allen’s presence on the ice. Though emotions are surely to get the better of players at times, perhaps at the most dire moments of a game, one shouldn’t overlook the high value that passion and genuine connection to the game can have on one’s performance, especially for such a born leader on the ice such as Cameron Allen.

DraftPro’s #34 prospect, and forward for the Erie Otters, is Carey Terrance. Terrance finds himself in an interesting position as a forward playing for a weaker Erie Otters team, as well as being on a team with high competition for forwards. “He didn’t have a productive season but it’s important to note that he played a weak Erie team and only average the ninth most ice time amongst Otters forwards.” Brown had to say about Terrance’s lackluster rookie season, where he only got 24 points, 10 goals, in 62 games. Brown gives a valuable dispute against his low point total, because Terrance should be anything but overlooked.

He’s quickly making a name for himself as a fast and agile skater, utilizing these skills in his defensive forward play style, getting into position, and checking opposing skaters with quick positioning. “He’s a solid two-way center that executes his defensive duties and assists his defenseman downlow.” Brown had to say about his defensive game. But as a 2-way forward, Terrance shines at both ends of the ice. “He’s good at performing tight turns in small areas to escape pressure in the offensive zone.” And Brown goes on: “Terrance’s game is about speed and that’s when he’s most noticeable.”

As the game becomes more dynamic and complex, players that can utilize their multi-faceted utility on multiple ends of the ice are becoming increasingly more valuable. Terrance is the first full fledged 2-way forward on this list, and it should be telling that he will find NHL ice time in the future, no matter where he is picked in 2023.

If there is one way to describe DraftPro’s #2 OHL Defensemen Donovan McCoy, that is reliability. “McCoy’s statistics don’t pop out, but as a first year OHLer, he had the second highest average ice time amongst Petes defenseman showing that the former first round OHL draft pick earned his coaches trust.” Brown said when asked about McCoy. This is an impressive stat when considering the Pete’s had 2 drafted players and 5 players over 18 last year. Making the 16/17-year-old a top end player of his team early in his career.

McCoy conveys a steady play style that doesn’t seem to jump out at you immediately. Rather he tends to keep his came tight and controlled, never overstepping his presence, and keeping himself consistent with the lineup. “He’s a solid two-way defender that does a lot of things well but isn’t elite in one particular area.” Brown said about McCoy’s subtle game. But he also had this to say about McCoy: “He showed more confidence near the end of the season in carrying the puck out of his end to start the breakout more consistently.”

It seems like McCoy’s greatest attribute and downside is his caution. As a defensemen this marks the trait as momentum control on the ice. And what would be a downside, i.e. his caution to be more aggressive is slowly being diminished as he gets more comfortable on the ice. One should remember that this was a 16/17-year-old player, playing top line minutes for a struggling Petes team. His potential will only increase as he continues to find his place in the lineup, hopefully remaining as the reliable anchor for his team’s momentum.

To finish off the preview list we have one last defensemen, and DraftPro’s #58 player: Beau Akey. Beau Akey whose ice time was diminished due to “an experienced Barrie Colts blue line last year” according to Brown and so was only able to put up 16 points. This isn’t a bad total for a defensemen, especially one of Akey’s age and one who had his ice time last year.

Unlike McCoy, Akey comes with a clear set of specialized advantages in his play style: Being a “Fluid skater with great mobility” according to Brown and being able to “defend the rush and exit his zone with control. A polished skater who moves well in all four directions.” Akey doesn’t have the height advantage compared to a Donavon McCoy, being only 6’0”. “He’s not a big defender but will play with a physical edge and regularly play the body along the boards to rub players off the puck.”

While McCoy seems to keep the defensive momentum for his team, Akey seems to lean more towards the offense side of things. Seeming to focus more on out skating his opponents and making up for his size with a more physical playstyle. Akey is a defensemen who will put himself in front of the action to swing the momentum back into his teams end. Where he does a “Great job finding shooting lanes up at the point by staying in motion laterally.” According to Brown.

For more on OHL prospects, and the 2023 draft class as a whole, be sure to pick up a copy of our 2023 Draft Preview Magazine available later this fall and subscribe to our bi-monthly DraftPro newsletter full of up-to-date info and scouting reports.

By the DraftPro Team.

The 2022 NHL Draft has come and gone. It was a very entertaining first round in Montreal. The unknown of who the first selection by Montreal would be, some surprise selections, and big trades on the floor made the night one to remember.

We loved the ‘I’m going to make your team pay on the ice’ vibe Wright was throwing at the Canadiens table when Seattle finally selected the top ranked prospect at fourth overall. Some teams made some great pick, others left us scratching our heads while ultimately we will not know if those were the right selections for a few more seasons.

And who does Chicago think they are fooling with the obvious ‘Cave for Connor’, or if you prefer ‘Bust for Bedard’, tank job in full swing?

For the below review we are strictly looking at each NHL teams draft selections weighing in draft position and talent harvested, not trades for NHL talent or moving out of bad contracts.

Bolded name predicts a potential top of the lineup prospect. Meaning that prospect that has the potential to be a top line forward, top pairing defender, or starting NHL goaltender as projected today.

NHL TEAM DRAFT GRADES

DRAFTPRO’S NEXT BEST

Below is a list of who we had ranked as next best available when the final 2022 NHL Draft selection was made by Colorado when they took QMJHL goaltender Ivan Zhigalov at pick 225 overall. Those who were ranked but went unselected in the 2022 NHL Draft.

So that is a wrap for us at DraftPro on the 2022 NHL Draft. It has been a pleasure watching these kids over the past 2-3 years develop and get to this point in their journey.

Now on to the 2023 NHL Draft…

Keep your eyes peeled for our ‘2022 Ivan Hlinka Review’ series to hit the website in August as well as our ‘Introduction to the 2023 Draft Class’ series to hit the website in September. And be sure to get your hands on the 2023 Draft Preview Magazine to be released in both digital and print later this fall.