2023 NHL Draft: How Are The Top 10 Prospects Looking So Far?
At the NHL draft last July, all the talk was on the following year’s draft. While there were some great names being drafted and some excellent finds for those teams doing solid research, the class lacked the star power associated with the 2023 NHL Draft class.
Coming into the year, the obvious name was Connor Bedard. Right behind him were Adam Fantilli and Matvei Michkov. Following those elite three, another seven players filled out a really solid class.
Not every club will be looking at the top of this draft class. Those clubs will be looking to make a playoff run and potentially add at the trade deadline. Others, however, like Anaheim, San Jose, Chicago, Arizona and Vancouver will definitely be looking to nab one of these top guys.
How is this NHL draft class faring early in the season?
Let’s take a look at 10 of the top draft prospects heading into this season. We will provide a new breakdown each month and re-order the group based on their progression throughout this season. For now, the top 3 are pretty much universally agreed upon and the others could be in nearly any order.
Connor Bedard– Center of the Regina of the WHL
Last year Bedard tallied 51 goals and 49 assists for 100 points in 62 games.
This year, in 13 games, he has 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points.
He has actually increased his point total from 1.62 points per game to 1.69. He has 20 penalty minutes already which is an indication of his willingness to be physical and scrappy. His status is unlikely to change as the top spot in the draft.
Adam Fantilli- Center of the Michigan Wolverines -NCAA (Chicago Steel)
If there is anyone who could knock Bedard from the top spot, it’s Adam Fantilli. Last year with the Chicago Steel, Fantilli notched 37 goals and 37 assists for 74 points in 54 games.
This year, in seven games, Fantilli has six goals and 10 assists for 16 points. Fantilli has increased his scoring to over two points per game. Right now, he is leading the NCAA and outscoring his teammate Frank Nazar, high draft pick who will likely be in Chicago next season.
Matvei Michkov- Right Wing St. Petersburg KHL
Last year, Michkov played on three different teams through their system. On those, he scored 32 goals and 24 assists for 56 points in 41 games.
This year, Michkov has played in seven games. (He is coming off a pre-season injury) He has scored six goals and two assists for eight points. He has a lot to offer the NHL. He is fast and aggressive. However, he won’t be available to the NHL until the 26-27 season.
Zach Benson- Center Winnipeg of the WHL
In 2021-2022, Benson played 58 games. He scored 25 goals and tallied 38 assists for 63 points. The plus/minus can be a dubious stat; however, Zach had an impressive plus 40 for the season. While he is on the ice, good things happened for Winnipeg. Last year, Benson also scored 23 points in 15 games in the playoffs.
This year, in his first 12 games, he has six goals and nine assists for a 15 point total. He already has a plus 9 +/-. For those teams missing out on the top pick, Benson could be a huge pick up.
Dalibor Dvorsky- Center – AIK Sweden
Between AIK and AIK jr. Dvorsky played in 50 games last year. He scored 22 goals with 21 assists for 40 points.
This year, in 13 games, Dvorsky has seven goals and seven assists for 14 points. He is now over a point per game production.
Brayden Yager- Center for Moose Jaw of the WHL
Last year, Yager played in 63 games, notching 34 goals and 25 assists for 59 points. In 10 playoff games, he added another seven points.
This year, in his first 12 games, he has scored six goals and added nine assists for 15 points. Thus far, he has increased his output over last year. He also brings a +9 +/- so far in this young season. He is trending in the right direction and will be solid pickup for any team.
Cameron Allen- Defense for Guelph of the OHL
Using offensive stats to rate defensemen sounds counter-intuitive, but the elite defensemen are expected to add offensive production, captain the power-play and be really mobile. Check, check and check for Allen.
Last year, in 65 games, Allen scored 13 goals and added 24 assists for 37 points. He also boasted a +/- 13 which is impressive for a team’s leading defenseman since he is likely on the ice against the opposing team’s leading scorers.
This year, in eleven games, he has one goal and four assists for five points. His production is consistent, as his spot in the top ten. The expectations for him are high, coming in to the season as the reigning rookie of the year.
Nate Danielson- Center for Brandon of the WHL
Last year, Danielson scored 23 goals and 34 assists for 57 points in 53 games. In the playoffs, he added three points in six games.
This year, in 13 games, he added four goals and seven assists, maintaining his just under a point-per-game average. While his point total isn’t gaudy, Danielson adds grit and scrappy play. He will show up on the scoresheet while also helping on the penalty kill.
Leo Carlsson- Center for Orebo of the SHL
Last year in Sweden, Carlsson socred 13 goals and 23 assists, 36 points in 49 games.
This year, in 14 games, Carlsson scored two goals and nine assists for 11 points. His output remains consistent. He is likely a few years away from contributing, but his size and skill could land him a top six role in the NHL.
Eduard Sale- Right Wing of Brno in Czechia
Last year, Sale scored 42 goals and added 47 assists for 89 points in 39 games. In the U18 league/HC Kometa, he scored 13 goals with 40 assists in 52 games.
This year so far, Sale has played in 27 games. He has 13 goals with eight assists for 21 points. It’s obvious that this kid can score. If he can add a two-way game to his resume, he could move up this board. He has the ability to be an elite scorer in the NHL.
Honorable mention:
Colby Barlow from Owen Sound. He has 12 points in 10 games so far with a +/- of 11.
Calum Ritchie from Oshawa of the OHL. Ritchie has 11 points through 10 games so far.
Kasper Halttunen of Jokerit Finland Jr. Halttunen has 15 points so far in 19 games.
Puck Prose will check back at the end of November to see if this group has changed or if others have jumped into the conversation.