Now that the 2023-24 NHL season is well underway, it’s time to update our ranking of the top 100 drafted NHL prospects. In the last year we’ve seen top prospects like Connor Bedard and Leo Carlsson break into the NHL full-time, becoming important players for their respective teams. We’ve also seen prospects like Adam Fantilli, Kevin Korchinski and Pavel Mintyukov make their NHL debuts as well.
This year’s NHL rookie class is rightfully earning a lot of early attention, with a massive group of talented youngsters who each have a claim at the NHL’s Calder Memorial Trophy for the league’s best rookie. From Bedard and Fantilli to Logan Cooley and Luke Hughes, the NHL is experiencing a massive influx of young talent this season. Before we get into the top 100 prospect ranking update, here are a few notes on the criteria and content of this list.
Related: 2024 NHL Draft Guide
What makes a player a prospect varies, but for this list, I will follow Corey Pronman’s rules as a guide. Here are the criteria for this list: A player is considered a prospect if he has played less than 25 games in one NHL campaign (regular season and playoffs combined), less than 50 games total in their career, and is 25 years old by Sept 15. (From: “Pronman: 2019-20 NHL Farm System Rankings”).
If you’re wondering why goalies weren’t included in this ranking, that’s because we have a separate one for that position. Our ranking of the top 10 NHL goalie prospects can be found here.
Without further ado, here is our ranking of the top 100 NHL prospects as well as a few honourable mentions.
Honourable Mentions:
Arshdeep Bains, LW, Vancouver Canucks
Danny Nelson, C, New York Islanders
Francesco Pinelli, C, St. Louis Blues
Wyatt Kaiser, LD, Chicago Blackhawks
Tyler Kleven, LD, Ottawa Senators
Jackson Lacombe, LD, Anaheim Ducks
Prospects #100-91
100. Jayden Perron, RW, Carolina Hurricanes
Jayden Perron is an excellent play-driving winger with tons of offensive talent. Although he is just 5-foot-9, Perron earned his fair share of buzz as a potential first rounder in the 2023 Draft due to his excellent skating, playmaking, and offensive awareness. While he ended up sliding to the third round due to his size, even that can be considered a significant vote of confidence for a player of his size. He’s great at changing speeds in transition to separate himself from defenders before either making a move around them or passing to an open teammate. Perron is so agile that his lack of size and strength don’t often hinder his game and his off-puck offensive game is incredibly impressive.
99. Caeden Bankier, C, Minnesota Wild
Caeden Bankier is a prospect who I think is quite underrated, with the size and two-way game to be a legit middle-six player for the Minnesota Wild in a few years. Bankier makes smart plays at a high pace which has allowed him to compete well in the AHL this year. He doesn’t have the profile of someone who I’d expect to be a high scoring NHLer, but I do think Bankier has a realistic shot at becoming a strong 3C for the Wild at some point in the near future.
98. Elmer Söderblom, RW/LW, Detroit Red Wings
One of the biggest surprises to come out of the Red Wings’ pipeline, Elmer Söderblom possesses great mobility and skill for his size. The 6-foot-8, 249-pound winger made the jump to North America last season where he looked good but not great in 41 games split between the NHL and AHL.
He has soft hands to make moves in tight spaces and has the ability to power through opponents with his size and strength. If Söderblom can turn the flashes of incredible skill that he has shown into consistent momentum, then the Red Wings will have a very fun player on their hands.
97. Stanislav Svozil, LD, Columbus Blue Jackets
After authoring a middling season in the top professional Czechian league in his draft year, Stanislav Svozil slipped into the third round of the 2021 NHL Draft where the Blue Jackets got an absolute steal. Svozil played two seasons in the WHL and looked like an excellent pickup, especially after he dominated play at the 2023 World Juniors. He is a two-way defender whose game is entirely predicated on his excellent four-way mobility which allows him to be active on both offense and defense. Svozil is a very intelligent player, and his skating allows him to play the game at the same wicked speed that he thinks the game.
96. Ryan Chesley, RD, Washington Capitals
Ryan Chesley is a physical defenseman who will never fill up the score sheet but can win a ton of puck battles and create subtle advantages for teammates. He is a focused and intelligent defensive player, breaking up plays and separating opponents from the puck consistently. Chesley could be a good fit next to a more dynamic offensive threat in the NHL, much like he has been whenever he lines up for Team USA in international play where he has often been paired with Lane Hutson. He has some good skill with the puck but is not a very consistent puck mover himself, as he struggles to make hard breakout passes, often deferring to a linemate or making a much more safe and simple play with significantly lower upside.
95. Lukas Cormier, LD, Vegas Golden Knights
The 21-year-old defenseman finished his junior career with two-straight seasons of dominant play in the QMJHL. Lukas Cormier is a scorer and a facilitator on the blue line who has not been limited by his lack of size (5-foot-10). He made his pro debut in 2022-23 for the AHL’s Silver Knights where he scored 35 points in 62 games. Cormier has the potential to become an important member of the Vegas Golden Knights’ defense, that is if they don’t trade him before he becomes an NHL regular.
94. Zach Dean, C, St. Louis Blues
Zach Dean hasn’t exactly had the start to his pro career that I’m sure he dreamed of, with only two goals and two assists to show for his first 30 AHL games, but I’m not particularly worried at this point. Dean was never a high-end points guy, with his highest season total in the QMJHL, a notoriously high-scoring league, being just 70. His speed and hands are quite good and have served him well so far with the Springfield Thunderbirds. Dean’s shot hasn’t quite popped yet in the AHL and I think he’ll need to sort that out if he wants to be more than a bottom six winger in the NHL.
93. William Dufour, RW, New York Islanders
After leading the Saint John Sea Dogs in scoring during their run to a Memorial Cup championship in the 2021-22 season, William Dufour firmly placed himself on the map. A fifth-round pick in the 2020 draft by the New York Islanders, he can dish the puck just as well as he can bury it. Dufour was a full-time pro player for the first time last season, scoring 48 points in 69 AHL games with the Bridgeport Islanders, and while the points haven’t come quite as easily this year, I think a future as a middle-six winger is very possible for Dufour.
92. Nathan Gaucher, C, Anaheim Ducks
Admittedly, I’m higher than most on Nathan Gaucher, but certainly not higher than the Anaheim Ducks were on him when they decided to take him with the 22nd pick in the 2022 Draft. Gaucher doesn’t possess the electric offensive skills that are typical for players in the first round of the draft, but he is a reliable two-way center with a decent scoring touch (especially at the net front) and an excellent two-way game.
Anaheim already has at least two of Trevor Zegras, Leo Carlsson and Mason McTavish lined up as their future top-six centers, so they don’t particularly need another offensively-minded center prospect. Gaucher is the ideal bottom-six center who can contribute on offense while also providing a ton of defensive value at even strength and on the penalty kill so I think the fit is near-perfect.
91. Owen Pickering, LD, Pittsburgh Penguins
Owen Pickering is a large defenseman who skates really well for his size and is still a bit raw as a result of a massive growth spurt he experienced shortly before his draft season. Now 6-foot-4, Pickering has still not been able to add significant muscle onto his frame, making him look a bit lanky on the ice despite his smooth skating. He has the tools to be a high-end defender in the NHL someday, but he rarely puts them all together at the same time and looks much more likely to be a good full-time NHLer rather than a top-pairing type.
Prospects #90-81
90. Oskar Fisker Mølgaard, C, Seattle Kraken
Oscar Fisker Mølgaard might have one of the highest floors from the 2023 Draft, with the effort and defensive game to become a serviceable bottom-six forward if he makes very little improvement. However, if Fisker Mølgaard can improve his offense a bit, he’s got the potential to rise up an NHL lineup considerably. Despite not creating much offense on his own, Fisker Mølgaard led all U18 players in points in the SHL last season, and sits third in U19 SHL scoring this season behind only Axel Sandin Pellikka and David Edstrom.
89. Mikhail Gulyayev, LD, Colorado Avalanche
Mikhail Gulyayev is an intelligent, offensively-minded defenseman who found moderate success in the top Russian pro leagues last year while dominating the Russian junior circuit whenever he plays against his peers. He is a mobile defenseman who fits the mold of the modern puck-moving defender and power play quarterback. Gulyayev has earned a larger role in the KHL this year and his point production has improved steadily as well. The biggest question is if he will be able to defend in the NHL, as his defensive game looks underwhelming at times, even against his own age-group.
88. Aiden Fink, RW, Nashville Predators
Aiden Fink wasn’t drafted until the seventh round last season, partly due to the fact that he played at the Junior-A level (the AJHL), but mainly because he stands at 5-foot-9. Fink was a dominant player for the Brooks Bandits last year and clearly has the skating and work rate to be an NHL player, the big question is if he’ll be able to continue producing against the strongest and quickest competition in the hockey world. He has been excellent in the NCAA so far this year, sitting in a tie for the sixth-most points in all of college hockey at the time of writing. I’m confident he’ll be a great college and AHL player in the coming years, but his NHL potential is still up in the air.
87. Zachary Bolduc, C, St. Louis Blues
Zachary Bolduc is an offensive centerman that has the ability to make defensemen look silly. The 17th pick of the 2021 draft had a wildly successful 2021-22 season in the QMJHL, recording 99 points while playing for a high-octane Quebec Remparts team. Bolduc followed that up with a 110 point season and a Memorial Cup championship as one of the most important players on the best team in the CHL. Bolduc’s main strengths, his shot and quick hands, have translated pretty well to the pro level already in the AHL, but he is still prone to some risky decision-making.
86. Otto Stenberg, C/LW, St. Louis Blues
The way Otto Stenberg dodges checks and evades pressure is impressive, but the way he attacks the middle of the ice is what I like most about him. He is never the biggest guy on the ice, but he’ll drop a shoulder and push his way to the dangerous areas of the ice without hesitation. Stenberg has played well in a larger role in the SHL so far this year and was great for Sweden at the 2024 World Juniors where he scored an impressive nine points in seven game, including five goals. I don’t see Stenberg as a top-six player, especially as a centerman, but I expect there will be an NHL role for him someday either as a 3C or a middle-six winger.
85. Aatu Räty, C, Vancouver Canucks
Aatu Räty has had a rollercoaster couple of years, going from a consensus top-five pick in the 2021 Draft to ultimately being drafted late in the second round. He followed that up with a dominant season in the Liiga where he scored at a point-per-game pace. Then he came to North America at the start of last season and looked good but not great as he split the year between the New York Islanders and the Vancouver Canucks, as well as each of their AHL affiliates.
He still has a ton of potential with a heavy wrist shot and a great motor, but his feet will be the biggest barrier for him as his skating still hasn’t quite caught up to the rest of his game. This season has been a strong one and I think he’ll have a good chance at being a bottom-six guy for the Canucks soon with the potential to be a great 3C in his prime.
84. Gracyn Sawchyn, C, Florida Panthers
Gracyn Sawchyn has a very high motor and is constantly skating and making small, smart plays all over the ice. He’s reliable defensively and is a tenacious forechecker, making him an absolute nuisance for opposing forwards who aren’t likely to get a lot of space when he’s on the ice. Sawchyn forces turnovers at a remarkable rate, and while his shot and playmaking aren’t anything to write home about, they should serve him well enough in the NHL. The real calling card of Sawchyn’s offensive game is his hands which are incredibly quick. He was recently traded to the Edmonton Oil Kings so it may take a little while for him to adjust to a new system but I expect he’ll thrive in a larger role going forward.
83. Elias Salomonsson, RD, Winnipeg Jets
Elias Salomonsson’s best attribute is without a doubt his shot, which is heavy and accurate both from the point and the slot when he decides to jump into the play. He skates well enough to compete in the NHL someday and fights hard on defense which is nice to see. Salomonsson isn’t the most consistent player, especially with the puck. He’ll have a night where he’s snapping the puck around confidently and hitting teammates in stride and then the next night he’ll struggle to connect on those same plays. I think he’ll ultimately put it together enough to be a strong NHL defenseman.
82. Isaac Howard, LW, Tampa Bay Lightning
Isaac Howard has incredible skill with the puck and is a really technically-sound skater. He creates a ton of scoring chances and goals for himself due to his agility and skill, and not due to strength or a special shot. Howard’s biggest obstacles when it comes to becoming an NHL winger are his size and lack of power, both in physical battles and when it comes to skating. He’s 5-foot-10, and while he is a skilled skater, he isn’t explosive by any means. I’m still not exactly sure what to make of Howard as a prospect but I wouldn’t bet against anyone with that much skill with the puck so I expect he’ll be an offensively minded, middle-six winger in the NHL someday.
81. Scott Morrow, RD, Carolina Hurricanes
Who doesn’t love a dynamic puck-moving defenseman who is always in attack mode? Scott Morrow plays a high-octane style and he’s always quick and decisive in transition. He shows great speed, edges, and confidence in his movement when attacking off the rush and he always has the opposition on their heels trying to predict his next move. Morrow has produced a ton of offense in the NCAA, accumulating 64 points in 72 games through his freshman and sophomore seasons, with another 30-40 point season likely on the way this season. Defensively, he’s still a work in progress, but you can’t deny his ability to generate offense.
Prospects #80-71
80. Jordan Dumais, RW, Columbus Blues Jackets
In the leadup to the 2022 NHL Draft, it became clear that Jordan Dumais was a high-risk, high-reward prospect. So far, he has been a rewarding prospect for the Blue Jackets who selected Dumais in the third round, 96th overall. He has proven himself to be a dominant offensive player in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), with incredible hands and playmaking ability.
Related: 2023-24 NHL Calder Trophy Predictions
The reason he had to wait until the third round to hear his name called was his small frame (5-foot-9) and his unexceptional skating. Dumais has the work ethic to succeed at the pro level despite his size, but he will need to take another step forward in his skating if he wants to become the dynamic playmaking winger that he has the potential to become at the highest level.
79. Eduard Sale, RW, Seattle Kraken
Eduard Sale is a great offensive winger who led all U20 players in scoring as a 17-year-old in the top Czechian professional league last season. He has struggled a bit against men, looking most comfortable while dictating play from the flanks at even strength and on the power play. He continued to slide in his draft year as his game was a bit underwhelming with the exception of his Hlinka Gretzky tournament performance which was doing a lot of the heavy lifting of keeping him in the top 10 conversation. The Kraken should be excited about his potential, though he hasn’t been the most consistently impressive player this year since joining the OHL’s Barrie Colts. His seven points in seven World Juniors games are cause for optimism.
78. Tanner Molendyk, LD, Nashville Predators
Tanner Molendyk was one of the best skaters in the 2023, with only Oliver Moore beating him out when it comes to edgework specifically. Molendyk’s edgework makes him incredibly mobile in all directions, capable of acting on new information at a moment’s notice. He isn’t the biggest defenseman (just under 6-feet) but he competes hard and defends well as a result of his energy and skating. He missed the World Juniors with an injury but will be eligible to join Canada there again next year where he should be a massive factor for them. Molendyk has scored a ton this year in the WHL, roughly doubling his scoring rate from last season.
77. Fedor Svechkov, C, Nashville Predators
Fedor Svechkov is going to be a great defensive forward in the NHL someday. The way he positions his stick and body in the defensive zone makes the lives of his opponents really difficult, forcing them to go around him which he can often counter by simply continuing to force them outside. He supports the puck carrier on the rush, giving his teammates an option whenever they get themselves in trouble, never flying the zone to search for offense of his own.
76. Arseni Gritsyuk, RW/LW, New Jersey Devils
Not many fifth-round picks find themselves on top-100 prospect lists, but Arseni Gritsyuk is not just any fifth-round pick. After posting only one goal and two points in 12 games in 2020-21 with Avangard Omsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), he broke out to the tune of 16 goals and 28 points in 39 games two seasons ago. He followed that up with a 40 point season in 66 games last year, proving that he’s the real deal and not just a flash in the pan. He has another year and a half on his KHL contract, but the Devils could be looking at a player with significant offensive talent when he finally comes over, something that would be a huge difference maker for them as they hit the inevitable cap crunch of a young contending team.
75. Sean Farrell, C/W, Montreal Canadiens
When I wrote Sean Farrell’s draft profile back in 2020, I compared him to 40-goal scorer Alex DeBrincat, now of the Detroit Red Wings. I stand by that as he’s just continued to prove to me that he’s capable of greatness in the NHL one day. While his lack of size at 5-foot-9 will always attract the doubters, his shiftiness and playmaking are more than enough to overcome that supposed weakness. After putting up 101 points in his final season with the Chicago Steel, the increased competition of the NCAA didn’t seem to faze him as he recorded an impressive 10 goals and 28 points in 24 games during his freshman season at Harvard University as well as an astounding 20 goal, 53 point sophomore season. All of that to say, I think it’s best not to sleep on the ceiling of Farrell, who was surprisingly drafted all the way down in the fifth round. – PB
74. Carter Mazur, LW, Detroit Red Wings
Carter Mazur went undrafted in the 2020 Draft, his first year of eligibility, and followed it up by being named captain of his USHL team and nearly tripling his offensive production. Whatever switch he flipped in that year, whatever fuel he gained by being undrafted, has quickly made him one of the best prospects in hockey. Mazur had an excellent NCAA career, scoring 75 points in only 81 games. His persistence and nose for the net will make him a respected (and perhaps feared) player in the NHL one day, and has already made him an effective AHL player.
73. Seamus Casey, RD, New Jersey Devils
There are always a few first-round-caliber talents who drop in their draft year in large part to their size disadvantage, and Seamus Casey is certainly one of them. The 5-foot-9 defender fell to the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft where New Jersey got an absolute steal in my opinion. Casey is an excellent offensive defenseman with the skating ability to make a real impact in the NHL someday despite his lack of size. He has the potential to be a top-four defender who quarterbacks the Devils’ power play while providing tons of offense at even strength as well. His skating is so great that I’m not particularly concerned about his defensive game, though his strength will need to improve significantly if he wants to be more than an offensive defender who plays seriously sheltered five-on-five minutes.
72. Calum Ritchie, C, Colorado Avalanche
Calum Ritchie has great puck skills and sometimes it looks like he’s glued the puck to his stick while carving through defenders or when he’s on a breakaway. His skills make him very well suited as a center at the next level with good size, a coveted right-handed shot, good defensive habits (kills penalties quite well), and solid faceoff results. He has the tools to be a top-6 forward, but his offensive game will need to continue to grow as it has this season if he wants to reach that level of play in the NHL.
71. Ryan Greene, C, Chicago Blackhawks
One of the players from the 2022 NHL Draft who has increased their stock the most since is Ryan Greene, a speedy two-way center who was drafted in the second round by the Blackhawks following a breakout year in the USHL. If the draft were to be re-done today, I am sure he would be taken in the first round because he looked excellent over the last year or so in the NCAA. His ability to anticipate and shut down plays in the defensive zone before breaking the puck out and taking it on the rush will make him a useful NHL player in the near future. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s a right-handed center which is quickly becoming one of the hottest NHL commodities.
Prospects #70-61
70. Tristan Luneau, RD, Anaheim Ducks
Tristan Luneau has been a big riser in the prospect world over the last year or so, taking his projection from possibly being a third pairing or depth defender in the NHL to someone who can I think could very well become a second pairing guy for the Ducks someday. Luneau reads plays incredibly well, tracking opponents’ routes and plans about as quickly as you could ask for. He isn’t the most dynamic offensive creator (although his production did increase significantly last year), but he is quite strong when it comes to breaking the puck out of his own zone and turning the play in the right direction. Luneau looks ready to be a major factor in the AHL this season and will be a strong player for the Ducks for a very long time.
69. Ivan Miroshnichenko, LW, Washington Capitals
After being seen as a clear top-10 prospect in the 2022 NHL Draft class for a year or two leading up to his draft year, Ivan Miroshnichenko slid on draft day as a result of the “Russian Factor” combined with the uncertainty surrounding his diagnosis with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Thankfully, his treatment and recovery have been going well and he returned to play last season. He has absolutely torn up the top junior league in Russia and has been excellent in the second-tier professional league in Russia as well (VHL).
Miroshnichenko made the move to North America this year, scoring roughly half a point-per-game in the AHL and skating in a handful of NHL games already this season. He battles hard and shoots harder, making him an absolute menace in the offensive zone.
68. Marat Khusnutdinov, C, Minnesota Wild
Marat Khusnutdinov is an undersized center who is known for his excellent vision and hockey sense as well as his refined defensive game. He never gives up on a play and works incredibly hard on both the forecheck and the backcheck, often re-gaining possession for his team entirely on his own. Khusnutdinov finally broke through in the KHL last season, earning a large enough role to demonstrate his talents, and he rewarded his coaches by scoring 41 points in 63 games. He was loaned to a different KHL club this year where he’s had to prove himself once again, but his hard-working style quickly endears him to coaches so his icetime has improved steadily.
67. Corson Ceulemans, RD, Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets’ third first-round pick in 2021, Corson Ceulemans, is a highly mobile defender. He displays a smooth stride, great speed, willingly leads the rush and is strong in breakout situations. He’s got great hands to make plays and a powerful shot from the point as well. Ceulemans has great size to keep attackers to the outside and is always engaging in battles for the puck. His offensive game was on display through two NCAA seasons and he made his pro debut with the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL last Spring. I expect he’ll be a top player for the Monsters by the end of next season and will hopefully be a factor for the Blue Jackets shortly thereafter.
66. William Wallinder, LD, Detroit Red Wings
A towering defender at 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, William Wallinder was drafted 32nd overall in 2020. He’s extremely mobile and has a smooth skating stride and a very strong puck carrier. He has put in a lot of work on his defensive game to round out his strengths, but his offensive instincts are what will make him a very good option for the Detroit Red Wings on defense. Wallinder was one of the best young players in Sweden last season and has made the switch to North America this year with the Grand Rapids Griffins. The transition hasn’t been the smoothest and the offensive production hasn’t really arrived yet, but his size and skating sure have, making him a solid defensive player early on.
65. Lian Bichsel, LD, Dallas Stars
There are always a few first-round picks who rose in their draft year in large part to their size advantage, and Lian Bichsel is certainly one of them. The 6-foot-5 defender is adept at using his size to get what he wants on the ice, against junior players as well as seasoned pros. His offensive game is unlikely to ever really pop in the NHL, but I could see him as a solid complimentary guy you gladly pair with your top offensive defender if all goes well over the next few seasons. Bichsel is physical and mean, and he had a great showing at the World Juniors last year for Switzerland where he looked like a man amongst boys.
64. Felix Unger Sörum, RW, Carolina Hurricanes
Felix Unger Sörum is already looking like a steal just six months or so out from the 2023 Draft where he was taken late in the second round by the Carolina Hurricanes. Unger Sörum is an excellent playmaker, regularly feathering passes to teammates through traffic. He had a remarkable showing for Sweden at the 2024 World Juniors where he was one of their best forwards of the tournament, mainly due to his playmaking and his ability to out-maneuver defenders in the offensive zone to protect the puck and to manipulate their coverage to better set up his teammates for success. He’ll be one to watch in the next 24 months when he inevitably moves to the North American game.
63. Owen Beck, C, Montreal Canadiens
Owen Beck is an incredibly reliable and versatile two-way centerman who has increased his stock considerably ever since being selected in the 2022 NHL Draft at the beginning of the second round. He is smart, skates well, wins faceoffs, back-checks hard, and has already begun to grow into more of his offensive potential. Beck is going to be a player that coaches love because he works hard and has tons of skill. He’s an incredibly easy player to root for and a really fun one to watch.
62. Colby Barlow, LW, Winnipeg Jets
Ever since scoring 30 goals as a rookie in the OHL two years ago, Colby Barlow has been on my radar as a pro-sized winger with a legit NHL-caliber shot. He’s got good tools all around with solid speed, stick skills, and defensive play. Barlow was also named captain of the Owen Sound Attack at just 17 which speaks to his maturity and leadership abilities. Last year he had another excellent year goal-scoring wise with 46 goals in 59 OHL games, but this year has seen those numbers dip a bit, largely due to him missing a significant number of games in the season’s first half.
61. Filip Mesar, RW, Montreal Canadiens
After playing in the top professional league in Slovakia for the two seasons leading up to the 2022 NHL Draft, it was hard to determine how Filip Mesar matched up against his peers since he has been playing against grown men for so long. Early returns are good as Mesar has had back-to-back great showings at the World Juniors over the past 12 months and has already shown a ton of improvement in one and a half seasons in the OHL, going from a point-per-game player last season to much more than that this time around. Few OHL defenders are capable of slowing him down in transition where his quick weight shifts and deceptive posture can be incredibly difficult to read.
Prospects #60-51
60. Jani Nyman, RW, Seattle Kraken
The Seattle Kraken are putting in work trying to build a high-end prospect pool from scratch. Drafting Jani Nyman in the second round of the 2022 Draft was a big step in the right direction. Nyman is a big Finnish winger with the size and strength to compete against men in Liiga (the top Finnish pro league) without looking out of place. He has a great shot and playmaking vision but could use some work on his speed to help him separate from defenders on the rush. Nyman is averaging half a goal per game in the Liiga so far this year and I expect it won’t be long before the Kraken try to get him over to North America.
59. Fabian Lysell, RW, Boston Bruins
An elite-level skater, Fabian Lysell plays with a great amount of pace and skill. He’s quick, dynamic and always fun to watch when the puck is on his stick. He’s extremely deceptive when setting up his teammates and has a very underrated shot. Lysell spent last year in the AHL where he was excellent for the Providence Bruins, scoring 37 points in 54 games. He has only built on that so far in his sophomore season in the AHL, with 26 points in his first 31 games. Lysell is one of the best skaters in North America right now and will be noticeable for the Bruins the moment he arrives.
58. Fraser Minten, C, Toronto Maple Leafs
Fraser Minten has developed very well since being drafted 38th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs back in the 2022 Draft. He was drafted to be a two-way center with a strong shot and he’s not far from being just that in the NHL. Minten’s first WHL season after being drafted was a great showcase for his shot and his compete level, with Minten becoming a very important forechecker and defensive forward for the Kamloops Blazers.
Related: NHL Central Scouting Rankings – Early Thoughts
This year, Minten cracked the Leafs’ lineup out of training camp, a testament to his off-ice training and his mature defensive game. He didn’t last very long and didn’t leave the biggest impact, but he’s still just 19. I expect Minten to be a very good third-liner for Toronto in the near future with the potential to be more.
57. Riley Heidt, C, Minnesota Wild
Riley Heidt’s excellent acceleration and edge work make him a natural choice as the lead puck carrier for zone entries and he has excelled in that role with the Prince George Cougars throughout his junior career. His playmaking skills either at full speed or after settling in the offensive zone are impressive and make him a very mobile and shifty threat whenever he has the puck. Good habits away from the puck lead me to believe he will be a reliable NHLer with top-six forward upside. If he can continue to develop his projectable NHL center tools, the Wild might come out of the 2023 Draft with one of the best value picks after adding Heidt with the 64th overall pick.
56. Easton Cowan, C/W, Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs surprised the hockey world when they selected Easton Cowan with the 28th pick in the 2023 Draft. He wasn’t seen as a first round candidate by many people, but he has already paid back the Leafs for their belief in him. Cowan is a quick and hardworking winger whose offensive production has skyrocketed in the OHL this season, putting him on pace to nearly double his production from last season in fewer games. The skill and skating were always there, but his ultimate offensive potential was the biggest question. He has gone a long way to putting that question to rest this year so keep an eye on Cowan.
55. Hunter Brzustewicz, RD, Vancouver Canucks
Hunter Brzustewicz is an offensive defender who skates incredibly well and has a lot to give offensively. His skating is his best tool both on offense and on defense, but he could use some help defensively where he can get pushed around a bit. Okay, I may have under-sold Brzustewicz’s offense already, he leads the entire OHL in points at the time of writing and has more assists than any other player in the entire CHL. He has second-pairing potential in the NHL, especially if paired with a solid defensive defender.
54. Conor Geekie, C, Arizona Coyotes
Conor Geekie caught plenty of NHL scouts’ attention during his draft year as a 6-foot-4 center with a respectable two-way game in the WHL. He is competitive and uses his size well against shorter and weaker Junior competition, and his playmaking from the perimeter on the power play is likely going to translate to the NHL someday.
The projection is tantalizing, but the reason people are hesitant about Geekie is that his skating is only slightly above average in the WHL, meaning it projects to be average in the NHL at best. Mobility has quickly become the most important attribute in the NHL, so the development of his skating will likely be the biggest determinant of his NHL success.
53. David Edstrom, C, Vegas Golden Knights
David Edstrom is someone I was quite high on in last year’s draft. He’s a big center (6-foot-3) who is incredibly well-rounded and competes very hard. Edstrom isn’t the flashiest player offensively, but he skates well for his size and wins tons of battles, clearing the way for his linemates to produce more offense. I expect he’ll earn time on both special teams units in the NHL, and has some top-six center potential if he continues to grow offensively like has over the past 18 months or so. Edstrom didn’t have the strongest showing at this year’s World Juniors but he’s eligible to return next year where I expect him to be one of the better players in the whole tourney.
52. Andrew Cristall, LW, Washington Capitals
Andrew Cristall is one of the most creative and slippery prospects in the hockey world, and he was one of the only draft eligible players in the WHL who was able to roughly keep pace with Bedard in terms of production last year. He managed to stick around a 1.7 points-per-game rate last season, a number that has shot up to just over 2 points-per-game this year. He draws tons of attention in the offensive zone and is great at making smart plays under pressure to help open teammates up, making their jobs much easier.
51. Matthew Wood, RW, Nashville Predators
I was eager to see how Matthew Wood would adjust to the college game after he dominated the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) two years ago, leading the league in goals and points as a 16-year-old. His freshman results were extremely positive with Wood being one of the top rookie point scorers and one of the top scorers on his team despite being the youngest player in all of men’s NCAA hockey last year. Wood’s calling card is his shot which is excellent in terms of deception and power. He could use a bit more speed (who couldn’t), but he has shown that his timing and puck protection skills are strong enough for him to succeed in college. The points haven’t come quite so easily for Wood so far this season but the process looks the same so it’s not a cause for worry in my eyes.
Prospects #50-41
50. Bradly Nadeau, C, Carolina Hurricanes
Bradly Nadeau had a dominant season in the BCHL last year, with the goals and points accumulating until they were impossible to ignore. He led the league in goals, assists, and points as a 17-year-old and he’s got a wicked shot and the speed to be an absolute terror in transition. The only thing standing in the way of Nadeau becoming a goalscoring top-six winger will likely be his size, standing at 5-foot-10, though his skating and compete level give me hope that he could make it work. Nadeau’s game has translated well to the NCAA so far, with him sitting at 25 points in just 18 games at the New Year.
49. Ryker Evans, LD, Seattle Kraken
Ryker Evans has been a big riser on this list over the past 12 months, going from a great junior player who didn’t project to have much offense at the pro level to a rising star who may have top-four potential in the NHL. Evans spent last year in the AHL with the Coachella Valley Firebirds and scored 44 points in 71 games, an incredible season by all accounts. He tied for 11th in scoring among all defenders in the AHL despite being a rookie and was the third highest scoring player in the AHL playoffs with an incredible 26 points in 26 games. For the most part, Evans has maintained that level of play, even earning a handful of NHL games early on this season.
48. Mackie Samoskevich, LW/RW, Florida Panthers
Mackie Samoskevich had a greatly increased role with the University of Michigan last season and he thrived as a result. His high hockey IQ and excellent puck skills were on display throughout the season, and Samoskevich even made his professional debut at the end of the season, playing nine games with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. He has been great for the Checkers so far this season, sitting second in team scoring at the time of writing.
47. Isak Rosen, C/W, Buffalo Sabres
It’s impressive to see teenaged players competing at the professional level against grown men, even just for a couple of games. Isak Rosen laced up for exactly 120 professional hockey games by his 20th birthday, and has added quite a few since. The main reasons he has been so successful against larger and stronger competition are his phenomenal skating and his ability to make good decisions at a very high speed. Rosen has the defensive effort and technique to be a solid two-way winger in the NHL one day, which has served him well in the AHL this year where he’s been one of the league’s most dominant players.
46. Brayden Yager, C, Pittsburgh Penguins
Brayden Yager has been talked about in the public scouting sphere for nearly as long as Connor Bedard, being drafted third overall in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft and winning the CHL Rookie of the Year award two years ago on the back of a remarkable 34-goal, 59-point rookie season. His transition game, defensive play, and wicked wrist shot make him the most important player on his WHL team on many nights. The Penguins have been without a high-end prospect for quite some time and Yager is exactly that, giving them someone to potentially build around as the Sidney Crosby/Evgeni Malkin comes to a close in the near future.
45. Gavin Brindley, RW, Columbus Blue Jackets
Gavin Brindley is a 5-foot-9 forward who was excellent in the NCAA as an 18-year-old freshman last year, which is a very impressive feat. His skating is great and his high energy level makes him a possession beast. His combination of speed and effort will make him a very flexible player who can fill in whatever role is needed of him, which earned him time on all four of Michigan’s lines last year before landing next to Adam Fantilli for the final months. He is a coach’s dream as a player with great skills on both sides of the puck and a never-quit mentality. Brindley was phenomenal at the 2024 World Juniors where he was often one of the best and hardest working American players on any given night.
44. Chaz Lucius, C, Winnipeg Jets
Despite losing a lot of time in his draft year rehabbing a knee injury, the Winnipeg Jets still chose Chaz Lucius 18th overall in the 2021 Draft. His great playmaking ability and scoring potential were just too enticing to ignore. After playing for the University of Minnesota, where he finished his freshman season with a strong nine goals and 19 points in 24 games, Lucius made his pro debut last year with the Manitoba Moose. He ultimately joined the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL after tearing it up for Team USA at the World Juniors, meaning he has played for five teams in total over the last three and a half seasons. Staying in one place this year, with the Moose, looks to be paying off as he’s looked every bit as good as the Jets could have hoped in the AHL this season.
43. Joakim Kemell, RW, Nashville Predators
There was a time when Joakim Kemell was seen as the second-best prospect in the 2022 Draft. His red-hot start in the Finnish Liiga in his draft year had NHL scouts salivating at his goal scoring potential, and while he ultimately cooled off quite significantly, that potential hasn’t disappeared.
He had another inconsistent year in the Liiga last year, scoring at a lower rate than his draft year, but then he decided to try out the North American pro game and that was a different story entirely. Kemell joined the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL and was immediately a star, scoring 23 games over 28 games split between the regular season and playoffs. He has been great in the AHL again this season and there’s no reason to believe he couldn’t become an incredibly entertaining player in the NHL someday with the skill and shot to produce many highlight reel plays.
42. Filip Bystedt, C, San Jose Sharks
Filip Bystedt is a prospect who would likely rise up the 2022 Draft if it was re-done today. His combination of speed and size (6-foot-4) allowed him to dominate the top Swedish junior league in his draft year, but he still struggled enough with the pace of the pro game that he didn’t show all that well in the SHL. The past two years, however, have been a different story as Bystedt continues to show more offensive skill which he is then rewarded for with a larger role on the team which then leads to more offensive production. It’s a great cycle to see, especially if you’re a San Jose Sharks fan. Bystedt’s ability to charge to the net with the puck is impressive and was a big reason he was so effective for Sweden in the World Junior Championship.
41. Samuel Honzek, C/LW, Calgary Flames
After being selected 10th overall in the 2022 CHL Import Draft by the Vancouver Giants, Samuel Honzek did nothing but impress in his first season in North America. He led the Giants in points per game and was among the top scorers in the WHL at large before suffering an injury at the 2023 WJC with Slovakia.
Honzek has played and succeeded on both special teams and his size and strength have made him too much for opposing defenders to handle on more than a few occasions. He is a great skater, which makes him a pest on the forecheck where he does a lot of damage both with his high motor and his large frame.
Prospects #40-31
40. Tom Willander, RD, Vancouver Canucks
Tom Willander is a high end skater, which allows him to carry the puck out of his own zone and lets him take some risks offensively while still recovering quickly enough on the back-check. He’s got a good two-way game, though he’ll likely provide more value on defense than offense. Willander burst onto the mainstream stage following his excellent showing at the U18s where he anchored Sweden’s second pairing and competed with Axel Sandin Pellikka for the title of the best defender on the team. His skating is so strong and his motor runs high enough that even in games where he’s quiet offensively, he still provides a ton of value.
39. Matthew Coronato, RW/LW, Calgary Flames
After ripping up the competition in the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the Chicago Steel in 2020-21, Matthew Coronato moved his game to the NCAA and the Harvard Crimson in 2021-22. He didn’t post the same ridiculous numbers in his freshman season, but he still led the team in scoring with a solid 18 goals and 36 points in 34 games. Coronato scored 36 points in 34 games once again as a Sophomore last year though his defensive game showed serious improvement and he was a dominant force on offense. His shot and ability to score from virtually anywhere on the ice has translated well to the AHL so far this season where he leads the Calgary Wranglers in scoring. He’ll be in the Flames’ top-six very soon.
38. David Goyette, C, Seattle Kraken
David Goyette is finally starting to earn some of the attention that I think he deserved all along. He’s an excellent skater who doesn’t quit on the play which helps him win a lot of puck battles and races to pucks. Goyette reads opposing defenses very well which allows him to attack in a wide variety of ways. He can charge through soft spots, deke through defenders to make space, or draw tons of attention before passing to a teammate who is wide open. Goyette has been one of the best players in the OHL this season and I think he has a chance to be an excellent pro player in just a few short years.
37. Rutger McGroarty, C, Winnipeg Jets
Rutger McGroarty is a true power forward, strong and determined enough to win pucks with great playmaking skills that allow him to make smart plays with the puck once he wins it. His father was the head coach of the Lincoln Stars in the USHL when he was growing up, and McGroarty’s maturity, work ethic, and two-way game have clearly benefited from observing and attending practices with players much older than him from such a young age.
Related: Matvei Michkov – The Best Russian Prospect Since Ovechkin
He is a very complete prospect who is a natural leader, shoots well, and does just about everything else you could hope for from a first-round pick. McGroarty won’t lead your team in scoring, but he’ll do everything else he possibly can.
36. Dmitri Simashev, LD, Arizona Coyotes
Dmitri Simashev is a very intriguing prospect with the size/skating combo (6-foot-4) that is so coveted in the modern NHL. He has every physical tool you could hope for, and uses each of them well, with the speed, strength, and reach to be a really great top-four defender in the NHL. However, his offensive production has left much to be desired, leaving many questions about if he will have much offense to provide in the NHL someday. Arizona clearly wasn’t too nervous, rushing from their table to take him sixth overall in the 2023 Draft. Clearly they believe in the defensive game and have hope that his offense will follow. It’s a bet that I love and I think it will pay off well for the Coyotes.
35. Joshua Roy, C/W, Montreal Canadiens
Joshua Roy has proven just about everyone wrong ever since he was drafted 150th overall in the 2021 Draft. He became one of the best goalscorers in the entire CHL in his final seasons there and was excellent for Team Canada at the World Juniors, winning two Gold medals. Now he’s establishing himself as a dominant force in the AHL as well. Roy is incredibly competitive, responsible defensively, and protects the puck extremely well. He has shown that he only gets better when the games get important, which is an invaluable attribute to have as someone who projects as a top-nine winger in the NHL.
34. Denton Mateychuk, LD, Columbus Blue Jackets
In just his second full year in the WHL, Denton Mateychuk was named captain of the Moose Jaw Warriors. Mateychuk is a dynamic offensive defenseman who excels when he is the one with the puck and can control the play from the point. His superb skating allows him to break down opposing defenses before making his move and charging to the middle or making a clever pass to an open teammate. Mateychuk’s production and confidence have only grown since his draft year and he’ll be someone to watch this Spring as the Warriors look poised to go on a deep playoff run after acquiring Matthew Savoie in a trade following the 2024 World Junior Championship.
33. Daniil But, LW/C, Arizona Coyotes
Daniil But is one of the biggest players on this list, standing at 6-foot-5 despite being just 18 at the time this article was published. He has the size that NHL general managers dream of, and he has great puck skills and shooting mechanics for a player of his size. His skating grew on me throughout his draft year, with enough speed and agility to really use his size to his advantage, powering through defenders and protecting the puck well. It may be a little while before we see him playing in the NHL, but I’m sure the Coyotes are willing to wait as they sort out their future in the NHL.
32. Marco Kasper, C, Detroit Red Wings
After rising remarkably in his draft year, Marco Kasper was eventually selected eighth overall by the Red Wings. Many people thought that Kasper had limited offensive potential but would be a great two-way center in the middle six of a good NHL team one day. He returned to Sweden last year as a top-six center for Rögle BK (SHL) as an 18-year-old, and it quickly became clear that he had more offense to give and all he needed was the opportunity to show it off.
He finished the season as the second highest scoring U20 player in the league behind only Leo Carlsson and was a net-positive player even as a teenager in a very difficult professional league. Kasper has spent this season in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins and while the transition hasn’t been the smoothest so far, his production has picked up lately and I think he’ll be a serious challenger for an NHL spot next season.
31. Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, St. Louis Blues
Since being selected 23rd overall in the 2022 Draft, Jimmy Snuggerud has proven to be an excellent choice for the St. Louis Blues. His shot is the first thing that stands out about his game, as the power and accuracy of his wrist shot make it a very dangerous tool, but the real reason his shot is so potent is the way he can disguise or alter his shot by suddenly changing the release point. He has smooth hands but doesn’t make a ton of plays as a distributor, though his finishing ability typically makes up for that. Snuggerud is a responsible defensive player which is impressive for a winger with so much offensive potential and he was one third of the most dominant line in college hockey last season.
Prospects #30-21
30. Noah Östlund, C, Buffalo Sabres
Noah Östlund is one of the best pure playmakers on this list as his ability to keep track of his teammates’ locations all over the ice leads to plenty of brilliant passes that nobody else seems to see coming. His ability to anticipate the play and make the right play to maximize the scoring chance for his team is remarkable.
Östlund is also a skilled puck handler with the speed and agility to make plays happen both on and off the puck. He works hard in all phases of the game and could become a great middle-six center if all goes well in his development. The Sabres have a ton of forward talent in the NHL and their prospect pool, but Östlund is exciting enough that I’m confident he will be an important piece for them.
29. Danila Yurov, RW, Minnesota Wild
Danila Yurov slid on draft day in the 2022 NHL Draft because of the uncertainty surrounding Russian prospects and the likelihood of them ever making the move to North America. He is a great two-way winger with excellent skating and enough energy on the forecheck to frustrate opponents even in the KHL although he is at least a decade younger than most of his opposition. Yurov had a good season last year in the KHL, but his production has leveled up this season as a result of increased confidence and ice-time, putting him on pace to quadruple his point total from the 2022-23 season. His KHL contract ends this Spring so he’s someone to watch over the next few months as a potential move to North America could be imminent.
28. Liam Öhgren, LW, Minnesota Wild
Liam Öhgren is a “jack of all trades, master of none” type of player who will excel in the NHL one day as a complementary winger. He is one of the hardest-working players on the ice every time he plays, and he can do just about anything asked of him. Öhgren has a great shot, good hands, legit playmaking skill, and the skating ability to put all those skills together. He is great at finding open space off the puck and he rewards teammates for passing to him by charging the middle of the ice or ripping a puck mid-stride. Öhgren’s ability to out-work opponents stands out significantly against his own age group but is still strong against pros in the SHL.
27. Olen Zellweger, LD, Anaheim Ducks
Another excellent two-way defenceman in the Ducks’ system is Olen Zellweger. After an absolutely dominant season in the WHL split between the Everett Silvertips and the Kamloops Blazers, Zellweger has continued to establish himself as one of the top defensive prospects in the NHL. His game is defined by his excellent skating, playmaking and an emerging two-way game. Zellweger is off to a strong start at the pro level, with the second most points among all U21 defenders in the AHL to this point, putting him behind only Brandt Clarke.
26. Brennan Othmann, LW, New York Rangers
Brennan Othmann is a high-octane offensive force on the ice that is also known not to back down from the nastier parts of the game. He was traded in the middle of last year and was excellent down the stretch for his new team, the Peterborough Petes, helping to lead them to the OHL championship and the Memorial Cup as well. This season, Othmann has made the transition from the junior to professional level look trivial as he has scored at roughly a point-per-game pace through the season’s first few months with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL.
25. Jonathan Lekkerimäki, RW, Vancouver Canucks
Jonathan Lekkerimäki had a really tough post-draft season, with multiple freak injuries ruining any momentum he seemed to be able to build. That was true all year until the Allsvenskan playoffs where he seemed to finally look like his old self again, scoring 15 points in 15 games. In the offseason he was signed by the Canucks and loaned to the SHL where he has since played with Örebro HK and leads all U20 SHL players in goals and points into the new year. Lekkerimäki was excellent at the 2024 World Junior Championship for Sweden, scoring seven goals in as many games and winning the award as the tournament’s MVP en route to a silver medal.
24. Alexander Nikishin, LD, Carolina Hurricanes
Alexander Nikishin may have been higher on this list if it were clear whether he would ever come across to the NHL, as he recently re-signed with SKA-St. Petersburg of the KHL on a deal that will keep him in Russia at least until the end of the 2024-25 season. Regardless, Nikishin is a remarkable defensive prospect who exploded offensively last season, leading all KHL defenders in scoring. He is big (6-foot-4), has a heavy slapshot, and skates remarkably well for someone of his size.
Related: The Best NHL Prospect From Each Country
So far this season, Nikishin has shown last year was no fluke, once again leading all KHL defenders in points. If the Hurricanes are able to convince him to come to play for them in the 2025-26 season, he appears to be a very safe bet to be a top-four defender immediately upon arrival.
23. Axel Sandin Pellikka, RD, Detroit Red Wings
Axel Sandin Pellikka is a right-handed offensive defenseman who has been an offensive leader in the SHL as a teenager. Sandin Pellikka had a great showing for Sweden at the World Juniors in his draft year, improving his draft stock considerably.
He joined Sweden again for this past World Juniors and was named the tournament’s top defender thanks to some timely goals in the knockout rounds. He is a force on offense but don’t let that fool you, he is a hard-working defender who makes a lot of stops despite his 5-foot-11 frame.
22. Quentin Musty, LW, San Jose Sharks
After a solid showing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in the summer of 2022, Quentin Musty was considered by many to be the best U.S. born prospect in this draft class. A slow start to his draft season saw his draft stock swing way down, but his production leveled up significantly in the second half of the season and he rose back up again. Musty is an athletic winger who can beat goalies with his hard shot or by crashing the net and scoring in tight. He isn’t much of a factor defensively, and struggles with consistency at times, but his shot and playmaking are his best tools and they could make him a great NHL player someday.
21. Matthew Savoie, C, Buffalo Sabres
Drafted ninth overall by the Sabres at the 2022 draft, Matthew Savoie is a highly creative centreman with a high-end skill set. The combination of speed, hands and stick handling makes him an offensive catalyst and he maintains offensive zone possession extremely well. Savoie has excellent vision to spot a lane to engage or find his teammates with a perfectly executed pass and he’s a dynamic skater as well. He got his first taste of NHL hockey this Fall and has been one of the best players in the WHL this year in a small sample size.
Prospects #20-11
20. Oliver Moore, C, Chicago Blackhawks
Oliver Moore was the best skater from the 2023 draft class with blazing speed and excellent agility. The combination of his skating, shot, and quick hands makes him a really fun offensive weapon. He is agile enough that I expect he’ll be very successful on zone entries in the NHL some day, giving the Blackhawks a chance to control play in the offensive zone every time he touches the puck. He produced solid offense last year for the USA U-18 team (on par with guys like Matt Boldy and Frank Nazar) which is made more impressive by the fact that he has spent most of that time playing on the second line behind the Smith, Leonard, Perreault trio.
19. David Reinbacher, RD, Montreal Canadiens
David Reinbacher is a 6-foot-2 defender with a right-handed shot and great mobility who played lots of minutes in the National League (NL), Switzerland’s top professional men’s league, during his draft year. He’s a very responsible defender who shuts down tons of rush attempts with an active stick and stellar positioning. Reinbacher is looking like a potential top-four mainstay in the NHL with exciting defensive potential despite a bit of an underwhelming season so far. I’m still a firm believer in Reinbacher’s projection as a high-end defender for the Montreal Canadiens.
18. Shakir Mukhamadulin, LD, San Jose Sharks
Once viewed as a questionable pick in the 2020 NHL draft, Shakir Mukhamadullin’s stock has consistently risen ever since. He possesses great physical qualities, but his game was very raw and needed to be refined. Mukhamadullin has done just that. At 6-foot-4, 194 pounds, he’s extremely mobile and has a very smooth stride in transition, not to mention he can make a strong breakout pass to start a play. With his size, he isn’t afraid to step up and make a big hit. Mukhamadullin joined the San Jose Barracuda in the AHL this year and has been an excellent two-way player, one who looks more than capable of cracking the Sharks’ lineup very soon.
17. Dalibor Dvorsky, C, St. Louis Blues
Dalibor Dvorsky was very impressive last season against men, playing in HockeyAllsvenskan, the second-tier Swedish professional league. He scored a bit below a half point per game there and spent a few games in the J20 Nationell as well, Sweden’s top junior league, where he showed that he is clearly a step above his age group, scoring over two points per game.
Dvorsky’s play in transition leaves something to be desired, but once he’s in the offensive zone his ability to maintain control of the puck, create shots at will and make smart passes at an efficient rate makes him a consistent threat. He has made the move to North America and is absolutely schooling the OHL this year with the Sudbury Wolves.
16. Brad Lambert, C, Winnipeg Jets
Brad Lambert is one of the least predictable NHL prospects, alternating between games where he looks like a sure-fire top-six centreman and games where you are left frustrated with his apparent lack of effort. Lambert’s skating ability is elite and gives him a standout skill that will translate to the NHL someday. He also has great puck skills and can make great passes or dekes while at his remarkable top speed. Last season was a positive one for Lambert who looked dominant in WHL play and kept up reasonably well in the AHL. Lambert has taken another step forward this year, scoring at roughly a point-per-game pace with the Manitoba Moose.
15. Lane Hutson, LD, Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens were lucky to snag Lane Hutson near the end of the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft because many expected he’d be drafted much, much earlier. Hutson is an elite skater with high-end playmaking instincts. He battles well against larger players and his low center of gravity makes him harder to knock off the puck than you would expect. Hutson sees the ice really well and was dominant offensively as a freshman in the NCAA last year. He’s off to another great start this year and is on pace to be in the Hobey Baker conversation as the best player in the NCAA.
14. Nate Danielson, C, Detroit Red Wings
Few centers in junior hockey enter their draft year as well-rounded as Nate Danielson. His consistency, effort, speed, and skill make him a coach’s dream even though he may not have the dynamic offensive qualities of some of his peers. Danielson is great at attacking the middle of the ice, he works hard, wins puck battles, and has an underrated shot which I think will give him a great chance of being a solid top-six, two-way center in the mold of a guy like Dylan Cozens.
Some may be worried about his lack of production in the WHL this season, but anyone who saw Danielson doing his thing in the NHL Preseason this Fall should know he’s well on his way to becoming a high-end NHLer. He’s got the size, skating, shot, and skill to be an impactful player in all areas of a hockey game.
13. Mavrik Bourque, C, Dallas Stars
Mavrik Bourque’s speed, IQ and decision-making remain his greatest strengths every time he’s out on the ice. He was an essential piece for the Shawinigan Cataractes as he helped lead them to a QMJHL Championship two seasons ago. Bourque had a great season in the AHL last year where he established himself as a great pro player with a 47 point rookie year which includes 20 goals. However, he has taken a significant step forward again as he’s tied for the league-lead in points, on pace to double his point total from last season.
12. Gabe Perreault, RW, New York Rangers
Gabriel Perrault looks like someone who could be a power play specialist at the next level with great skill and smarts in the offensive zone. He can pick apart opposing defenses with pin-point passes, creative dangles and sly fakes, and his effort level is admirable. Perreault was one of the most creative and intelligent players in the 2023 Draft and he is great at weaving his way out of trouble when defenders collapse around him, either with a pass or his lightning-quick hands. Perreault scored at an absurd rate in the NTDP last year, with 132 points in 63 games. That single-season total is higher than any other season in NTDP history, surpassing players like Matthews, Hughes, and Clayton Keller.
11. Frank Nazar, C, Chicago Blackhawks
Frank Nazar is a great center prospect who was drafted 13th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft despite being 5-foot-9. Typically, NHL general managers are wary of selecting players of Nazar’s size so early in the draft, but his playmaking vision and dynamic skating were enticing enough that the Blackhawks wanted him to be a part of their future. He will likely provide a ton of value off the rush in the NHL someday as his speed and ability to make smart passes while manipulating defenders’ skates allows him to create tons of scoring chances. He missed a lot of time last season following offseason surgery, but has bounced back really well this season.
Prospects #10-1
10. Cutter Gauthier, C, Anaheim Ducks
Cutter Gauthier was the player whose draft stock rose the most following the 2022 NHL Draft Combine where NHL scouts and general managers were impressed by his maturity, physical strength, and by the commitment he showed to becoming an NHL centerman as opposed to a winger which had been his position with the United States National Team Development Program up until that point.
Gauthier has great size, skating, and has the effort and ability to become a great defensive forward. Those are all pieces of becoming a great centreman someday and he has shown them in abundance for Boston College where he has been excellent for the last 18 months or so. Gauthier’s shot and playmaking make him a powerful threat in the offensive zone and he’s one to watch in the Hobey Baker race this year.
9. Simon Edvinsson, LD, Detroit Red Wings
Simon Edvinsson is one of the most exciting prospects in the hockey world, with nearly limitless potential due to his remarkable size (6-foot-6), mobility (guys his size rarely skate this well), and offensive skill. Edvinsson was an impressive two-way force in the SHL two years ago and made the transition to North America last year where he just missed out on the Red Wings’ opening night lineup. He looked much more comfortable with the North American game over the course of the season and grew a lot on ice from his NHL pre-season games to the NHL games he played toward the end of the year. The Red Wings haven’t given Edvinsson a chance to stick in the NHL just yet but he’s really close to breaking through and I can’t imagine him spending longer in the AHL than the NHL next season.
8. Jiri Kulich, C, Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres were lucky enough to have three selections in the first round of the 2022 Draft, picks nine, 16, and 28. They landed some great prospects with each pick, but my favorite of the bunch, Jiri Kulich, was the last one they selected at 28th overall. Kulich burst onto the scene at the U18 World Junior Championship just before the 2022 Draft where he scored nine goals in just six games. He is great at finding soft spots in defensive coverage and setting up for a rocket of a one-timer. Most prospects can’t jump straight from the draft and into the AHL, but Kulich was remarkably successful for the Rochester Americans as a teenager, giving me confidence that he can become a top-six scoring winger in the NHL in the near future.
7. Ryan Leonard, LW/C, Washington Capitals
Ryan Leonard is a high energy winger who never takes his foot off the gas in terms of both speed and effort. He uses his speed and skill to blow by defenders in the neutral zone and pressure in-zone defenders who struggle to anticipate his next move. His playmaking and shot aren’t exceptional, but they’re both good enough to be reasonably effective in the NHL someday. He has a very versatile skill set and could be a great top-six winger who adds some grit and goalscoring to his line, similar to a Tyler Bertuzzi-type player (or Matthew Tkachuk-lite if you think his offense will really pop in the NHL).
6. Logan Stankoven, C, Dallas Stars
Logan Stankoven spent last year dominating the WHL to the tune of two-points per game, making him the only player to score at that rate not named Connor Bedard. Stankoven is a fearless competitor who is willing to make tough, physical plays and isn’t shy about throwing his body around either.
He has played full time in the AHL this year for the Texas Stars and has looked dominant once again. Not only is he scoring more than every other top prospect in that league so far this year, he’s actually leading the entire league in scoring as we enter the new year. Stankoven’s offensive skills have translated incredibly well to the pro game and the Dallas Stars are going to need to find a spot for him in the lineup very soon.
5. Shane Wright, C, Seattle Kraken
Last year was a strange one for Shane Wright who played for four different teams over the course of the season, the Seattle Kraken, their AHL affiliate the Coachella Valley Fire Birds, the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL and then finally as the captain of the gold-medal winning Team Canada at the World Junior Championship.
Wright’s biggest obstacle last year was the NHL/CHL agreement but he was granted an exception this year so he could compete in the AHL despite not being eligible. This feels like the right level of competition for him right now, challenging enough that he’s not going to score two points each night but manageable enough for him to be one of the best players on his team. He’s had a great first half with Coachella and is looking like the player everyone thought would go first overall back in 2022 once again.
4. Will Smith, C, San Jose Sharks
Will Smith is an incredibly shifty playmaker who can create high danger plays at will (pun intended) by threading passes through traffic, stickhandling around pressure, or taking a shot of his own. He is a very intelligent offensive player and can make these great reads and plays at full speed. Smith is so difficult for defenders to pin down because of the way he manipulates defenders’ movements like waiting for them to turn their skates in one direction before darting in the other, and him being a right-handed centerman doesn’t hurt either.
3. Simon Nemec, RD, New Jersey Devils
It hasn’t taken too long for everyone to see why Simon Nemec was selected second overall in the 2022 Draft. His mature two-way game is head and shoulders above most defensive prospects of the same age, and he has the talent to be a perennial top-four leader for the New Jersey Devils in the near future.
Nemec has already played over 200 games of professional hockey and has shown he can be a reliable defender against grown men. He’s got a lot of offensive talent but won’t be a high-end PP1 type, good thing the Devils don’t need that with Luke Hughes already in the fold.
2. Brandt Clarke, RD, Los Angeles Kings
Brandt Clarke boasts some of the best offensive smarts and decision-making with the puck as a defenseman in the world. Selected eighth overall in 2021, Clarke can take control of a shift or lead a rush chance whenever he’s on the ice with his skating and speed. He’s great at identifying the open lanes and attacking with force to take advantage of an opportunity.
After a brief stint with the LA Kings and their AHL affiliate last year, he joined the OHL for one last dance and was, for my money, the best player in the entire league, scoring an absurd 84 points across 43 regular season and playoff games with the Barrie Colts. This season, Clarke has been the best offensive defender in the entire AHL, earning himself a callup to the NHL in January.
1. Matvei Michkov, RW, Philadelphia Flyers
With the graduation of guys like Carlsson, Fantilli, and Bedard, Matvei Michov is the best prospect in the NHL with an incredible ability to manipulate opposing defenses. He has a great shot, but more often than not he scores goals because he slipped his defender and managed to find the space and time necessary to score a goal. While Bedard scores by shooting a wrister as hard as possible, trying to punch a hole through the goalie, Michkov will outsmart the defense and score by finding holes in coverage.
He looks like an absolute star in the KHL this year, once again being loaned to HK Sochi, one of the league’s bottom teams. I expect he will land a well-deserved top-six spot with SKA St. Petersburg next season where he will have the chance to be a real superstar for two years before being eligible to sign with the Philadelphia Flyers and come across to the NHL.
Who’s too low? Who’s too high? Who do you think should have made the list? Leave a comment below!