And he always seems to be around it. He can beat you carrying the puck in rotations around the perimeter of the offensive zone. We believe in fully disclosing the methods to which we collect and use your personal information. His June birthday makes him one of the younger players on this list and he has already accomplished a lot, including leading a Slovak Hlinka Gretzky Cup team that featured Juraj Slafkovsky and Filip Mesar in scoring as an underager, producing well above a point per game in Swedens J20 level last year, and now producing in his draft year in the second-tier HockeyAllsvenskan (while clicking at two points per game in stints back down at J20). Perron is so agile that his lack of size and strength dont often hinder his game, however he will need to develop a bit of a physical game (like Logan Stankoven) if he wants to grow into his full potential as a top-six forward in the NHL. He can beat you along the wall on the cycle. His production has been disappointing so far this year, but his talent as a high-skill puck carrier is still clear.Otto Stenberg scores his first SHL goal and point! Hes also dangerous inside the offensive zone from the top of the circles in, with a quick-release wrister (one of the faster releases in the draft) that comes off of his blade hard and with a slight, goalie-fooling adjustment pre-shot, impressive puck skill in congested areas, an ability to attack in bursts and make something happen out of dead plays, and an equal ability to play off of coverage and make himself available for his linemates. Theres just this elusiveness to his game where you never know where hes going with the puck. The following WHL stars were not selected in the WHL Bantam Draft but were added to a WHL Club PPL at a later date: Jarome Iginla, Darcy Tucker, Dan Hamhuis, Scottie Upshall, Joffrey Lupul, Jeff Woywitka, and Shane Doan, just to name a few. If this werent a draft that also featured Bedard and Benson, he was in the midst of one of the most productive draft-eligible seasons in recent WHL history (pacing to outproduce, for example, the 106 in 69 that 2011 No. Moore has identified himself as the second best prospect out of the NTDP this season, behind only Will Smith (and the gap isnt that big in my mind). His consistent game-to-game impact, whenever Ive sat down to do watch the 2005s at the NTDP on tape, has struck me as well. Hes the kind of player who can beat you with a pass, a dangerous wrister (in fact, while he has played facilitator so often in games this year, hes got an excellent wrister while moving), or a deke. Dmitri Simashev is a very intriguing prospect with the size/skating combo (6-foot-4) that is so coveted in the modern NHL. League. On top of it all, hes physical, hes strong in the faceoff circle, hell get after it on forecheck and track pucks, he plays with energy, hell pounce on turnovers and be opportunistic. Hes got a great release. His skating is balanced. Regardless, it is always impressive to see a draft-year player earning serious minutes in the KHL, especially a defenseman, and Simashev might just have the highest defensive potential in the whole draft. I think theres a small chance he becomes a star or close with the right development, too. Leschyshyn played junior hockey for the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Regina Pats in the Western Hockey League, serving as . Ill be shocked if he doesnt become a playmaking top-six centre and PP1 creator. This ranking follows my way-too-early top 26 and my preseason top 32 (released in August). The six lowest-place teams involved in the lottery include the Swift Current Broncos, Moose Jaw Warriors,. Hell make the soft play to the middle of the ice from the perimeter, or go there to get to rebounds or position himself on screens/tips. I see clear, projectable top-six tools as a play-creating winger and Im not the least bit worried about him doing it against NHL defences because of how hard he is to pin down. He draws tons of attention in the offensive zone and is great at making smart plays under pressure to help open teammates up to make their jobs easier. ), but he has shown that his timing and puck protection skills are strong enough for him to succeed in college. Jake Leschyshyn (/ l s n / leh-SIH-shuhn; born March 10, 1999) is an American-born Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He can pick apart opposing defenses with pin-point passes and sly fakes, and his effort level is admirable. Not Phil Kessel. Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Hes a rare kind of player where hes got A-grade tools across the board, and star talent in spades, but hes also got an efficiency to his game that is incrediblyrare for a skilled player (especially one his age). While Bedard scores by trying to shoot 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 has added a ton of strength since arriving at the program so that he can overwhelm junior level players with his power and speed. NHL Entry Draft -3005 - full list of selections with facts and stats. One of my favourites in the 2005 age group, Wood is the youngest player in college hockey this season (he was, for a moment, its only 17-year-old) and has stepped right in to become an impactful player on a good UConn team (albeit as a winger after playing mostly centre at the Jr. A level). Try a week on us. Related: The NHLs Best Farm Systems Ranked Midseason Update. The biggest question following Reinbachers great performance last year in the Swiss League (SL), the second-tier Swiss professional league, was if he had more offense in his game to show. A few of the players who have moved up substantially on this board are Zach Benson, Oliver Moore, and Colby Barlow. Adam Gajan, G, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL), 55. The Chiefs hold the first-overall selection, as determined by the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft Lottery on June 2, 2021. He may become a darn good, hard and heavy bottom-six player at the next level in time, but hell have to show me more to warrant a projection higher than that (a projection some others do still believe in). His consistency, effort, speed, and skill make him a coachs dream even though he doesnt have the dynamic offensive qualities of some of his peers. He does a good job maintaining gaps and matching opposing forwards step-for-step skating backwards. Each of those guys played quite well at the tournament for draft eligible players, but nobody at the tournament of any age could hand the offensive pressure of Bedard. There has been a lot of hockey since my. He has gone from point-per-game U17 season (the only player on that team to do so) to nearly two points per game in his U18 campaign. Wood is 6-foot-3 so his ability to make plays in tight to his skates at speed while maintaining control is very impressive for his size. He was the No. 2023 NFL Mock Draft . This top 64 is made up of 46 forwards, 17 defencemen and one goaltender. Youll commonly see him activate to lead plays into the offensive zone and create something. His transition play and wicked shot make him the most important player on his team on many nights. Theres his variety of shooting stances above and beyond that pop off of his hip (right down to his curl-and-drag, his one-timer, and his feel off of his backhand). I think the bigger question is whether hes going to be more of a middle-six or a top-six one? 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. Id be quite surprised if he slid all the way to 16 (where I have him ranked), because a right-handed centre with his shot has a ton of value to NHL teams. Now that the 2023 World Juniors are firmly in the rearview mirror, it's time to take another deep-dive into the top prospects for the 2023 Draft. He has learned to use some clever movement patterns to make defencemen miss and get to his spots as a shooter. 7 overall in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft and he made his debut in 2019-20 playing in four games. 4 and has had a tremendous age-adjusted season between his play with Orebro in the SHL and at the world juniors (where he was one of Swedens top forwards despite playing sick), even considering his December 2004 birthday and a year after playing to virtually two points per game at the J20 level (he looked good in an important role as a top-nine centre for Sweden at U18 worlds before an injury kept him out of their medal round run to a gold medal, too). 1 pick in the 2021 QMJHL draft and son of former 10-year NHLer Denis Gauthier, followed up a strong showing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup (where he scored six goals in five games) with a strong start to his draft year at the top of a stacked Sherbrooke lineup, before seeing his production taper off some as they added more talent ahead of the deadline. Benson is currently outscoring two of his teammates in Matthew Savoie and Conor Geekie who were both drafted in the top-11 of the 2022 Draft. Its powerful when it needs to be and light and adjustable when it needs to be. This year, though he has struggled defensively in his limited minutes in the KHL, he has looked dominant at both ends in his returns to the MHL and comfortable in the second-tier VHL. Get access to our unique free agency lists and many more premium features. January 2023 WHL Draft Ranking update | Top-80 Joel Henderson. Evasive. One of the USHLs most talented players, Perron got off to a hot start, was briefly halted by an eight-game December stretch that saw him register justone assist, and has really turned it back on to play his best hockey of late. At this point I think his offensive abilities will at least make him a power play threat even if his skating never catches up. Hameenaho has the strength and stick skills to not just battle well, but win puck battles and keep possession alive for his team. Hes got really good edges and mobility, though he doesnt have the speed in straight lines to pull away from faster chasers. Etienne Morin, LD, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL), 50. Hes a pro-sized, hardworking pivot who can skate and excels in driving through the middle of the ice, pushing tempo, and playing with energy. 3 pick in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft. Timur Mukhanov, LW (Omsk) Hell of a performance from Slovakia especially their Tendy! 2023 NHL Draft: Baracchini's Top 64 January Rankings January 13, 2023 by Peter Baracchini Welcome back to my 2023 NHL Draft Rankings. Hes got time to put it all together given his summer birthday, too. - The Western Hockey League announced today the Spokane Chiefs will select first overall in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft following the completion of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft Lottery. Paul Fischer, LHD (NTDP) Hes consistent shift-to-shift and game-to-game and while he might lack the dynamism of some of the players in front of him here, he can make plays in a variety of ways on and off the puck and the ice usually tilts in his teams favor when hes out there. Id like to see him pick up a bit more of an acceleration gear from a standstill (his stride can look a little short/stunted/heavy), and fill the scoresheet a little more (though the talent around him has something to do with that too), but theres a lot to like. Thank you for your interest in our network of websites, newsletters, and other services. And he likes to try to take D one-on-one, which can result in some high-end plays but also some turnovers. pic.twitter.com/OOjR1KDavy Thibaud Chatel (@Thibaud_Chatel) January 24, 2023, David Reinbacher (#64 blue) (Draft 2023) just overskating former NHLer Alex Formenton, following up on his shots, winning a puck against Formenton and Former NHler Tim Heed before serving his teammate on a plate. Hes also highly creative despite his goal-scoring tilt. 1 pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins posted). Hes a commanding offensive defenceman who is at his best when hes looking to take charge with his feet. 2023 is obviously way far out but 8 Sask . Get the inside scoop on the top prospects in the world with our comprehensive grading system and access to career stats, data, and news stories . One of three draft eligibles on this list playing college hockey this season, Brindley hasnt just settled in at the University of Michigan, he has looked anywhere from comfortable to impactful in every game, including at centre and on the wing. He has the tools to be a top-16 player in the draft easily, but I want to see some more offense from him in the OHL before I increase his ranking that much. One of the most surprising junior players so far this year is Lukas Dragicevic who has put up points at well above a point per game rate in the WHL from the back end, making him the highest scoring defender in the league as of writing. Sandin Pellikka had a great showing for Sweden at the World Juniors, and is now probably the favourite to be the first defenseman drafted in 2023. Dower Nilsson doesnt have Lekkerimakis shot or Ostlunds passing ability, but his offensive IQ is terrific and he has shown the ability to produce at an incredible pace without any other high-end scorers around him to help him pick up a few points here and there. Ethan Gauthier is one of the most consistent players in this draft class in terms of effort and habits, not just production. He goes to the front of the net and will bail out to make effort plays. That continued to start this year as he struggled to have a real impact with the Badgers early on as a freshman (albeit it a young one, and albeit on a bad/at-times lost team). Hes a classic example of a jack of all trades, master of none, with solid scores across the board when it comes to defensive play, playmaking, skating and shooting, with none of those individual skills popping off the page at you. Holding steady at about two points per game, Cristall has already shown improvements following his impressive 69-point WHL rookie season last year. Hes got everything else you look for in a dynamic play creator, too. Sign up for EP Premium to create your own ranking. Hes strong. He has been dominating the Swedish J20 league this year and is scoring at a higher pace right now than both Jonathan Lekkerimaki and Noah Ostlund did last year (who were drafted 15th and 16th respectively in the 2022 NHL Draft). Sign up for EP Premium to create your own ranking. 2020 All rights reserved to Puck Preps. Koehn Ziemmer is another pro-built winger who loves to shoot the puck hard whenever given the chance. ), a quick move into a pass, a sudden stop-up, or an attacking cut. (Maksim Konstantinov / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images), how strong the 2022 draft class was for Slovakia. After scoring 30 goals as a rookie in the OHL last season, Colby Barlow has been on my radar as a pro-sized winger with a legit NHL-caliber shot. 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. Hes quick side-to-side on little jumps and drags. Hes also going to be an able penalty killer, which should give him all-situations upside at the next level. The 2021 WHL Prospects Draft Pre-Show begins with co-hosts Chris Wahl and Taylor Rocca at 9:30 a.m. MT, with live draft coverage beginning at 10 a.m. MT. Despite his diminutive size, hes also a smart player off of the puck and Ive been struck by how often hes in the right position above the puck to hold play inside the offensive zone (I absolutely get why he was named an alternate captain). But for now, here are my top-64 prospects for the 2022 Draft. Carlssons one of the smartest players in the draft, a very heady player who understands spacing and timing on and off the puck at an advanced level for his age. I like the way he supports the puck defensively as a centreman, too, though hell need to get stronger to be reliable defensively at the NHL level. Reinbachers got pro size, desired handedness, and a really strong foundation of tools that all but guarantee hell become an NHLer. Good habits away from the puck lead me to believe he will be a reliable NHLer with top-six forward upside. Jesse Nurmi, LW, KooKoo U20 (U20 SM-sarja), 58. Western Hockey League completes 2022 WHL U.S. He can beat you on the perimeter with his skill (highlighted by excellent one-on-one hands-on defenders). Gauthier, the No. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Welcome to Draft Prospects Hockey's introduction to the 2023 NHL Draft Class series. ), the CHLs leader in goals per game, assists per game, points per game, and shots per game. No, you haven't accidentally clicked a lyrics page add and been directed to an eighties anthem, it's DubNetwork Scouting's LAST REVEAL for our December Top 22 - WHL Bantam Draft prospect breakdown. His long stick can limit him catching and handling pucks in his feet at times, and he doesnt have a great shot, but those things should come and hes got great dexterity and reflexes. Ziemmer is a December 2004 who was selected with the No. Hes a crafty handler who hangs onto pucks to spin away from pressure, attacks in and out of crowds, makes plays into space for himself, and can comfortably make plays through layers to others. Reinbacher had a solid tourney on a bad team despite dealing with an illness the entire time. However, first-year bantams had been playing at the peewee level the previous year, and in order to list first-year bantams, WHL Clubs needed to scout the peewee ranks. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Roman Kantserov, LW/C, Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL_, 53. Oliver Bonk, RD, London Knights (OHL), 48. Check out his skating and awareness! Manage Settings After playing on Russias Hlinka Gretzky team twosummers ago, But played to a point-per-game level in the MHL as one of its top 2005s last season and began his draft year on a tear in the MHL, scoring 11 goals in his first 15 games of the season before earning a mid-October promotion to the KHL for the first time (he has since scored his first two pro goals and has bounced between the KHL and MHL). Hes got poise and patience on the puck. forward. Scouts are fascinated by his power forward package and size down the middle (following a move to centre from the wing as a 16-year-old). After conversations with scouts or folks at the national program about Stramel last year, I always felt I wasnt quite where they were in terms of their belief in the player and his upside. The 2022 WHL Prospects Draft Pre-Show begins with co-hosts Chris Wahl and Taylor Rocca at 8:30 a.m. PDT, with live draft coverage beginning at 9 a.m. PDT. Hes a versatile, high-RPM player who makes things happen when hes on the ice and pulls teamates into the fight with his scrappy, competitive, never-stop style. Of course, there are also some prospects who dropped in this edition of my rankings, including Brayden Yager and David Reinbacher. However, his real calling card is his shot which ranks near the top of the draft class in terms of deception and power. He was the CHL Rookie of the Year (on 34 goals). Watch out for Stenberg in the last months of the season, hes been playing better and better and I think hell go in the first round despite his lack of production in the SHL this year. We sometimes see draft-eligible D play their full draft year in a professional league. He could suffer from the Russian factor, but the lack of top-end defensive prospects and his impressive offensive toolset leads me to believe hes got a good shot at being drafted in the top-20. Facebook; Twitter; Facebook Messenger; Pinterest; Email; print; The 2023 NHL draft will be held June 28 (Round 1) and June 29 (Rounds 2-7) at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) cares about your privacy. Sign up for EP Premium to create your own ranking. Publishing date 2022-10-13 User Anonymous Views 18875 Favorited 3 Share Embed 2023 WHL Draft Rankings . The WHL Bantam Draft is an annual outing, in which the Clubs of the Western Hockey League select players who have graduated from bantam. Nico Myatovic, LW (Seattle) He 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 doesnt hurt either. The real question will be if he can make a difference in his own end as his defending has been a bit too relaxed for my liking. Four 2005-born standout defenders in the CHL, Breaking down four top 2005 forwards in the WHL, Six WHL Players from the 2021 Draft selected outside of the Top-10 whove had early success, The Five Star Hockey Show: 2023 Canada Winter Games Preview, Western Canada Ramblings: NHL and WHL Draft, The Checklist: 2008-born Manitoba players in the WAAA U15, January 2023 WHL Draft Ranking update | Top-80, January Top-80 2023 OHL Draft Ranking Update, Final Thoughts: John Reid Memorial Tournament 2023, 10 Puck Touches: Day Three and Four 2023 John Reid Memorial Tournament, 10 Puck Touches: Day Two, 2023 John Reid Memorial Tournament, 10 Puck Touches: Day One 2023 John Reid Memorial Tournament, The Checklist: Seven 2008-born Western Canadian Players to Watch, 14 2008-born Defensemen profiles from Sask First Top-160, 2022 WHL Draft Review: From Prince George to Winnipeg, 2023 NHL Draft: Breaking down the WHL Defensemen in the CHL Top Prospects game. Jayden Perron is an excellent play-driving winger with tons of offensive talent. Scott Ratzlaff, G (Seattle) Expectations were unfairly high for Connor Bedard coming into his draft year, with the generational talent label floating around in many draft conversations. It will be followed by my midseason top 64 (released in February), an updated top 32 following U18 Worlds. Jacob Fowler, G (Youngstown) He is on the younger side of the draft class with a July birthday so he has plenty of time to grow into the potential that he has shown thus far and increase his draft stock. Scouts are having a tough time slotting him due primarily to so-so production this season (though staff with Frolunda insist he has been better than his numbers at the J20 level and that has been reflected in several stints with the SHL. He can run the wall or the point on the PP, effortlessly picking coverage apart and feathering pucks through seams. 10 Puck Touches: . 2023-2024 playoffs qc player stats for Poland, including top goal scorers, most games played, PPG leaders and more. Theres work to do to get a little quicker from a standstill, and that leaves some believing hes more of a mid-to-late first than an upper-half-of-the-first guy, but hes better suited as a playmaker and finisher than a power forward type anyways. Subscribe Now. Carlssons ability to find and make space off the puck is also impressive for such a young player playing against grown men. And he just always seems to play well, no matter the role/usage/stage. The top pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, Musty is one the focal points of the Wolves offence and would be their leader in shots on goal, assists and points were it not for a few weeks lost in January to a hand injury (following up on a strong showing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this summer). Scott Wheeler. Gauthier brings a lot to the table. The original owner of the team was Terry Simpson, the original . Reinbacher is a 6-foot-2 defender with a right-handed shot and great mobility who is playing lots of minutes in the National League (NL), Switzerlands top professional mens league. Calgary, Alta. I think hes going to play in the NHL next year and be successful on raw ability from the jump. Hes got superb vision and ranks among the best in the class at dissecting coverage as a passer. His head is always up and on a swivel and he does a good job pre-surveying the ice when hes going back to get pucks through frequent shoulder checks. 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. Hes got impressive shooting mechanics given how long his stick is, and regularly pulls pucks into his feet to change his angle face-up against goalies. Without further ado, let's get to the 2023 draft board. There are some whod like to see him get to the guts of the ice and battle a little more (he glides a little too much off of the puck offensively and defensively). He has been impressive thus far, scoring six points in 14 games with Sochi, with four of those points being goals. Brindley is a 5-foot-9 forward who has been quite good in the NCAA as an 18-year-old, a very impressive feat. Check out his skating and awareness! With a little more consistency and some maturity, theres a top-six playmaking winger there. As in, you could put him on the icewith the worlds best shooters (say, Auston Matthews, Nikita Kucherov, Patrik Laine, Alex Ovechkinand Steven Stamkos) and they wouldnt be able to load up just off of their lead skate and fire it off balance like he does. Hes got good tools all around with solid speed, stick skills, and defensive play. He was more impressive than his already-impressive 61-points-in-68-games season last year (where he led the Cougars in scoring), and the same is true in his strong production on a middle-of-the-pack Cougars team this year. My best guess at a player who has great skill but might slide on draft day due to his height is Gavin Brindley. The Clubs that miss the playoffs are placed into a lottery for the 1st round only. Barlows size, strength, and maturity as a teenager lead me to believe he could have a real shot at making the NHL out of training camp for whichever team selects him, hes that talented and reliable. When you spend some time watching him and asking around about him, you quickly realize why. From my first live viewing of him two Octobers ago in St. Catharines when he looked like the Generals most talented forward in just the second game of his OHL career, to his four-goal, seven-point series in Oshawas six-game first-round defeat against the Frontenacs, to his Hlinka performance this summer, to my most recent live viewings of him both in Oshawa and in Langley at the CHL Top Prospects Game, Ritchie has consistently impressed me. Sign up for EP Premium to create your own ranking. I dont think hes going to become the kind of star that youre hoping to get when you draft him in the 5-7 range that some expected him to land in this year, but hes got 2C, PP1 upside if he can fill out his game and continue to add dimension. The way he dodges checks and evades pressure is impressive, but the way he attacks the middle of the ice is what I like most about him.