The U-18 World Championship has come and gone, and now all sights are set on the NHL Draft lottery on May 8. Within a few days, we’ll finally know where Connor Bedard is headed. It’s been years in the making, with the WHL superstar heading a strong high-end in the 2023 NHL Draft.

I spent two weeks watching the U-18s in Switzerland and talking to scouts and other experts about the top prospects in the draft. It was great seeing many of the top names in person, and seeing which players stood out – and which ones didn’t. We didn’t get to see names like Bedard, Adam Fantilli Matvei Michkov or Leo Carlsson, but there was no shortage of quality competition, regardless.

So, let’s get started. Here’s a look at the top 75 prospects for the NHL Draft:

1. Connor Bedard, C (Regina, WHL)

You already know everything you need to know about the NHL’s next superstar. After scoring 71 goals and 143 points in 57 regular season games, Bedard followed it up by scoring 10 goals and 20 points in just seven playoff games with Regina. The Pats fell in the end, marking the conclusion of one of the best junior careers we’ve ever seen. Truly a special season for an exceptional prospect.

2. Adam Fantilli, C (University of Michigan, NCAA)

Fantill’s rookie campaign saw him lead the NCAA with 65 points en route to the Hobey Baker Award as the best men’s college hockey player. That’s one heck of a consolation prize for the team that misses out on Bedard, because Fantilli would go No. 1 in most other years. Whether or not he decides to go back to Michigan next year, it’s clear Fantilli is ready for the big leagues. Think Jonathan Toews during his prime.

3. Matvei Michkov, C (HK Sochi, KHL)

It might be understated just how good Michkov’s time with Sochi was. Playing on the worst team in the league, he managed to finish with 20 goals in 27 games to finish fourth in team scoring. Six of the team’s nine wins came with Michkov in the lineup, and his 0.74 points-per-game during his time with Sochi is the best by a U-19 in league history – beating out Evgeni Kuznetsov, Eeli Tolvanen, Vladimir Tarasenko, Kirll Kaprizov and Artemi Panarin, among others. He’s special, but since he has a KHL deal until 2026, NHL teams will have to be patient here. There’s always the chance he never comes over, but that’s a risk teams should be willing to take.

4. Leo Carlsson, C (Orebro, SHL)

Carlsson combines speed, physicality and a penchant for highlight-reel plays. He has size, creates havoc in front of the net and held his own against quality competition in the SHL. The highest-scoring U-19 player in Sweden, Carlsson isn’t far from being NHL-ready.

5. Will Smith, C (USNTDP)

Smith was named MVP after scoring nine goals and 20 points in just seven games en route to a gold. It was one of the best tournament performances ever, with Smith recording at least a point in every single game. His creativity is among the best in the class, and he’s as good of a playmaker as it gets.

6. Ryan Leonard, LW (USNTDP)

Leonard is coming off an absolutely ridiculous U-18 tournament, which was capped off by scoring the championship winner. The seven-game affair was a perfect microcosm of Leonard’s true abilities: good speed, skill and physicality all wrapped into one. He’s the type of player every team wants.

7. Zach Benson, C (Winnipeg, WHL)

Benson dealt with an injury to close out the season, but still managed to pot 36 goals and 98 points. He’s only 5-foot-10, but he’s strong, has a great release and his shift-to-shift effort level will never waver. Benson’s going to be a big-time play driver.

8. David Reinbacher, D (Kloten, NL)

Not many people had Reinbacher as a first-round pick heading into the season. Now, most have Reinbacher as the best defenseman in the class. He put up excellent numbers in the top Swiss league, a division that hasn’t always been kind to younger blueliners. Reinbacher looked mature beyond his years and could immediately jump over and make an impact in the AHL next season if that ends up being the plan.

9. Oliver Moore, C (USNTDP)

Want a speedy, defensively reliable two-way center? Moore’s you’re guy. Some scouts I’ve talked to think Moore has some untapped potential to become one of the better players in this draft class. He’s so quick, but knows how to use his speed to his advantage as a playmaker, too.

10. Axel Sandin Pellikka, D (Skelleftea, SHL)

Pellikka fell in my rankings, but not really due to poor performance or anything. It’s just that I like the forward options more. He was a feral beast at the U-20 level, but much more reserved against men in the SHL. If he can unlock a bit more of that intensity with Skelleftea next season, that’ll be awesome.

11. Dalibor Dvorsky, C (AIK, HockeyAllsvenskan)

Most hype has quieted down for Dvorsky over the past year, but he still put decent numbers playing against men. The raw talent is there, and if he falls outside the top 15, Dvorsky could just become one of the bigger steals. It feels like we’re always looking for a bit more out of him. Still, the raw skill is there, and he has a solid CV. Plus, he earned some MVP consideration for the way he dominated with Slovakia at the U-18s.

12. Colby Barlow, LW (Owen Sound, OHL)

One of the few players to come close to hitting the 50-goal mark this season, Barlow has scored at all levels and is as confident as anyone handling the puck. There’s room for his all-around game to grow, but scoring clearly isn’t an issue. He was banged up during the OHL playoffs but had a decent showing at the U-18s.

13. Riley Heidt, C (Prince George, WHL)

One of the best point producers in the WHL, Heidt was a huge part of Prince George’s resurgence this year. I know scouts were hoping to see him remain a consistent producer throughout the year – no issues there. It’s his play away from the puck that some are more concerned about.

14. Samuel Honzek, C (Vancouver, WHL)

I don’t think Honzek has a huge offensive ceiling, but I think he’s going to have a long career. He throws punishing hits, has a fantastic two-way presence and a great release on his shot. Honzek’s game is built around power, and I love him as a potential middle-six option.

15. Gabe Perreault, RW (USNTDP)

Perreault’s greatest concern this season was perceived reliance on his teammates to get stuff done. But you don’t break the 100-point barrier by accident, especially when so few players have managed to do so. The biggest concern is his skating, but he plays a similar skilled offensive game to Lucas Raymond.

16. Eduard Sale, RW (Brno, Czechia)

Consistency was an issue for Sale, especially in the second half after the World Junior Championship. He showed enough big-game potential at that event, though, that I’m still quite intrigued. He’s best when he’s being deceptive, which comes more with confidence. I do wonder if he’ll go to the AHL and follow a similar route as Buffalo’s Jiri Kulich, which could be beneficial.

17. Andrew Cristall, LW (Kewlona, WHL)

Cristall would have easily blown past the 100-point mark had he not had a lower-body injury. From a skill perspective, Cristall has everything going for him. His skating can be a bit of a disaster at points, though. In a vacuum, there’s a lot to like. When he has the puck on his stick, though, he’s dangerous. Surround him with quality linemates and you should be fine.

18. Dmitri Simashev, D (Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, KHL)

I didn’t love his game in the first half, but his late-season play really grew on me, especially during the MHL playoffs. Against his own age group, he can carry the load on the blueline and can be physically intimidating. Scouts are all over the place with him, but I like his potential.

19. Nate Danielson, C (Brandon, WHL)

Danielson feels like a “safe” pick. I’m not sure he’s more than a 45-50 point guy in the NHL, but he’s consistent and valuable enough at both ends of the ice that he’ll have a solid, young career. You won’t find a ton of 18-year-old captains, either.

20. Matthew Wood, LW (University of Connecticut, NCAA)

A point-per-game average as a freshman on one of the best teams in Hockey East is a solid way to kick off your college career. All he has done at every level is produce points and excel on the power play. His chemistry with top 2024 prospect Macklin Celebrini is a big reason why Canada won bronze at the U-18s.

21. Brayden Yager, C (Moose Jaw, WHL)

Statistically, 78 points in a draft year is solid. He had 50 assists and showed he can be a highlight-reel machine. But there have been enough off-games to get some scouts concerned. He can play all situations, but he rarely engages physically and most scouts wanted to see more goals out of him. I like him as a complementary winger more than a center down the road.

22. Quentin Musty, LW (Sudbury, OHL)

While I’d love to see Musty produce a bit more, he has enough pro qualities – quick release, high top-speed and active scanning – that I’m confident in the right team turning him into a great top-six scoring winger. He’s just physically built like a tank, too.

23. Mikhail Gulyayev, D (Omskie, MHL)

Gulyayev had confidence to burn in the MHL this year, looking like a man among kids. He uses the open space to his advantage and is fairly quick in bursts. He’ll bring value as a puck-moving transitional defender.

24. Cal Ritchie, C (Oshawa, OHL)

What Ritchie lacked in high-end offense this year, he made up for in extra defensive responsibility and more willingness to engage physically. And while he only had a point per game in the OHL, he decimated the Hlinka Gretzky with Canada before the season started. He’s going to be a dependable two-way center in the NHL.

25. Ethan Gauthier, RW (Sherbrook, QMJHL)

One of my favorite players from a style perspective, Gauthier is fierce, aggressive and never stops moving. He saw his offensive output jump by 30 points to a nice 69 this year, establishing himself as a strong goal-scorer. His power-forward style suits him well in a middle-six role.

26. Oliver Bonk, D (London, OHL)

The son of former NHLer Radek Bonk, Oliver played a ton of minutes this year thanks to his strong own-zone play. He’s capable of creating damage in the O-zone, too. He fits the mold of a modern-day defender who can do some of everything.

27. Lukas Dragicevic, D (Tri-City, WHL)

Dragicevic loves joining in on the attack and getting involved in the play any way he can. There aren’t many draft-eligible defenders that can set plays up like him, using as much available time as possible to make the correct play. He needs to work on his foot speed if he’s going to excel in the NHL.

28. Otto Stenberg, C (Frolunda, Sweden U-20)

Scouts are completely mixed here. The highs are high. The lows are low. He looked out of place in the SHL but was excellent against kids his own age. The raw talent is there, especially as a 200-foot threat that can be dangerous around both nets. His biggest asset might be his play-reads.

29. William Whitelaw, C (Youngstown, USHL)

Whitelaw hasn’t let his small frame stop him from putting a beating on goalies across the United States. His 5-foot-9 frame will be the thing that tears him down the most, but the skill is apparent.

30. Tom Willander, D (Rogle, Sweden U-20)

Willander’s consistency at the U-20 level was good, and I liked how confident he looked rushing the puck during the World Junior A Challenge, in particular. Willander has been one of the biggest risers in the top 60 for me, and I think he still has quite a bit of room to improve. He could be a nice pickup for a team that’s already in a contention window.

31. Gavin Brindley, LW (University of Michigan, NCAA)

Small but feisty, Brindley went under the radar in Michigan, largely due to Fantilli’s heroics. He’s as competitive as it comes, and he’s a solid straight-line skater, but there’s still some room to improve from an overall puck skill and hockey sense standpoint. Another year of college will help.

32. Nick Lardis, LW (Hamilton, OHL)

Late-season dominance can be very misleading, but there might not have been a more interesting forward down the stretch than Lardis. After putting up just 19 points in 36 games with the Petes, he blew up with 25 goals and 46 points in 33 games with Hamilton before going on a tear in the playoffs.

33. David Edstrom, C (Frolunda, Sweden U-20)

Edstrom wasn’t previously ranked, so this is a huge jump, for sure. Getting to see him in person really opened my eyes to his skating and hockey IQ, and he’s a strong dual-threat as a shooter and a passer. Edstrom has a big frame at 6-foot-3 and uses it to his advantage, and he scored everywhere he played this year. Scouts really sold me on him.

34. Charlie Stramel, RW (Wisconsin University, NCAA)

After a strong World Junior Championship performance, Stramel capped things off with a good second half with Wisconsin. There’s no shortage of teams that want the services of the 6-foot-3, 216-pound forward with a high hockey IQ. Sure, the offense didn’t follow, but he’s a pain in the rear end to play against.

35. Beau Akey, D (Barrie, OHL)

While most eyes have been on Brandt Clarke in Barrie this year, it’s hard to ignore Akey jumping up 30 points this year. He does an excellent job of rushing the puck down the ice from his own zone and he panic-passes the puck far less these days.

36. Daniil But, LW (Yaroslavl, MHL)

The big, skilled winger was a point-per-game player between Yaroslavl’s MHL teams this year and even scored a pair in 15 KHL games. He can do a lot of damage around the crease, both with his shot and how he pushes players around.

37. Gracyn Sawchyn, C (Seattle, WHL)

Sawchyn left the USNTDP in 2022 and used it as a chance to earn more ice time and opportunity with Seattle. After scoring at a point-per-game pace, it worked, but he’s just incredibly smart and deceptive with the puck. He’ll be a solid playmaker one day.

38. Kasper Halttunen, RW (HIFK, Liiga)

Halttunen produced nothing against men but was too good for HIFK’s U-20 team. He’s big, has a powerful wrister and has produced at all levels up until Liiga. Next year will be a big one. A bit more maturity will help take his game up another level next year.

39. Caden Price, D (Kelowna, WHL)

His game-to-game play varies, but when Price is on, he can take over and be the best player on any given shift. He’s a strong skater who throws hits with purpose and loves to rush the puck.

40. Cameron Allen, D (Guelph, OHL)

There isn’t anything overly standoutish about Allen’s game. Instead, he keeps things simple, can shut you down and land big hits. His downturn in offense raised some eyebrows but he’s still a safe pick for his strong defensive play.

41. Jayden Perron, C (Chicago, USHL)

Perron is one of the best passers in the draft, and his hot second half definitely helped his first-round case. Many scouts were hoping to see him end the regular season on a high note, and he’s been one of Chicago’s best players. But will scouts overlook his 5-foot-8 frame? I’m not sure he’s a good enough skater or defensive player to play outside the top six.

42. Oscar Fisker Mølgaard, C (HV71, SHL)

Mølgaard didn’t produce much in the SHL, but the fact that a 2005-born played more than 40 games against some of the best competition in Europe is nothing to sneeze at. He was excellent against U-20 competition, and, honestly, the smart, controlled center could end up becoming one of the biggest steals of the draft given his pro-ready tools.

43. Luca Cagnoni, D (Portland, WHL)

Another quick-moving, modern-day two-way blueliner. He’s not the quickest skater, and he’s definitely not a physical defenseman, but he has a wicked release and can dominate the power play.

44. Kalan Lind, C (Red Deer, WHL)

Like energy? You’ll love Lind. He brings it every shift, getting in your face and making you pay on the scoresheet. Lind has the makings of a fan favorite for the way he gives it his all every shift. He’s a future middle-six forward with the potential to step up in a pinch.

45. Noah Dower Nilsson, C (Frolunda, Sweden U-20)

Dower Nilsson missed more than a month due to an injury, but was solid down the stretch and saw some SHL action, too. When he’s on his game, he tends to grab points in bursts. His 54 points and 1.46 points per game were the best among U-18 skaters in the Swedish U-20 league with at least 15 games played.

46. Bradly Nadeau, C (Penticton, BCHL)

The best Canadian Jr. A player, Nadeau had 113 points this season, third most among U-18 BCHLers since 2000. His older brother, Josh, finished three points behind him on Penticton, with the pair placing 1-2 in league scoring. Don’t ignore Jr. A stars – Kent Johnson, Alex Newhook and, most notably, Cale Makar are all recent standouts.

47. Michael Hrabal, G (Omaha, USHL)

The University of Massachusetts commit’s numbers might not look like much in the USHL, but he did a lot of load-carrying this year. His international play has been solid, and despite an early exit at the U-18s, Hrabal a fighting chance. It also helps that he’s 6-foot-6 but moves like a much smaller, agile netminder.

48. Tanner Molendyk, D (Saskatoon, WHL)

At times, Molendyk feels like a fourth forward out there with how he moves the puck and generates chances. But the offense didn’t seem to follow like most expected, bumping him down a few pegs. It feels like he’ll have a breakout next year, but I just wanted to see more this time around.

49. Koehn Ziemmer, RW (Prince George, WHL)

Heidt wasn’t the only draft prospect worth watching in Prince George. Ziemmer finished with an impressive 41 goals and 89 points in 68 regular season games, with his 71 goals sitting second behind Bedard for the most among 2023 eligible players over the past two years. Ziemmer is a solid power forward that uses his strength to his advantage and should be able to carve out a decent NHL career.

50. Maxim Strbak, D (Sioux Falls, USHL)

Strbak doesn’t produce much offense, but he uses his size and skating to cut corners off and limit high-danger chances. His patience with the puck under pressure really stands out.

51. Gavin McCarthy, D (Muskegon, USHL)
52. Carson Bjarnason, G (Brandon, WHL)
53. Trey Augustine, G (USNTDP)
54. Hunter Brzustewicz, D (Kitchener, WHL)
55. Jesse Kiiskinen, RW (Lahti, Finland U-20)
56. Aram Minnetian, D (USNTDP)
57. Etienne Morin, D (Moncton, QMJHL)
58. Mathieu Cataford, C (Halifax, QMJHL)
59. Luca Pinelli, C (Ottawa, OHL)
60. Carson Rehkopf, C (Kitchener Rangers)
61. Danny Nelson, C (USNTDP)
62. Jacob Fowler, G (Youngstown, USHL)
63. Adam Gajan, G (Chippewa, NAHL)
64. Coulson Pitre, C (Flint, OHL)
65. Felix Nilsson, C (Rogle, Sweden U-20)
66. Denver Barkey, C (London, OHL)
67. Lenni Hämeenaho, RW (Assat, Liiga)
68. Alex Ciernik, LW (Sodertalje, Sweden U-20)
69. Matthew Mania, D (Sudbury, OHL)
70. Andrew Strathmann, D (Youngstown, USHL)
71. Alexander Rykov, RW (Chelmet, VHL)
72. Theo Lindstein, D (Brynas, Sweden U-20)
73. Joseph Willis, C (Saginaw, OHL)
74. Nico Myatovic, LW (Seattle, WHL)
75. Andrew Gibson, D (Sault St. Marie, OHL)

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