The prime prospects for the 2023 NHL draft from Bedard to Fantilli to Reinbacher and extra
CONNOR BEDARD, heart, 5-foot-10, 185 kilos, shoots proper.
BORN: July, 17, 2005.
FROM: North Vancouver, British Columbia
LAST TEAM: Regina Pats, Western Hockey League
ACCOMPLISHMENTS/BACKGROUND: Bedard was the WHL’s first participant – and seventh Canadian junior – to be granted distinctive standing in being allowed to play at 15. … In 2021-22, he scored 51 objectives to turn out to be the WHL’s youngest participant to attain 50. … Last season, he grew to become the primary WHL participant to attain 71 objectives since Pavel Brendl (73) in 1998-99. And his 143 factors had been essentially the most within the league since three gamers topped that complete in 1995-96. … Bedard led this previous world junior championship match and set a Team Canada document with 23 factors (9 objectives, 14 assists), which resulted in him being voted the International Ice Hockey Federation’s inaugural male participant of the 12 months. … He grew to become Canada’s first participant to brush the CHL participant of the of the 12 months, prime prospect and prime scorer honors.
NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING RANKING: No. 1 North American skater.
PROJECTED TO BE DRAFTED: First by the Chicago Blackhawks.
STRENGTHS: A whole offensive package deal with a extremely correct shot, pure scoring means.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: “It’s almost like he’s pressing random buttons on the X-Box controller, coming up with some of these dangles.” – Team Canada world junior goalie Thomas Milic.
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ADAM FANTILLI, heart, 6-foot-2, 195 kilos, shoots left.
BORN: Oct. 12, 2004.
FROM: Nobleton, Ontario
LAST TEAM: University of Michigan
ACCOMPLISHMENTS/BACKGROUND: As a freshman, Fantilli led all U.S. school gamers with 65 factors and tied for the lead with 30 objectives in 36 video games. … He grew to become simply the third freshman to win school hockey’s Hobey Baker participant of the 12 months, becoming a member of Jack Eichel (2015) and Paul Kariya (1993). … In serving to the USHL Chicago Steel win the USHL Clark Cup as a rookie in 2021, he was named playoff MVP in ending with eight objectives and 9 factors in eight video games. … The pandemic led him to play within the USHL, and was anticipating to maneuver on to the OHL earlier than selecting Michigan after visiting the college’s campus.
NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING RANKING: No. 2 North American skater.
PROJECTED TO BE DRAFTED: Second to Anaheim or third to Columbus.
STRENGTHS: A talented energy ahead who performs a team-first sport.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: “You have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, that’s Connor and Adam, so you’re going to win with both.” – Central Scouting director Dan Marr, evaluating Bedard and Fantilli to the Edmonton Oilers’ prime offensive tandem.
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LEO CARLSSON, heart, 6-foot-2, 194 kilos, shoots left.
BORN: Dec. 26, 2004.
FROM: Karlstad, Sweden.
LAST TEAM: Orebro, Swedish Hockey League.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS/BACKGROUND: Carlsson was named Sweden’s junior participant of the 12 months after main his age class with 15 assists and 25 factors. His 10 objectives had been tied for second. … He represented Sweden on the world championships and completed tied for the staff lead with three objectives, whereas including two assists in eight video games. … Father Kenneth performed professionally in Sweden as a defenseman from 1995-96 to 2003-04.
NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING RANKING: No. 1 International skater.
PROJECTED TO BE DRAFTED: No decrease than San Jose, which is scheduled to select fourth.
STRENGTHS: Two-way ahead who’s tough to knock off the puck.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: “The way he can bait defenders one on one is extraordinary. He is a natural rally starter, who can change the momentum of a shift, period or game.” – Central Scouting report.
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WILLIAM SMITH, heart, 5-foot-11, 181 kilos, shoots proper.
BORN: May 17, 2005.
FROM: Boston.
LAST TEAM: U.S. National Development Program.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS/BACKGROUND: Smith completed second on his staff with 127 factors (51 objectives, 76 assists) in 60 video games final season. … He received a gold medal and earned Under-18 world championship MVP honors after main the match with 9 objectives and 20 factors in seven video games. … Smith is dedicated to enjoying at Boston College this season.
NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING RANKING: No. 3 North American skater.
PROJECTED TO BE DRAFTED: Anywhere between fourth and seventh general.
STRENGTHS: Creative play-maker.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: “Good offensive hockey sense to generate scoring chances when needed. Complete package that competes well in all areas and is capable of being a difference maker.” – Central Scouting report.
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MATVEI MICHKOV, proper wing, 5-foot-10, 172 kilos, shoots left.
BORN: Dec. 9, 2004.
FROM: Perm, Russia.
LAST TEAM: Sochi, Kontinental Hockey League.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS/BACKGROUND: Michkov completed fourth on Sochi with 20 factors (9 objectives, 11 factors) in simply 27 video games after being loaned to the staff Dec. 20. … He opened final season splitting between St. Petersburg’s KHL and Division II groups. … In 2021-22, he had 30 objectives and 51 factors in 28 regular-seasons video games for SKA St. Petersburg’s junior staff, and scored a playoff-leading 13 objectives in 17 video games. … He received a silver medal and was named MVP on the 2021 Under-18 world championships after main the match with 12 objectives and 16 factors in seven video games. … Michkov is underneath contract with St. Petersburg by the 2025-26 season.
NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING RANKING: No. 2 International skater.
PROJECTED TO BE DRAFTED: Anywhere between second general and the Arizona Coyotes’ second of two first-round picks at 12. The unlikelihood of him being out there to play within the NHL till 2026 might symbolize a crimson flag for some groups.
STRENGTHS: Speed and play-making means.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: “An explosive winger and an exceptional talent with all the tools needed to become a superstar.” – Central Scouting report.
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DAVID REINBACHER, protection, 6-foot-2, 194 kilos, shoots proper.
BORN: Oct. 25, 2004.
FROM: Hohenems, Austria
LAST TEAM: EHC Kloten, Swiss League.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS/BACKGROUND: Reinbacher led Swiss League youngsters with 22 factors (three objectives, 19 assists) in 46 video games final season. … In 2021-22, he made his professional debut at 16 and performed 14 video games in serving to Kloten win the Swiss League championship. … He’s more likely to turn out to be the seventh Austrian to be chosen within the first spherical, and third since 2020 in becoming a member of Marco Kasper (No. 8 decide in 2022) and Marco Rossi (No. 9 decide in 2020). … Splitting hockey and school, the place he’s enrolled in a enterprise program.
NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING RANKING: No. 5 International skater.
PROJECTED TO BE DRAFTED: Could go as excessive as fifth to Montreal; projected as the highest blue-liner out there.
STRENGTHS: Well-rounded defenseman with dimension and pace.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: “I’m a humble kid. I’m enjoying every minute here. It’s so exciting, especially an Austrian kid from a small town here.” – Reinbacher on the NHL mix in Buffalo, New York, earlier this month.
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Content Source: www.washingtontimes.com