Scout Analysis: Six players to watch at the top of the 2023 elite NHL draft class

Prospects from around the world are weeks into their season, in some cases, trying to improve their placement in one of the deepest NHL drafts in recent memory. Connor Bedard has long been recognized as the top pick in this draft class. However, there are some other very intriguing options emerging for NHL teams to consider.

Assuming Bedard doesn’t fall off a cliff this year, he will be the first skater to be selected on June 28 in Nashville.

The battle for draft slots #2 and beyond will be exciting to watch as the season progresses.

Here’s my analysis from the start of the season on other top prospects:

MATVEY MICHKOV

Team: SKA Saint Petersburg, KHL, Russia

Vitals: 5-foot-9, 158 pounds, left shot forward

A dynamic forward who has excelled in the MHL, U18s and U20s over the past 18 months. Michkov is my second pick for the 2023 draft.

It’s too early to predict how the hockey world will view this player and what the risk is of picking him. He has signed a contract with SKA that runs until 2025-26. The team designing it will have to wait several years before it arrives in North America.

Politics and contract scenario aside, he’s a player who could challenge Bedard to their first overall title based on skill alone.

It’s not going to work that way, but my job is to rate the players at this point in the season and then strategize more later in the year.

EDUARD SALE

Team: Brno Kometa HC, Czech Republic

Vitals: 6-foot-1, 165 pounds, left shot forward

Sale has had an outstanding tournament at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup, where he was one of the top strikers at the August tournament in Red Deer. He had the full attention of every NHL team present.

Sale is a creative striker with a high-end instinct. He thinks the game at an elite level in the offensive zone. His ability to play out himself from the rush or pull up and wait for secondary options to develop speaks to his confidence with the puck on his racquet.

On the power play he picked opponents apart from his weak side. He rides a lot of momentum. Teams are already flocking to his games.

ADAM FANTILLI

Team: University of Michigan, Big 10, NCAA

Vitals: 6-foot-2, 192 pounds, left shot forward

Fantilli is entering his freshman season at the University of Michigan and will be counting on him to shoulder much of the burden offensively right away.

However, it is more than just an insult. Fantilli plays the game fast and fast and has the fitness and competition to be used in all situations and play big minutes.

There is no question he will be an early pick in June.

DALIBOR DVORSKY

Team: AIK, Hockey Allsvenskan, Sweden

Vitals: 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, left shot forward

Slovakia is in the midst of a renaissance with its development model. Last season was a coming-out party, with Juraj Slafkovsky and Simon Nemec drafted first and second overall in Montreal.

Dvorsky appears poised to make a run for a top draft slot in 2023.

He plays professionally in Sweden’s second division and the challenge of playing at that level will test his skills at such a young age. If he slips back to play in his peer group at J20 level or back home to Slovakia, he’s scoring well over a point a game.

Dvorsky is a good size, skates well and can play both center and wing. His skills are a little more reserved than others at the forefront of the draft, but his results speak for themselves.

ZACH BENSON

Team: Winnipeg Ice Cream, WHL

Vitals: 5-foot-10, 150 pounds, left shot forward

Benson had 25 goals and 63 points as a rookie in the WHL last season. He’s already averaging just under two points per game to start this year.

It’s just fun to watch Benson. He plays the game right and doesn’t cut in any zones. His competitiveness, skill, speed, and sense make him an attractive target at the top of this draft class.

BRAYDEN YAGER

Team: Elkjaw, WHL

Vitals: 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, right forward shot

Yager was named the 2021-22 CHL Rookie of the Year after scoring 34 goals and 69 points for the Moose Jaw Warriors in the WHL.

He’s the kind of player who tries to net pucks every time he enters a zone. At the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup in August, he played his identity offensively (5G, 4A) and played a starring role at the top of Team Canada’s lineup.

I’m still months away from revealing my mock draft and global ranking of prospects. The process will be fluid in the coming months.

However, one thing is certain: 2023 is an elite draft class that will shape NHL franchises for years to come.