2023 NHL Draft Rankings: Larry Fisher's Pre-U18 Top 300

[Larry Fisher]

With the CHL playoffs starting and the U18 worlds upcoming, here are my Top 300 prospects for the 2023 NHL Draft. To be updated again in June following the Memorial Cup and draft combine for my final rankings.

Fisher's 2023 Pre-U18 Rankings

Tiers 1, 2-4, 5-12, 13-30, 31-38, 39-64, 65-117, 118-300

First Round

1) Connor Bedard (RC/RW, Canada, Regina WHL)

2) Matvei Michkov (RW, Russia, SKA St. Petersburg VHL)

3) Adam Fantilli (LC, Canada, Michigan NCAA)

4) Leo Carlsson (LC, Sweden, Orebro SHL)

5) Eduard Sale (RW, Czechia, Kometa Brno Czechia)

6) Will Smith (RC, USA, NTDP U18)

7) Zach Benson (LW, Canada, Winnipeg WHL)

8) Dalibor Dvorsky (LC/LW, Slovakia, AIK Allsvenskan)

9) David Reinbacher (RD, Austria, Kloten NL)

10) Brayden Yager (RC, Canada, Moose Jaw WHL)

11) Colby Barlow (LW, Canada, Owen Sound OHL)

12) Andrew Cristall (LW/RW, Canada, Kelowna WHL)

13) Mikhail Gulyayev (LD, Russia, Avangard Omsk KHL)

14) Axel Sandin Pellikka (RD, Sweden, Skelleftea SHL)

15) Calum Ritchie (RC, Canada, Oshawa OHL)

16) Riley Heidt (LW, Canada, Prince George WHL)

17) Oliver Moore (LC, USA, NTDP U18)

18) Ryan Leonard (RW, USA, NTDP U18)

19) Gavin Brindley (RW, USA/Canada, Michigan NCAA)

20) Matthew Wood (RW, Canada, Connecticut NCAA)

21) Nate Danielson (RW, Canada, Brandon WHL)

22) Samuel Honzek (LW/LC, Slovakia, Vancouver WHL)

23) Maxim Strbak (RD, Slovakia, Sioux Falls USHL)

24) Dmitri Simashev (LD, Russia, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl KHL)

25) Daniil But (LW/RW, Russia, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl KHL)

26) Kasper Halttunen (RW/LW, Finland, HIFK Liiga)

27) Michael Hrabal (G, Czechia, Omaha USHL)

28) Lukas Dragicevic (RD, Canada, Tri-City WHL)

29) Ethan Gauthier (RW, Canada/USA, Sherbrooke QMJHL)

30) Otto Stenberg (LC/LW, Sweden, Frolunda SHL)

31) Jayden Perron (RW, Canada, Chicago USHL)

32) Gabe Perreault (LW, USA/Canada, NTDP U18)

Second Round

33) Quentin Musty (LW, USA, Sudbury OHL)

34) Charlie Stramel (RW/RC, USA, Wisconsin NCAA)

35) Tom Willander (RD, Sweden, Rogle J20)

36) Theo Lindstein (LD, Sweden, Brynas SHL)

37) Hunter Brzustewicz (RD, USA, Kitchener OHL)

38) Carson Bjarnason (G, Canada, Brandon WHL)

39) Emil Jarventie (LW, Finland, Ilves Liiga)

40) Alex Ciernik (LW/RW, Slovakia, Sodertalje Allsvenskan)

41) William Whitelaw (RC/RW, USA, Youngstown USHL)

42) Bradly Nadeau (LW/RC, Canada, Penticton BCHL)

43) Gracyn Sawchyn (RC, Canada, Seattle WHL)

44) Koehn Zimmer (RW, Canada, Prince George WHL)

45) Kalan Lind (LW, Canada, Red Deer WHL)

46) Caden Price (LD, Canada, Kelowna WHL)

47) Etienne Morin (LD, Canada, Moncton QMJHL)

48) Oliver Bonk (RD, Canada, London OHL)

49) Cameron Allen (RD, Canada, Guelph OHL)

50) Luca Cagnoni (LD, Canada, Portland WHL)

51) Oscar Fisker Molgaard (F, Denmark, HV71 SHL)

52) Noah Dower Nilsson (LC, Sweden, Frolunda J20)

53) Jesse Kiiskinen (RW, Finland, Pelicans Liiga)

54) Arttu Karki (LD, Finland, Tappara U20)

55) Roman Kantserov (LW/RW, Russia, Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk MHL)

56) Yegor Zavragin (G, Russia, Mamonty Yugry MHL)

57) Tanner Molendyk (LD, Canada, Saskatoon WHL)

58) Mazden Leslie (RD, Canada, Vancouver WHL)

59) Carson Rehkopf (LC/RW, Canada, Kitchener OHL)

60) Nick Lardis (LW/RW, Canada, Peterborough OHL)

61) Mathieu Cataford (RW, Canada, Halifax QMJHL)

62) Jayson Shaugabay (RW/RC, USA, Warroad USHS)

63) Adam Gajan (G, Slovakia, Green Bay USHL, overager)

64) Trey Augustine (G, USA, NTDP U18)

Third Round

65) Danny Nelson (LW, USA, NTDP U18)

66) Lenni Hameenaho (RW, Finland, Assat Liiga)

67) Felix Nilsson (LC/LW, Sweden, Rogle SHL)

68) Noah Erliden (G, Sweden, HV71 J20)

69) Jacob Fowler (G, USA, Youngstown USHL)

70) Eric Pohlkamp (RD, USA, Cedar Rapids USHL, overager)

71) Luke Mittelstadt (LD, USA, Minnesota NCAA, overager)

72) Hudson Thornton (LD, Canada, Prince George WHL, overager)

73) Egor Sidorov (LW, Belarus, Saskatoon WHL, overager)

74) Aydar Suniev (LW, Russia, Penticton BCHL)

75) Connor Levis (RW/RC, Canada, Kamloops WHL)

76) Carter Sotheran (RD, Canada, Portland WHL)

77) Aram Minnetian (RD, USA, NTDP U18)

78) Andrew Strathmann (LD, USA, Youngstown USHL)

79) Dylan MacKinnon (RD, Canada, Halifax QMJHL)

80) Matthew Mania (RD, USA, Sudbury OHL)

81) Beau Akey (RD, Canada, Barrie OHL)

82) Andrew Gibson (RD, Canada, Soo OHL)

83) Tristan Bertucci (LD, Canada, Flint OHL)

84) Timur Mukhanov (RC, Russia, Omskie Yastreby MHL)

85) Alexander Rykov (F, Russia, Chelmet Chelyabinsk VHL)

86) Nikita Susuyev (F, Russia, Spartak Moskva KHL)

87) Albert Wikman (LD, Sweden, Farjestad SHL)

88) Jakub Dvorak (LD, Czechia, Bili Tygri Liberec Czechia)

89) Adam Dybal (G, Czechia, Karlovy Vary U20)

90) Thomas Milic (G, Canada, Seattle WHL, overager)

91) Sawyer Mynio (LD, Canada, Seattle WHL)

92) Martin Misiak (LC, Slovakia, Youngstown USHL)

93) Jakub Stancl (LW, Czechia, Vaxjo SHL)

94) David Edstrom (LC, Sweden/USA, Frolunda SHL)

95) Anton Wahlberg (RW/LC, Sweden, Malmo J20)

96) Noel Nordh (LW/RW, Sweden, Brynas J20)

Fourth Round

97) Attilio Biasca (LC/LW, Switzerland, Halifax QMJHL, overager)

98) Tomas Suchanek (G, Czechia, Tri-City WHL, overager)

99) Scott Ratzlaff (G, Canada, Seattle WHL)

100) Luca Pinelli (LW/LC, Canada, Ottawa OHL)

101) Denver Barkey (LC, Canada, London OHL)

102) Coulson Pitre (RW/RC, Canada, Flint OHL)

103) Cam Squires (RW, Canada, Cape Breton QMJHL)

104) Tyler Peddle (LW, Canada, Drummondville QMJHL)

105) Teddy Townsend (F, USA, Eden Prairie USHS)

106) Tanner Ludtke (LW/LC, USA, Lincoln USHL)

107) Gavin McCarthy (RD, USA, Muskegon USHL)

108) Jordan Tourigny (RD, Canada, Shawinigan QMJHL)

109) Ty Higgins (RD, Canada, Acadie-Bathurst QMJHL)

110) Luke Coughlin (LD, Canada, Rimouski QMJHL)

111) Quinton Burns (LD, Canada, Kingston OHL)

112) Ian Scherzer (LC, Austria, Rogle J20)

113) Linus Brandl (RC, Germany, Mannheim U20)

114) Ondrej Molnar (LW, Slovakia, Erie OHL)

115) Jesse Nurmi (RW, Finland, KooKoo U20)

116) Tuomas Uronen (RW, Finland, HIFK U20)

117) Rasmus Kumpulainen (F, Finland, Pelicans U20)

118) Cole Knuble (RW, USA, Fargo USHL, overager)

119) Jake Livanavage (LD, USA, Chicago USHL, overager)

120) Sam Court (RD, Canada, Brooks AJHL, overager)

121) Grayden Siepmann (RD, Canada, Calgary WHL, overager)

122) Mathew Ward (RW, Canada, Swift Current WHL, overager)

123) Logan Wormald (LW, Canada, Lethbridge WHL)

124) Matthew Soto (RW, Canada, Kingston OHL)

125) Brad Gardiner (RC, Canada, Ottawa OHL)

126) Carey Terrance (LC, USA/Canada, Erie OHL)

127) Will Vote (RW, USA, NTDP U18)

128) Ryan Fine (RC, USA, NTDP U18)

Fifth Round

129) Beckett Hendrickson (LW, USA, NTDP U18)

130) Brady Cleveland (LD, USA, NTDP U18)

131) Nico Myatovic (LW, Canada, Seattle WHL)

132) Kaden Hammell (RD, Canada, Everett WHL)

133) Cameron Johnson (LC, Canada, Chicago USHL)

134) Gavyn Thoreson (F, USA, Waterloo USHL)

135) Joe Connor (LC, USA, Avon Old Farms USHS)

136) Jake Fisher (F, USA, Cretin-Derham Hall USHS)

137) Aiden Fink (RW, Canada, Brooks AJHL)

138) Felix Unger Sorum (LW/RW, Sweden, Leksands J20)

139) Alexander Hellnemo (G, Sweden, Skelleftea SHL, overager)

140) Hugo Havelid (G, Sweden, Linkoping J20, overager)

141) Damian Clara (G, Italy, Farjestad J20)

142) Noa Vali (G, Finland, TPS U20)

143) Dominik Petr (LW/LC, Czechia, Lukko U20)

144) Matteo Koci (LD, Czechia, Karlovy Vary U20)

145) Emil Pieniniemi (LD, Finland, Karpat U20)

146) Yegor Klimovich (LC, Russia, Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk MHL)

147) Vadim Moroz (F, Belarus, Dinamo Minsk KHL, overager)

148) Danil Aimurzin (RW, Russia, Salavat Yulaev KHL, overager)

149) Nikita Buruyanov (LW, Russia, Dynamo Moskva KHL, overager)

150) Maxim Fedotov (RD, Russia, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod KHL, overager)

151) Oskar Asplund (LD, Sweden, Almtuna Allsvenskan, overager)

152) Jeremy Hanzel (LD, Canada, Seattle WHL, overager)

153) Austin Roest (LW/RC, Canada, Everett WHL, overager)

154) Atlee Calvert (RC, Canada, Moose Jaw WHL, overager)

155) Jack Harvey (LW, USA, Chicago USHL, overager)

156) Josh Nadeau (RW/LW, Canada, Penticton BCHL, overager)

157) Gabriel Szturc (LC, Czechia, Kelowna WHL, overager)

158) Marcel Marcel (LW, Czechia, Gatineau QMJHL, overager)

159) Peter Repcik (LC/LW, Slovakia, Charlottetown QMJHL, overager)

160) Andrei Loshko (RW, Belarus, Chicoutimi QMJHL)

Sixth Round

161) Jeremy Wilmer (LC, USA, Boston University NCAA, overager)

162) Ty Mueller (F, Canada, Nebraska-Omaha NCAA, overager)

163) Matt Copponi (RC, USA, Merrimack NCAA, overager)

164) Markus Vidicek (LC, Canada, Halifax QMJHL, overager)

165) Brady Stonehouse (RW, Canada, Ottawa OHL, overager)

166) Ethan Miedema (LW, Canada, Kingston OHL)

167) Alex Pharand (RW/RC, Canada, Sudbury OHL)

168) Easton Cowan (LW, Canada, London OHL)

169) Joseph Willis (LC, USA, Saginaw OHL)

170) Ty Halaburda (RC, Canada, Vancouver WHL)

171) Jaden Lipinski (RC, USA, Vancouver WHL)

172) Tanner Adams (RW/RC, USA, Tri-City USHL)

173) Alex Weiermair (RC, USA/Canada, NTDP U18)

174) Kevin Bicker (LW, Germany, Mannheim U20)

175) Zeb Forsfjall (LC, Sweden, Skelleftea SHL)

176) Theo Keilin (LW, Sweden, Skelleftea SHL, overager)

177) Isac Born (LC/LW, Sweden, Frolunda SHL, overager)

178) Dmitri Katelevsky (RW/LW, Russia, Bars Kazan VHL, overager)

179) Daniil O. Ivanov (LD, Russia, Spartak Moskva MHL, overager)

180) Ruslan Khazheyev (G, Russia, Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk MHL)

181) Alexander Suvorov (F, Belarus, Severstal Cherepovets KHL, overager)

182) Jan Sprynar (RW, Czechia, Rimouski QMJHL)

183) Justin Gill (LC, Canada, Sherbrooke QMJHL, overager)

184) Matyas Melovsky (RC, Czechia, Baie-Comeau QMJHL, overager)

185) Daniil Bourosh (RC, Belarus, Rouyn-Noranda QMJHL, overager)

186) Pier-Olivier Roy (LD, Canada, Victoriaville QMJHL, overager)

187) Noah Meier (LD, Switzerland, Kusnacht Lions SL, overager)

188) Rodwin Dionicio (LD, Switzerland/USA, Windsor OHL, overager)

189) Bogdans Hodass (LD, Latvia, Medicine Hat WHL, overager)

190) Boston Buckberger (LD, Canada, Lincoln USHL, overager)

191) Aaron Pionk (LD, USA, Waterloo USHL, overager)

192) Michael Hagens (LD, USA, Chicago USHL)

Seventh Round

193) Ryan Conmy (RW, USA, Sioux City USHL)

194) Benjamin Poitras (RC, Canada, Sioux City USHL)

195) Samuel Urban (G, Slovakia, Sioux City USHL)

196) Samuel Barcik (RD, Slovakia, Zvolen)

197) Daniil Karpovich (LD, Belarus, Avto Yekaterinburg MHL)

198) Arvid Bergstrom (LD, Sweden, Djurgardens J20)

199) Petter Vesterheim (LC/LW, Norway, Mora Allsvenskan)

200) Lukas Hes (F, Czechia, Berani Zlin U20)

201) Radel Zamaltdinov (F, Russia, Irbis Kazan MHL)

202) Yegor Rimashevsky (RW, Belarus/Russia, Dynamo Moskva MHL)

203) Ignat Lutfullin (F, Russia, SKA-1946 St. Petersburg MHL)

204) Cole Burbidge (LW, Canada, Saint John QMJHL)

205) Matteo Mann (RD, Canada, Chicoutimi QMJHL)

206) Charlie Robertson (G, Canada, North Bay OHL)

207) Calem Mangone (RW, Canada, Saginaw OHL)

208) Anthony Romani (RC/RW, Canada, North Bay OHL)

209) Angus MacDonell (LC, Canada, Mississauga OHL)

210) Owen Outwater (LC, Canada, Kingston OHL)

211) Declan Waddick (LC, Canada, Niagara OHL)

212) Oliver Tulk (RC, Canada, Calgary WHL)

213) Tommaso De Luca (LC, Italy, Spokane WHL)

214) Deagen McMillan (RW, Canada, Tri-City WHL)

215) Mason Finley (LW/RW, Canada, Edmonton WHL)

216) Kevin Pasche (G, Switzerland, Omaha USHL, overager)

217) Yegor Guskov (G, Russia, Ryazan-VDV VHL, overager)

218) Kaidan Mbereko (G, USA, Colorado College NCAA, overager)

219) Juha Jatkola (G, Finland, KalPa Liiga, overager)

220) Jani Lampinen (G, Finland, Kiekko-Espoo Mestis, overager)

221) Ian Blomquist (G, Sweden, Vasteras Allsvenskan, overager)

222) Stepan Vopravil (G, Czechia, KooKoo U20, overager)

223) Kyle Kelsey (G, Canada, Red Deer WHL, overager)

224) Kai Uchacz (RC, Canada, Red Deer WHL, overager)

Honourable Mentions

225) Max Namestnikov (LC, Russia/USA, Guelph OHL, overager)

226) Andon Cerbone (LW, USA, Youngstown USHL, overager)

227) Zaccharya Wisdom (RW, Canada, Cedar Rapids USHL, overager)

228) Marek Hejduk (RW, USA/Czechia, Harvard NCAA, overager)

229) Andrei Malyavin (LD, Russia, Brandon WHL, overager)

230) Dylan Hryckowian (RW, Canada, Cedar Rapids USHL, overager)

231) Eli Sebastian (LC, Canada, Green Bay USHL, overager)

232) Matthew Perkins (LC, Canada, Youngstown USHL, overager)

233) Cale Ashcroft (LD, Canada, Tri-City USHL, overager)

234) Chase Pietila (RD, USA, Youngstown USHL, overager)

235) Jacob Guevin (RD, Canada, Nebraska-Omaha NCAA, overager)

236) Tyler Duke (LD, USA/Canada, Ohio State NCAA, overager)

237) Drew Fortescue (LD, USA, NTDP U18)

238) Donovan McCoy (RD, Canada, Peterborough OHL)

239) Sam Mayer (LD, Canada, Peterborough OHL, overager)

240) Spencer Sova (LD, Canada/USA, Erie OHL, overager)

241) Djibril Toure (RD, Canada, Sudbury OHL, overager)

242) Pavol Funtek (LD, Slovakia, Youngstown USHL, overager)

243) Jiri Tichacek (LD, Czechia, Rytiri Kladno Czechia, overager)

244) David Moravec (LD, Czechia, Halifax QMJHL, overager)

245) Kalle Ervasti (RD, Finland, Lukko Liiga, overager)

246) Elmeri Laakso (LD, Finland, SaiPa Liiga, overager)

247) Niks Fenenko (LD, Latvia, Baie-Comeau QMJHL, overager)

248) Theo Angesved (RD, Sweden, Frolunda J20, overager)

249) Mans Forsfjall (LD, Sweden, Skelleftea SHL, overager)

250) Davis Burnside (F, USA, Ohio State NCAA, overager)

251) Noah Serdachny (RC, Canada, Colorado College NCAA, overager)

252) Vinny Borgesi (RD, USA, Northeastern NCAA, overager)

253) Charles-Alexis Legault (RD, Canada, Quinnipiac NCAA, overager)

254) Jonathan Fauchon (LC, Canada, Blainville-Boisbriand QMJHL, overager)

255) Dylan Roobroeck (LC, Canada, Oshawa OHL, overager)

256) Jack O’Brien (LC/LW, USA, Portland WHL, overager)

257) Borya Valis (RW, USA, Regina WHL, overager)

258) Zac Funk (LW/RW, Canada, Prince George WHL, overager)

259) Dylan Ernst (G, Canada, Kamloops WHL, overager)

260) Jan Spunar (G, Czechia, Portland WHL, overager)

261) Hunter Anderson (LC, USA, Shattuck St. Mary’s U18)

262) Christian Kim (RW, USA, Wenatchee BCHL)

263) A.J. Lacroix (LC, USA/Canada, Chilliwack BCHL)

264) Tyler Thorpe (RW, Canada, Vancouver WHL)

265) Vojtech Port (RD, Czechia, Edmonton WHL)

266) Kalem Parker (RD, Canada, Victoria WHL)

267) Hoyt Stanley (RD, Canada, Victoria BCHL)

268) Lucas St. Louis (LD, USA/Canada, Dubuque USHL)

269) Paul Fischer (LD, USA, NTDP U18)

270) Hugo Hell (LD, Sweden, Farjestad J20)

271) Mikey DeAngelo (LW, USA, Green Bay USHL)

272) Mikey Burchill (LW, USA, Dubuque USHL)

273) Austin Burnevik (LW, USA, NTDP U18)

274) Gleb Veremyev (LC, USA, Colorado College NCAA, overager)

275) Dylan Gratton (LD, USA, Penn State NCAA, overager)

276) Antonin Verreault (LW, Canada, Gatineau QMJHL, overager)

277) Nikita Prishchepov (LW, Russia, Victoriaville QMJHL, overager)

278) William Blackburn (G, Canada, Val-d’Or QMJHL, overager)

279) William Rousseau (G, Canada, Quebec QMJHL, overager)

280) Andrew Ness (G, Canada, Fort McMurray AJHL, overager)

281) Ilya Kvochko (LC, Russia, Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk MHL, overager)

282) Ruslan Gazizov (RW, Russia, London OHL, overager)

283) Adam Mechura (LC/LW, Czechia, Tri-City WHL, overager)

284) Adam Dvorak (RW/LW, Czechia, Plzen, overager)

285) Filip Sitar (RC, Slovenia, AIK J20)

286) Samuel Fiala (RC, Czechia, Bili Tygri Liberec U20)

287) Melvin Strahl (G, Sweden, MODO J20)

288) Kalle Carlsson (LC, Sweden, Orebro J20)

289) Vyacheslav Malov (RW, Russia, Omskie Yastreby MHL, overager)

290) Denis Malov (F, Russia, Omskie Yastreby MHL)

291) Ivan Anoshko (LC, Belarus, Dinamo-Shinnik Bobruysk MHL)

292) Henri Kivisto (RD, Finland/USA, Ilves U20)

293) Janne Peltonen (LD, Finland, Karpat U20)

294) Antti Virtanen (LC/LW, Finland, SaiPa U20)

295) Axel Landen (RD, Sweden, HV71 J20)

296) Victor Sjoholm (RD, Sweden, HV71 SHL, overager)

297) Marcus Brannman (G, Sweden, Dubuque USHL, overager)

298) Hampton Slukynsky (G, USA, Warroad USHS)

299) Ty Henricks (LW, USA, Muskegon USHL)

300) Adam Zidlicky (LW/RW, Czechia, Mississauga OHL)

By The Numbers:
Forwards — 175
Defensemen — 91 (52 LD, 39 RD)
Goaltenders — 34
Overagers — 104

Tiers are tricky this year beyond Bedard at No. 1 and the near consensus 2-4 group of forwards. From there, the tiers start to blend and become bigger but I like my 5-12 group of Top 10 candidates and my 13-30 as likely first-rounders, with 31-38 as potential first-rounders. After that, 39-64 and 65-117 are oversized tiers that will likely overlap on draft day, with 118-300 being the best of the rest with plenty of overagers that could go still sooner than later.

It’s not a great year for D in general, though a handful have played their way into the first round. It is a stronger year for goaltenders and there could be a run on them in the Top 75 but it would be surprising to see more than one in the first round. The COVID impact is continuing to deliver late-blooming overagers, and even though this is a reasonably deep crop of first-time eligibles, there could be around 50 overagers drafted again in 2023.

The floor is now open for feedback! Make your opinions known as I’ll circle back on certain prospects through video, in addition to scouting playoff hockey and the U18 tournament!

Click to read more...

 

[Magonus1703]

Good list. No hot takes and everybody are somewhat where they should be. Good to see some love for Sale and Gulyayev.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Really good ranking. Would it be safe to say you’re a believer in the tools for guys like Yager and Sale, whom you have quite a bit higher than I do?

 

[sigx15]

Good list. No hot takes and everybody are somewhat where they should be. Good to see some love for Sale and Gulyayev.

Gabe Perrault at 32 is a pretty hot take. I know he has questions around his skating but that’s aggressive. Hrabal at 27 seems really high to me too

 

[Larry Fisher]

Really good ranking. Would it be safe to say you’re a believer in the tools for guys like Yager and Sale, whom you have quite a bit higher than I do?

Definitely a big fan of both. We've seen Sale shine in best on best showcases among his draft peers. He has a lot of Pastrnak in him as a gamebreaking goal-scorer. Yager has a wicked shot, bit of a down draft year relative to expectations after winning CHL Rookie of the Year as a 16-year-old, but he has all the tools to be a point-per-game NHLer. A better Jordan Kyrou. I definitely see his tools translating well to the pro game and I think he could still enjoy a resurgence into that 5-7 range with a strong playoff for Moose Jaw.

 

[Larry Fisher]

Gabe Perrault at 32 is a pretty hot take. I know he has questions around his skating but that’s aggressive. Hrabal at 27 seems really high to me too

Fair call-outs, I am not as high on Perreault as some (39, 34, 37, 32 .. trending up) and I am probably higher on Hrabal than most — I have been all season long (23, 30, 31, 27 from preliminary, pre-WJC, midseason, pre-U18).

 

[dr1234]

Love your list! I’d love to hear about Kalle Carlsson at 288 as I’ve not seen much of this player but have seen some rank him pretty high.

 

[Teaspoon salami]

Really good list. I don't think there will be so many overagers, or goalies under 6'1 taken in the draft, but will probably end up agreeing more with this list than the actual draft.

 

[Mrb1p]

The list is missing personality. Its probably closer to a consensus list than actual consensus lists.

You mean to tell me you like every single player exactly at the right spot ? Only Sale and Hrabal are somewhat bold, and Sale is very defendable.

Can't say its a bad list though.

 

[dj Mahoney]

Ethan Miedema at #166 ,hmmm.

 

[emptyNedder]

You mean to tell me you like every single player exactly at the right spot ? Only Sale and Hrabal are somewhat bold, and Sale is very defendable.

Bit of an exaggeration. For instance, Heidt above all of Moore, Leonard, and Danielson is different than the consensus.
@Larry Fisher thanks as always for the extensive list.

 

[Larry Fisher]

Love your list! I’d love to hear about Kalle Carlsson at 288 as I’ve not seen much of this player but have seen some rank him pretty high.

Carlsson has never really popped for me, obviously not at the Hlinka or WJAC, so looking forward to another viewing at the U18s. A few of those Swedish forwards could trend up with strong showings there. Carlsson has been on my radar all along, I had him at 80 on my preliminary rankings and 116 pre-WJC (following WJAC), then NR (outside Top 160) for my midseason rankings. So he has been a slider for me but could win me over at the U18s, somebody I'll try to watch for, for sure.

 

[Larry Fisher]

Really good list. I don't think there will be so many overagers, or goalies under 6'1 taken in the draft, but will probably end up agreeing more with this list than the actual draft.

I will definitely take that as a compliment and if you've been following my public rankings since 2018, or look back on them, I am biased but I often like my lists more than the draft results. And my lists have aged fairly well, relatively to draft results. A lot of kids that I ranked as first-time eligibles end up getting drafted as overagers, or quite a few that get passed over repeatedly still end up earning contracts or becoming coveted free agent players. But no doubt NHL teams prefer 6'2" plus for goalies and perhaps fewer overagers, although my 2022 list was criticized for too many overagers and it wound up being close to bang on!

The list is missing personality. Its probably closer to a consensus list than actual consensus lists.

You mean to tell me you like every single player exactly at the right spot ? Only Sale and Hrabal are somewhat bold, and Sale is very defendable.

Can't say its a bad list though.

Thanks, I think? lol I do have personal favourites mixed in there that I feel are higher than the consensus, including a lot of my overagers. But not too many surprises in my first round tiers, obviously.

 

[Habsrule]

There are some that I don’t agree with, some players who I would have significantly higher. That being said you know way more than me with this massive of a list. I will give you all the credit in the world.

Moore, Molendyk, Lardis, Miedema I would all have higher.

Great work!!

 

[Larry Fisher]

Ethan Miedema at #166 ,hmmm.

96, 102, 118, 166 ... he has trended down and been a slider for me BUT I could totally see a team reaching for him in the Top 75 based on size and pedigree (4th overall pick in his OHL draft). Admittedly, 166 is likely too low for Miedema, but I basically went 118-300 as a giant tier and I wouldn't argue against him as a fourth-rounder closer to the Top 100. I don't love him higher than that. I haven't watched (or tracked) the OHL and QMJHL as closely as I would have liked this season but I do prefer the OHL forwards that I have ranked ahead of Miedema based on my limited viewings and some networking feedback.

 

[Czechboy]

I love your lists!

 

[Larry Fisher]

Bit of an exaggeration. For instance, Heidt above all of Moore, Leonard, and Danielson is different than the consensus.
@Larry Fisher thanks as always for the extensive list.

Good call, Heidt has been coming on strong for me ... I nearly slotted him between Barlow and Cristall, making that a 5-13 tier but ultimately decided I still preferred those Euro D and Ritchie.

 

[Larry Fisher]

There are some that I don’t agree with, some players who I would have significantly higher. That being said you know way more than me with this massive of a list. I will give you all the credit in the world.

Moore, Molendyk, Lardis, Miedema I would all have higher.

Great work!!

Thanks for the feedback, Lardis is one of my biggest risers after being overlooked / under-appreciated in my midseason rankings — from 150 to 60! I didn't have him in my Top 96 for preliminary rankings (NR) and he debuted at 103 for pre-WJC but then inexplicably slipped to 150 for midseason rankings (should have went up, not down but got lost in the shuffle or I didn't circle back on him during that shuffling process where others were trending up from recent views for those rankings).

Moore = 40, 35, 20, 17 ... steady riser throughout the draft year for me

Molendyk = 86, 87, 71, 57 ... another player making a nice leap for these rankings

 

[Habsrule]

Thanks for the feedback, Lardis is one of my biggest risers after being overlooked / under-appreciated in my midseason rankings — from 150 to 60! I didn't have him in my Top 96 for preliminary rankings (NR) and he debuted at 103 for pre-WJC but then inexplicably slipped to 150 for midseason rankings (should have went up, not down but got lost in the shuffle or I didn't circle back on him during that shuffling process where others were trending up from recent views for those rankings).

Moore = 40, 35, 20, 17 ... steady riser throughout the draft year for me

Molendyk = 86, 87, 71, 57 ... another player making a nice leap for these rankings

You are welcome.

Moore I have more in the 8-12 range so I guess 17 is not too far off from the bottom of my range.

Molendyk has been a fast riser for me too. I have him as a possible late first rounder to mid second. 57 is a later second so we are not far off from the bottom of my range.

Lardis I will give everyone a pass on. He was really nothing special on Peterborough but then when he got traded to Hamilton it is like a switch got turned on. 46 points in 33 games. He is small in stature but can he fly.

Miedema is a player that got lost in the shuffle this year stats wise. He played bottom six with limited power play time in Windsor and then was a major piece in the Shane Wright trade. Since going to Kingston he has not put up huge points other than his four goal game. Problem is that the team is terrible and he doesn’t have much to play with there. Thing is you can’t teach players how to be 6’4 and over 200 pounds in their draft year. The NHL is all about skill and speed but teams still love size.

 

[Mrfenn92]

Good list op

 

[GermanSpitfire]

You are welcome.

Moore I have more in the 8-12 range so I guess 17 is not too far off from the bottom of my range.

Molendyk has been a fast riser for me too. I have him as a possible late first rounder to mid second. 57 is a later second so we are not far off from the bottom of my range.

Lardis I will give everyone a pass on. He was really nothing special on Peterborough but then when he got traded to Hamilton it is like a switch got turned on. 46 points in 33 games. He is small in stature but can he fly.

Miedema is a player that got lost in the shuffle this year stats wise. He played bottom six with limited power play time in Windsor and then was a major piece in the Shane Wright trade. Since going to Kingston he has not put up huge points other than his four goal game. Problem is that the team is terrible and he doesn’t have much to play with there. Thing is you can’t teach players how to be 6’4 and over 200 pounds in their draft year. The NHL is all about skill and speed but teams still love size.

Miedema did Not play bottom-6 with limited PP time in Windsor.

Where did you get that information?

He was a top-6 forward, getting more minutes than his play was warranting.

He was also getting shuffled between the first and second PP units, like every other player on the pre-deadline Spirfire roster other than Maggio. Miedema was getting plenty of PP time in Windsor

He was given all the opprunity to succeed in Windsor, he is just one of the most lazy off puck players I think I have ever seen. Terrible body language, He also was trying to be Too fancy too often, a lot of turnovers to odd man rushes. He was being carried by a very friendly offence in Windsor. He was a poduct of the team.


Also; Great read Larry. Although I tend to agree that it’s a “boring” list with not much to complain about haha. Great job.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

I think your 197th ranked player is WAY too low.

 

[alko]

Why is Maxim Strbak so high? Im happy for him, but its still a mystery for me.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Why is Maxim Strbak so high? Im happy for him, but its still a mystery for me.

He‘s going to be a very good defensive defender in the NHL.

I am high on him also.

 

[pgfan66]

Curious to hear your thoughts on Axel Hurtig? I really don’t like him either but surprised he doesn’t even make your top 300 when central has him at 44 for Euros.