MHN Top-64 2023 NHL Draft Rankings: Post U-18 Edition

With the U-18s now in the books, it’s time to present Montreal Hockey Now’s updated 2023 NHL Draft rankings.

It’s been quite a year for the impressive 2023 NHL Draft class this season, with top players playing big roles at all levels and making a significant impact.

Moreso than in previous years, there seems to be an overflowing list of players that continue to impress along the way and prop this class as one of the more impressive ones in recent memory.

Without question, Connor Bedard is the unquestioned top player in this class. The 17-year-old was not only the star of the 2023 World Junior Championships, but also put up a ridiculous 71 goals and 71 assists for 143 points in just 57 games with the Regina Pats. That kind of production has been seen since the likes of Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby, putting the generational talent in good company.

Right behind him is Hobey Baker winner, Adam Fantilli. Only the third true freshman to win the prestigious award in the NCAA since Jack Eichel and Paul Kariya, Fantilli was the driving force for the University of Michigan. The lanky centre put up 30 goals and 35 assists for 65 points in just 36 games, while playing a sound overall game worthy of a top selection in most other draft years. All eyes will be on Fantilli at the upcoming World Championships, where he is expected to represent Canada.

Next on the docket is perhaps the biggest wild card in the entire draft. Matvei Michkov has the talent to challenge Adam Fantilli for the second spot in the 2023 NHL Draft, but some outside factors make it his selection a very delicate situation. Notwithstanding the political climate in Russia, the youngster is under contract for another three years with SKA in the KHL. However, in terms of pure talent, Michkov could become an NHL superstar as soon as he hits the NHL ice in a few years, making his selection likely for a team that’s playing the long game.

After the impressive Leo Carlsson, Will Smith has cemented his spot in the top-5 of this impressive class after leading Team USA to a gold medal at the U-18s, while also being named tournament MVP. The skilled centre showed just how talented he truly is, leading the tournament in scoring with nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points in just 7 games. Outperforming the likes of Jack Hughes and Auston Matthews at the same age, Smith looks primed for NHL superstardom.

But Smith is not the only member of the USNDT to cement his standing in the top end of the 2023 NHL Draft, as golden-goal scorer Ryan Leonard and speedy centre Oliver Moore have also seen their stock increase quite a bit over the season. Leonard, the new-age power forward with a howitzer of a shot, finished tied for second in goal-scoring in the U-18s and was a physical force all over the ice. Meanwhile, Oliver Moore, who played on the second line, was tasked with playing a two-hundred-foot game, while holding down a line with 16-year-old Cole Eiserman and 15-year-old James Hagens.

Dalibor Dvorsky, who had one of the best overall performances at the U-18s, climbed back up the rankings after a disappointing season in HockeyAllsvenskan this season with AIK. Despite dominating at the Jr level for AIK, Dvorsky couldn’t find the same scoring touch against men. That being said, he was a force for Slovakia at both the 2023 World Junior Championships, as well as the most recent U-18s. His combination of size, skill and shooting ability was put on full display, showing the scouting world that he does indeed have potential that could rival some of the top players in this class.

There will be more surprises throughout the list as we count down the top 64 players in this 2023 NHL Draft class, but rest assured that the list is not final, with many prospects still left to watch and more tape left to uncover.

All that can be said at this time is that teams picking near the top, like the Montreal Canadiens, will likely be getting their hands on a very good player.