The 2023 NHL draft does not take place until June 28. That doesn't mean evaluating the talent available is a wasted September exercise. How these 17-year-olds performed in the past season or two creates a baseline by which to evaluate them as they either improve their deficiencies or suffer setbacks.

If your team has a first-round selection in this draft or maybe even multiple ones, then you're in luck—this is one of the best draft classes since arguably 2015, when Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner and Mikko Rantanen were selected in the top 10.

If your team has a top-five selection, it's probably landing a franchise-changing player. If your team is not on the clock until after the teens, there is still better available talent than in an average year. In short, this class is exceptional both in terms of the top talents available as well as how deep it is.

There are 32 picks in the first round, so here is the ranking of our top 32 prospects available in the 2023 draft.

1. Connor Bedard, C, Regina Pats (WHL)

I did a massive breakdown of Bedard's game last December. Read that if you want a sizable scouting report.

Here is a shorter summary: Bedard was the first 16-year-old to suit up for Canada at the world junior under-20 championship since Connor McDavid in 2015, and it was an undoubtedly deserved honor. Last season he led the WHL in goals per game (0.82) and ranked third in points per game (1.61).

How did he do it? The North Vancouver native is one of the best players when it comes to making plays at high speed. It's not the skating itself, though he is a good skater, but how quickly he processes the play and then is able to translate that to a high-difficulty decision immediately. He absolutely loves driving the middle lane of the ice in possession, which gives him a bevy of options.

Defenders have a near-impossible time reading his movements and figuring out what he's about to do with the puck. Bedard is constantly changing both his angle of attack and his posture with the puck on his stick. The controlled chaos makes it not only difficult for opponents to deal with one-on-one, but it also leads to severe breakdowns on a teamwide level as they struggle to communicate who should do what in such quickly changing moments.

He has generational hands, with an unparalleled wrist shot; a quick flick of the wrists with no tell in his shot means that any afforded space allows him to shoot with a high percentage of scoring. Yet if a defender plays a tight gap, he's going to tie him into a pretzel with change in direction and impeccable dekes.

This isn't just on rush offense. Bedard is cutthroat when he holds the puck in extended offensive-zone possessions. The right-hander creates his own shot while in motion, and his velocity and precision suffer no consequences. When defenders and goaltenders overcommit to an anticipated shot, he casually hits his teammates for prime scoring chances, if not tap-ins. He can't skate like McDavid, but it's still an unquestionably plus trait. He has elite hockey IQ and hands, and it's his ability to combine all three qualities that makes him such an effective player. He's a solid defensive center, but he could improve in that regard.

His 5'10", 185-pound frame is a nonissue. He can't be physically engaged because defenders are lost trying to intuit what he's about to do. If he continues on this current trajectory, he's going to be a top-five forward in the NHL, and that might be a conservative estimate.

2. Matvei Michkov, LW/RW, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)

Every team in the lottery wants to land the first overall pick, but Matvei Michkov would be a mammoth consolation prize. He's not as good as Connor Bedard, but the gap between him and whoever is selected third overall is significantly greater than the one between him and Bedard. In most other drafts, he'd be the best player available.

Michkov is a wizard with the puck. He makes decisions in a flash, and his hands paralyze the defense. He's a brilliant combination of showy skill and economical decision-making. He's a master manipulator who navigates around defensemen like he's in a Corvette. The left-hander creates shots for himself in the middle of the slot, and that serves as a foundation on which he can fool the defense with a quick lateral pass. When he does shoot, he gets it off quickly immediately after his first move and hits the top corners with ease. Per InStat, Michkov scored on 14.7 percent of his shots at even strength—a ridiculous conversion rate. He has a gravitational pull where he forces the defense to abandon teamwide assignments in order to deal with him.

The one edge he might have on Bedard is the capacity for solo-effort, highlight-reel plays, and that's a high bar to clear. He can incorporate teammates in the play, but he's more than happy to take on an entire team by himself. He scores lacrosse goals so casually that Trevor Zegras would feel inadequate.

Despite his 5'10", 159-pound frame, Michkov's low center of gravity makes him difficult to knock off the puck. As he bulks up in the coming years, that should become even more true.

Let's contextualize his abilities in the form of data. His 1.82 PPG in MHL (the top level of juniors in Eurasia) in his season before being draft-eligible was dominant. By comparison, Nikita Kucherov finished at 1.02 at the same age, while Pavel Buchnevich clocked in at 0.98. If you're blowing those NHLers out of the water, then you're doing something special. He also produced two goals and three assists in 13 KHL games.

On talent alone, the margin between him and Bedard is tight. The top spot is Bedard's to lose, and there are two reasons why Michkov has little chance of overtaking him.

First, Michkov is a winger while Bedard plays center; teams are going to prioritize the more premium position. Second is his status in Russia. Aside from the geopolitical mess that creates uncertainty regarding the availability of Russian players, Michkov recently signed a contract with SKA that ends in 2025, meaning he'll only be eligible to move to North America for the 2025-26 season. In fact, the latter issue could lead to a fall down the draft.

Or it's possible a team will consider those issues a worthwhile cost of adding a generational talent who could become the best winger in the NHL.

3. Adam Fantilli, C, Chicago Steel (USHL)

Last season, Fantilli was absolutely dominant for the Chicago Steel of the USHL, producing 37 goals and 37 assists in 54 games. After filtering out USNTDP players, the Ontario native produced the highest points per game for a 16-year-old over the last 20 seasons, beating out NHL stars such as Andrei Svechnikov and Kyle Connor.

The 6'2", 195-pound center is close to a perfect complement of power and skill. He's a hard worker in all three zones and uses his strength to win and protect pucks. He'll also use his dexterous hands to make a quick stick lift and take back possession.

The University of Michigan freshman has a quick wrist shot that beats goaltenders from distance, but he'll also drive the net and make things happen in the dirty areas of the slot. Primarily a shooter, the left-hander uses that tendency to deceive defenders and goaltenders, feinting a shot that draws the opposiion out of position before sending a pass through bodies and hitting teammates for easy tap-ins down low. His skating is also a positive trait.

Bedard and Michkov will get all of the headlines, but Fantilli is the true bellwether who will indicate the strength of the 2023 draft class. In most other draft years, he would have been either a contender or even slam dunk to go first overall.

4. Zachary Benson, LW, Winnipeg Ice (WHL)

Whenever a junior team is loaded with talent—the Winnipeg Ice went 53-10-5 last season—younger players often take a backseat. That was not the case for Zach Benson, who kept up with the team's top players and became a difference-maker. Benson tallied 63 points in 58 regular-season games and saved his best for the playoffs, registering 23 points in 15 games.

The British Columbia native is a force in the offensive zone. He possesses tremendous vision and finds narrow passing seams. He's a multidimensional threat who extends offensive-zone possessions, helping to wear down the opposition. His skating crossovers look effortless, which lends to an ability to carry across the zone. Benson also proves as a threat for rush offense. He doesn't panic when defenders close down on him down the wing, and he has the acceleration to push past checks.

While he isn't much of a physical presence at 5'10" and 159 pounds, it's not for a lack of effort. He hustles as the lead forward on the forecheck. He dives for 50-50 pucks. He drops down in the defensive zone when he notices an impending breakdown.

There will be a crowded competition for fourth overall, but Benson is in the driver's seat entering the season.

5. Brayden Yager, C, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)

He may not have the star power of the players listed before him, but whoever drafts Yager is going to be very pleased to have landed him.

The 6'0", 165-pound center is a true two-way player who affects plays in a variety of ways. He generates zone entries, and he'll hold the puck to set up offensive-zone possessions. His shooting ability is apparent at first glance. The puck pops off his stick when shooting off a pass, but the right-hander also threatens when holding the puck and firing on rush attempts. Yager is also adept at timing his movements into the slot for scoring chances.

The Saskatchewan native is also a sturdy defensive presence. While he's not an avid forechecker, he cuts off passing lanes in the neutral zone and rarely loses his assignments on defense.

Yager needs to improve his foot speed, and he too often deferred to his Moose Jaw linemates, Jagger Firkus and Ryder Korczak. He showed more initiative for Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky under-18 tournament in August. These issues don't raise red flags but instead look like fixes that are inevitable with natural development and confidence as he becomes older.

6. Leo Carlsson, C/LW, Örebro (SHL)

Once this draft gets past its Big Three, Carlsson is close to the best offensive player available in 2023. The Swede has tremendous hands and puts them to use effectively. The left-hander pulls off clever dekes but also does so productively rather than for show, beating defenders one-on-one, often to the middle lane. He also layers these traits in sequences.

The areas of improvement for Carlsson are in his skating and defensive work. The 6'3", 194-pound forward lacks separation speed, and while he's not a massive liability in his own end, he's unremarkable.

But it's his offensive drive that will probably lead to an NHL team grabbing him early in the draft. Carlsson's statistics in Sweden's under-20 league were dominant; his 1.93 points per game is a J20 record for his age group, and nobody has ever come even close to that level of production. He also impressed with nine points in 36 SHL games for Örebro.

This season, he has a goal and an assist in four SHL games. Depending on how he performs this season, Carlsson could realistically move up as high as fourth overall.

7. Dalibor Dvorsky, C, AIK (Allsvenskan)

Dvorsky put his name on the map early in the 2021-22 season when he dominated the under-18 Hlinka Gretzky Cup as a 16-year-old, accumulating eight goals and four assists in just five games.

The Slovak doesn't have any major holes in his game. He's both a gifted passer and shooter, with a slight edge to the latter. His left-handed wrist shot is heavy, and he doesn't rush the shot. Sometimes he'll beat goaltenders around the crease with dekes as well. As a passer, Dvorsky is adept at hitting teammates right on the tape even as he is feeding them through busy layers of traffic. Holding the puck, he loves to carry wide, then circle back to the high slot in the offensive zone to either create a shooting opportunity or to buy time in order to wait for options to become available.

Dvorsky is also possibly the best defensive center in this draft. He breaks up plays with his stick, he moves bodies out of the crease area, he forces turnovers in open ice, and he sticks tightly to his coverages.

He may also be the strongest player ranked in the top 10 while being listed at 6'1" and 201 pounds already. He is a menace in front of the net, where he fights for inside positioning and usually wins it; when he does, good luck moving him. This results in a number of screens when his teammates shoot.

AIK giving him 17 games in the Allsvenskan (Sweden's second-tier professional league) last season speaks to how mature his game already is. The only real knock on his game is his skating, which is average and lacks explosivity. He's ranked seventh, but I strongly contemplated putting him in the top five. It would be hardly surprising if he pushes his way into that group by June.

8. Eduard Šalé, RW, Kometa Brno (Czech Extraliga)

Šalé towered above the competition in Czechia's under-20 circuit—not just during the 2021-22 season, but by historical standards. Among prospects one year away from draft eligibility, his 2.28 points per game set a Czech U20 record (minimum 10 games) by a gargantuan margin; Pavel Zacha ranks second at 1.78. Among other future NHLers whom he beat out are Jakub Voráček and Tomáš Hertl.

The 6'1", 168-pound Šalé is a major goal scorer, with 42 goals in 39 games. However, his playmaking is what most stands out. He finds passing lanes through layers of traffic, and it's not just with tons of time and space that he manages to pull that off. Šalé plays like he has eyes in the back of his head and makes clever no-look passes laterally or behind him even when under pressure from the opposition. It's a quick transition from thinking to executing.

In addition to his vision, the Czech native pulls off plenty of dekes on his forehand and finds opportunities to beat defenders to the inside lane. Finally, he has phenomenal hand-eye coordination, successfully connecting on midair deflections and baseball swings to put pucks on net. When it comes to offense, he is a complete forward.

What currently holds him back is a lack of urgency off the puck. He doesn't make last efforts to make up ground when the other team is primed for scoring chances and doesn’t show a willingness to put his body on the line and get in front of shots. In fairness this could have been the result of boredom at a level well below his caliber. He also looked underripe in 10 pro games, though that was understandable for a 16-year-old. He still looks like he's on track to become an offensive force.

9. Matthew Wood, F, University of Connecticut (NCAA)

Wood is the type of player whom you want to get as many touches of the puck as possible. He displays a lot of poise. The right-hander is an adept stickhandler in high-traffic areas and doesn't panic when holding the puck while under pressure in tight spaces. The British Columbia native will often beat defenders one-on-one—or even one-on-two—by outwaiting them and exploiting their flinches with slick dangles.

The stats speak for themselves, as his 1.85 points per game ranked second among all prospects one year away from draft eligibility over the last 20 BCHL seasons; only 2021 fifth overall pick Kent Johnson ranks higher.

While Wood is brilliant at slowing the game down, he is overly reliant on that style. The 6'3", 190-pound forward needs to learn when to push the tempo. While his abilities were well above the competition in the BCHL last season, he's about to start a different experience when he'll be playing against better players in Hockey East as a 17-year-old. That dichotomy will make for an interesting evaluation process.

10. Andrew Cristall, LW, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

Cristall is a fun player to watch because everything he does looks smooth. He's an agile skater who doesn't lose the puck much and who has an easy time evading pressure and spinning out of checks. He makes quick plays but also can wait for things to open up.

If the Vancouver native becomes an impact player in the NHL, his playmaking capabilities will be the primary reason. His 41 helpers for Kelowna last season was an impressive tally. It's his vision and knack for executing the final play that make the assists happen.

Two things are holding back Cristall's draft stock to start the season. First, he's 5'10" and 165 pounds; how successful will he be once he's increasingly overpowered at the NHL level? The other issue that could be a bigger question mark is his lack of scoring prowess.

Granted, Cristall's intuitiveness for putting himself in good positions to receive pucks in the offensive zone make him a scoring threat, and with that he is able to find goals in the slot despite the physical disadvantage. Cristall did score 28 goals in 61 WHL games; however, his shot is weak compared to most top prospects in this draft class.

Against better goaltenders and defensive units, it's questionable if he'll ever rise above a label of complementary goal scorer. That potential lack of duality in his point production is what is keeping him on the cusp of the top 10 in this draft.

11. Nate Danielson, C, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

Danielson's style is based upon his skating. He's impressive in straight lines—particularly so for a 6'1", 185-pound center. With the puck, he carries through the neutral zone with momentum and doesn't have to break stride to maneuver around defenders as he attempts to gain the blue line. Off the puck, he owns major separation speed and gets behind defenders that puts him a lead pass away from springing an odd-man rush or partial breakaway.

The Alberta native is an inventive playmaker. The right-hander is a precise passer who makes nice slip passes, appropriately weighting the feed, and his cross-ice passes often set up immediate scoring chances.

The Wheat Kings gave their pivot a lot of defensive responsibility, and he earned it. His skating is a notable asset, as he can snuff out plays with tenacious backchecks through the neutral zone.

Shooting stands as his major area for improvement, as he's hit-or-miss. Danielson will pick apart openings in the net but sometimes shows suboptimal posture and doesn't generate the kind of velocity that he should. Should he make some gains there, Danielson will have a complete game and will further his case to go in the top 10.

12. Otto Stenberg, C, Frölunda J20 (J20 Nationell)

The Swedish center is a standout in the offensive zone. Stenberg shows a noticeable comfort with the puck on his stick and has the confidence to make plays in a variety of fashions rather than clinging to a few comfortable plays.

In small spaces, the 5'11", 181-pounder is undeterred in finding a way out of pressure. When Stenberg is afforded room, he punishes the opposition. The Frölunda product is a creator from the perimeter, threading the puck into the interior. Stenberg has a sneaky release as well and picks corners with his wrist shot. The left-hander has split time at center and wing, and the team that drafts him will likely at least try to make it work down the middle.

He was superlative at the Hlinka Gretzky under-18 tournament (nine points in five games for Sweden) in August, but Stenberg's J20 production—35 points in 38 games last season—was tepid in the context of potential top-15 draft picks. He is an excellent prospect, but 12th overall might be the peak of his potential; he's more likely to drop down the list than rise once June comes around.

13. Charlie Stramel, C, University of Wisconsin (NCAA)

Stramel is the most physically imposing player in this draft. Even as a 15-year-old, the Minnesota native would throw devastating hits on players three or four years older. Now listed at 6'3" and 215 pounds, Stramel continues to be the strongest player on the ice in nearly every game.

Stramel throws punishing hits but doesn't come out of position to do so, which is often a problem players of a similar style have at this age. He'll adjust midcharge if he realizes he's not going to get there in time and diverts to taking away a lane instead. It's a good combination of aggressive play with the temerity to stay in control.

He has the hands to make use of this size as well. After initially shielding the puck or picking up a loose puck behind the net, he has the ability to find a teammate and successfully recycle possession. He's an obvious choice for the net-front role on the power play given his size/hands combination. His wrist shot has a lot of velocity behind it, and on breakaways, he can put a move on a goaltender. He did produce 22 points in 26 games for the USNTDP under-18 team last season.

However, he doesn't have real high-end skill. He's not the player you want holding the puck, and he definitely had his numbers inflated by the overall quality of the U18 team. He's not an effective puck-mover—neither by skating with it, nor as a passer—in the defensive and neutral zones. At the moment, Stramel isn't a player who will drive possession but instead offers an uncommon skill set to complement more commanding linemates.

Truthfully, Stramel is hanging onto a top-15 spot by a thread. The more skilled players will close the gap as they mature physically, so Stramel must make gains in the rest of his game to keep up. As one of the oldest players in this draft class, Stramel will have to prove he did not simply develop earlier than everyone else. A chance to play at a higher level among older players at the University of Wisconsin this season will be a great litmus test.

14. Will Smith, Center, US National Team Development Program

Everything Will Smith (no, not that one) does on the ice comes from a cerebral style of play. The Massachusetts native is an analytical thinker in all aspects of the game. He possesses high-end poise and will keep the puck on his stick for extended periods, allowing for teammates to move around him and create paths of exploitation. It's not just about holding out for possession, though, as the right-hander can use both his hands and reading body language to analyze the way around opponents.

The Boston College commit is also an effective player without the puck. When a teammate is in possession, Smith puts himself in the right positions at the right times to either make himself available for a pass or to create the space for the puck-carrier to act on. Defensively, Smith shows great timing and route-taking in order to put himself in the best positions to disrupt play and avoid getting beat. Although he isn't really a physical presence, that could come with physical maturity. The 6'0", 172-pounder is already a hard worker below the goal line and has a high work rate in the defensive zone.

The most meaningful way Smith can improve is by developing a killer instinct. Even if his hockey brain is what carries his game, he does have speed and skill. Sometimes he needs to stop thinking and rip a shot or try to blow past a defender. Smith is a well-rounded center who could easily be the first American whose name is called at the June draft.

15. Oliver Moore, C, US National Team Development Program

Charlie Stramel and Will Smith may be ranked higher (at least for now), but Oliver Moore is the most entertaining American player in this draft class. The 5'11", 176-pound Minnesotan absolutely flies up and down the ice. Even without the physical game, he's a forechecking threat simply because of how quickly he closes down on the puck.

Moore is a massive asset in transition offense. He's an easy player to spring through the neutral zone because of how quickly he can get behind defenders, and he doesn't lose any speed with the puck, either. The University of Minnesota commit is a proficient stickhandler while in motion and is comfortable in changing tempos, using the threat of blasting behind a defender to create the space to hold play up. It's admirable that he is decisive once he's made a move in the offensive zone and has the hands to make it matter.

Going forward, he can make more of his skill set by demanding the puck more and taking the initiative to dictate play in offensive zone controlled possessions. Last season he would be deferential when teammates had the puck. Beyond acting on his skill and speed in quick moments, he should assert himself as the player who quarterbacks play in the offensive zone for controlled possessions.

A defensive metamorphosis is close to inevitable as well. His speed and timing are high-caliber, and it's only a matter of time before Moore starts figuring out how to pressure the puck and bait lateral passes before pouncing on them and creating breakaway opportunities. Moore has so much untapped potential and, like Smith, he too could easily work his way to the top of the board among Americans.

16. Calum Ritchie, C, Oshawa Generals (OHL)

Ritchie plays the kind of industriousness that will endear him to coaches. He battles through contact with the puck, attacking the middle of the ice. The 6'2", 187-pound center makes himself at home above the crease and puts in the work to score ugly goals on deflections, rebounds and goal-line scrambles; there's a reason Oshawa's coaching staff made him the net-front man on the first power-play unit.

The Ontario native is also one of the top defensive forwards available in this draft. He's reliable in his own zone and he breaks up a lot of rushes with an active stick.

Ritchie has shown that he has finesse to his game as well. He's nearly automatic on entering the zone, and the the right-hander has had moments of stickhandling around checks during those rushes.

What has held him back is that those moments of exemplary skill have been too infrequent. His 19 goals and 26 assists in 65 games is fine but unexceptional compared to the other top CHLers available in this draft. He's shown proof of concept, and he needs to manifest it into production more consistently this season. He did lead August's Hlinka Gretzky Cup in points with 10 in five games. A few of them were soft or fluky, but it's a good start to the year.

17. Riley Heidt, C, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

Heidt was put in a tough situation for a rebuilding Prince George team last winter. The then-16-year-old was thrust into the spotlight and assigned the toughest minutes without much veteran support. He was the first-line center for head coach Mark Lamb, who sent him over the boards for both the power play and penalty kill. Other teams matched their top players against him.

Given the circumstances, Heidt handled himself remarkably. He maintained his composure and finished the campaign with a team-leading 58 points in 65 games. Heidt's most prominent tool is his hands. He shows both shooting and passing prowess. His left-handed wrist shot is strong and he picks corners, and the 5'11", 179-pounder will carry the puck into the middle lane and draw bodies before dishing to teammates.

The Saskatchewan native puts in the work on the ice, forechecking hard, battling for pucks and pushing to get back defensively. Sometimes, his well-intended efforts have poor results, as his decision-making on defense can be overzealous. But the work rate is there, and the right coaching staff can make him into a better player.

Here is what one NHL scout had to say about Heidt: "His hands are really, really good. There are some issues with how his game will scale to a faster and more physical pro level, but his toolkit is pretty solid."

18. Mikhail Gulyayev, LD, Avangard Omsk (KHL)

After Matvei Michkov, Gulyayev is the premier Russian in this draft class. The first question about a 5'10", 170-pound defender is usually about his skating, and Gulyayev's is indeed high-end. His low skating posture helps him generate a lot of power in his crossovers and pivots. He has great edge work and is able to start and stop on a dime. The way he is able to make such aggressive changes in direction without much risk of losing his footing is impressive.

The left defenseman always seems in control with the puck. There's no problem if the puck is bouncing or he's under immense pressure. He scans his options ahead of receiving the puck. He does not panic and displays comfort without overextending into arrogance. Although his supreme abilities are in moving the puck up the ice, he also contributes in the offensive zone with a good point shot and the ability to hit diagonal passes from the blue line.

And while there will be questions about his defensive capabilities because of his size, those concerns are largely unfounded. No, he's not going to bully forwards out of the crease, and he does need to learn to use his body to at least close down space and nudge players off-balance. But he's a brilliant one-on-one defender who keeps his stick in front of him and regularly breaks up carries.

Astute readers may have noted that Gulyayev is the top-ranked defenseman. There will be concerns about the status of Russians in the current geopolitical environment, and Gulyayev is under contract to Avangard through 2025. But after being underexposed in Russian juniors, he's getting a chance to prove himself in the KHL and he could work his way into the top 15.

19. Colby Barlow, LW/RW, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)

On a playoff team with decent talent up front, 16-year-old Colby Barlow led Owen Sound last season in goals per game, with 30 in 59 games (plus five in seven playoff games). The puck slingshots off his stick. The left-hander gets off a quick one-timer and also has a knack for delaying the release. He'll score off the rush but also in controlled situations.

Barlow is a solid north-south winger. He has slightly above-average straight-line speed, which comes into play in the defensive zone. The Ontario native will force turnovers at the point or fly the zone when he anticipates a change in possession, making him a transition threat. This is notably true on the penalty kill, when he is also a smart positional defender. He is also a dedicated forechecker who provides second and third efforts.

Where Barlow currently falls short is as a playmaker, tallying just 17 assists last season. That limits not only his impact but also the ways a coach will be able to assign him linemates. Nonetheless, he's an impact player in enough facets of the game and has the making of a top-nine NHL winger.

20. Cam Allen, RD, Guelph Storm (OHL)

Allen has the makings of a true power-play quarterback. He is a good puck-mover through the neutral zone and has a phenomenal shot from the point. He'll put bombs on net from the point but also can push into the faceoff dots and find the exposed net. His 13 goals and 24 assists last season was quality production for a 16-year-old in the OHL.

The issues with him are as a defender. Despite how well the 5'11", 190-pounder skates, forwards routinely manage to get behind him in the neutral zone, leading to partial breakaways from stretch passes. He'll mistime pinches and decide to make an aggressive attempt to win a puck in a losing situation. The Toronto native sometimes gets tunnel vision in the defensive zone and will get caught out of position.

He does battle hard in the corners, and his issues are not from a source of apathy. Per a scout, Allen knows about these problems and that he and Guelph are on the same page about working to correct these problems.

The caveat here is that I'm pretty isolated in this evaluation of Allen. Many others rank him as a borderline top-10 prospect in this draft, and one NHL scout whose evaluations often align with mine insists that I am wrong about Allen. Something I've learned over the years is that, no matter what you do, you're always going to get some things wrong, so you might as well be wrong on your own terms. I'm sticking my neck out with this evaluation and we'll see how it holds up after this season.

21. William Whitelaw, C, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)

One of the more intriguing prospects in this draft class, Whitelaw produced ridiculous numbers in Minnesota High School hockey, tallying 46 goals and 64 assists in 55 games for the famous Shattuck St. Mary's program.

The right-hander is a creative stickhandler. He navigates around defenders even at a standstill with changes of directions and feints. He's the type of player who can create offense by himself and play keepaway with the puck for extended shifts. Whitelaw will battle hard for loose pucks, tie up sticks in the defensive zone, step on the pedal during the backcheck and throw the occasional hit.

At least for now, there's some uncertainty about how the 5'9", 172-pounder can play against steeper competition. There's nothing wrong with playing high school hockey as a 16-year-old, but compared to others who have proved themselves in juniors, he's a precarious commodity. He produced only three points in nine USHL games last season, which wasn't going to change any minds. But he is off to a solid start with two goals and one assist in three games. The University of Wisconsin commit is underripe, but the raw talent is hard to deny.

22. Daniil But, LW, Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)

From a first glance, almost any scout is going to be pleased with a player like Daniil But. The Russian winger is 6'5", 203 pounds and boasts a bundle of skills. He certainly stands out in the MHL (the KHL's junior league).

But is excellent at rushing the puck up the ice. He steers around defenders but picks his spots; he's not skating himself into trouble too often, nor trying to make plays above his means. Upon gaining the blue line, But is a proficient stickhandler. The right-hander finds space with the puck to either take on defenders or delay to allow teammates to join the play.

As one would want from a winger of his size, But plays a strong game. He's not a voracious checker, but his physicality comes from leveraging his size to fight for inside positioning and using his shoulders to protect the puck. But is robust along the walls and is able to convert that into opportunities to pull the puck toward the interior of the offensive zone.

But’s speed is OK, though he presents like a baby deer in that he lacks coordination to go with his size. His skating needs refining, and he generally needs to get all parts of his body in sync. That's hardly disqualifying for a 17-year-old, and being signed by the Yaroslavl organization through 2025, he'll have plenty of time to polish everything up before a potential move to North America.

23. Kasper Halttunen, LW, HIFK (Finnish Liiga)

It doesn't take long for Halttunen to stand out when watching his games. As one of the younger players in this draft class, he already measures at 6'3" and 207 pounds; that's 15 pounds heavier than he measured last season. He uses that size well.

Halttunen heads directly toward the net, where he is a force. He battles for position above the crease, which he often wins, but can fool the opposition by popping out for the low-to-high passing plays. He was a successful power-play net-front player for HIFK's junior team last season.

And he also can threaten from farther out. He has an absolute howitzer of a shot from above the circles. Last season his goal production in SM-sarja U20 league (24 in 41 games) mirrored that of Dallas Stars top-liner Roope Hintz as well as 2022 17th overall pick Joakim Kemell at similar ages. And with the size and shooting combination, there's a hint of Patrik Laine to his game.

But when one digs under the hood, some red flags arise. While he often plays left wing as a right-handed shooter to maximize his scoring potential, it creates problems when carrying the puck down the wing. Also at issue is his skating. It ranks as mediocre at best, and he lacks the speed to pull ahead in the neutral zone. Decent stickhandling ability mitigated the problem when carrying the puck to some extent. And Halttunen is a bit overwhelmed in the defensive zone, often confused in rotations.

Halttunen has some tools that could lead to stardom in the NHL, but he'll need to beat a number of obstacles to get there.

24. Quentin Musty, LW, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

Musty is a fun offensive talent. When in possession in the neutral and offensive zones, the 6'2", 205-pounder can appear to run out of space, only to pull off a gaudy deke to get around defenders.

His wrist shot is an asset. He can both rip it from tough angles as well as execute one-timers. On occasion he scores goals from locations that would be low-percentage shots for others. And while he's no defensive maestro, the New Yorker is responsible and every so often makes a big play to thwart the opposition.

His problem is not talent but an inability to execute consistently. He'll be the best player on the ice for one period, then look ineffectual the next. His 12 goals and 19 assists in 50 games for Sudbury last season is mediocre—certainly well below what he is capable of.

On intrinsic ability, Musty would rank well above 24th. He just needs to stabilize his performances and play up to his abilities routinely.

25. Ryan Leonard, C/W, US National Team Development Program

Leonard is a jack of all trades and master of none. He's a high-energy forward who works hard in all three zones. He forechecks relentlessly and throws some big hits despite his 5'11", 181-pound frame.

The high-end offensive talent isn't evident; Leonard's 15 points in 33 games for the U18 team last season is a decent distance behind fellow 2023 draft eligibles Will Smith, Oliver Moore and Gabriel Perreault, but he undoubtedly has enough in the toolbox to contribute.

His straight-line speed is good but not great, and he is also agile. Although he won't be a go-to creator in the offensive zone, he does occasionally show off a nice play with a clever pass or a stickhandle into space. Furthermore, the right-hander has a quick release that leads to a fair share of goals in the slot area.

The Massachusetts native's value lies in his versatility. He can play all three forward positions and blend into any type of line makeup, whether that's on a scoring line as a playmaking wing or a checking-line center. At the moment, the Boston College commit looks like someone who will adapt as he moves up the ladder and eventually finds his niche in the NHL.

26. Emil Järventie, C/LW, Ilves U20 (SM-sarja U20)

The brother of Ottawa Senators prospect Roby Järventie, Emil is definitely the second-best Finnish prospect in this draft, and I think he could give Kasper Halttunen a run for his money.

Järventie is a true dual threat in the offensive zone. Holding the puck from the left wing, he'll pass the puck through layers across the slot line. Equally he'll get in position when a teammate has possession, put himself in an open position and get a quick shot on net. Järventie disguises his release proficiently and frequently beats goaltenders top-shelf from distance. He is also a responsible player defensively.

His stock definitely took a big hit this past season when he came to play in the USHL and produced only six points in 19 games before returning to Finland. It doesn't help his cause, but a 16-year-old leaving home to play in a new league and having problems adapting isn't exactly a fiasco. He finished the season with 10 goals in the final 10 games at the Finnish U20 level and is off to a respectable start this season.

It's a question as to what makes him tick, but from a bird's-eye view, his impact on the game is decisively positive. He has some flash and is efficient. An early projection is a solid third-line winger in the NHL.

27. Alex Čiernik, LW/RW, Södertälje J20 (J20 Nationell)

Čiernik is another example of how much Slovakia is reviving as a hockey nation, though he's spent the bulk of his career in Sweden. The 5'10", 179-pound winger is first noticeable as a high-end skater. He has a high propulsion in straight lines, accelerating up the wings and past defenders. It all looks effortless.

Going the other way, his speed is handy too. He suffocates a good number of transitions by the opposing team thanks to his closing speed. The one area for improvement is that he'd be served well to mix in some rushes down the middle lane as well.

He has the poise to delay when necessary, rather than always sprinting at full throttle. Čiernik has nice hands in tight and can turn those rushes down the wing into cuts toward the crease.

His shot is merely OK, and his playmaking acumen is respectable but unremarkable. At his size, he is also not effective in any type of physical situation. These limits to his game keep his stock on the bubble of the first round, and he'll need to show more ability to finish plays once in the offensive zone to move up the rankings.

But there is upside if he can make that happen as well as safely projecting as a bottom-six forward who pushes the pace. Čiernik earned 11 games with Södertälje's pro team in the Swedish second tier, and that speaks to a belief in his game translating to higher levels.

28. Jayden Perron, RW, Chicago Steel (USHL)

Perron fits the effective offensive mold that is befitting of a 5'8" winger. Although his straight-line speed is good but unspectacular, his turns and pivots are sharp. That allows him to carry the puck and quickly cut to the net or across the slot. Even when the opposition is defending him tightly, he manages to find openings to get the puck on net.

However, shooting isn't the best part of his game. Though he does an excellent job of creating lanes of opportunity, the actual shot itself is average. His 17 goals and 28 assists in 60 USHL games last season were notable, especially since Chicago was loaded with older players who took away some minutes. That output has to be contextualized, as he got a good amount of ice alongside Adam Fantilli (No. 3 on our list).

Perron is a player you want to have the puck during dead periods of play. He can maintain possession even when carrying into the offensive zone one-on-three, delaying long enough for his teammates to arrive.

The Winnipeg native is a dynamic passer, and that's where he earns most of his production. He has an array of ideas for dishing the puck. He makes hard cross-ice feeds, slip passes to trailers during the rush, no-look feeds to teammates in the slot and backhanded saucers with pinpoint accuracy.

The 157-pounder is not a presence as a physical or defensive player, but he's a player who makes highlight-reel plays.

29. Gabriel Perreault, LW, US National Team Development Program

Perreault is the son of former NHLer Yanic Perreault and younger brother of Anaheim Ducks 2020 first-round pick Jacob Perreault. Although they have some differences in their style of play, they have similar upside as NHL prospects.

The Illinois native has a lot of finesse to his game and complements it with a level of comfort with the puck on his stick. The 5'10", 154-pounder is calm under pressure and has a good sense of how the play is developing in front of him as well as on his periphery. He has great vision and proactively locates his passing options prior to receiving the puck. Perreault does have some goal-scoring prowess but definitely projects as a playmaker from the wing at higher levels. And while he's not an influencer on defense, he is at least dedicated to the cause.

Perreault was the under-17 team's top scorer, with 50 points in 51 games. His numbers might have been inflated by having played with Oliver Moore (ranked 15th on this list), but he is nonetheless a quality offensive player.

30. Hunter Brzustewicz, RD, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

Brzustewicz is the latest offensive defenseman that the USNTDP has churned out in the last few years. He is an adroit puck-mover from the back end. He finds both the quick outlets in the defensive zone while under pressure and also can hit the home run pass to cherry-picking forwards to create breakaways and odd-man rushes. Similarly he is smart about carrying the puck into the neutral zone and finding a streaking forward for clean zone entries.

The Michigan native is also a contributor in the offensive zone. The ways he walks the blue line to get out of the trouble and changes the angles of attack are so nimble.

As a defensive player, he isn't much of a physical presence. What he does do well, though, is defend in the neutral zone. The 6'0", 187-pounder successfully guides puck-carriers to the boards and cuts off their ability to get forward, forcing dumps and turnovers. And of course, his ability to retrieve pucks and get it to the neutral zone is an asset defensively; you don't have to defend if the opposition doesn't have the puck.

Brzustewicz's low ranking has less to do with observable talent and more a result of how unproven he is. Injuries also shortened his 2020-21 season, and the U18 team last season was loaded with offensive defensemen who blocked him from showcasing his talent.

Wisely, Brzustewicz is moving to Kitchener of the OHL, where he'll play big minutes. A jump into the top 20 is imaginable depending on how well he lives up to his abilities.

31. Koehn Ziemmer, RW, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

Like Riley Heidt, the then-16-year-old Ziemmer was asked last season to play a role well above what is fair for such a young player. He too held his own despite the circumstances.

The 6'0", 194-pounder is a pure offensive talent. He is a confident stickhandler who boasts creativity, though he does try to force plays that aren't there at times. He is also an adept skater. He makes clean changes of direction and loses defenders, opening up space for himself.

Where Ziemmer's value primarily lies is in his scoring prowess. His 30 goals in 68 games led the Cougars. His shot is high-quality, and his poise in shooting positions is superlative. The Alberta native will delay the shot or change the release point to beat goaltenders.

Ziemmer is pedestrian off the puck, and that's where his stock takes a hit. He doesn't typically forecheck nor fight for pucks and is generally a nonpresence in the defensive zone. He doesn't show a high compete level. That could all come later in his development, but at the present moment, Ziemmer looks more like a complementary scoring winger rather than a play-driver.

32. Gavin Brindley, RW, Tri-City Storm (USHL)

Florida is slowly becoming a generator of hockey talent, and Brindley is the latest example. He's 5'9" and 157 pounds but compensates for that with electric speed. He checks every box: straight-line speed, agility to turn and skirt around defenders, and 10-and-2 skating mechanics to walk the blue line.

Brindley is a playmaker, as his 28 assists (compared to 14 goals) in 51 USHL games last season confirms. His speed pushes defenders back, and he makes nice slip passes to the trailer. His shot is actually deceptively respectable from distance and he gets it on net, but his shot selection can be poor. As he adds more weight, he could make gains as a scoring threat.

But let's get back to his speed. Despite his size, he's a strong forechecker. There's a resemblance to Carl Hagelin or Andrew Mangiapane iin how he gets up the ice and behind defenders to cleanly win races to the puck on dump-ins. Brindley has played penalty-kill minutes for Tri-City because of his ability to cover so much open ice. And despite how other players could overpower him, he is nonetheless difficult to punish—it's hard to check a player whom you can't catch.

What his role could be in the NHL is sort of unclear. Picking the University of Michigan freshman near the end of the first round would be a bet on a young player with some unteachable tools in hopes that he rounds out the rest of his game and finds an identity.