whl bantam draft rankings 2023 whl bantam draft rankings 2023

There are times when he can wait too long to make his decisions and I wouldnt call him creative, but he makes good choices more often than hes careless with it and he has progressed really rapidly for a kid who doesnt turn 18 until a couple of weeks from now. Connor Bedard, C, Regina (WHL), 5-foot-10, 187 pounds. Not Cole Caufield. Priority Draft 10 months ago 44 players were selected by the 22 WHL member Clubs in Wednesday's U.S. While he benefits from playing with talented linemates, Bensons a driver in every sense. Hes a treat to watch in possession and processes the game at such an advanced and rapid level. Theres the pinpoint accuracy from impossible angles. Tomas Suchanek, G, Tri-City Americans (WHL), 59. They are: 1, 2-4, 5-6, 7-22, 23-33, 34-64+. Arttu Karki, LD, Tappara U20 (U20 SM-sarja), 49. Sign up for EP Premium to create your own ranking. forward. Reinbachers got pro size, desired handedness, and a really strong foundation of tools that all but guarantee hell become an NHLer. Hell of a performance from Slovakia especially their Tendy! But thats what the Austrian has done in Switzerlands top flight this season, where he plays over 20 minutes in a game more often than he plays under it. Scott Wheeler. Denver Barkey, C (London) When you package all of that skill with a dogged work ethic that keeps him around pucks all the time, and youve gota tremendous player. I love him on the half-wall/point on the PP with his ability to hit east-west seams (he just seems to see every lane and opening). I think the former outcome is the more likely, which is why Id probably steer clear of him in the teens (where some believe he belongs). I think hell stick at centre, too (nice to see him at 53 percent in the circle so far this year). But after looking like one of the most talented players in Germany for U18 worlds, and then in Red Deer for the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and now producing in the Czech Extraliga, he looks closer to a special Czech talent with real top-10 aspirations than he does to interesting prospect-who-torched-a-bad-league. His statistical profile is really strong and continued progress in his skating (which has also noticeably improved this year) will keep it that way into the NHL. The big question with Dvorsky for a while was whether or not hed be a centre or a winger long term. Watch out for Stenberg in the last months of the season, hes been playing better and better and I think hell go in the first round despite his lack of production in the SHL this year. He problem-solves his way out of trouble as well as anyone in this age group. After being selected 10th overall in the 2022 CHL Import Draft by the Vancouver Giants, Samuel Honzek has done nothing but impress in his first season in North America. The way he walks through coverage and hangs onto pucks is special. And he just always seems to play well, no matter the role/usage/stage. Tom Willander, RD, Rgle BK J20 (J20 Nationell), 57. Hell make the soft play to the middle of the ice from the perimeter, or go there to get to rebounds or position himself on screens/tips. Hes got some of the quickest hands in the draft. His actual statistical profile is good without being great, though. The show will also include the unveiling of WHL Divisional Award Winners and All-Star Teams for the 2021-22 WHL season. Im prepared to stick my neck out on Perreault at this point. pic.twitter.com/OOjR1KDavy Thibaud Chatel (@Thibaud_Chatel) January 24, 2023, David Reinbacher (#64 blue) (Draft 2023) just overskating former NHLer Alex Formenton, following up on his shots, winning a puck against Formenton and Former NHler Tim Heed before serving his teammate on a plate. His skill and power combination make him a nightmare for defenders as he can beat you with his hands or by tossing his large frame into you to protect the puck. Logan Cooley2. Reinbacher is a 6-foot-2 defender with a right-handed shot and great mobility who is playing lots of minutes in the National League (NL), Switzerlands top professional mens league. On top of it all, hes physical, hes strong in the faceoff circle, hell get after it on forecheck and track pucks, he plays with energy, hell pounce on turnovers and be opportunistic. Brindleys a plus-level skater who gets through his extensions quickly (including from a standstill), excels on his edges, rounds corners sharply, and darts around the ice, hunting pucks and pushing through holes. He uses his body to gain inside positioning on defenders and shields pucks effectively. Hes always moving. He can get a little ahead of the play, and hes got work to do on his game defensively if he doesnt want to get hemmed in at the next level, but those are things you live with with a talent as singular as his. He can run the wall or the point on the PP, effortlessly picking coverage apart and feathering pucks through seams. Hesa clever beyond belief, maneuverable facilitator and playmaker who plays the game with a light touch and a heady spatial awareness of not only where his teammates are, but where he is in the flow of play (and relative to defenders). 1 pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins posted). 5 pick into the WHL, was a point-per-game player and one of Brandons top producers last season before being named captain for his draft year. he wants the puck in the offensive zone and has the skill and shot to make things happen when teammates find him off the point or as the trailer off the rush. If he can become a second-pairing offensively-inclined defenceman at even strength, and a PP1 QB, that has value in the middle of the first round. This ranking follows my way-too-early top 26, my preseason top 32 (released in August), and my preliminary top 64 (released in November). Perron is so agile that his lack of size and strength dont often hinder his game, however he will need to develop a bit of a physical game (like Logan Stankoven) if he wants to grow into his full potential as a top-six forward in the NHL. The raw potential is there in spades and the production is starting to catch up to it. Finesse. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. As in, you could put him on the icewith the worlds best shooters (say, Auston Matthews, Nikita Kucherov, Patrik Laine, Alex Ovechkinand Steven Stamkos) and they wouldnt be able to load up just off of their lead skate and fire it off balance like he does. His skating is average in my eyes and so is his defending, but his offensive skill and smarts package could get him a look even higher on draft day as theres not a single NHL team who wouldnt love an offensive defender as dynamic as Dragicevic. There have been times this season, though, where he has looked like hes trying a little too hard to impress and make things happen instead of allowing the game to come to him. After the season, the WHL holds a draft specifically to allow teams to add bantam players in an orderly manner to their protected lists. In fact, its not even the only element of his shooting arsenal that is one of one. Hes unafraid to try things and has the skill to execute difficult plays. But getting around it consistently enough at higher paces has proven to be a bit of a challenge and his decision-making can look a little slow. Though hes not big, he plays hard and engages in battles in the defensive zone with some sneaky strength. There has been souring on him as a top-10 candidate because of the point-per-game clip he has played at (though in saying that scouts still have a lot of respect for his game) but I expect his production to take a big leap next season. Hes the kind of player who can beat you with a pass, a dangerous wrister (in fact, while he has played facilitator so often in games this year, hes got an excellent wrister while moving), or a deke. Hes going to be a transition monster. If he develops a bit more as a creator, Hameenaho could easily out-perform his draft slot. The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) cares about your privacy. Theres a lot of belief out there that hes going to be a good, well-rounded NHLer. Manipulation. Carlssons a big kid who has begun to come into his body (hes 6-foot-3 and 198 pounds), buthes also got slick handling and finesse for a forward his size, regularly finding his way through traffic or around it by out-waiting defenders one-on-one in shielded puck protection off of his hip. His skating is a bit of a weakness with less-than-ideal speed, but he more than makes up for it with his offensive creativity and hands. Barlow plays a direct, intentional game built around great hands, a physically mature pro frame, and an NHL shot (he can cleanly beat goalies from mid-range). Hes a hard worker who makes his team better whenever he steps on the ice. Western Hockey League completes 2022 WHL U.S. 10 Puck Touches: . The combination of Michkovs position and the uncertainty around Russias invasion of Ukraine and his contract in the KHL with SKA (which is signed through to the end of the 2025-26 season and has been loaned out to Sochi after he reportedly forced his way out in search of greater opportunity) could complicate where he goes on draft day, but he still belongs here. Of course, there are also some prospects who dropped in this edition of my rankings, including Brayden Yager and David Reinbacher. Scott Ratzlaff, G (Seattle) Hes a multi-dimensional forward who has quick acceleration, can handle the puck at speed and change tempos in control, can shape play by opening up his hips to go heel-to-heel, thrives in traffic, is a dual shot-pass threat, plays one step ahead of the game in possession, supports the play effectively, problem-solves as well as anyone in this class (in an age group that is full of intelligent playmakers), works his tail off off the puck to keep his energy up (he plays heavier and scrappier than he looks, too), and sets the pace for his line (whether by picking it up or slowing it down to use his creativity). There were a lot of nights last season, on an Ice team that boasted half a dozen of the better forwards and two of the top defencemen in the WHL, where this kid was the best player on the ice (which included himleadingthem in scoring in the playoffs with 23 points in 15 games) as a 16-year-old. Hes a smooth skater who is noticeable in transition for both his ability to weave up ice and facilitate and also his ability to create breakaways for himself and beat goalies one-on-one. NHL Entry Draft -3004 - full list of selections with facts and stats. Michael Hrabal, G (Omaha) Honourable mentions (sorted alphabetically): Beau Akey, RHD (Barrie) Max Domi (F) Ryan Leonard is a high energy winger who never takes his foot off the gas in terms of both speed and effort. DraftPro's #1 prospect for the 2023 NHL entry draft, Connor Bedard finished the 2021/22 . But at this point in time theres also only one player in the history of the U.S. NTDP who has produced at a higher points per game clip in their draft year than Perreault has this season: Jack Hughes. Hes also outscoring most of the WHL for that matter, dominating the opposition when he has possession. 2023 WHL bantam draft prospects December 15, 2022 by Thu L 6 lt xem 5289 t bo co - Xem xt cc trin vng c chn trong vng 1 v 2 ca quy trnh d tho Giai on I ca USHL - Matthew Frost, Reid Varkonyi, Aidan Park, Mac Swanson, Lukas Fischer, Geno Carcone, Tory Pitner,. Thank you for your interest in our network of websites, newsletters, and other services. Related: The NHLs Best Farm Systems Ranked Midseason Update. Hes also not fast despite his strength, although he has made progress in his skating and does at times look powerful in straight lines. The annual Western Hockey League bantam draft coming on May 7 will be full of mixed emotions for hundreds of Grade 9 kids in Western Canada and parts of the United States. Last season, I didnt start viewing the 2022 WHL Draft class closely until after Christmas time and Ive thought about that quite a bit when getting used to viewing this 2023 class of players in comparison. One of the most surprising junior players so far this year is Lukas Dragicevic who has put up points at well above a point per game rate in the WHL from the back end, making him the highest scoring defender in the league as of writing. record-breaking performance at the World Juniors, be the smartest player in this draft class, The NHLs Top 100 Prospects Midseason Update, The NHLs Best Farm Systems Ranked Midseason Update, 10th overall in the 2022 CHL Import Draft, Every NHL Teams Top Prospect Midseason Update, Canucks Acquire Beauvillier & Raty From Islanders For Horvat, Bruins 3-Game Losing Streak Highlights Trade Deadline Needs, 2023 NHL Trade Deadline Tracker Live Updates, NHL Trade Bait List for the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline, NHL Rumors: Bruins, Coyotes, Senators, Maple Leafs, Oilers, Ken Holland Improved the Oilers at the 2023 Trade Deadline, Predators Poile Pulls Off Masterclass in Final Trade Deadline, Oilers Outperform Division Rivals at 2023 Trade Deadline, Will Smith 2023 NHL Draft Prospect Profile, Time for JT Miller to Prove Himself with the Canucks, Connor Bedard 2023 NHL Draft Prospect Profile, Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Murray, Zohorna, OReilly & Woll, Lightning Greatly Overpaid for Tanner Jeannot, 2023 NHL Trade Deadline Was a Wildly Lopsided Arms Race, Devils Didnt Need Flashy Move After Adding Meier, NHL Rumors: Canucks, Penguins, Flyers, Red Wings, Maple Leafs, Canucks Forgotten Ones: Mathieu Schneider, Bruins All-Time Best and Worst Trade Deadlines. When he does go there, too, Ive seen him show that dexterity he has getting sticks on tips and redirects. I cant think of a first overall pick so far above the rest of the competition since Connor McDavid back in 2015, of course some tried to argue for Jack Eichel (as they do now for Adam Fantilli), but that argument doesnt hold up well. Hes also a dexterous player who has good size (which will fill out). Heidt, taken No. NHL Draft History 2021 Draft Rankings: Final 65-96 (May) Enter Player 2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Final 65-96 (May) Steve Kournianos | 5/25/2021 | [hupso] 1-32 | 33-64 | 65-96 | 97-128 | 129-160 | 0 replies Stanley Cup Playoffs: Round 1 Notebook (East and Central Divisions) 2021 Draft Rankings: Final 97-128 (May)