Midseason NHL Draft rankings: ...

Connor Bedard's remarkable draft year performance continues after his World Junior Championship performance. No one will challenge the top prospect, although there has been some reshuffling within the top 10. Beyond the top tier of prospects, rounds two and three are already in play. Of course, there will be surprises, and each draft board will be different, but there are a number of familiar names among the top-100 prospects. Although we will not rank our top-100 until the season is over, here is a look at the top-64 prospects in the 2023 NHL Draft, as well as some honorable mentions.

1. Connor Bedard, F, Regina, WHL — Few expected Bedard's domination in the WHL to translate so well to the World Juniors. He scored very constantly, displaying his superior skating and elusive puck abilities. Bedard is the undisputed top overall pick, and what he accomplished for Canada cemented his place as a junior hockey great. It wasn't simply the goals he scored; it was the key occasions in which he scored them. Bedard is a once-in-a-generation talent.

2. Adam Fantilli, F, Michigan, NCAA — A well-rounded pivot who, if not for Bedard, would be a much more visible player. He was a key player for Canada in the World Juniors and is dominating older, more physically developed opponents in the NCAA. Fantilli may replace Bedard in the NHL right away.

3. Leo Carlsson, F, Orebro, SHL — His body is pro-ready, and his ability to drive possession and contribute as a facilitator as well as a prolific goal scorer will offer teams incentive to consider Carlsson beyond first overall. His performance in the World Juniors did little to diminish his standing, and he's playing well above his years as a SHL professional.

4. Matvei Michkov, F, SKA St. Petersburg, KHL — He continues to generate and demonstrate outstanding abilities. His contract predicament will cause clubs to take a breather. He's tried to do too much this season, but he's a player who wants the puck on his stick and wants to dominate the game. It's far easier to educate a player to temper that urge than it is to teach Michkov to control his intrinsic murderous instinct.

5. Zach Benson, F, Winnipeg, WHL — A high-level skater who is difficult to defend because he rarely attacks in a straight path. When the puck is on his stick, Benson is deft and can play as a scorer or a set-up guy. Benson will need more physical development, but he possesses all of the tools to be a top-six forward in the NHL.

6. Eduard Sale, F, Brno, Czechia — Sale hasn't appeared out of place in Czechia's highest professional league, and he was a major component in Czechia's World Junior silver medal run. Scouts had him ranked anywhere from fifth to last in the first round when the season began. That discussion is ended, as Sale will be eliminated before the first half of round one concludes. He's a danger on the power play, but his speed and vision allow him to beat opponents on the rush.

7. Will Smith, F, USNTDP, U18 — Many people were surprised when the United States removed Smith off their World Junior team. He is the National Development Team's leader, and he plays a well-balanced game, but he has shown great scoring ability this season. He'll be attending Boston College next season.

8.Axel Sandin Pellikka, D, Skellefteå AIK, U20 Sweden — Few predicted Sandin Pellikka in the first round at the start of the season. Sandin Pellikka's offensive stats and draft position continued to rise as the calendar turned to 2023. He was one of just two first-year eligible players picked to Sweden's World Junior lineup, along with Leo Carlsson. While he didn't put up great stats, he did lead a strong Swedish squad in time on ice.

9. Andrew Cristall, F, Kelowna, WHL — His vision is exceptional, as is his ability to discover passing lanes and open space while in possession. Cristall thinks faster than nearly anybody else in the WHL. While he has the ability to score, his greatest expertise is in drawing opponents in before exposing the gap he made to locate a teammate.

10. Dalibor Dvorsky, F, AIK, Allsvenskan — Some think Dvorsky's ranking has dipped dramatically this season, although he performed well against peers at the World Juniors and is one of the draft's finest pure goal scorers. Dvorsky enjoys having the puck and has a shoot-first approach, but he also excels in the fundamentals of the game.

11. Mikhail Gulyayev, D, Omskie Yastreby, KHL — Pinning down the top defender in this draft is difficult, but Gulyayev is certainly a first-round talent. A modern defender, Gulyayev has excellent edgework and can evade the forecheck, quickly turning the puck up ice in transition. When the pace is high, Gulyayev is at his best. He hasn’t had time to shine in the KHL, but the added playing time he’s gained in VHL and MHL competition is bringing out the best in his game.

12. Ryan Leonard, F, USNTDP, U18 — He asserts his presence everywhere on the ice through a relentless forecheck and willingness to engage physically. Injecting energy whenever he steps on the ice, Leonard does a little bit of everything and his impact goes beyond the scoresheet.

13. Riley Heidt, F, Prince George, WHL — Possesses many of the same skills as fellow WHL top prospect Andrew Cristall in that he’s a high-end playmaker, and perhaps a better shooter than Cristall. He could run the half wall on the power play for an NHL club in the future, but needs to round out his game away from the puck.

14. Brayden Yager, F, Moose Jaw, WHL — A quick and powerful release, Yager can fire the puck. Scoring is not a problem for Yager…but a team will need to commit to teaching him the defensive game because right now, he’s trending toward a one-way player. Still, there are traits you can’t teach, and with the puck, Yager has them. Without the puck, he’s a work in progress.

15. Otto Stenberg, F, Frolunda, J20 Sweden — Stenberg has a motor that rarely quits. With the puck, he can flash the skill, putting the puck on a string, as well as anyone. Without the puck, he’s pesky if not a pest. He’ll need to add strength, but he can impact the game in all three zones.

16. Oliver Moore, F, USNTDP, U18 — Moore toys with defenders as a deceptive puck carrier who can manipulate his own positioning, and cause checkers to give pause before he unleashes a shot. He does so many things well, without being flashy, but still produces with his well-rounded game.

17. Gavin Brindley, F, Michigan, NCAA — There are several players - Cristall, Heidt, Brindley - who all possess similar skills. Brindley’s calling card is his dogged puck pursuit. He disrupts and is one of the better passers available in the opening rounds.

18. Calum Ritchie, F, Oshawa, OHL — Utilizes his 6-foot-2 frame well, but has struggled at times this season after a spectacular campaign that had scouts scrambling to see him play last season. Still, Ritchie has a great shot and has shown glints of excellence. Needs to be more consistent, but if this campaign isn’t indicative of his future, could turn into a pick teams kick themselves for passing on.

19. Matthew Wood, F, UConn, NCAA — His initial torrid pace as an NCAA rookie has slowed slightly, but Wood is perhaps closer to NHL-ready than most first-round prospects due to his size and physical maturity. Most of the top-end forwards in this draft are small, with lightning-quick hands. Wood has good hands, but brings an element few ahead of him do.

20. David Reinbacher, D, Kloten, NL — The best way to describe slotting Reinbacher in this high is by saying he has “upside.” He was overwhelmed on a weak Austrian team at the World Juniors but has continued his strong play in Switzerland against pros. He defends well using his stick to take away lanes and keep players out of the middle of the ice, and is mobile enough to close gaps, and quickly turn the puck up ice.

21. Nate Danielson, F, Brandon, WHL — At times you can forget Danielson is as good as he is because he makes it all look easy. He has good speed and utilizes it most effectively coming through the neutral zone. Effective as the puck carrier, or attacking from the second wave, Danielson will make an NHL team very happy in their middle six.

22. Colby Barlow - F, Owen Sound, OHL — He scores in a lot of different ways, although rarely with the flash and dash of others available in round one. Barlow is excellent at being in the right place, at the right time, and will find ways to contribute in the NHL. He’s good on both sides of the puck showing the versatility that reads like a safe pick.

23. Gabe Perreault, F, USNTDP, U18 — Doesn’t receive the hype of Moore, Smith, or Leonard, but Perreault produces, and does so in a variety of ways. He has the skills to change his release angle, showcasing an accurate shot, but he can also play set-up man. Definitely a player who will need to refine his two-way competencies, but you can’t deny his scoring acumen.

24. Bradley Nadeau, F, Penticton, BCHL — Nadeau is a fascinating prospect. Coming out of the BCHL, he’s pouring in points, scoring nearly at will. He is agile and processes the action in slow motion allowing him to get to spaces, and expose defenders to generate chances. Headed to the NCAA with Maine.

25. Quentin Musty, F, Sudbury, OHL — A great shooter, the 6-foot-2 forward has been the OHL’s top-scoring draft-eligible player for much of the season. He’s come on in the last month and is showing signs that he can distribute as well as finish.

26. Michael Hrabal, G, Omaha, USHL —  If a goaltender goes off the board in round one, it will likely be the 6-foot-6 Hrabel, who not only possesses a modern NHL goaltender’s frame, but has a level of quickness and athleticism to his game. After coming over from Czechia, he’s adapted well to the smaller ice, hinting he may only be scratching the surface of his potential.

27. Dmitri Simashev, D, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, KHL — A mobile defender with a 6-foot-4 frame, Simashev is not going to dazzle with offensive numbers, but he’s so effective defensively that it’s a trade worth making. That said, he transports the puck well with his long stride, but the best part of Simashev’s game is his ability to take away time, space, and lanes, eating up the defensive zone.

28. Alex Ciernik, F, Sodertalje, U20 Sweden — Perhaps one of the fastest skaters in pursuit of a puck available, Ciernik was crucial for a revitalized Slovakian squad this year. His offense is still growing, but Ciernik can move up and down a lineup as he reads plays well on both sides of the puck.

29. Kasper Halttunen, F, HIFK, Liiga — Had Halttunen cracked Finland’s World Junior roster, his placement in the draft may have been clearer. The 6-foot-3 forward sees limited time in Liiga but has played well against his peers. There is risk with this pick, which is why Halttunen appears anywhere from mid-first-round, to mid third-round on various draft boards.

30. Lukas Dragicevic, D, Tri-City, WHL — Continues to put up good numbers, Dragicevic has good size (6-foot-2) and is an elusive right-shot blueliner. He’s the highest scoring defenceman available in the draft.

31. Jayden Perron, F, Chicago, USHL — Agile and an incredible passer, Perron makes those around him better. Whether it’s with his own feet, or a deceptive pass, Perron changes the line of attack rapidly to break defenders.

32. Koehn Ziemmer, F, Prince George, WHL — Dangerous release, Ziemmer can find quiet space in the offensive zone to shoot from, but he can also use his hands in tight to create opportunities. Ziemmer wants the puck, and is persistent in his puck pursuit.

33. Daniil But, F, Loko Yaroslavl, MHL

34. Luca Pinelli, F, Ottawa, OHL