Attached is a synopsis of the top-ranked skaters in the draft, and what members of the scouting community say about them. Enjoy!
NORTH AMERICANS
Connor Bedard, Regina Pats C – The presumptive 1st overall pick has 91 points (45 goals, 46 assist) and is a +29 in 33 games with Regina this season, and had a record-breaking world junior championship where he amassed 23 points (9 goals, 14 assists) in just seven games for gold-medalist Team Canada. Tony Ferrari of The Hockey News summed up Bedard this way: “Bedard plays with incredible pace and skill, overwhelming opponents with his otherworldly ability to score. He’s a bit undersized, but Bedard is an absolute force, scoring from all over the ice.”
Adam Fantilli, University of Michigan C – Fantilli has 51 points (19 goals, 32 assists) for the Wolverines, leading the NCAA. Also, he was Bedard’s teammate for Team Canada, where he had 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists). Evan Pace of Dobber Prospects referred to Fantilli as “perhaps the most physically-gifted player in the class with his combination of size and mobility, he possesses a dynamic offensive skillset, and he pairs a strong two-way game with elite production.”
William Smith, USA U18 NTDP C – Smith has 69 points (28 goals, 41 assists) and is +36 in 37 games for the NTDP. Also, he was named the MVP of the All-American game in January. Austin Garret of Smaht Scouting said Smith “is a defenseman’s ankles’ worst nightmare. His ability to use his small area skill to dangle through and around defenders is one of the best in the class.”
Ryan Leonard, USA U18 NTDP C/RW – Smith’s teammate at the NTDP, Leonard has a very symmetrical 54 points (27 goals, 27 assists) and is +41 so far this season. Scott Wheeler of The Athletic said of Leonard: “He’s got a motor, he’s scrappy, he’s competitive, and you can never question his energy level, but he’s also got quick hands, some craftiness, a nasty shot and fast crossover patterns.”
Brayden Yager, Moose Jaw C – Yager 57 points (20 goals, 37 assists) and is a +8 in 51 games for the Warriors so far this season. Also, he amassed 9 points in 5 games for Team Canada (4 goals, 5 assists) at The Hlinka Gretzky Cup this past summer. In his evaluation of Yager, TSN’s Bob McKenzie stated that Yager “has all the tools to be a well-rounded No. 1, at worst high-end No. 2, NHL centre who can impact the game in every way — offensively, defensively, goal scoring and playmaking.”
EUROPEANS
Leo Carlsson, Orebro (SHL) C/LW- In 34 games, Carlsson currently has 18 points (5 goals, 13 assists) and is a -5 in Sweden’s top professional league. Also, Carlsson had 6 points (3 goals, 3 assists) and was a +4 for Sweden at the world juniors. Eetu Siltanen of Dobber Prospects said of Carlsson: “In a similar mold to Fantilli, Carlsson is a well-rounded forward with a projectable frame. He has excellent puck skills and the ability to beat players with his hands – even in the SHL, where he already established himself as a regular player in his draft-1 season.”
Matvei Michkov, Sochi (KHL) RW – Michkov has 9 points (5 goals, 4 assists) and is a -6 in 17 games this season. Also, at the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup Michkov recorded 13 points (8 goals, 5 assists) in 5 games. TSN’s Craig Button stated that Michkov is “[a] very gifted, very talented player. But he’s the wild card of all wild cards. The skill is terrific but the situation is one that leaves teams and people, ‘Okay, what are we getting and when are we getting him?”
Axel Sandin Pellikka, Skelleftea (SHL) RD – Sandin Pellikka has 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists) and is a +2 in 22 games at the pro level this season. He also amassed 28 points in 22 games this season at Sweden’s U20 level. Tony Ferrari of The Hockey News stated “[t]he young Swedish defender is a skilled puck mover and agile skater who could be used as a power-play quarterback at the next level. He may be the best passer of any defenseman in the draft.”
Dalibor Dvorsky, AIK (SHL-2) C – Dvorsky has 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists) and is a -13 in 28 games this season. Dvorsky also had 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) and was even in 5 games for Slovakia at the world juniors. Corey Pronman of The Athletic stated Dvorsky “is a player with a ton of offensive ability and is deadly within the offensive zone due to a great combination of skill, vision and a shot that is a legit threat from range. Dvorsky can pick apart defenses and a power play can run through him.”
Eduard Sale, Brno (Czech Extraliga) LW – Sale has 11 points (6 goals, 5 assists) and is a -8 in 36 games so far this season for Brno. Also, he had 6 points (1 goal, 5 assists) and was a +6 in 7 games for Czechia at the world juniors. Peter Barachini of The Hockey Writers said Sale is “able to make even the most difficult of plays look easy with his soft hands and great puck control. He’s quick and elusive and he easily showed why he’s going to be a top pick in this draft.”