With a projected top 4 of Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, Leo Carlsson and Will Smith, the 2023 NHL Draft will probably be remembered for its unbelievable heart depth.
Given the worth facilities usually have in a lineup — faceoffs, two-way play, and so forth. — it’s at all times a place to watch. And with so many high-value targets this 12 months, that is nearly as good of a 12 months as any to load up down the center. A superb chunk of the top facilities might swap for the wing at some point, however that’s a dialogue for one more day.
Today, we’re taking a look at the top wingers for the 2023 NHL Draft. Matvei Michkov is the clear top possibility as considered one of the top prospects in the draft. Ryan Leonard is likely to be the solely different to be taken in the top 10, but when we’ve discovered something about the draft, it’s that something can occur.
With time ticking down in the direction of the 2023 NHL Draft, right here’s a take a look at 15 of the top 15 wingers to watch this 12 months:
Matvei Michkov, C (HK Sochi, KHL)
Behind Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli, Michkov is the third prospect with a legit likelihood of fixing a franchise. In reality, it is likely to be understated simply how good Michkov’s time with Sochi was. Playing on the worst workforce in the league, he managed to end with 20 targets in 27 video games to end fourth in workforce scoring. Six of the workforce’s 9 wins got here with Michkov in the lineup, and his 0.74 points-per-game throughout his time with Sochi is the greatest by a U-19 in league historical past — beating out Evgeny Kuznetsov, Eeli Tolvanen, Vladimir Tarasenko, Kirill Kaprizov and Artemi Panarin, amongst others. He’s particular, however since he has a KHL deal till 2026, NHL groups should be affected person. If I used to be San Jose or Montreal, there’s no means I’m passing up on him.
Ryan Leonard, LW (USNTDP)
Leonard is coming off a fully ridiculous U-18 event, which was capped off by scoring the championship winner. The seven-game affair was an ideal microcosm of Leonard’s true skills: good velocity, ability and physicality all wrapped into one. He’s the kind of participant each workforce desires.
Colby Barlow, LW (Owen Sound, OHL)
One of the few gamers to come shut to hitting the 50-goal mark this season, Barlow has scored in any respect ranges and is as assured as anybody dealing with the puck. There’s room for his all-around recreation to develop, however scoring clearly isn’t a difficulty. He was banged up throughout the OHL playoffs however had an honest displaying at the U-18s.
Matthew Wood, LW (University of Connecticut, NCAA)
A degree-per-game common as a freshman on considered one of the greatest groups in Hockey East is a stable means to kick off your faculty profession. All he has performed at each degree is produce factors and excel on the energy play. His chemistry with top 2024 prospect Macklin Celebrini is a giant cause why Canada gained bronze at the U-18s.
Gabe Perreault, RW (USNTDP)
Perreault’s best concern this season was perceived reliance on his teammates to get stuff performed. But you don’t break the 100-point barrier accidentally, particularly when so few gamers have managed to achieve this. The greatest hangup is his skating, however he performs an identical expert offensive recreation to Lucas Raymond’s.
Eduard Sale, RW (Brno, Czechia)
Consistency was a difficulty for Sale, particularly in the second half after the World Junior Championship. He confirmed sufficient big-game potential at that occasion, although, that I’m nonetheless fairly intrigued. He’s greatest when he’s being misleading, which comes extra with confidence. I do marvel if he’ll go to the AHL and observe an identical route as Buffalo’s Jiri Kulich, which may very well be helpful.
Andrew Cristall, LW (Kewlona, WHL)
Cristall would have simply blown previous the 100-point mark had he not had a lower-body damage. From a ability perspective, Cristall has every part going for him. His skating generally is a little bit of a catastrophe at factors, although. In a vacuum, there’s loads to like. When he has the puck on his stick, although, he’s harmful. Surround him with high quality linemates and you ought to be effective.
Quentin Musty, LW (Sudbury, OHL)
While I’d love to see Musty produce a bit extra, he has sufficient professional qualities — fast launch, excessive top-speed and lively scanning — that I’m assured in the proper workforce turning him into an amazing top-six scoring winger. He’s simply bodily constructed like a tank, too.
Ethan Gauthier, RW ((*15*), QMJHL)
One of my favourite gamers from a method perspective, Gauthier is fierce, aggressive and by no means stops shifting. He noticed his offensive output leap by 30 factors to a pleasant 69 this 12 months, establishing himself as a powerful goal-scorer. His power-forward model fits him nicely in a middle-six function.
Nick Lardis, LW (Hamilton, OHL)
Late-season dominance may be very deceptive, however there may not have been a extra fascinating ahead down the stretch than Lardis. After placing up simply 19 factors in 36 video games with the Petes, he blew up with 25 targets and 46 factors in 33 video games with Hamilton earlier than happening a tear in the playoffs.
Charlie Stramel, RW (Wisconsin University, NCAA)
After a powerful World Junior Championship efficiency, Stramel capped issues off with a very good second half with Wisconsin. There’s no scarcity of groups that need the companies of the 6-foot-3, 216-pound ahead with a excessive hockey IQ. Sure, the offense didn’t observe, however he’s a ache in the rear finish to play in opposition to.
Daniil But, LW (Yaroslavl, MHL)
The massive, expert winger was a point-per-game participant between Yaroslavl’s MHL groups this 12 months and even scored a pair in 15 KHL video games. He can do a whole lot of harm round the crease, each along with his shot and the way he pushes gamers round.
Kasper Halttunen, RW (HIFK, Liiga)
Halttunen produced nothing in opposition to males however was too good for HIFK’s U-20 workforce. He’s massive, has a strong wrister and has produced in any respect ranges up till Liiga. Next 12 months will probably be a giant one. A bit extra maturity will assist take his recreation up one other degree subsequent 12 months.
Koehn Ziemmer, RW (Prince George, WHL)
Heidt wasn’t the solely draft prospect price watching in Prince George. Ziemmer completed with a formidable 41 targets and 89 factors in 68 common season video games, along with his 71 targets sitting second behind Bedard for the most amongst 2023 eligible gamers over the previous two years. Ziemmer is a stable energy ahead that makes use of his power to his benefit and will give you the chance to carve out an honest NHL profession.
Jesse Kiiskinen, RW (Lahti, Finland U-20)
Kiiskinen was considered one of the few Finns that basically confirmed up offensively throughout the U-18s, constructing on a formidable 12 months with the Pelicans’ U-20 program. With the puck, there’s loads to love. He’s nonetheless a piece in progress away from it — primarily forechecking, skating, and defensively, however he has a pleasant future with a stable ceiling to work with.
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