NHL Central Scouting releases final rankings for 2023 Entry Draft

The National Hockey League's Central Scouting released their final rankings for the 2023 Entry Draft, which is set for June 28th and 29th in Nashville.

With the NHL's regular season ending last week, the final odds for who will land the first overall pick were released and those odds belong to Anaheim Ducks, who have a 25.5 percent chance of having the opportunity to select generational talent Connor Bedard.

As they do every year, NHL Central Scouting breaks their rankings down into four categories - North American Skaters, North American Goalies, International Skaters and International Goalies.

Let's take a look at the top-ten for both of the skater categories, as well as the top-five of the goaltending categories!


North American Skaters

1. Connor Bedard - Regina Pats (WHL)
2. Adam Fantilli - University of Michigan (NCAA)
3. Will Smith - USA U-18 (NTDP)
4. Matthew Wood - UCONN (NCAA)
5. Ryan Leonard - USA U-18 (NTDP)
6. Zach Benson - Winnipeg (WHL)
7. Nate Danielson - Brandon (WHL)
8. Oliver Moore - USA U-18 (NTDP)
9. Samuel Honzek - Vancouver (WHL)
10. Gabriel Perreault - USA U-18 (NTDP)

International Skaters

1. Leo Carlsson - Orebro HK (SHL)
2. Matvei Michkov - HK Sochi (KHL)
3. Dalibor Dvorsky - AIK (HockeyAllsvenskan)
4. Eduard Sale - Brno Kometa (Czech Extraliga)
5. David Reinbacher - EHC Kloten (NL)
6. Otto Stenberg - Frolunda Jr. (SWE-JR.)
7. Axel Sandin-Pellikka - Skelleftea Jr. (SWE-JR.)
8. Lenni Hameenaho - Porin Assat (Liiga)
9. Danil But - Yaroslavl Jr. (RUS-JR.)
10. Mikhail Gulyayev - Omsk Jr. (RUS-JR.)

North American Goalies

1. Carson Bjarnason - Brandon (WHL)
2. Michael Hrabal - Omaha (USHL)
3. Trey Augustine - USA U-18 (NTDP)
4. Scott Ratzlaff - Seattle (WHL)
5. Jacob Fowler - Youngstown (USHL)

International Goalies

1. Alexander Hellnemo - Skelleftea Jr. (SWE-JR.)
2. Juha Jatkola - KalPa (Liiga)
3. Ian Blomquist - Vasteras (HockeyAllsvenskan)
4. Noa Vali - TPS Jr. (FIN-JR.)
5. Lukas Matecha - Pardubice Jr. (CZECHIA-JR.)

Assuming Connor Bedard goes first overall, as is expected, who do you think will go second overall? Let us know your thoughts in the poll below!

Source: NHL Central Scouting