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Draft Preview 2023
In the 2023 edition of our highly anticipated Draft Preview, we count down the top 100 prospects with scouting reports on each youngster. Also, we have NHL Team Reports on all 32 clubs, looking at their current status and future needs. Finally, we have features on many of the top prospects, including Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, Matvei Michkov and more.
UNEARTHING RARE GEMS
THE HOCKEY NEWS’ editor in chief, Ryan Kennedy, put together his Top 100 list of draft-eligible players for 2023 (pg. 42), while I compiled a top 32 from my model (pg. 16), plus a few overage players (pg. 64). The best part, however, is finding sleepers. Most teams have a similar top 32, but the discrepancies widen as the list lengthens. Here, in alphabetical order, are 10 players to keep an eye on when the draft reaches the fourth round and beyond. AIDEN FINK RW, BROOKS (AJHL) He’s small at 5-foot-9, but Fink plays with speed and intensity. He led the AJHL in scoring, registering nearly two points per game. His skating base is wide, but with some development, he could use his speed to take advantage of his playmaking ability. JACOB FOWLER G, YOUNGSTOWN…
FLORIDA PANTHERS
BEING WITHOUT A first-round pick in each of the next three drafts puts pressure on the scouting staff. The Cats can take solace in having a talented roster chock-full of prime-aged players, but contending will be wholly dependent on the Panthers’ ability to make the most of their picks to supplement their pricey top-tier players. IMMEDIATE NEEDS: No sizable holes can be poked in the top end of the blueline, particularly not as Brandon Montour and Gustav Forsling have stepped up considerably and performed well as top-four rearguards alongside pillar Aaron Ekblad. The defensive well runs dry after the top three minute-munchers, though. If Florida is going to mount a real title challenge, they need to bring in quality depth defenders. LONG-TERM NEEDS: It’s not an issue yet, but Sam Reinhart, Sam…
Top 100 Prospects: 61-64
61. BEAU AKEY BORN Feb. 11, 2005, Waterloo, Ont. 2022-23 Barrie POS D HT 6-0 WT 173 SHOOTS R CENTRAL SCOUTING No. 33 (NA skaters) WITH L.A. KINGS prospect Brandt Clarke heading to the pros full time next season, Barrie will need Akey to step up, though he already put up some nice numbers from the Colts’ blueline this year. He’s the type of D-man who does a bit of everything, but he’s not a swashbuckler like Clarke. “He’s just a solid all-around defenseman,” said one scout. “He doesn’t possess elite skills, and he’s not going to be a No. 1 guy, but he’s solid. He’s a stocky kid who can handle the physical play and also produce offensively.” Although plenty of NHL defenders no longer rely on size to succeed, there is often a dynamism attached…
WASHINGTON CAPITALS
THE CAPS ARE slated to make five selections in 2023, which hews to their recent history of sacrificing picks in favor of immediate NHLers. With Alex Ovechkin as captain, Washington has never shied away from drafting Russian players, and, in general, Europe and the WHL have been favored targets in recent years, too. IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Team defense needs to improve if this core is going to make one more playoff run. Washington was average in goals against and subpar in penalty killing, even though starter Darcy Kuemper’s goals saved above expected was pretty good. The blueline is made up of the over-30 crowd and a bunch of youngsters, but nobody in that safe middle bracket. LONG-TERM NEEDS: The center position is already looking tired, winning just 49.5 percent of their faceoffs –…
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