Dr. Tee’s Top Drafted NHL Prospects of 2023
Introduction
Let’s throw away the fact that we are being blessed with one of the best NHL seasons in recent memory, and instead look towards what’ll, and who’ll make the seasons after this one even greater.
That’s right, I’m talking about one of the biggest argument starters for hockey fans that, just like the draft, no one can seem to agree on: prospects.
Over the past few seasons we have seen players drafted as late as the 7th round, as well as players that weren’t even drafted at all become some of the games best highlight-creators, and point-totallers in today’s game. Today we will look at some of those players, what makes them special and how they will translate and far in tomorrow’s game - and why they’ll make the league more fast-paced, skilled and exciting as ever.
Criteria
Qualification
In order to qualify for the list, as a prospect a player must have played 25 games or less in the NHL, and must’ve been drafted through rounds 1-7 of their respective draft classes to be eligible for a spot on the list.
To The Top 50+
The “beyond the top 20” section of the article after an in-depth review of who I think are the top 20 prospects in the world will be a short and brief section where I give my opinion on sleeper prospects, underrated prospects, who just missed the cut, and/or who may be on the list in the future. These players will be in order from 21-50 based on skill, talent and NHL projectability. And if that’s not enough there will be a long list of honorable mentions, happy yet?
My Personal Opinion
Ok, for one bullying a thirteen year old is mean, and two (I’ll be for real this time), this list is simply setting my personal argument in my head aside, nothing more nothing else. Please take it seriously, however it’s not the end of the world if Matthew Savoie isn’t on my list and that’s coming from a Sabres fan. I love each one of these players on this for specific reasons in their games and all I hope to do ia relay both a good final read, a good analysis on each player, and who we should both be looking out for in the next few years, and who’ll help provide us with limitless entertainment right in front of our eyes for the next decade plus, etc.
So without further ado, I present the top 20+ drafted prospects in the world, March, 2023, NHL Edition:
The Top 20 Prospects In The World
20 | Topi Niemela, D, Liiga
Drafted: 64th overall by Toronto Maple Leafs in 2020
An exciting prospect to say the least, after recent hype has died down about the Finnish d-man, Niemela is continuing to remind people why he is the great defensive prospect he has proven he can be. Possessing a great transition game, with good stick work defensively and is smart with the puck on his stick - Niemela has all the great traits you need to have if you wanna be consistently thrusted into the starting lineup as an NHLer.
19 | Nicholas Abruzzese, F, AHL
Drafted: 142nd overall by Toronto Maple Leafs in 2019
Definitely one of the more interesting prospects of the past couple of seasons, Abruzzese had to sit out the 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and ever since then the eyes that were previously on him have started to look away. Already the second Maple Leafs prospect on the list, Abruzzese has been great for the Toronto Marlies of the AHL this season. Thus far the Harvard grad has posted 15 goals, 43 points in 62 games with no signs of slowing down.
18 | Joakim Kemell, F, Liiga
Drafted: 17th overall by Nashville Predators in 2022
Kemell shot up draft boards last season after outperforming teammate Brad Lambert in the early stretches of the season. What many believed was a top 10 prospect - and a top 10 pick as well - fell to number 17 overall in the draft where the Preds scooped the Finnish talent up. Kemell’s combination of skill and quickness earned him 15 points in 43 Liiga games - so far he has scored a goal in three appearances with the Milwaukee Admirals, (AHL).
17 | Lane Hutson, D, NCAA
Drafted: 62nd overall by Montreal Canadiens in 2022
Possibly the best defenseman in the NCAA this past season, Hutson showed time and time again why so many teams will regret passing on him in the draft simply because of his size. Hutson’s unbelievable skating gave him the nod as the nation’s leader in points by a defenseman, (15 goals, 48 points, 37 games played), and has provided him a legitimate argument to be selected as the nation’s best overall player - the Hobey Baker award winner.
16 | Jimmy Snuggerud, F, NCAA
Drafted: 23rd overall by St. Louis Blues in 2022
Snuggerud was a part of perhaps the most electric offensive producing lines in the history of the NCAA last season, with a future NHL-starred combination of Snuggerud, Matthew Knies and Logan Cooley combining for over 142 points and 60 goals. Snuggerud owned 20 of those goals and 49 of those overall points to himself - finishing as the nation’s 5th leading scorer. Snuggerud showed off his amazing shot and shot creation, but also demonstrated how far he had elevated his game from the previous season.
15 | Logan Stankoven, F, WHL
Drafted: 47th overall by Dallas Stars in 2021
The turning point for Stankoven’s view as a prospect was during this season’s World Junior Championship tournament where most of the spotlight was shined upon Connor Bedard. Nonetheless, Stankoven found a way to finish as the tournament’s 4th leading scorer (tied with Joshua Roy), with 11 points. Stankoven’s undersized height and weight (5’8” 170lbs.), was the main reason that a top 15 talent in the draft such as himself fell all the way to the mid-2nd round - right into the lap of the Dallas Stars. Stankoven’s gritty, goal-scoring and high-energy style of play combined with his high hockey IQ, passing and stickhandling are the main reasons he debuts at #15.
14 | Cutter Gauthier, F, NCAA
Drafted: 5th overall by Philadelphia Flyers in 2022
One of the best players from the 2022 draft class, and one of the most underrated players in the freshman class of the 2022 NCAA hockey season. During this past season, Gauthier scored 16 goals, 37 points in 32 games for the Boston College Eagles. Gauthier is a powerful forward that possesses the skill to make plays in any offensive situation, but the size to bully his way down the ice. Definitely the classic Flyers-esque draft pick, Gauthier has the game of an NHLer, and will have a good chance to be a great one down the road.
13 | David Jiricek, D, AHL
Draft: 6th overall by Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022
One of the most NHL-ready draft picks of the past few seasons, Jiricek has been tearing up the AHL for the Blue Jacket’s farm affiliate in Cleveland. Jiricek was able to get 2 NHL games under his belt before being sent back down, however, Jiricek’s size and maturity in all facets of the game is what makes him stand out as such a good overall player.
12 | Simon Nemec, D, AHL
Draft: 2nd overall by New Jersey Devils in 2022
The core of perhaps the best defensive prospect pool in the NHL right now, Nemec has been an unbelievably gifted player in all three zones of the ice. Nemec has a great offensive game, circulating around his vision and good shot; as well as a good pair of mitts to satisfy any regular highlight-viewer. His long frame has been developed nicely while playing for the Utica Comets, where he has put up numbers of 9 goals, 24 points in 54 games, with a plus/minus rating of +12.
11 | William Eklund, F, AHL
Draft: 7th overall by San Jose Sharks in 2021
Quietly becoming one of hockey’s most underrated, yet best prospects, Eklund is a polarizing offensive minded winger/center that has been lighting it up for the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL. In 54 games, Eklund has posted 17 goals for 41 total points in 54 games. Bringing a bright future to the Sharks, Eklund is one of many youngsters that San Jose has been keeping under the radar while simultaneously starring for their farm team.
—The Top 10 Prospects In The World —
10 | Thomas Bordeleau, F, AHL
Draft: 38th overall by San Jose Sharks in 2020
Probably my favorite draft pick over the past 3 seasons, Bordeleau played two stellar seasons with the Michigan Wolverines of the NCAA before gaining 8 games of NHL experience to close out his 2021-22 campaign.
Bordeleau, a former draftee out of the USNTDP U18 team, plays a smart two way game that involves skill, precision and elusiveness. With 20 goals and 39 total points racked up over 62 AHL games, Bordeleau is quietly becoming the future of a Sharks team that is filled with young talent and a deep prospect pool.
What I love most about his game however, is the fact that he’s able to be such a reliable tool in all situations. Despite a relatively undersized frame, standing and weighing in at around 5’10” 174 pounds, and not being overly fast, Bordeleau is able to depend on good hockey IQ and awareness to always be one step ahead of his competitors.
9 | Brandt Clarke, D, OHL
Draft: 8th overall by Los Angeles Kings in 2021
One of the most talented defenseman to enter their name into the NHL draft over the past 5 years, Clarke had a up and down 2022-23 season in which he spent time in both the AHL, and NHL, as well as finishing out the season with the Barrie Colts of the OHL.
A physically gifted player, when Clarke has the puck on his stick he has shown that he can be almost unstoppable at times. Mixed in with some questionable decision making at times, Clarke can be a super fun player - and a very offensive minded one - when the time is right. Despite a developing defensive game, Clarke’s lanky frame allows him to crowd passing and shooting lanes with ease; he has shown physical potential outside of simply laying out on the ice to break up plays, but also to lay the body in puck battle situations.
Now, it’s only a matter of when and how Clarke will develop his game so that he can be that impact guy that Kings drafted him to be; he has certainly been heading in the right direction though - as of March 23rd, 2023 he has scored 24 points in his last 10 games for the Barrie.
8 | Marco Rossi, F, AHL
Draft: 9th overall by Minnesota Wild in 2020
Yes indeed. I am the biggest Marco Rossi fan alive and that seems to shine brightest when making lists like these, and for good reason. The talented Austrian forward - I would go as far as saying one of the most talented draft eligible Austrians of all time - suffered a well known case of the Coronavirus that sat him out all but one game of the 2020-21 season, nearly taking his life, Rossi has been one of the best feel good stories in all of hockey.
The 2001 born rockstar has been putting up terrific numbers for the Iowa Wild this season, possibly being treated as the last piece to that enticingly good young core in Minnesota. In 45 games, Rossi has dominated with 16 goals and 30 assists combining for 46 points.
What made the Austrian so special as a draft prospect is still what makes him such a good player now, and a great player to look forward to next season, (especially with the possibility of him finally playing a full NHL season with the Wild); he’s quick, shifty, agile and a heck of a scorer. Rossi has great vision and hands, with a good shot behind it all. Even though he’s taken a quite “odd” development curve coming off of that serious sickness, I will not budge on a top 8 place for him as a prospect, and I think that that reasoning will shine bright next year and the many to come.
7 | Yaroslav Askarov, G,
Draft: 11th overall by Nashville Predators in 2020
Drafted to be the well known successor of the great Pekka Rinne, Askarov is finally coming out of the shadows once again and proving why he was the highest drafted Russian goalie in draft history.
Starring for the Milwaukee Admirals this season, Askarov has played magnificently. Boasting a 2.61 goals against average, .912 save percentage in 41 games with a 23-13-4 record and 3 shutouts on the side sounds pretty good to me. Possibly the most interesting part of Askarov’s game coming into his draft season was his tall frame at 6’4” and thin frame at just over 170 pounds. Though he hasn’t added much muscle, (according to elite prospects), Askarov has still found opportunities and run with them ever since he laced it up for the Admirals at the start of the season.
With currently 1 game of NHL experience over the past season, and his career in general, Askarov will be looking to make the full-time jump next season - defending the posts alongside one of the best goalies in the game right Juuse Saros.
6 | Shane Wright, F, OHL
Draft: 4th overall by Seattle Kraken in 2022
Grabbing potentially the best player in the draft at the 4th overall spot in the 2022 NHL draft was both of tremendous value, and a tremendous pick by the Seattle Kraken.
Wright has been under a global spotlight since he was 15, playing midget hockey for the Don Mills Flyers of the GTHL. Possessing maybe one of the most NHL ready shots of the past five or so seasons, Wright has used it to impress at every level he’s played at this season. Potting 4 goals in 5 games for the Coachella Valley Firebirds of the AHL, along with 16 in 20 games so far for the Windsor Spitfires, and topping it off with a goal in the 8 games he played for the Seattle Kraken this year.
Wright has been a tremendous leader at every level he has played at - across the last 3 seasons, captaining team Canada in the World U18 championships, World Juniors and World U17 championships. Wright’s elite shot, combined with a powerful skating stride and over the top high IQ leads me to believe he could be a very interesting prospect to look out for in the years to come.
Perhaps one of the more lower-ceiling, high floor-type guys on this list, that doesn’t take away from Wright’s upside as a perennial NHL-All Star.
5 | Devon Levi, G, NCAA
Draft: 212th overall by Florida Panthers in 2020
In a draft that included potentially the greatest Russian goaltender ever drafted to the NHL, (aka hot takes 101), Levi has been making a legit argument as the best net-minder from this draft class - mind you - as a 7th round pick out of the CJHL.
In addition to a small frame, Levi has shown both high end athleticism and great overall tools to his skillset that have been refined to the point that you forget that there’s a 5’11”-6’ goalie on the other end of the ice. Levi has shown this time and time again throughout his quite amazing post-draft development, which started with one of the best World Junior tournaments by a Canadian goaltender we’ve ever seen. In 2021, Levi was the starting goaltender on a fantastic Canadian roster that included 19 total first round picks. Saying that he looked like a 7th round pick out of a second division Canadian Junior league on Junior hockey’s biggest stage would be a massive understatement. Levi put up averages of 0.75 goals against average, with 3 shutouts, on a save percentage that eclipsed the .960 mark throughout 7 games in which he posted a 6-1 record - the only loss coming in the Gold Medal game to a Trevor Zegras-Spencer Knight led Team USA.
Fast forward about a season and a half and Levi has put up two Hobey Baker-caliber seasons for the Northeastern Huskies, while also competing in one of the toughest and grittiest conferences in college hockey, (Hockey East).
Levi, as of March 23rd, 2023 and beyond, has not played a NHL game yet, but has officially made the jump to play with the Buffalo Sabres who are looking to defy odds and rejoin the depths of the Playoff hunt late into the season.
4 | Simon Edvinsson, D, AHL
Draft: 6th overall by Detroit Red Wings in 2021
One of the most polarizing prospects in hockey, the 6’6” 210+ pound Swede has matured to become one of the most exciting two-way defenseman in the scouting circuit.
Entering the 2021 draft as a raw, 6’4” 180 pound defenseman playing for Frolunda in the SHL, Edvinsson showed glimpses, but little offensive production. However, Edvinsson’s game has grown since joining the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL, turning into an elite scoring threat, not to mention adding two inches and almost forty pounds of muscle to his frame. Edvinsson’s rapid development as a blue-liner for none other than the Detroit Red Wings - where all Swedes seem to go nowadays - Edvinsson is giving a flash into the future of how good that dynamic duo of himself and Moritz Seider will be.
With added muscle comes maturity, and Edvinsson has shown just that in his two seasons since being drafted. Edvinsson’s now huge frame has allowed him to be a force in board battles and in the defensive zone; and the scariest part is that he’s not even close to the final product that is a potential yearly All Star selection.
Edvinsson’s sudden growth has led to over 20 points (5 goals, 22 assists, 27 points in 55 games) for the Griffs, even scoring a goal in the 3 games he has played for the Detroit Red Wings.
3 | Matthew Knies, F, NCAA
Draft: 57th overall by Toronto Maple Leafs in 2021
One of three Minnesota Gophers that have debuted on this list or will, (spoilers), Knies might be the most NHL ready prospect on this list (by that I mean he plays the most NHL-style of game, challenged by Simon Edvinsson, David Jiricek and whoever is no.1 on this list of course), and hasn’t even seen his fair share of NHL ice yet (as opposed to two of the three players I just mentioned).
Knies was second-fiddle on perhaps the most offensively dominant line in NCAA hockey history - being named (reluctantly) the Big Ten conference’s player of the year; recording 21 goals for 41 points in 37 collegiate games for the Gophers. The 2022 Olympian has shown great growth and development in his game since being drafted in the second round of the 2021 NHL draft - a draft that was consistently frowned upon by the media to have a lack of talent.
The owner of the most lethal shot in the NCAA last season, Knies is an above average skater, but where he lacks in mobility and acceleration, he makes up for it in raw offensive skill. Knies has a great set of mitts and a knack for finding the back of the net in every way possible. A future pairing of Nick Robertson and Knies is looking scary for NHL goaltenders and as long as they continue to impress, Knies and co. will continue to make a stronger case to move up on this list for the small amount of time he is still eligible for it.
2 | Luke Hughes, D, NCAA
Draft: 4th overall by New Jersey Devils in 2021
With the chance to reunite with his brother Jack on the New Jersey Devils who he has clearly inherited many traits from - both in the offensive zone and in the transition game.
Hughes may be the best puck carrier in the world that isn’t playing professionally in the world somewhere, and that's not an overstatement. Hughes was the best defenseman in a loaded Big Ten conference as a 19-year-old sophomore for the Wolverines. Starring in 37 games, scoring 10 goals for a total of 47 points - only eight away from breaking the all-time Michigan record for a defenseman. Hughes is an exponentially smooth skater, with generational edge work and mobility on the blue line. In simple addition to this, he has amazing stick work while moving with a head of steam up the ice. He’s able to use deceptive moves to gain leverage on the opposing defense, more than not resulting in a goal or a high quality scoring chance.
Although there is much work to be done in the defensive zone, where Hughes lacks in strength he makes up for it with the ability to quickly and decisively evade pressure from the forecheck. To add on, he has already started to add muscle to his lanky frame whilst being such a good offensive threat simultaneously for Michigan.
Hughes has more upside than Quinn but a lower floor, and more skill than Jack but needs much more refining. Overall, he can be the best out of the three easily, but the most important factor will be how he develops and adapts to the NHL-level of play, physicality, and pace.
1 | Logan Cooley, F, NCAA
Draft: 3rd overall by Arizona Coyotes in 2022
Already one of the most electrifying college hockey players of all time, yes I am biased, Cooley entered his freshman year Minnesota with high expectations - but know one would ever guess this level of outcome back in October.
Cooley was the biggest and best player on the biggest and best line in the country, and perhaps one of the biggest and best of all time, that included the likes Matthew Knies and fellow Freshman sensation Jimmy Snuggerud. Cooley has been shining a brighter and brighter light on his name as each game passes, putting more and more defenders' ankles in blenders; producing SportsCenter Top 10 after SportsCenter Top 10-worthy plays.
Cooley plays a fantastically well structured game in order to be both an impactful scoring forward, and fun one in the NHL’s game today. He has tremendous speed, with underrated acceleration and some of the smoothest moves I’ve ever seen. Cooley is simply the embodiment of what we missed out on when Jack Hughes decided to forgo the college route for a quicker one year route straight to the NHL. Cooley combined an elite scoring prowess in which he can put up points on the board in every way possible, with an ultra-elite sense of awareness, skating, and some of the highest upside we’ve seen in a player that I’d go as far as to saying in the past decade of drafted players, (yes, I am thirteen, I am biased, but that doesn’t take away from the fact he’s undisputedly the best prospect in hockey right now).
Elusive and deceptive stickhandling, in addition to great vision and playmaking is what will make him a Jack Hughes-like player at the next level. Possessing both similarities in career paths and play-style, the two are spitten images of each other with minor tweaks in skating. Resembling exactly how to get points effectively with how the game has evolved; offensive play-styles and how they are generated are exactly how both Cooley and Hughes have and will transcend the game.
Heading into round two of the NCAA hockey tournament, Cooley is currently sitting on totals of 19 goals, 36 assists in 36 games for 55 total points on 1.53 points per game - two out of those three all ranking inside the top four nationally.
We saw how dominant Cooley can be when all he wants to do is take over a game and be the center of a team’s scoring. Demonstrated in both the World Juniors and the World U18’s where he put up combined stats of 12 goals, 30 points in 18 total games over two WJC appearances and a singular WJCU18 appearance. With how well he has transitioned from level to level in his hockey career so far, there’s no reason to say he won’t be just as good if not miles better than he has been.
The Yotes have a bright future with Victor Soderstrom manning the blueline, with Clayton Keller and Logan Cooley soon pairing; already potentially ONE OF the most speedy and scary duo in the league.
Beyond The Top 20,
The Top 50+ Prospects I Couldn’t Cover…
****Frank Nazar would be an automatic given to be on this list if injuries weren’t a thing****
Honorable Mentions:
Raphael Lavoie, Jameison Rees, Mavrik Bourque, Yegor Sokolov, Jean-Luc Foudy, Daniil Guschin, Tristen Robins, Ozzy Wiesblatt, Xavier Bouragult, Noah Ostlund, Jan Bednar, Christian Kyrou, Lukas Cormier, Will Cuylle, Rutger McGroarty, Tye Kartye, Declan Chisholm, Mathias Emilio Peterson, Francesco Pinelli, David Goyette, Ty Voit, Matthew Maggio, Matthew Poitras, Sasha Pastujov, Francesco Arcuri, Ethan Cardwell, Josh Bloom, Brandon Coe, Jordan Dumais, Riley Kidney, Alexandre Doucet, Alexander Gendron, Justin Robidas, Zachary Bolduc, Zachary L’Heureux
Hope Y’all enjoyed,
And until next time.
