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Generational talent Connor Bedard was selected No. 1 overall by the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday at the NHL draft in Nashville, Tennessee, and his world class hockey IQ, shooting and passing make him as close to a can’t-miss prospect as you can get.
Bedard projects to be an explosive gamebreaker and an eventual Top 5 player in the NHL. From his blistering release to his sublime stickhandling, there’s simply no one outside of Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid with his level of pure offensive genius.
Kyle Woodlief, the publisher and chief scout of the independent scouting service Red Line Report, provides scouting reports on the prospects drafted in the first round.
1. Chicago Blackhawks – Center Connor Bedard, Regina
It doesn’t happen often that a 17-year-old is the dominant force at the world juniors championships. He supplements elite physical ability by reading and processing play in a manner that very few are able. Steals pucks, finds passing lanes and makes reactionary plays against defensemen so once they commit to a side, he’s already beaten them. Makes every teammate around him better. Doesn’t have ideal size or elite top-end speed, but is built solidly and has an extremely strong lower body. Combined with lateral quickness and fantastic edgework, he’s very difficult to knock off the puck. Has one of the Top 5 wrist shots on the planet right now.
2. Anaheim Ducks – Center Leo Carlsson, Orebro (Sweden)
Big horse is a natural leader. Has great size, good speed and competes hard. Wins board battles. Consistently controlled the middle of the ice this season playing against men in the Swedish Hockey League. He’s strong on the puck and drives through checks. Uber competitive with top-notch skills and scoring ability. Can make slick moves while driving the puck toward the net. Has quick hands and strong hockey sense in all three zones. When he makes wide power drives and cuts to the net, defenders just can’t handle him. Always searching for new positions in the offensive zone. Plays in all situations, and on the top unit of both special teams. Calm with the puck and a very unselfish playmaker. Strong in the faceoff circle. A force at both ends.
3. Columbus Blue Jackets – Center Adam Fantilli, University of Michigan
The Hobey Baker Award winner has size, speed, strength and shot. Big frame and will play any type of game you want. Willing to battle in the trenches where his strength and quickness usually wins out. Can also play a speed and skill game where he can use his elite skills as a playmaker, or score with his wicked one-timer or by grinding out a greasy goal in front of the net. But there are questions about his game. He can drive wide and is great on the rush, but needs work on the parts of the game where he has to either slow it down and move the puck around with the rest of the group or play without it.
4. San Jose Sharks – Center Will Smith, U.S. National Team Development Program
Blistered the field for a tournament leading nine goals and 19 points on his way to earning the MVP award at the world under-18s. Was a dominant force all season. He’s their go-to guy and a real game-breaker. Exceptionally dangerous and elusive with the puck on his stick, and is a threat every time he steps on the ice. May not be an explosive, dynamic skater in straight lines, but creates separation with his quickness and brain. Thinks the game and sees the ice on a completely different level than his peers. Lightning-quick hands and is constantly looking to create offense. Deceptive puckhandler who can pull defenders one way and go the other. Needs to address his details and habits away from the puck. Tends to leak out of the defensive zone early, looking to go on offense all the time, but this is more of a quibble than an indictment.
5. Montreal Canadiens – Defenseman David Reinbacher, Kloten (Switzerland)
Great package of size, skating ability, hockey smarts and puck skills. Already a world-class skater with four-way mobility. Really light on his feet, can accelerate with and without the puck. Walks the line on the PP and gets great push from sideboards to middle of the ice and back again. Can be a puck carrier as well as a first pass guy. On the PP, distributes the puck smoothly to both sides. Shot is not overwhelming but on target. Defends with an active, snake-like stick, pokes pucks free and turns plays around. Not a punishing defender but closes off lanes along the boards and can suffocate guys while he keeps his feet moving. Computes the game really well, when in trouble doesnot panic and recovers easily. Still growing and will eventually add some weight/strength, but already competes physically when playing against men.
6. Arizona Coyotes – Defenseman Dmitri Simashev, Yaroslavl (Russia)
Huge, strong defenseman who moves fluidly and makes smart decisions. Handles the puck very well and is calm under pressure, mature and poised. Reliable defensively and involved offensively. Plays an intelligent game – makes calculated gambles at the offensive blue line that usually turn out well. Likes to handle the puck and is effective moving up into the play, and even carrying deep into the offensive zone. Rangy and mobile, his skating and acceleration are shockingly good for a kid his size. Confident with the puck and makes crisp breakouts. Was competitive even at the Kontinental Hockey League level during his 18-game run there. Lateral agility against speed rushers is a question mark but he’s sharp positionally and anticipates plays well to shut them down early. Controls gaps well and uses long stick effectively to break up passes.
7. Philadelphia Flyers – Right wing Matvei Michkov, Sochi (Russia)
He is one of the most brilliant natural scorers to come along in the last decade. Phenomenal pure shooter pinpoints laser beams to whatever corner he decides to pick. Absolutely elite hands and puck skills. An intelligent and gifted playmaker who also has tremendous stickhandling ability. He’s already good at the KHL level. Plays with a lot of confidence. His vision, creativity and hockey IQ allow him to dominate. Early in the season, his work ethic was a matter of concern, but playing in the KHL forced him to raise his effort level. Without the puck he is constantly moving to open space, making him even more dangerous. Shows a fierce determination to score. He wants to be “The Man,” and wants the puck on his stick at the most important times in the game. Only minus for him is his size and lack of physical bite. Still, he’s a potential superstar.
8. Washington Capitals – Right wing Ryan Leonard, U.S. NTDP
He’s an elite shooter who can pick the smallest openings. Has all the little things you can’t teach: natural instincts to manipulate the puck and change shooting angles to fool goalies, the quick recognition of open shooting lanes and the confidence to make the shot in a split second. Always has his stick in shooting position and gets his shots away without having to stop or cradle the puck. Plays a complete game – good details off the puck and a fine two-way player. Has a compact, powerful build and will throw the body around the corners. Can really dangle with the puck, and if given any room in the neutral zone, he’ll put defenders back on their heels and walk them right down. Reads off his linemates really well and works hard to get to the prime scoring areas. One of the three to four best finishers in this year’s class.
9. Detroit Red Wings – Center Nate Danielson, Brandon
Strong two-way center is not flashy and definitely underappreciated. Does everything for a middling Brandon team: he’s their captain, first line center, first unit PP and first unit PK. Hard worker gives you his all every shift and his hard-nosed playing style will translate well at the next level. He’s effective and persistent on the forecheck and comes back hard on the backcheck. He’s elite in transition, strong on his skates with a powerful stride, accelerates effortlessly with crossovers, is a fantastic distributor and has a finisher’s touch in tight. Does solid work battling pucks out from the defensive end, giving his body up along the wall. Rugged and hard working in all three zones with a fundamentally sound two-way game and pro size. He brings a pro-style polish and smoothness to his game that coaches will love.
10. St. Louis Blues – Center Dalibor Dvorsky, AIK (Sweden)
We love his size, physical engagement and the puck skills inside the offensive zone. Very slippery with the puck and can create scoring chances quickly out of nothing. Quick and soft hands and has unpredictable lateral moves. He also has a great mentality and edge to his game. Quite strong on his skates and stick. Works hard to win pucks in physical battles and uses his big body effectively. Knocks defenders off the puck behind net and makes power moves out front to score. Has a very heavy shot and gets great wrist snap on his release. Really elevated his play at the world U-18s and came up huge on the biggest stage. But there are concerns about his feet. Has trouble beating defensemen on the rush and doesn’t generate great speed through the neutral zone.
11. Vancouver Canucks – Defenseman Tom Willander, Rogle (Sweden)
An intelligent two-way defender with size and mobility. Really smart; wins puck battles along the walls against bigger guys with a quick stick and great positioning. Defensive stalwart plays huge minutes against top lines. Very steady and dependable, strong on the PK unit, and rarely makes mistakes. Kills plays early and moves the puck out of the zone quickly and efficiently. Good four-way skater. Solid physique; puts a body on men out in front of net. Closes off on-rushing forwards, angling them to the walls. Defensively aware with his head on a swivel. Plays with passion. Cool and patient with the puck under pressure. Began handling the puck more often and creating on the rush offensively as his confidence grew. Much more assertive than earlier in the season, willing to move in deep looking for plays or his own shot.
12. Arizona Coyotes (from Ottawa Senators) – Left wing Daniil But, Yaroslavl (Russia)
Tall, raw winger is a huge, talented goal scorer with a high skill level and immense upside. Has already performed well in the KHL. Consistency isn’t the greatest right now, but he moves well, has soft hands and oozes skill. He’s gifted offensively. Has a lanky frame, but needs to get stronger in order to have success in close quarters and in contact situations. Uses his wide frame and long reach well on puck protection. Terrific shooter – puck explodes off his stick with power and accuracy. Excellent hand/eye coordination on tips around the net front, where he’s tough to move. He plays with some risk, and unfortunately often freezes up when he loses the puck. His decision making can be nervous and hurried. Needs to round out his game, learn to use his size better and become better at processing game situations.
13. Buffalo Sabres – Left wing Zach Benson, Winnipeg
Arguably the smartest player in this draft class, dissecting plays at both ends of the ice so he either knows where he’s passing the puck before he gets it, or knows how to position himself in the defensive zone to steal the puck – which he does a lot. Has a wide stride and not blazing speed, but still manages to be dynamic. He sees the ice so well and always puts the puck into good spots where his linemates can just skate onto it. Such a creative force who drives play for his line. He has truly elite passing skills and touch – anticipates plays that others can’t see and feathers saucers through traffic off both sides of the blade. Not big, but relentlessly hounds the puck and seemingly always has it on his stick. Dictates the pace of the game whenever he’s on ice.
14. Pittsburgh Penguins – Center Brayden Yager, Moose Jaw
Coming into the season with borderline Top 5 buzz, it’s safe to say he didn’t have the season many expected. Did not show the ability to take over games the same way his WHL contemporaries have. He scored fewer goals than the previous year, and struggled to create in ways other than attacking off the rush or on the power play. But the tools are too intriguing to pass over. He has a powerful, galloping stride, a hard and accurate shot, and the ability to control the puck at top speed. At his best, has shown dynamic playmaking and goal scoring ability. Flies up the ice in transition, blasting wrist shots past goalies from distance, and his offensive zone passing has improved this season too, particularly on the power play. Needs to improve his puckhandling in close to his body so he can protect it better and create more offense off the cycle.
15. Nashville Predators – Right wing Matthew Wood, University of Connecticut
True freshman was the youngest player in the NCAA, but made an immediate, major impact in Hockey East. Scores timely goals in a variety of ways. Uses his big body effectively all over the ice, goes to the impact areas and shows off his super soft hands and long reach to great effect. We love his competitiveness. Tremendous vision and offensive instincts, with soft hands and a great stick to make plays all over the ice. Can rip shots or thread the needle with on-target touch passes. Skating is the one drawback, but he has grown nearly 8 inches in the last two-plus years, and his leg strength just hasn’t caught up yet – he’ll get there. IQ and hands are so high end.
16. Calgary Flames – Winger Samuel Honzek, Vancouver
Jack of all trades is a natural winger, but played often as a center this season while acclimating to North America. He’s a tall, athletic kid who’s effective on the forecheck. Makes quick decisions around the offensive zone. Has shown great improvement in his skating. Big-bodied forward with good finishing ability – the puck comes off his blade really well and his quick-release wrister makes him an effective goal scorer. A top power play producer who can make plays from the middle of ice, but also crashes the net for rebounds and loose pucks. Gives hits and takes hits to make plays. Also did a great job on the penalty kill for Slovakia at the world juniors before getting injured, showing a quick stick to deflect passes and steal pucks.
17. Detroit Red Wings (from New York Islanders via Vancouver Canucks) – Defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Skelleftea (Sweden)
Terrific four-way skater is dominant at the offensive end, making smart decisions to get pucks to the net with traffic in front. Moves so well and instinctively along the offensive blue line. Easily the best power play QB in the draft – supremely imaginative playmaker. Distributes the puck crisply and gets it to the right spots with touch – perfectly placed passes set his teammates up on a tee. Makes smart defensive zone exits and crisp stretch passes moving up ice with his head up. There’s never any panic in his game – so calm and unruffled with the puck on his stick. Controls the pace of the game with his superb puckhandling wizardry. Fantastic escapability – routinely eludes forecheckers in tight corners with head feints and sharp spins. Makes the short saucer pass off both sides of the blade so well. Defends with a quick stick, and despite average size, is willing to use the body in battles.
18. Winnipeg Jets – Left wing Colby Barlow, Owen Sound
Gifted offensive player is an elite finisher who scores in a variety of ways. Prototypical NHL power winger gets north/south quickly, has a big-time shot with a great release, and has the size and skating ability to beat defenderseither with speed or strength. Loves to play in the greasy areas in front of the net and is willing to pay the price in tight areas – plays with some edginess when challenged. He’s strong in puck battles and does a nice job of outworking opponents down low. Has high end offensive instincts and underrated puck skills and playmaking ability, but is at his best attacking the slot aggressively and forcing pucks to net. Team captain and leader of a strong Owen Sound squad. Needs to bear down more in defensive end and show more intensity in high leverage situations.
19. Chicago Blackhawks (from Tampa Bay Lightning) – Center Oliver Moore — U.S. NTDP
Dynamic skater with explosive burst, blazing speed and a top end separation gear – one of the top three pure skaters in the entire draft. Excels in the smaller areas, bursting to loose pucks and eluding would-be defenders in the offensive zone with cat-like quickness and agility. Always dangerous with the puck on his stick or anywhere around the net. Backs defenders off the blue line and gains the zone easily, then blows by them with speed and cuts to the middle. Dances on skates – great edging and accelerates out of turns. Offensively skilled with an attacking mindset. A natural goal scorer who always has his stick in shooting position and can paint the top corners with a laser-like release. Lacks elite instincts; can make fine passes with touch, but gets tunnel vision and often doesn’t move the puck when or where he should.
20. Seattle Kraken – Right wing Eduard Salé — Brno (Czech Republic)
Ultra-slick winger has highlight reel hands and puck skills, and is a smooth, fluid skater with instant acceleration. Has an uncanny knack for getting himself open right in front of the net, and he’s a lethal finisher. Doesn’t need many quality chances – can be invisible for long stretches, but is sure to score on his only chance. He’s constantly dangerous with the puck on his stick. Great shooter from the circles and is deadly on PP one-timers. Has an excellent shot with a blurry fast release, and picks corners with great accuracy. Also a creative playmaker withgood vision and the ability to make plays at speed. Regularly beats defenders with his speed and east/west lateral movement. The concern is that he’s quite passive; doesn’t pursue pucks with much vigor and doesn’t play hard unless he smells a chance. But he is a gamebreaker.
21. Minnesota Wild
22. Philadelphia Flyers (from Los Angeles Kings via Columbus Blue Jackets)
23. New York Rangers
24. Nashville Predators (from Edmonton Oilers)
25. St. Louis Blues (from Toronto Maple Leafs)
26. San Jose Sharks (from New Jersey Devils)
27. Colorado Avalanche
28. Toronto Maple Leafs (from Boston Bruins via Washington Capitals)
29. St. Louis Blues (from Dallas Stars via New York Rangers)
30. Carolina Hurricanes
31. Colorado Avalanche (from Florida Panthers via Montreal Canadiens)
32. Vegas Golden Knights
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