Connor Bedard, Leo Carlsson lead NHL Central Scouting’s final 2023 draft rankings

NHL Central Scouting has released its final rankings for the 2023 NHL Draft, and, to no one’s surprise, Connor Bedard is still on top.

The rankings, which split up the best skaters and goaltender by region, has Bedard as the No. 1 North American skater and Leo Carlsson as the top international prospect. The final lists feature a total of 412 players between the two regions, highlighted by 224 skaters from North America.

Top 32 international skaters according to NHL Central Scouting. #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/BgvL0ALDhr

— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) April 18, 2023

Bedard led the North American rankings all year long, while Carlsson sat was also No. 1 in the international rankings during the midterm rankings.

The full rankings can be found here.

“Connor Bedard is one of those unique, elite talents who belongs in the same category as other
generational talents before him such as Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby,” said Dan Marr, the NHL Central Scouting’s vice president. “He has been in the spotlight for the past three years and during that time he has risen to impact and impress on every occasion while often being the youngest member of the team. He is an exceptional young man on and off the ice and has constantly shown all season long that he is the No. 1 prospect for the 2023 NHL Draft.”

Adam Fantilli, Will Smith, Matthew Wood and Ryan Leonard finish out the top five in North America, while Matvei Michkov, Dalibor Dvorsky, Eduard Sale and David Reinbacher close out the international side.

Brandon Wheat Kings goaltender Carson Bjarnason is the top-ranked North American goaltender, leading Michael Hrabal, Trey Augustine, Scott Ratzlaff and Jacob Fowler. Internationally, Alexander Hellnemo holds the top spot again ahead of Juka Jatkola, Ian Blomquist, Noa Vali and Lukas Matecha.

Of note, Damian Clara, ranked sixth among international goaltenders, could become the first Italian-born player drafted into the NHL this year.

Brooks Bandits forward Hudson Malinoski (No. 65) is the highest-ranked second-year eligible skater in North America, while Frolunda’s Isac Born (No. 40) holds the honor among international skaters.

Daily Faceoff will release it’s latest NHL Draft rankings on Wednesday ahead of the 2023 U-18 World Hockey Championship in Switzerland.