Ranking the best NHL players and prospects under 23: Connor Bedard tops the list
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Welcome to this year’s edition of the under-23 NHL player rankings.
After ranking every organization’s best young players in the NHL pipeline rankings, we now turn to a ranking of the best young players overall on teams’ reserve lists, meaning within an NHL organization, in or outside the league. This is a ranking meant to show who I think will have the best pro careers, not who I would take in a game tomorrow. This is also a good exercise to show how the last five age groups compare to each other, as this largely spans the player pool from the 2019 through 2023 NHL drafts.
A player must be 22 years old or younger as of Sept. 15, 2023, to qualify.
Ranked players are placed into tiers and given tool grades. Tool grades are based on a scale with six separate levels, with an eye toward how this attribute would grade in the NHL (poor, below-average, average, above-average, high-end and elite). “Average” on this scale means the tool projects as NHL average, which is meant as a positive, not a criticism. Skating, puck skills, hockey sense and compete for every projected NHL player is graded. Shot grades are only included if a shot is notably good or poor.
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Tier 1
Bubble generational player and elite NHL player
Bedard is a potential franchise-changing prospect. His skill and shot are legit game-breaking attributes. His ability to beat defenders one-on-one is among the best I’ve ever seen by a 17-year-old, and the pace at which he displays that elite skill is going to allow him to execute those types of skilled plays in the NHL. Bedard is a highly imaginative puckhandler and a very creative passer. That, combined with the fact his wrist shot is a top-tier NHL weapon from anywhere in the offensive zone, makes him a projected nightmare for NHL coaches to stop on the power play. The only downside to his game is his frame, which has some scouts wondering if he gets pushed off to the wing in the NHL. He isn’t a pushover though, as he plays hard and has a physical edge in his game.
Photo:
Dennis Pajot / Getty Images
Jack Hughes is the definition of an offensive dynamo. He was one of the very best players in the NHL this past season, scoring 99 points and being a leading part of a top NHL offense. His skating plus skill combination is special. He has elite edge work that can allow him to evade so many checks despite his statute. He can make high-end skilled plays through defenders and to teammates at the quickest tempos. Hughes isn’t that physical, but he brings it every night and plays with courage, going to the hard areas despite his size. He may never be the best defensive center or the best on the dot, but he’s a franchise No. 1 center who should be a star in the league for a long time.
Photo:
Jaylynn Nash / Getty Images
Stützle scored 90 points in the NHL this past season, establishing himself as one of the premier young players in the…
Read More: Ranking the best NHL players and prospects under 23: Connor Bedard tops the list 2023-08-28 09:11:15