Craig Button releases his updated 2023 NHL Draft rankings
The 2023 World Juniors came to a close just under one week ago and with data collected from draft eligible players at the tournament, TSN's Craig Button has updated his rankings for June's draft in Nashville.
Regina Pats forward Connor Bedard sits atop Craig's list, once again, after a historic World Junior tournament, which finished with him putting 23 points in seven games.
Rounding out the top-three on Craig's list are University of Michigan forward Adam Fantilli and Orebro HK forward Leo Carlsson, both of whom played quite well for their respective countries at the 2023 World Juniors.
The biggest jump from Craig's previous rankings was Swedish defenceman Axel Sandin-Pellikka, who played in a top-four role for his country at the World Juniors, was on their top powerplay unit and led the team in ice-time, averaging 19:54 per game.
Let's take a look at the top-20 on Craig's list:
1. Connor Bedard - Regina Pats (WHL)
2. Adam Fantilli - University of Michigan (NCAA)
3. Leo Carlsson - Orebro HK (SHL)
4. Eduard Sale - Brno Kometa (Czech Extraliga)
5. Matvei Michkov - HK Sochi (KHL)
6. Will Smith - USNTDP (USHL)
7. Colby Barlow - Owen Sound (OHL)
8. Andrew Cristall - Kelowna (WHL)
9. Zach Benson - Winnipeg (WHL)
10. Axel Sandin-Pellikka - Skelleftea AIK J20 (SWE-J20)
11. Brayden Yager - Moose Jaw (WHL)
12. Ethan Gauthier - Sherbrooke (QMJHL)
13. Ryan Leonard - USNTDP (USHL)
14. Gabe Perreault - USNTDP (USHL)
15. Tom Willander - Rogle BK J20 (SWE-J20)
16. Oliver Moore - USNTDP (USHL)
17. Riley Heidt - Prince George (WHL)
18. Nate Danielson - Brandon (WHL)
19. Dalibor Dvorsky - AIK (HockeyAllsvenskan)
20. Mikhail Gulyayev - Omskie Yastreby (MHL)
Several of these players who are in the Canadian Hockey League will be participating at the Top Prospects Game later this month in Vancouver, with the hopes of impressing scouts with five months to go until the draft
The rest of Craig's 64-player rankings for the 2023 NHL Entry Draft can be seen in the link below!
Source: TSN
