It feels like yesterday that The Sporting News was putting out . Well, that draft is over and done with, so now it's on to the 2023 draft cla s.It's never too early to begin preparation for drafts, and between the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the 2022 World Junior Championship this summer, we have already seen some of the top players who will be selected next July on the ice.At the top of the discu sion is Connor Bedard, the Canadian wonder who has been a top contributor for Canada at the World Juniors. He has seven points in five games and will aim to help Canada win a gold medal beginning with the semifinals on Friday.With the draft still being 11 months away, there is plenty of time for players to drive their draft stock up (or down) before their
https://www.teammetsstore.com/new-york-mets/travis-d-arnaud-jersey name is called. We saw just last month how much things can change: Shane Wright, who was long regarded as the top pick in the 2022 cla s, fell to No. 4.MORE: Before the start of the 2022-23 NHL season, The Sporting News presents its Way-Too Early 2023 NHL Mock Draft.The Sporting News' Way-Too Early 2023 NHL Mock DraftSince the order won't be finalized until draft day, we used the odds provided to determine the order for this mock draft. We took the odds of winning the Stanley Cup and reversed the order; for example, the Coyotes had the longest odds of winning, so they got the No. 1 pick.There have been two trades involving 2023 first-round picks the Blackhawks have the Lightning's first-round pick courtesy of the Brandon Hagel deadline trade, and the Canadiens have the Panthers' first-round pick from the Ben Chiarot trade at the deadline. 1. Arizona Coyotes: Connor Bedard, C, Regina (WHL)Le s than a year away from the 2023 draft, Bedard feels more and more like a lock for the No. 1 spot. People questioned his ability to play against older competition; he delivered with a 100-point season in the WHL and a combined 12 points in seven games between the canceled World Juniors and the summer edition. His shot release is already one of the best we've seen in hockey, making him dangerous from everywhere on the ice with the puck.2. Chicago Blackhawks: Matvei Michkov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)While Michkov's stock has dropped
https://www.teammetsstore.com/new-york-mets/matt-harvey-jersey a tad because of his inability to compete internationally due to Ru sia's ban from IIHF events, plus the fact that he is signed through 2026 with SKA St. Petersburg, he's still the second-best player in the draft. He's an elusive forward with every kind of tool, coming off a 38-point season in Ru sia's top junior league, the MHL.3. Montreal Canadiens: Adam Fantilli, C, Michigan (NCAA)If there is anyone in this cla s who could give Michkov or even Bedard a run for their money, it's Fantilli. He's a handful for defenders given his size and skill. He is almost a Matthew Tkachuk type of player. After two seasons in the USHL where he had 110 points in 103 games, Fantilli will be playing this fall in the NCAA with Michigan.4. San Jose Sharks: Dalibor Dvorsky, C, AIK (HockeyAllsvenskan)After seeing two Slovaks go Nos. 1-2 in the 2022 draft, Dvorsky enters the 2023 conversation as a potential top-five candidate. The forward has been playing in Sweden the last four seasons for AIK's program. He attracted eyes this spring with 11 points in five games at the U18 Division IA Worlds, but he had a quiet 2022 World
https://www.teammetsstore.com/new-york-mets/mookie-wilson-jersey Juniors with just a goal and an a sist in four games. Dvorsky po se ses excellent vision, which allows him to find teammates and see plays develop quicker than others.5. Seattle Kraken: Zach Benson, LW, Winnipeg (WHL)Benson is one of the most intelligent players in the 2023 draft cla s. The winger's strong suit is finding areas on the ice to make an impact without the puck, either in his own zone or in the opponent's. Benson is as consistent a player as they come. He's coming off a 63-point season with Winnipeg in the WHL and seven points in five games at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.6. Anaheim Ducks:Leo Carl son, C, rebro HK (SHL)Carl son enters the 2023 draft as Sweden's clear-cut top prospect. After dominating at the U20 level (27 points in 14 games), Carl son made the jump to the SHL last season, skating in 35 games forrebro HK's top club. The big-bodied forward can play center and wing and is a solid two-way playmaker. He should spend the majority of, if not all of, next season in Sweden's top profe sional league.7. Philadelphia Flyers: Brayden Yager, C, Moose Jaw (WHL)Yager had 59 points in 63 games during his first full season with Moose Jaw. He shined for Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup; his nine points were tied for second-most at the tournament. Yager is a goal-scoring center with an excellent release and pinpoint accuracy. That's a big reason why he was named Rookie of the Year in both the CHL and WHL. 8. Columbus Blue Jackets: Calum Ritchie, C, Oshawa (OHL)Ritchie, the No. 2 pick at the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, is quickly climbing up the draft ranks. In his first season in the OHL, the
https://www.teammetsstore.com/new-york-mets/mike-piazza-jersey center recorded 45 points in 65 games for Oshawa. Ritchie followed his rookie season by leading all skaters at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with 10 points in five games. He's a well-rounded player who has a ton of offensive talent and is also responsible on defense.9. Buffalo Sabres: Eduard Sale, RW,HC Kometa Brno U20 (Czech Extraliga U20)There was a lot of doubt surrounding Sale's ability to produce against better competition. Lighting up Czechia's U16, U17 and U20 leagues doesn't always translate. But his international play says otherwise. Between Sale's eight points in six games at the U18 worlds and his four goals and six points in five contests at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, he has proved he's a legit offensive threat. Sale's speed and shot make him a dynamic scorer.He has quickly become my favorite prospect in the 2023 draft.10. Winnipeg Jets: Kasper Halttunen, LW, HIFK (U20 Sm-sarja)The 6-3 Halttunen is the top prospect out of Finland in the 2023 draft, developing with Jokerit's program. In his first full season at the U20 level, he registered 38 points in 41 games. He plays an old-school style: he constantly gets to the dirty areas looking for greasy goals. Halttunen is making the switch to HIFK for next year.11. Detroit Red Wings: Charlie Stramel, RW, Wisconsin (NCAA)Stramel is one of the few members of last year's USNTDP U18 team who weren't eligible for the 2022 draft. He is a big power forward who has smarts and solid vision with the puck. He skated in 26 games with the national program andrecorded 22 points
https://www.teammetsstore.com/new-york-mets/jacob-degrom-jersey . Stramel made the 2022 World Juniors team as the youngest player on the roster. He skated in just one game, but he did not look out of place at all, which is promising considering how much older the competition was.12. New Jersey Devils: Cameron Allen, D, Guelph (OHL)Allen is coming off a sensational first year with Guelph; the defenseman earned OHL Rookie of the Year honors. He had 13 goals and 37 points in 65 games. He captained Team
It feels like yesterday that The Sporting News was putting out . Well, that draft is over and done with, so now it's on to the 2023 draft cla s.It's never too early to begin preparation for drafts, and between the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the 2022 World Junior Championship this summer, we have already seen some of the top players who will be selected next July on the ice.At the top of the discu sion is Connor Bedard, the Canadian wonder who has been a top contributor for Canada at the World Juniors. He has seven points in five games and will aim to help Canada win a gold medal beginning with the semifinals on Friday.With the draft still being 11 months away, there is plenty of time for players to drive their draft stock up (or down) before their https://www.teammetsstore.com/new-york-mets/travis-d-arnaud-jersey name is called. We saw just last month how much things can change: Shane Wright, who was long regarded as the top pick in the 2022 cla s, fell to No. 4.MORE: Before the start of the 2022-23 NHL season, The Sporting News presents its Way-Too Early 2023 NHL Mock Draft.The Sporting News' Way-Too Early 2023 NHL Mock DraftSince the order won't be finalized until draft day, we used the odds provided to determine the order for this mock draft. We took the odds of winning the Stanley Cup and reversed the order; for example, the Coyotes had the longest odds of winning, so they got the No. 1 pick.There have been two trades involving 2023 first-round picks the Blackhawks have the Lightning's first-round pick courtesy of the Brandon Hagel deadline trade, and the Canadiens have the Panthers' first-round pick from the Ben Chiarot trade at the deadline. 1. Arizona Coyotes: Connor Bedard, C, Regina (WHL)Le s than a year away from the 2023 draft, Bedard feels more and more like a lock for the No. 1 spot. People questioned his ability to play against older competition; he delivered with a 100-point season in the WHL and a combined 12 points in seven games between the canceled World Juniors and the summer edition. His shot release is already one of the best we've seen in hockey, making him dangerous from everywhere on the ice with the puck.2. Chicago Blackhawks: Matvei Michkov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)While Michkov's stock has dropped https://www.teammetsstore.com/new-york-mets/matt-harvey-jersey a tad because of his inability to compete internationally due to Ru sia's ban from IIHF events, plus the fact that he is signed through 2026 with SKA St. Petersburg, he's still the second-best player in the draft. He's an elusive forward with every kind of tool, coming off a 38-point season in Ru sia's top junior league, the MHL.3. Montreal Canadiens: Adam Fantilli, C, Michigan (NCAA)If there is anyone in this cla s who could give Michkov or even Bedard a run for their money, it's Fantilli. He's a handful for defenders given his size and skill. He is almost a Matthew Tkachuk type of player. After two seasons in the USHL where he had 110 points in 103 games, Fantilli will be playing this fall in the NCAA with Michigan.4. San Jose Sharks: Dalibor Dvorsky, C, AIK (HockeyAllsvenskan)After seeing two Slovaks go Nos. 1-2 in the 2022 draft, Dvorsky enters the 2023 conversation as a potential top-five candidate. The forward has been playing in Sweden the last four seasons for AIK's program. He attracted eyes this spring with 11 points in five games at the U18 Division IA Worlds, but he had a quiet 2022 World https://www.teammetsstore.com/new-york-mets/mookie-wilson-jersey Juniors with just a goal and an a sist in four games. Dvorsky po se ses excellent vision, which allows him to find teammates and see plays develop quicker than others.5. Seattle Kraken: Zach Benson, LW, Winnipeg (WHL)Benson is one of the most intelligent players in the 2023 draft cla s. The winger's strong suit is finding areas on the ice to make an impact without the puck, either in his own zone or in the opponent's. Benson is as consistent a player as they come. He's coming off a 63-point season with Winnipeg in the WHL and seven points in five games at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.6. Anaheim Ducks:Leo Carl son, C, rebro HK (SHL)Carl son enters the 2023 draft as Sweden's clear-cut top prospect. After dominating at the U20 level (27 points in 14 games), Carl son made the jump to the SHL last season, skating in 35 games forrebro HK's top club. The big-bodied forward can play center and wing and is a solid two-way playmaker. He should spend the majority of, if not all of, next season in Sweden's top profe sional league.7. Philadelphia Flyers: Brayden Yager, C, Moose Jaw (WHL)Yager had 59 points in 63 games during his first full season with Moose Jaw. He shined for Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup; his nine points were tied for second-most at the tournament. Yager is a goal-scoring center with an excellent release and pinpoint accuracy. That's a big reason why he was named Rookie of the Year in both the CHL and WHL. 8. Columbus Blue Jackets: Calum Ritchie, C, Oshawa (OHL)Ritchie, the No. 2 pick at the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, is quickly climbing up the draft ranks. In his first season in the OHL, the https://www.teammetsstore.com/new-york-mets/mike-piazza-jersey center recorded 45 points in 65 games for Oshawa. Ritchie followed his rookie season by leading all skaters at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with 10 points in five games. He's a well-rounded player who has a ton of offensive talent and is also responsible on defense.9. Buffalo Sabres: Eduard Sale, RW,HC Kometa Brno U20 (Czech Extraliga U20)There was a lot of doubt surrounding Sale's ability to produce against better competition. Lighting up Czechia's U16, U17 and U20 leagues doesn't always translate. But his international play says otherwise. Between Sale's eight points in six games at the U18 worlds and his four goals and six points in five contests at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, he has proved he's a legit offensive threat. Sale's speed and shot make him a dynamic scorer.He has quickly become my favorite prospect in the 2023 draft.10. Winnipeg Jets: Kasper Halttunen, LW, HIFK (U20 Sm-sarja)The 6-3 Halttunen is the top prospect out of Finland in the 2023 draft, developing with Jokerit's program. In his first full season at the U20 level, he registered 38 points in 41 games. He plays an old-school style: he constantly gets to the dirty areas looking for greasy goals. Halttunen is making the switch to HIFK for next year.11. Detroit Red Wings: Charlie Stramel, RW, Wisconsin (NCAA)Stramel is one of the few members of last year's USNTDP U18 team who weren't eligible for the 2022 draft. He is a big power forward who has smarts and solid vision with the puck. He skated in 26 games with the national program andrecorded 22 points https://www.teammetsstore.com/new-york-mets/jacob-degrom-jersey . Stramel made the 2022 World Juniors team as the youngest player on the roster. He skated in just one game, but he did not look out of place at all, which is promising considering how much older the competition was.12. New Jersey Devils: Cameron Allen, D, Guelph (OHL)Allen is coming off a sensational first year with Guelph; the defenseman earned OHL Rookie of the Year honors. He had 13 goals and 37 points in 65 games. He captained Team
