The Race for First in 2023

 

The 2023 NHL draft looks as it will be one for the ages with two generational prospects. Connor Bedard a center from British Columbia, Canada and Matvei Michkov from Perm Russia. Headlining the MHL is Matvei Michkov, a 15-year-old sensation who is putting up historic numbers in the Russia Junior Hockey League. Michkov is on pace to be a top 15 MHL scorer of all time while being only fifteen. He would be the first player under 17 to be on the top 50 season scoring list. Through 16 games the right-winger has 11 goals and 8 assists while playing an elite two-way game. A prospect similar to Alexander Ovechkin who ended up first overall on the Capitals. But he also possesses attributes that many players do not have such as his grinding ability along the boards and his amazing speed along with the power and precision of his shot. The only way for Michkov to go is up and he has one of the best ceilings we have seen in a prospect since Mcdavid.

Connor Bedard, an offensively skilled center has been playing out on loan with HV71’s U20 team as a 15-year-old. Normally he would be playing with Regina Pats of the WHL, the league is currently not operating due to covid. Bedard is the “safe pick” all though currently, he is the better of the two prospects he doesn't have the same ceiling I see in Michkov all though he is a sure bet to make the NHL and be a superstar if all goes according to plan. Bedard who has put up 4 points in four games looks as if he is the real deal, even against much tougher competition. Bedard’s main attributes are his skating and offensive awareness but his defence is above average as well. He can combine multiple attributes at once and create plays not only in the offensive zone but also in transition. 

By: Jackson Pitts