Things have really started to take shape as we’ve moved past start-of-the-season status in every league around the world. Players are settling into their new teams, or their new roles on old teams.
Shortly after our October rankings dropped, NHL Central Scouting released its Players to Watch list. A late-October release has been commonplace, as Central Scouting pieces together viewings from the Hlinka-Gretzky tournament in the summer and the start of league play in September/early October.
Information gathered doesn’t provide enough context to create a numbered ranking, but rather a tiered letter ranking, where A-rated players are projected first-round picks, while B-rated players are projected second- and third-rounders. A C rating has players that look like fourth- or fifth-round picks. This year, Central Scouting initiated a “W” or “watch” rating that is reserved for players who are projected as sixth- or seventh-round selections in June.
With so many draft rankings and lists available, there’s plenty of knowledge available on what players we can expect to see go in Round 1. Central Scouting’s comprehensive watch list gives great context to players beyond the typical top 40 or 50. It also allows teams and fans alike to follow the journey of players moving through the ranks as the season progresses.
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As this draft class continues to mature, we’re certain about its diversity, not just in geographical terms, but in positional depth. This month is still void of a goaltender ranked inside the top 32, but there are a couple of them starting to make noise. Mississauga Steelheads’ Ryerson Leenders has cooled after a hot start; Owen Sound’s Carter George continues to impress. But both are still sub six-foot-two, and that height seems to be a benchmark for netminders for a number of teams.
Scouts are excited about the number of high-end defencemen who continue to emerge in this group. Central Scouting has 10 A-list skaters on its October list. As per our rankings, four defencemen sit inside the top 10.
As is commonplace, centres are valued higher than wingers, and there’s a number of options at centre, beginning with top-rated Macklin Celebrini. A new entry into our top 10 is Medicine Hat’s Cayden Lindstrom, who, at six-foot-three, 210 pounds is beginning to dominate games in the WHL.
Cole Eiserman represents the top tier of scoring wingers, but there are others to consider, such as Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and the slowly rising Igor Chernyshov.
The plight of Russian players remains in flux as a result of geopolitical issues. Four Russian players went in Round 1 of the 2023 NHL Draft, and this ranking includes three Russians and one Belorussian.
It won’t be long until we’re talking about world junior selection camps and the holiday break. Before you know it, we’ll be into the new year, where the prospect month will highlight the best players in North America.
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Our November rankings:
1. Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University (NCAA): Celebrini’s path is looking more and more like Adam Fantilli’s in that he’s a freshman dominating the college ranks against older, more established competition.
2. Cole Eiserman, LW, USNTDP: Despite a recent three-game goal-scoring drought, Eiserman has still filled the net at more than a goal per game rate.
3. Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL): Demidov is highly competitive with hockey sense that makes him a reliable player in all three zones. Injury issues will keep him on the sidelines until the new year.
4. Berkly Catton, C, Spokane Chiefs (WHL): Catton is a serious threat off the rush by either taking it to the net or creating lanes to find the next-best scoring option.
5. Sam Dickinson, D, London Knights (OHL): Smooth, powerful skater who can transport the puck, initiate or support the rush.
6. Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State University (NCAA): Coveted package in a player who has moved from Belarus to the USHL and now to the NCAA, all while producing at a point/game rate.
7. Ryder Ritchie, RW, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL): A nice marriage of will and skill combined with elite hockey sense.
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8. Anton Silayev, D, Torpedo (KHL): His point production has tapered off, but ice-time has not as a result of a good two-way game where he is still making and closing out plays.
9. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW, Mora (Allsvenskan): A three-zone competitive player who is good with the puck and equally as good chasing it down.
10. Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL): Has started to apply himself in a manner where he can take games over both physically and skillfully.
11. Konsta Helenius, C, Jukurit (Liiga): Has earned top-six minutes and is producing at a rate of many other high-profile Finns who played their draft years in Liiga.
12. Adam Jiricek, D, Plzen (Extraliiga): Recent viewings have shown a capable and willing player, but one who hasn’t been able to impact games consistently.
13. Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL): Doesn’t require a lot of time or space to be an effective point producer.
14. Zayne Parekh, D, Saginaw Spirit (OHL): Has an elite sense of the offensive game, making him a threat every time he crosses centre ice with or without the puck.
15. Henry Mews, D, Ottawa 67’s (OHL): Averaged-sized defender who wills himself to win pucks. Applies himself heavily on the offensive side of the game, especially on the power play.
16. Carter Yakemchuk, D, Calgary Hitmen (WHL): Took flight in the second half of last season, and hasn’t looked back. Has started to assert himself as a leader on a young, upstart Calgary team.
17. Aron Kiviharju, D, HIFK (Liiga): Because of games missed, the currency gained as an underaged player has been lost after a mediocre start and an ever-charging D class around him.
18. Igor Chernyshov, LW, Moscow Dynamo (KHL): Attacks the game with pace and power. Competes hard hard on all areas of the ice.
19. Emil Hemming, RW, TPS (Liiga): International break came at the perfect time to get back to playing big minutes in key situations, with the added value of a confidence boost.
20. Liam Greentree, LW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL): Possesses pro habits and projects as a goal-scoring power forward.
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21. Zeev Buium, D, Denver (NCAA): Steady two-way defender who can quickly process his best breakout option and execute it swiftly to become part of the rush.
22. Maxim Masse, RW, Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL): Has good hands and a long reach to protect pucks. Possesses a quick release with a heavy shot that can surprise goalies.
23. Trevor Connelly, C, Tri-City Storm (USHL): From a pure hockey perspective, he’s a first-round talent.
24. Beckett Sennecke, RW, Oshawa Generals (OHL): Does a good job of using his size and reach to be an effective forechecker, and is skilled enough to capitalize on chances created as a result.
25. Tij Iginla, C, Kelowna Rockets (WHL): Can get underneath players to dislodge pucks and then use a power stride to get it to the net front. Can also beat goalies from distance.
26. Tanner Howe, C, Regina Pats (WHL): Puck seems to follow him and he’s adept at making it work well for himself and others.
27. Carson Wetsch, RW, Calgary Hitmen (WHL): Hard-nosed, heavy player whose impact on a game isn’t always measured by points.
28. Adam Jecho, C, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL): Transitioned from Czechia to Finland and lit up the U18 league there last season. This season, has transitioned from Finland to North America and has adapted to become Edmonton’s top offensive threat.
29. Cole Hutson, D, USNTDP: Got off to a slow start, but has turned it up a notch in recent international play.
30. Lukas Fischer, D, Sarnia Sting (OHL): One of the youngest players in the draft class. Has big upside and NHL pedigree.
31. Michael Hage, C, Chicago Steel (USHL): Thanks to a recent five-point outing, has already bested his numbers from a season ago.
32. Dean Letourneau, C, St. Andrew’s (PHC): Scouts have started to make St. Andrew’s a scouting destination to check out this hulking centre.
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