CONNOR BEDARD, center, 5-foot-10, 185 pounds, shoots right.
BORN: July, 17, 2005.
FROM: North Vancouver, British Columbia
LAST TEAM: Regina Pats, Western Hockey League
ACCOMPLISHMENTS/BACKGROUND: Bedard was the WHL’s first player — and seventh Canadian junior — to be granted exceptional status in being allowed to play at 15. ... In 2021-22, he scored 51 goals to become the WHL’s youngest player to score 50. ... Last season, he became the first WHL player to score 71 goals since Pavel Brendl (73) in 1998-99. And his 143 points were the most in the league since three players topped that total in 1995-96. ... Bedard led this past world junior championship tournament and set a Team Canada record with 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists), which resulted in him being voted the International Ice Hockey Federation’s inaugural male player of the year. ... He became Canada's first player to sweep the CHL player of the of the year, top prospect and top scorer honors.
NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING RANKING: No. 1 North American skater.
PROJECTED TO BE DRAFTED: First by the Chicago Blackhawks.
STRENGTHS: A complete offensive package with a highly accurate shot, natural scoring ability.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: “It’s almost like he’s pressing random buttons on the X-Box controller, coming up with some of these dangles.” — Team Canada world junior goalie Thomas Milic.
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ADAM FANTILLI, center, 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, shoots left.
BORN: Oct. 12, 2004.
FROM: Nobleton, Ontario
LAST TEAM: University of Michigan
ACCOMPLISHMENTS/BACKGROUND: As a freshman, Fantilli led all U.S. college players with 65 points and tied for the lead with 30 goals in 36 games. ... He became just the third freshman to win college hockey’s Hobey Baker player of the year, joining Jack Eichel (2015) and Paul Kariya (1993). ... In helping the USHL Chicago Steel win the USHL Clark Cup as a rookie in 2021, he was named playoff MVP in finishing with eight goals and nine points in eight games. ... The pandemic led him to play in the USHL, and was expecting to move on to the OHL before choosing Michigan after visiting the school’s campus.
NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING RANKING: No. 2 North American skater.
PROJECTED TO BE DRAFTED: Second to Anaheim or third to Columbus.
STRENGTHS: A skilled power forward who plays a team-first game.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: “You have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, that’s Connor and Adam, so you’re going to win with both.” — Central Scouting director Dan Marr, comparing Bedard and Fantilli to the Edmonton Oilers' top offensive tandem.
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LEO CARLSSON, center, 6-foot-2, 194 pounds, shoots left.
BORN: Dec. 26, 2004.
FROM: Karlstad, Sweden.
LAST TEAM: Orebro, Swedish Hockey League.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS/BACKGROUND: Carlsson was named Sweden’s junior player of the year after leading his age category with 15 assists and 25 points. His 10 goals were tied for second. ... He represented Sweden at the world championships and finished tied for the team lead with three goals, while adding two assists in eight games. ... Father Kenneth played professionally in Sweden as a defenseman from 1995-96 to 2003-04.
NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING RANKING: No. 1 International skater.
PROJECTED TO BE DRAFTED: No lower than San Jose, which is scheduled to pick fourth.
STRENGTHS: Two-way forward who is difficult to knock off the puck.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: “The way he can bait defenders one on one is extraordinary. He is a natural rally starter, who can change the momentum of a shift, period or game.” — Central Scouting report.
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WILLIAM SMITH, center, 5-foot-11, 181 pounds, shoots right.
BORN: May 17, 2005.
FROM: Boston.
LAST TEAM: U.S. National Development Program.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS/BACKGROUND: Smith finished second on his team with 127 points (51 goals, 76 assists) in 60 games last season. ... He won a gold medal and earned Under-18 world championship MVP honors after leading the tournament with nine goals and 20 points in seven games. ... Smith is committed to playing at Boston College this season.
NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING RANKING: No. 3 North American skater.
PROJECTED TO BE DRAFTED: Anywhere between fourth and seventh overall.
STRENGTHS: Creative play-maker.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: “Good offensive hockey sense to generate scoring chances when needed. Complete package that competes well in all areas and is capable of being a difference maker." — Central Scouting report.
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MATVEI MICHKOV, right wing, 5-foot-10, 172 pounds, shoots left.
BORN: Dec. 9, 2004.
FROM: Perm, Russia.
LAST TEAM: Sochi, Kontinental Hockey League.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS/BACKGROUND: Michkov finished fourth on Sochi with 20 points (nine goals, 11 points) in just 27 games after being loaned to the team Dec. 20. ... He opened last season splitting between St. Petersburg’s KHL and Division II teams. ... In 2021-22, he had 30 goals and 51 points in 28 regular-seasons games for SKA St. Petersburg’s junior team, and scored a playoff-leading 13 goals in 17 games. ... He won a silver medal and was named MVP at the 2021 Under-18 world championships after leading the tournament with 12 goals and 16 points in seven games. ... Michkov is under contract with St. Petersburg through the 2025-26 season.
NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING RANKING: No. 2 International skater.
PROJECTED TO BE DRAFTED: Anywhere between second overall and the Arizona Coyotes' second of two first-round picks at 12. The unlikelihood of him being available to play in the NHL until 2026 could represent a red flag for some teams.
STRENGTHS: Speed and play-making ability.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: “An explosive winger and an exceptional talent with all the tools needed to become a superstar.” — Central Scouting report.
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DAVID REINBACHER, defense, 6-foot-2, 194 pounds, shoots right.
BORN: Oct. 25, 2004.
FROM: Hohenems, Austria
LAST TEAM: EHC Kloten, Swiss League.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS/BACKGROUND: Reinbacher led Swiss League teenagers with 22 points (three goals, 19 assists) in 46 games last season. ... In 2021-22, he made his pro debut at 16 and played 14 games in helping Kloten win the Swiss League championship. ... He’s likely to become the seventh Austrian to be selected in the first round, and third since 2020 in joining Marco Kasper (No. 8 pick in 2022) and Marco Rossi (No. 9 pick in 2020). ... Splitting hockey and college, where he’s enrolled in a business program.
NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING RANKING: No. 5 International skater.
PROJECTED TO BE DRAFTED: Could go as high as fifth to Montreal; projected as the top blue-liner available.
STRENGTHS: Well-rounded defenseman with size and speed.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: “I’m a humble kid. I’m enjoying every minute here. It’s so exciting, especially an Austrian kid from a small town here.” — Reinbacher at the NHL combine in Buffalo, New York, earlier this month.
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