Welcome back to Top Shelf Prospects, the column that brings you the next crop of professional hockey players. As we go through the summer of 2023, each day our LWOS Prospects Writers will bring you a look at one NHL team’s top prospects or other topical article. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow Ben Kerr, Kyle Pereira and Frederik Frandson on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical and critical profiles and scouting reports! You can find all the articles here as well as our extensive NHL Draft preview. In our new series, we look at the Top 100 NHL prospects! Today, we look at the prospects ranked between 50-26!
Top 100 NHL Prospects: Part Three
50.) Danila Yurov
The first player in the top 50 is Danila Yurov. After a couple of limited seasons in the KHL in terms of ice time, Yurov finally looks to have cemented himself in the top Russian league. He has been getting consistent minutes and he has rewarded the extended time with points. At the time of writing Yurov has eight points in 15 KHL games. His exciting speed and style with elite skating and high IQ have made him especially dangerous on the powerplay. The shot still needs work, but things overall look promising for the 19-year-old Russian.
49.) Gabe Perreault
Gabe Perreault was one of the most offensively gifted players of the 2023 NHL draft. He is an incredible playmaker with a great shot and an unbelievable amount of creativity. He also has a great mind that lets the puck come to him, rather than chase it. The skating is only okay, especially for his size, but with him being committed to Boston College, one of the better skating colleges in the country, chances are that it will improve as time goes by. His raw skill is pointing toward a promising NHL career. A career that could make the 23rd overall New York Rangers pick an absolute steal.
48.) Brennan Othmann
Othmann is yet another New York Rangers pick, this time taken at 16th in the 2021 NHL draft. Despite a lacklustre season in the OHL last year, Othmann still is a player with a lot of potential and promise. His shot is wonderful and he plays a really intelligent game overall. Both offensively where he finds the open ice well both with and without the puck, and defensively where he gets into the right position to intercept passes. He also plays a decent physical game. All this combined could see him make the NHL at some point this season as he is a very reliable forward in all areas of the ice.
47.) Quinton Musty
Musty is a great combination of size and skill, that many teams in the NHL just love. The Sharks managed to get him with the 26th overall pick of the most recent draft. A place that should be good for Musty, as he will get the necessary time to develop. He plays a really hard-fought game and will apply a ton of pressure on other teams to create havoc for the opposing team. Musty also has a great shot and finds the open ice to use his shot well. However, his skating will need work as it’s not ready for the NHL yet. This makes him a project, but with improved skating, Musty could turn into the perfect scoring power forward in the future.
46.) Cutter Gauthier
Last season was a big one for last year’s fifth-overall pick Cutter Gauthier. In the NCAA he was great in his freshman season and even got to get his first taste of pro hockey during the IIHF Worlds. He has met the expectations from last season’s draft and hard work, versatility and ability to adapt have made him one of the most promising prospects in the league. His ability to use his exceptional skating in so many different ways makes him very visible whenever he hits the ice. He still needs time in the NCAA to grow, but with the bigger leadership role during the season could end up with an NHL contract before the season is over.
45.) Dalibor Dvorsky
The best of the St. Louis Blues prospects is Dalibor Dvorsky who was drafted 10th overall in 2023. Dvorsky is a brilliant sniper, who has an NHL-ready shot. It’s swift, deceptive and very hard to read for most goalies. As of the time of writing, he hasn’t quite hit the SHL running, but playing in one of the best leagues in the world at the age of 18 is a feat in itself. A feat that also shows that he is far more than just a sniper. His defensive responsibility is very strong and he does read the game well in all zones. This allows him to compete with players outside of his age group and bodes well for his future sustainability in the NHL.
44.) Matthew Coronato
Coronato is another prospect who just knows how to score goals. The Calgary Flames prospect signed his ELC with the organization a few months ago, after a very successful season at Harvard. A season he has followed with a great training camp that seems to have given him the chance in the opening night lineup. Coronato could be a player to watch because of his ability to drive the net and get into effective positions in front of the net. It’s where a lot of his goals come from and with improved skating and strength looks NHL-ready.
43.) Nate Danielson
One of the more surprising picks of the 2023 NHL draft was the selection of Nate Danielson at ninth overall. Many had him lower on their boards, but that isn’t to say Danielson is a bad prospect. On the contrary, he is a great prospect who does most things really well. He will be hard-worker, creating turnovers and being a constant workhorse. It is no wonder he was named captain of the Brandon Wheat Kings last season, as he is exactly the type of player you want to lead. Defensively he is excellent and uses his long stick to take away a number of chances. Danielson might not be flashy, but he is extremely effective and has a bright NHL future ahead of him.
42.) Topi Niemela
Niemela is one of Kyle Dubas’ best picks as GM for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Finnish defenceman is one of the best two-way prospects in the world. His IQ and overall understanding of the game are sublime. He always gets to the right position and with his smooth skating, he is able to get there fast. Defensively he uses positional awareness to get to the puck and intercepts it. Offensively he sees the game well and makes the right decisions to keep the puck cycling in the zone. With a full season in the AHL to get accustomed to the North American style of hockey, expect Niemela to make his grand entrance to the NHL within the next year.
41.) Seamus Casey
Another undersized defenceman who plays an extremely intelligent game is Seamus Casey. Similar to Niemela, Casey isn’t the most flashy player in the world but makes the right play almost every time. Casey also has exceptional skating where he seems to cover the ice faster than anyone else. His time in the NCAA has given him the chance to add some muscle to his frame. An area that did need improvement when he was drafted in the second round in 2022. He also has a great ability to handle the puck and create time and space with nifty moves and faints to open up the space. Casey is still a season or two away, but he looks to be an excellent addition to an already elite blue line.
40.) Dustin Wolf
The first goalie to crack the top 50, although he won’t be the last, is Dustin Wolf. The Flames goalie prospect, who was taken in the seventh round in 2019, has been standing on his head ever since. In the AHL he has been above a .924 save percentage in each of the last two seasons. A stat that is light-years above some of the other top goalie prospects in that league. The biggest drawback and the reason he feels low on these rankings, is his size. He is “just” 6-foot and does need to be more aggressive to compensate for it. His athleticism shines, as his overall quickness and reflexes are great. Wolf could easily turn into the next Juuse Saros, and the future in the Flames net.
39.) Colby Barlow
The Winnipeg Jets seem to be at a turning point. After having a strong core for many years, times are changing and a potential rebuild looms in the distance. One of these fresh faces could soon be Colby Barlow. The first-round pick in 2023 is a do-it-all sniper, who is a great mix of skating and offensive instincts. Barlow has a wide variety of shots at his disposal that he pulls off with a quick release. He also plays big in front of the net and grinds and fights for every loose puck. A skill that he utilizes well in both zones and in any situation. Both on the powerplay and penalty kill, he will be a force to be reckoned with. He still is a few seasons away from being NHL-ready, but he could be an ideal player to lead the next generation of the Winnipeg Jets.
38.) Eduard Sale
After spending his entire career in his home country of Czechia, Eduard Sale will finally go to North America. Sale was drafted 2oth overall by the Seattle Kraken in 2023 and is a strong skating playmaker with great upside. He has a ton of offensive weapons in his locker, with a lot of different ways to make a play. Sale won’t naturally be the most flashy player, but will rather utilize his vision and intelligence to set up his teammates. That isn’t to say he can’t be flashy as his hands are silky smooth and allow him to extend plays and create openings for passing lanes to develop. With more experience and time to grow both his shot and style, Sale could be a sneaky and underrated top-six forward in the NHL in a few years.
37.) Gavin Brindley
The Columbus Blue Jackets were one of the main winners of the 2023 NHL draft. They had a phenomenal couple of days, with Adam Fantilli on day one as the highlight, but day two was equally good as they took Fantillis’s linemate, Gavin Brindley, at 34th overall. A great pick that could secure a lethal duo in Columbus for years to come. What Brindley excels at is playing his high-energy game. While Brindley isn’t the biggest player, he plays a strong and grinding game that far exceeds what people expect from his size. He goes to the dirty areas and in front of the net where he will use excellent movement to get tips or rebounds around the net. A perfect player to look out for in the future as Fantilli’s right-hand man.
36.) Andrew Cristall
On paper one of the best value picks of the 2023 NHL draft was Andrew Cristall. Taken 40th overall by the Washington Capitals, the franchise from the capital of the United States got one of the highest-upside players of the draft. His stickhandling is off the charts and combined with his agility makes him tough to defend. He isn’t the fastest skater, especially for his size, but plays the game at an extremely high pace. He reads the ice well and uses it both to get open for his strong shot and to find the open passing lanes. With improved skating and consistency from shift to shift, Cristall has the potential to be point a game player in the NHL.
35.) Scott Morrow
Morrow is one of the best examples of the undeniable strength of the Carolina Hurricanes scouting department. Just like Cristall, he was taken with the 40th overall pick in his draft. Since then he has silenced any doubters while lighting the NCAA on fire over the past two seasons. He has been excellent and checks every box available. Morrow just has everything you could ask for. Size, skating, IQ, offensive weapons, good physicality and defensive instincts. It’s all there. All that Morrow really needs is fine-tuning and with another good season in the NCAA, he should be poised to make his NHL debut near the end of the season. A debut that easily could extend far into the playoffs, given the strength of the Hurricanes roster.
34.) Fabian Lysell
In recent history, the Bruins haven’t been known for their great draft classes. Both due to a few missed opportunities and just being a really good team for over a decade have limited the strength in the prospect pool. However, they do have one player with extreme promise in Fabian Lysell. Regarded as one of the best players of the 2021 draft, it was a shock that he slipped all the way down to 21st overall. Especially since his speed and skating make him a deceptive and illusive player. He hasn’t been as impressive as expected since the draft and has been inconsistent, but last season he started to show signs of great improvement. He looked more confident and stronger on the puck, although this still needs improvement. Lysell isn’t quite there yet, but when he is ready, he has the potential to take the NHL by storm.
33.) Alex Sandin Pellikka
Highly rated and talented Swedish defencemen always seem to find a way to end up with the Detroit Red Wings. From Nicklas Lidström to Simon Edvinsson, and now Alex Sandin Pellikka. The latter of the three was regarded as one of the top defenders in the 2023 NHL draft and was taken 17th overall by the Red Wings. Something that already looks like a minor steal as Sandin Pellikka’s promises as a modern defenceman with elite skating and puck movement. The Swede is able to move the puck with his great hockey sense and a fast pace. Defensively, he has been able to stand his ground in the SHL without looking outmatched, which shows his huge potential in both ends. He will need time to grow and get more consistent, but the potential as a top defender is there.
32.) Ryan Leonard
The Capitals were in dire need of adding high-end talent to their prospect pool during the 2023 draft. A task they succeeded instantly thanks to their eighth overall selection, Ryan Leonard. Leonard is a modern power forward who can do pretty much everything asked of him. Want him to score goals? Leonard will use his IQ to get open and get the loose pucks in front of the net, or use his powerful shot to overwhelm goalies. Want him to set up others? He will do the dirty work and create space for them to finish up their chances. Want him to help defensively? His high motor and work rate got you covered. While he still needs to improve and grow, Leonard has the potential to become one of the NHL’s best power forwards of the next generation.
31.) Xavier Bourgault
Xavier Bourgault is looking to build on last year’s first AHL season. There he scored 34 points in 62 games and he will be looking to add an extra level to this throughout this season. He has a great offensive mind, and he creates a lot of chances with it. Along with that, he is able to dazzle everyone with his quick hands and stickhandling, which allows him space to find the open lanes. Defensively he took a lot of positive steps last season, as he was able to use his strong hockey sense to become a better 200-foot player. An improvement that makes him far more likely to see the NHL this season, in a middle-six role in a year’s time.
30.) Oliver Moore
Oliver Moore’s game is speed. Everything he does is fast and the Blackhawks 19th overall pick in 2023, is one of the most exciting prospects to watch. His acceleration and top speed are almost unmatched in hockey, and when he’s allowed to get the puck in speed, good things follow. Moore also has smooth hands, a great work rate, an underrated shot and defensive qualities. His only real flaw is his size and the lack of strength. He can get knocked off the puck slightly too easily but with a few years in the NCAA to build that to his game, Moore along with Connor Bedard could make the perfect one-two punch down the middle for Chicago.
29.) Olen Zellweger
Zellweger has been on a tear in the WHL since he was drafted 34th in the 2021 draft by the Ducks. With every season since, he has added improvements and production to his game. This past season, he had 80 points in 55 games! As a defenceman! That level of production is outrageous and shows the sky-high ceiling that he has. Especially as an offensive defenceman, with great puck movement. The downside is that his defensive game does need a fair bit of work, but with Zellweger’s offensive qualities, it is honestly an afterthought. He gets the chance to prove that he can produce in more than just the juniors this season, as he will start the season in the AHL. If he does well, look for him to make an impact in the NHL before the season is over.
28.) Kevin Korchinski
Another very dynamic player in the Chicago Blackhawks prospect pool is Kevin Korchinski. Where Moore is the speedy and dynamic forward, Korchinski is the playmaking and smooth skating blueliner. He has been one of the CHL’s best defenders in the past two seasons, where he has dominated. With great vision, skating and puckhandling he has dictated the tempo of the game. Often at an incredibly fast pace where he catches opponents out of position. Defensively he has also improved tremendously over the years, making him even more effective on the ice. He looks to have cracked the Blackhawks’ opening night roster, as the Windy City embraces the future both offensively and defensively.
27.) Devon Levi
Devon Levi’s story is an amazing one. Selected in the seventh round by the Florida Panthers in 2020, Levi has turned his low draft position into that of one of the best goalie prospects in the league in just three years. He was amazing in the NCAA where he was a two-time Hobey Baker finalist and won countless other awards. He was dealt in the Sam Reinhart trade in 2022 in a move that could turn into a legendary trade for Sabers fans in a few years. The reason is that Levi has taken the opportunity with the Buffalo Sabres and ran with it. He has been excellent since the move and could easily be the starter for the Sabers this season and possibly the next decade.
26.) Brock Faber
Brock Faber must be living every Minnesota Wild fan’s dream at the moment. The Minnesota native, who has played almost his entire career in his home state, will get the chance to start his first full NHL season wearing the green Wild sweater. Faber’s defensive partner for this season? None other than Jonas Brodin. One of the best shutdown defenders in the league. A defender who plays a very similar game to Faber, and who should be a perfect role model and mentor. Faber is a highly intelligent defender with fantastic skating, awareness and leadership. He also plays with a composure and maturity that far exceeds his age. While his high-end skill isn’t on display often, the stability he brings makes him one of the most valuable prospects in the NHL.
Main Photo: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
