1. Connor Bedard (5-10, 185), C, Regina (WHL)
2022-23: 57 games, 143 points (71 goals, 72 assists), 16 power-play goals, five short-handed goals
Best assets:Shot, hockey sense, leadership
Possible NHL comparable: Patrick Kane, New York Rangers forward
NHL Central Scouting analysis:"On a level of his own as the No. 1 prospect. His vision, anticipation, exceptionally quick hands and moves combined with the ability to utilize these skills at top speed make him a special NHL prospect. Bedard continuously produces and lives up to the hype of being a wizard with the puck and making plays that have you believing he has eyes in the back of his head. He's worth the price of admission as he's always a scoring threat."
2. Adam Fantilli (6-2, 195), C, University of Michigan (NCAA)
2022-23:35 games, 64 points (29 goals, 35 assists), 10 power-play goals
Best assets: Competitiveness, power-forward game
Possible NHL comparable: Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche forward
NHL Central Scouting analysis: "Fantilli goes out there wanting to be the best and he's playing that way, but this year he's done it against older competition. Even though he may have been physically mature at the United States Hockey League level (from 2020-22), this has been a whole different level that he's playing in, and he's risen to that occasion. He's a player that can play at pace and dictate the game. As the youngest player in NCAA Division I men's hockey (age 18), he's been playing a top center role at Michigan, and it's been really impressive."
3. William Smith (6-0, 181), C, USA U-18 (NTDP)
2022-23: 52 games, 104 points (42 goals, 62 assists), six power-play goals
Best assets:Shot, passing
Possible NHL comparable: Trevor Zegras, Anaheim Ducks forward
NHL Central Scouting analysis: "There was never a game where it seemed like he wasn't contributing or wasn't dictating the pace of play. He's another player that plays at such a high pace, which is where our game is going now. You have to be able to skate but now you have to be able to play at such a high pace to be a factor at the next level. He consistently was that kind of player this season."
4. Ryan Leonard (6-0, 192), RW, USA U-18 (NTDP)
2022-23: 49 games, 76 points (42 goals, 34 assists), 13 power-play goals, three short-handed goals
Best assets:Scoring touch, physical play
Possible NHL comparable:Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers forward
NHL Central Scouting analysis: "We knew him as a highly skilled player, but he's adding a 200-foot element to his game, the competitiveness and the grittiness. He's willing to be the guy that stirs the pot if that's what his team needs, and he shows leadership that way. He can read the game very well. He's built like a truck and can handle any kind of physical play and it really has made him a more complete player."
5. Brayden Yager (5-11, 166), C, Moose Jaw (WHL)
2022-23: 67 games, 78 points (28 goals, 50 assists), 10 power-play goals, four short-handed goals
Best assets: Skating, big shot
Possible NHL comparable: Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks forward
NHL Central Scouting analysis: "He has NHL speed, quickness and agility along with high-end puck skills. He has a rocket of a shot that makes him a scoring threat whenever he steps on the ice. Yager is a very smart, creative, playmaking center who is poised, deceptive and dangerous with the puck on his stick."
