Scout's Analysis: Thoughts on October rankings for 2023 NHL draft

On Wednesday my colleague Sam Cosentino provided readers his early-season top 32 list for the 2023 NHL Draft.

I know I’m already beginning to sound redundant, but this draft class is elite. It’s going to have several moving parts as the season rolls along, but here are some additional details and thoughts on players from Sammy’s list:

Leo Carlsson, Orebro (SHL): 6-foot-3, 194-pound left shot forward
Sam's ranking: No. 4

Carlsson has potential to race up the draft board by season’s end. He’s a big body forward with plus puck touch. He’s averaging just shy of 15 minutes of ice in the top pro league in Sweden. His offensive numbers are elite, when comparing him to other prospects coming out of the SHL.

On the power play he likes to set up on the weak side flank to open up his options when he has the puck on his stick. 

He generally leans playmaker, but he does possess a quick and accurate release as well.

For his size, Carlsson’s a fluid skater. He has good quickness out of the gate and displays excellent edge control. He doesn’t lose momentum coming out of turns.

He isn’t punishing physically but his large frame, and long reach, make him hard to defend.

Carlsson is used at even strength and the power play. He doesn’t kill penalties.

Like any young prospect there are times when he could position himself better defensively in his zone. His offensive zone exits, tracking back to defend, have room for better reads and reaction.

I hesitate to call Carlsson a power forward. He’s more finesse than power, but his size/skill combination are attractive elements and project him as a potential top line NHL forward.

Kevin Bicker, Mannheim (GER U20): 6-foot-1, 174-pound left shot forward
Sam's ranking: No. 29

Bicker is an interesting prospect. He was Germany’s top player at the Hlinka/Gretzky tournament in Red Deer this past summer.

I’m concerned about the fact Bicker isn’t playing at a higher level in Germany. The U20 league is not flush with consistent quality opponents. He’s too good for that level, but clearly not ready for time in the DEL with Adler.

Bicker has the ability to play fast. He drives to the hard areas and he’s not shy about finding pucks around the crease.

He’s benefiting from being used in all situations at the J20 level, though. The extra exposure in all key, in-game scenarios is a plus.

In his last 10-game segment he averaged over 20 minutes of ice a game. He’s not shy about getting pucks to the net, averaging seven shot on goal attempts per 60 minutes in the same window.

If he plays for Germany at the World Juniors this Christmas he will be exposed to a much higher level of competition. It will be interesting to monitor his impact at an elite event like the WJC.

I appreciate his upside, but I’m not convinced he is a first-round talent at this stage of the year. Time will tell.

His element is offence combined with some power.

Charlie Stramel, Wisconsin (NCAA): 6-foot-3, 216-pound right shot forward
Sam's ranking: 11

Stramel has the potential to be a power forward at the NHL level. He battles for pucks along the boards and goes to the net looking for tips and rebounds. He gives opponents all they can handle. He’s difficult to play against when the game slows down.

I do have some concerns. Stramel isn’t a threat off the rush. He rarely attacks with the puck on his stick through the neutral zone. He also doesn’t generate a lot of shots on goal. In his past four games, for example, he has only been credited with two shots on goal.

His skating is fine on straight lines, but there is room for more quickness out of the gate and his edges/agility will need to go to another level before he turns pro.

On the power play he is used at the middle bumper position at Wisconsin. He doesn’t kill penalties, though.

His three-zone detail is reliable. He’s a smart player who is conscious about being in the right position when his team doesn’t have the puck. He tracks back the full 200 feet.

I’m concerned about the fact he doesn’t have a history of producing high-end offence. It’s early in the season, though, so he has plenty of runway to put my mind at ease.

Will Smith, USNTDP: 6-foot, 172-pound right shot forward
Sam's ranking: 17

An early riser to start the season for me. Smith is off to an incredible start. He is averaging two points per game through the first month.

Smith is a right shot centreman and has elite offensive instincts. He reads the play and anticipates where the puck is going to end up as things develop in the offensive zone.

He is equally comfortable making plays coming off the wall or moving to the middle of the ice. His ability to draw opponents towards him before distributing to an open teammate speaks to his vision and hockey sense.

Smith is averaging just shy of 18 minutes of ice time to start the season and he has been used in all situations.

His element is offence, but his defensive detail is a work in progress. There are times he gets caught “puck watching” in his zone, losing contact with his check in the process.

Smith has added some strength to his frame since the end of last season and his skating stride is benefiting from the added power. He is capable of playing fast in straight lines when up to speed. Continuing to add more strength will lead to more separation out of the blocks.

Kalan Lind, Red Deer (WHL): 6-foot, 158-pound left shot forward
Sam's ranking: 26

Kalan has hit his stride offensively in recent weeks, with eight points in his last five games.

An infectious player who empties the tank between whistles, Lind plays a full 200-foot game. He has good jump to space and competes to create turnovers when he doesn’t have the puck on his stick.

Offensively he hasn’t shown a ton of deception off the rush. His straight-line speed backs opponents off, and his relentless approach creates chances.

Lind can be used in all situations. He’s reliable. When he suited up for Team Canada at the Hlinka/Gretzky tournament he was deployed in a checking role and used on the primary penalty kill.

I’m not yet convinced he will produce the kind of offence that translates into being a top-six NHL forward, but I also feel like he projects to be better than a traditional third line skater. Time will tell.

One of the things that does stand out for me is the fact he is light. His brother, Kole, is now 24 years old (playing in the Seattle organization for Coachella Valley in the AHL) and weighs only 178 pounds. It would be a bonus if Kalan can get to 180-plus pounds as he matures.