Craig Button releases latest NHL Draft Rankings for 2023

This year's draft is foreseen as the best since Connor McDavid has risen to the league, not only because Connor Bedard sits no. 1, but because the depth of this draft is unreal.

Current battle for rank number 2, according to Button, stands between Ontario native Adam Fantilli and the Swedish Leo Carlsson. Excluding Russian superstar Matvei Michkov of the conversation (5th). Per Button, the two are expected to be no.1 centers in the show.

Eduard Sale, a Czech born, occupies the 4th spot. While the highest ranked American player isn't far behind far sitting at 6th.

This year's draft will be particularly good for the Western Hockey League in the CHL as 9 players figures on Craig Button's potential first round. In total, 18 of Buttons' 32 top picks are Canadian born Players.

1. - Connor Bedard (Regina - WHL)
8. - Brayden Yager (Moose Jaw - WHL)
9. - Zach Benson (Winnipeg - WHL)
15. - Koehn Ziemmer (Prince George - WHL)
16. - Andrew Cristall (Kelowna - WHL)
18. - Riley Heidt (Prince George - WHL)
21. - Nate Danielson (Brandon - WHL)
22. - Samuel Honzek (Vancouver - WHL)
28. - Lukas Dragicevic (Tri-City - WHL)

Ranked 16th, Cristall is 2nd in points behind Connor Bedard. If I were the Canucks management, he's the guy I would be aiming (since drafting at no 1 seems unlikely). Dragicevic, in my opinion, will be a steal. Tall RH defense plays with a poise and a great skater, possibly a great match for Q. Hughes.