NHL Central Scouting confirmed what has been clear for years – and especially since the world junior championship: Connor Bedard is the top prospect for the 2023 draft.
Bedard, who heads up the midterm rankings, won tournament MVP by scoring 23 points in seven games as Canada repeated as gold medal winners. In his first three games back with the Regina (Saskatchewan) Pats, the 5-10, 185-pound center has totaled nine goals and 14 points.
Bedard, 17, who entered the Western Hockey League draft early as a 15-year-old, has a league-best 78 points in 31 games. He has a 30-game point streak since being shut out in the opener. Last year, he had 100 points in 62 games.
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With the winner of the draft lottery in April able to move up only 10 spots this year, the bottom 11 teams have a chance to land the generational talent. Here’s a look at the teams with the best chances, starting with the last-place team (stats as of the afternoon of Jan. 16; this file will be updated at various points during the season).
Chicago Blackhawks (11-26-4, 26 pts.)
The Blackhawks briefly escaped the NHL cellar with a three-game winning streak but fell back into it after giving up six goals on the first seven shots they faced on Jan. 14. They made a game of it but still lost 8-5 to the Seattle Kraken. Injured star Patrick Kane missed the three wins and scored in his return. The Blackhawks were expected to finish low after parting ways with Alex DeBrincat, Kirby Dach, Dylan Strome and Dominik Kubalik in the offseason. They have plenty of unrestricted free agents who could be moved at the deadline, ranging from Max Domi and Andreas Athanasiou to franchise players Kane and Jonathan Toews (who would have to waive their no-movement clauses).
Anaheim Ducks (12-27-4, 28 pts.)
Their minus-81 goal differential is worst in the league. They didn’t get their first regulation win until Nov. 23 and it took them until Dec. 15-17 to get two in a row. Though they had another two-game winning streak in early January, they were outscored 19-5 in their next three games. General manager Pat Verbeek dealt pending UFAs Josh Manson, Hampus Lindholm and Rickard Rakell last season. This year’s UFA list includes John Klingberg and three other defensemen.
Columbus Blue Jackets (13-27-2, 28 pts.)
They moved up from 32nd to 30th with a 4-3 win against the Detroit Red Wings on Jan. 14. Patrik Laine, who has been out three times this season, scored his 10th career hat trick to end a nine-game goal drought. The Blue Jackets held on to end a 10-game road losing streak as offseason free agent splash Johnny Gaudreau had two assists. The team continues to be racked with injuries (No. 1 defenseman Zach Werenski, top six forward Jakub Voracek), but captain Boone Jenner returned. Bedard would answer the question of who plays between Gaudreau and Laine.
Arizona Coyotes (13-24-5, 31 pts.)
The rebuilding team has been hurt by a road-heavy start of the season (28 out of their first 42 games), and their road losing streak has hit 14 games. But they also have lost their last three games at Mullett Arena and nine in a row overall. Defenseman Jakob Chychrun has played well since returning from injury but also had expressed interest in a trade. Bedard would be a good selling point as voters choose whether to approve a new arena in Tempe during a May special election.
San Jose Sharks (13-23-9, 35 pts.)
Erik Karlsson leads all defensemen with 58 points in a resurgent Norris Trophy-caliber season that also earned him an All-Star Game berth. But the Sharks have only four home wins. First-year general manager Mike Grier could choose to continue to remake this team, as he did with an offseason trade of Brent Burns. Plus, he has a decision to make on pending restricted free agent Timo Meier, their leading goal scorer.
Montreal Canadiens (18-23-3, 37 pts.)
The Canadiens went through a 1-9-1 free fall after a strong start, but they won three of their last five games. Brendan Gallagher will miss at least six weeks with a lower-body injury. Mike Hoffman returned to action after being a scratch in four of the previous five games. Montreal also holds Florida’s first-round pick, but the Panthers have moved out of the bottom 11.
Vancouver Canucks (18-22-3, 39 pts.)
Canucks president Jim Rutherford, discussing his slumping team, said on Jan. 16 that he has to do “major surgery” on the roster “between now and the start of next season.” He said the changes could end up involving some core players, but he’s also stuck with contracts he can’t move. Buyouts are possible in the offseason to get the salary cap under control. “I like a challenge, and man, I’ve got a challenge,” he said. He added that the team has taken “our best shot” at re-signing Bo Horvat, though he realizes the offer might be low based on the captain’s career season. Addressing reports that the team has talked with Rick Tocchet, Rutherford acknowledged discussions with other people, but said, “Bruce (Boudreau) is our coach now.”
Other teams
Ottawa Senators (19-20-3, 41 points): The Senators, who made major moves in the offseason, appear to be jelling after a slow start. But they have lost three of four, giving up eight goals to the Kraken and seven to the Colorado Avalanche.
Philadelphia Flyers (18-19-7, 43): The Flyers fell below .500 with a 6-0 loss to the juggernaut Bruins but they’ve still won seven of their last nine. Goalie Carter Hart, who had played well since returning from an injury, was pulled early.
Detroit Red Wings (18-17-7, 43): They’re back in the mix after consecutive losses and have given up four or more goals in 11 of their last 14 games. Goalie Alex Nedeljkovic was sent to the American Hockey League after clearing waivers.
Also: The 22nd-place teams will be determined by Monday night’s action, but the Florida Panthers moved two points ahead of Buffalo by beating the Sabres.
