2023 NHL Draft Class: How the Top Prospects Have Fared After Three Seasons

According to the New York Times, the 2023 NHL Draft was celebrated for its depth of forward talent, featuring Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, Leo Carlsson, Will Smith, Matvei Michkov and Ryan Leonard, alongside notable blue-line prospects Dmitri Simashev and David Reinbacher. Three years later, all remain “highly regarded,” though their perceived value has shifted.

New York Times

The New York Times reports that Bedard, Fantilli, Carlsson, Smith, Michkov and Leonard continue to attract attention, but the degree of regard varies. Bedard and Carlsson are still viewed as elite, while Fantilli and Smith have seen modest declines in hype. Michkov’s progress is described as “still highly regarded,” and Leonard remains a notable name, though the article does not quantify exact rankings.

New York Times

Dmitri Simashev is identified as a strong defensive prospect who has maintained his reputation. David Reinbacher, by contrast, “has fallen off a bit” but is still considered “quite good,” indicating a modest drop in draft-day expectations without a loss of overall quality.

New York Times

The most significant mover highlighted is second-round winger Roman Kantserov.

New York Times

The article suggests that the varied trajectories of these prospects affect team strategies, with franchises reassessing early-round selections while monitoring late-round talent like Kantserov for potential NHL contributions.

New York Times