NHL Draft Class

VP of NHL Central Scouting Dan Marr joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss Central Scouting's final rankings of the top North American and International skaters and goalies for the 2024 draft. Among the topics are how long it took to determine Macklin Celebrini would be No. 1, how Central parsed the top available defensemen, why Anton Silayev ended up at No. 1 on the International skater list and so much more.

Sportsnet scouting analyst Jason Bukala joins hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss some of the top prospects for the 2024 NHL Draft. Bukala shares his NHL comparisons for consensus No. 1 pick Macklin Celebrini, discusses why he has forward Ivan Demidov of SKA St. Petersburg's junior team No. 2 on his top 40 ranking, what NHL player NTDP star forward Cole Eiserman reminds him of, and much more. There's also some discussion around the NHL.com Top 32 ranking, including why Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov is No. 2.

NHL Draft Class is on the road in Moncton, New Brunswick for the CHL Top Prospects Game. Hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale talked to Tij Iginla, the No. 11 prospect on NHL Central Scouting's midterm rankings and son of Hockey Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla, about his season, crafting his own identity out of the spotlight of his father and the other sport he considered playing.

NHL Central Scouting vice president Dan Marr joins hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss Central Scouting's midterm rankings of the top North American and International skaters. Dan goes in-depth on the NHL readiness of the No, 1 player, Boston University freshman forward Macklin Celebrini, the placement of NTDP star forward Cole Eiserman, and the top defensemen available, topped by Artyom Levshunov of Michigan State. Adam and Mike also discuss the USA Hockey All-American Game played Monday, which included Eiserman and top 2025 draft prospect James Hagens.

Steven Ellis, associate editor and prospect analyst for Daily Faceoff, joins hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale for an in-depth preview of the 2024 World Junior Championship, with a special focus on top 2024 NHL Draft prospects Macklin Celebrini of Canada, Zeev Buium of the United States, Konsta Helenius of Finland and more. There's also some talk about The Sphere in Las Vegas, the expected host of the 2024 draft.

NHL.com's Adam Kimelman and Mike Morreale kick off the sixth season of NHL Draft Class by discussing the release of NHL Central Scouting's preliminary players to watch list, including Boston University forward Macklin Celebrini and USA Hockey National Team Development Program forward Cole Eiserman. They're also joined by one of the top defenseman prospects in the 2024 NHL Draft, Artyom Levshunov of Michigan State University.

Craig Button, TSN scouting director, joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to close the books on the 2023 NHL Draft, with his thoughts on the future potential of Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli and Leo Carlsson, among others. Button also gives a preview of some of the top prospects for the 2024 NHL Draft

Adam and Mike recap the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft and discuss their favorite moments, biggest surprises and best stories of a memorable night in Nashville. They are joined by Connor Bedard, Leo Carlsson and Adam Fantilli. The guys wrap the episode talking about the facts and figures of the first round and what teams stood out to them with the selections made.

Sam Cosentino of Sportsnet and NHL Network joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to preview the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft, including what the Anaheim Ducks could do at No. 2, where Russia-born forward Matvei Michkov could go, how many defensemen are selected within the top 20 picks and much more.

Connor Bedard is one of many top prospects from the Western Hockey League available for the 2023 NHL Draft, and John Williams from NHL Central Scouting joins NHL Draft Class to provide his expert opinion on several of them. In addition to Bedard, he covers Kelowna forward Andrew Cristall, Vancouver forward Samuel Honzek, Tri-City defenseman Lukas Dragicevic and many more.

Leo Carlsson, arguably the top draft prospect from Europe, joins hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale (22:55) to discuss his season, whether he's a center or a wing at the next level and how he's overcome some personal adversity to shine on and off the ice. Also on the show is Janne Vuorinen (1:57) of Central Scouting to provide insight on some of the top International players available for the draft.

Adam Fantilli, who could be the No. 2 pick of the 2023 NHL Draft, sat down with co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale for a wide-ranging discussion, including whether he plans to return to Michigan for a second season or jump right into the NHL. The hosts also spent time with William Smith, a likely top-five pick in the draft, to talk about his record-setting World Under-18 Championship and expectations heading into next season at Boston College.

Connor Bedard, the expected No. 1 pick of the 2023 NHL Draft, sat down with co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale at the NHL Scouting Combine to discuss his season, his expectations for the combine and how much he's starting to learn about the city of Chicago (1:41). The hosts also spent time with Blackhawks director of amateur scouting Mike Doneghey (15:38) to talk about their approach to the No. 1 pick as well as No. 19 in the first round, how Chicago approaches the combine and much more.

We preview the NHL Scouting Combine with director of NHL Central Scouting David Gregory, who talks about the event's growth and how many prospects will be taking part. Gregory also discusses some of the top Ontario Hockey League players, including Owen Sound forward Colby Barlow and London defenseman Oliver Bonk, and also shares his opinion on the top two players available for the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft, Regina forward Connor Bedard and Michigan center Adam Fantilli.

Pat Cullen of NHL Central Scouting joins the show to discuss the top 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft prospects from playing in the United States, among them forwards William Smith, Ryan Leonard and Gabriel Perreault from the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 team, and Warroad High School forward Jayson Shaugabay, who was voted Mr. Hockey in Minnesota. Cullen also touches on the potential for a position change for NTDP forward Danny Nelson.

J-F Damphousse of NHL Central Scouting joins the show to discuss the top 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft prospects from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, among them Sherbrooke right wing Ethan Gauthier, Moncton defenseman Etienne Morin and Halifax center Mathieu Cataford.

The NHL Draft Lottery set the order for the first 16 selections, starting with the Chicago Blackhawks winning the No. 1 pick. That means it's time for the first mock draft of the 2023 NHL Draft season. Co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale each believe Connor Bedard will be the first player picked, but after that? You'll have to listen to discover the reason behind their picks.

NHL Central Scouting goalie guru Al Jensen joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss some of the top North American goalies for the 2023 NHL Draft, among them Carson Bjarnason of Brandon in the Western Hockey League, Trey Augustine of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program and more. There's also a look-ahead to the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery on May 8.

Dan Marr, VP of NHL Central Scouting, joins the show to discuss the final rankings of North American and International skaters and goalies for the 2023 NHL Draft. Marr goes in-depth on how the lists were put together, how much time was spent debating Connor Bedard at No. 1, and discusses why certain players were able to move up from the midterm rankings in January. Hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale also discuss the NHL Draft Lottery, which will be held May 8.

University of Michigan coach Brandon Naurato joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss two of the top prospects for the 2023 NHL Draft, forwards Adam Fantilli and Gavin Brindley, their growth this season as college freshmen and Michigan’s preparation for the NCAA Tournament. There’s also some Connor Bedard talk, including Mike’s time in Regina with the projected No. 1 pick of the draft, and his mom.