As certain players have moved through their different levels of play over the years, many are being considered as possible picks for the 2023 NHL Draft and have caught the eye of various NHL teams. Players like Michigan’s Adam Fantilli, Connor Bedard from the WHL, and even newer names such as Will Smith from the USNTDP are among those being closely looked at as steals during this year’s draft. As the 2022-23 season slides into the halfway mark, it’s time to take a look at some draft-eligible players who may be flying under the radar as the next superstar of the National Hockey League.
Chris Delaney, Forward, Chicago Steel (USHL)
There are a few reasons that teams may not have Delaney, the 18-year-old from Massachusetts, in their sights. The biggest one is his size as Delaney is an inch shorter than Montreal Canadiens winger, Cole Caulfield, and that may keep some teams from considering Delaney a higher-round draft pick. Delaney’s size has been an issue occasionally, especially when he entered the USHL in 2021. He tended to get hit often in the offensive zone, wasn’t skating to the best of his ability and sort of became a target for teams once he crossed the blue line. Throughout his second season with the Chicago Steel, Delaney has shown how much he's grown. He’s stronger, more sure of himself and his abilities, his game has become cleaner and he tends to learn quickly and take constructive criticism to heart. Any team that drafts Delaney will be able to mold him into the kind of player that they need.
Chris Able, Defenseman, Chicago Steel (USHL)
After bursting onto the radar of practically every team during the USA Hockey All-American BioSteel Game this past January, Able has continued to prove that he is worth a draft pick. Able is ranked as the #194 North American skater available this year in the draft by the NHL Central Scouting Report. Able has had the privilege of developing as a player while staying close to home. Originally from Libertyville, Illinois, Able played his younger years in the Chicago Mission system, a program that has developed the likes of Alex Turcotte (LAK), Landon Slaggert (CHI), and Sean Behrens (COL). Able has played with the Chicago Steel since the 2021 season. He is regularly a top liner for the Steel but has so far only put up one goal in 39 games. Able’s ability to read the ice is his number one selling point and he makes chances for his teammates to score, leading the Chicago Steel to the top of the USHL standings. Once Able arrives at Ohio State next year and has a few more years of development, the team that drafts him will have a solid defenseman, with a brain for hockey, that they can utilize for years to come.
Easton Cowan, Forward, London Knights (OHL)
Easton Cowan has been showing all of the Ontario Hockey League why he is ranked, by the NHL Central Scouting Report, as the #75 North American skater available this year in the draft. So far, the 5’10” center has put up 13 goals and 18 assists in 48 games and is expected to almost double those numbers by the end of the OHL season. In the Knights’ most recent game against the Rangers, Cowan combined with Logan Mailloux and Denver Barkey to score the game-winning goal of the night, and that's just what he’s done this season. When looking at his statistics, Cowan’s numbers show that he is a solid hockey player. He regularly puts up goals and assists while also spending very little time in the penalty box. The few downsides to the 17-year-old would be his age and his size. Cowen is young and would probably spend a few more years in the OHL before becoming part of any team’s system, and he’s also about three inches shorter than the average NHL player. If teams decide to look past both of those aspects of Cowan, they will be bringing a strong goal scorer into their system within a few years.
Tanner Ludtke, Forward, Lincoln Stars (USHL)
Tanner Ludtke is having an electric season with the Lincoln Stars. The 18-year-old forward from Minnesota has put up 19 goals and 16 assists in 33 games so far this season and is ranked as the #72 North American skater available this year in the draft by the NHL Central Scouting Report. Ludtke was also picked to be a part of the USA Hockey All-American BioSteel Game this past January and was on the roster for the United States during the World Junior A Challenge in December. Even with all the time that he has spent on the ice this season showing his skills, Ludtke has also spent a good amount of time in the penalty box, racking up 22 minutes at the midpoint of the season, and is on track to add 17 more minutes to that number. The NHL has seemingly been trying to move away from players who rack up penalty minutes but it’ll be very easy for teams to want to look past Ludtke’s time spent in the box for the sake of adding a solid goal scorer to their team. Ludtke seems like a good choice for anyone who’s looking to bulk up their team as well as a player quite capable of putting up goals.
Though the 2023 NHL draft is still nearly 5 months away, the top round appears to be set…unless it hasn’t. As long as players like these continue to show up for their teams there is an opportunity for this draft to have quite the shake-up. Players continue to get better and better as the season goes on and may unexpectedly sneak past some more obvious picks. Once June rolls around, it will be necessary to keep eye on some of those underdogs who may just surprise everyone.
Originally Published: March 2023 - Original Work
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