For more than a year the 2023 NHL Draft class has established itself as an elite group of prospects. Judging by the quality of play in the recently concluded Hlinka Gretzky Cup, this round of players is not likely to disappoint. Names at the top of the division include Connor Bedard and Matvei Michkov, but the depth of high-level talent doesn’t stop there. It’s going to be an exciting year to watch 2023 draft-eligible prospects. A stacked Canadian team defeated Sweden 4-1 on Saturday to capture tournament gold. Finland dismantled the Czech Republic 3-1 to take bronze. Here are some players who stood out with their play last week in Red Deer, Alta.:
TERMINATORS
Michael Hrabal, Czech Republic 6-6, 201 pounds | Catches: Left | 2023 Plan Eligible
A “hybrid/blocking” style goalie who uses his large frame to his advantage. When players try to get him to move side to side and drill bolts around his outstretched legs, his width in the crease makes it difficult for shooters. Hrabal is the type of goalie who can play deep in his net and allow pucks to come to him. The less it moves the better. It is important for him to play between the posts and not get confused. He’s not super athletic for his height, so he needs to play a combination game. When he squares up, shooters have little net to look at when trying to score from the area.
Samuel Urban, Slovakia 6-1, 196 lbs | Catches: Left | 2023 Plan Eligible
Urban was under siege for much of the tournament. He was, arguably, the MVP of Team Slovakia. The “butterfly/athletic” goalkeeper never gives up. He is dangerous in the crease and has shown he can move laterally to make first and second saves. One area of weakness is controlling rebounds. The Urban has active pads and tends to bounce in areas with traffic. He needs to improve this area of his game as the season progresses.
Scott Radzlaff, Canada 6-0, 172 lbs | Catches: Left | 2023 Plan Eligible
Ratzlaff wasn’t asked to be elite in this tournament, but he held down the fort when needed. He finished the tournament with four wins and a .962 save percentage. The butterfly keeper is athletic and takes quite a few nets with his wide stature at the crease. He will have a lot of eyes on him this season in Seattle (WHL).
Erik Olsson, Sweden 6-3, 183 pounds | Catches: Left | 2024 Plan Eligible
His birthday (Sept. 27, 2005) falls after the Sept. 15 deadline for the 2023 draft, making him a 2024 target. There’s a lot to like about that prospect. It has sonic composure and size. Olsson follows tracks very well and has good feet and gloves. If he were eligible for 2023, he would be a high-level goaltending target. The fact that it has two full years of growth ahead of it should further boost its stock as it heads into 2024.
Eemil Vinni, Finland 6-2, 187 pounds | Catches: Left | 2024 Plan Eligible
There is a real possibility that Vinni and Olsson will battle for the top spot in Europe in 2024. Vinni has good size, excellent feet, moves very well laterally and controls his rebounds. He also isn’t shy about jumping out of his crease to play and get off ice. He didn’t have the net to start the tournament, but established himself as Finland’s No. 1 as the week went on.
DEFENDERS
Cameron Allen, Canada 5-11, 190 lbs | Shots: Right | 2023 Plan Eligible
The right back captained Team Canada and led by example. Allen is a tenacious defender who plays with a competitive edge. He cleared time and space efficiently and made responsible decisions with the puck. The two-way defender is more of a distributor than a shooter in the offensive zone. He had one goal and six assists for seven points.
Dylan MacKinnon, Canada 6-2, 185 lbs | Shots: Right | 2023 Plan Eligible
MacKinnon is a valuable defender who isn’t likely to pressure the game offensively, but he contributes in the small areas of the game. A reliable two-way “D” who has the ability to skate pucks or join the rush as an extra layer, but generally focuses on his defensive responsibilities. He’s a low-risk player with above-average physical upside and healthy three-zone awareness.
Tanner Molendyk, Canada 5-10, 180 lbs | Shots: Left | 2023 Plan Eligible
Moledic contributed one goal and three assists for four points in the tournament. He had the look of a player who could have scored more if the puck bounced occasionally. He’s a fluid skater with a sound hockey IQ. Molendyk was used on all occasions for Team Canada. A transitioning “D” that has the potential to produce offense for Saskatoon (WHL) and log a ton of ice time.
Lucas St. Louis, USA 5-11, 170 lbs | Shots: Left | 2023 Plan Eligible
The son of Montreal Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis, Lucas definitely has some of his father’s gaming genes. He started the tournament handling the puck with confidence and showing deception and vision in the offensive zone. His defense fluctuated at times, but he was generally committed and didn’t shy away from combat areas. Unfortunately for him and his teammates, the wheels fell off and the team fell away from playing as a team. St. Louis doesn’t have a history of elite scoring stats. He skates very well and gives the impression that he could contribute more than history has shown. Lucas will play for Dubuque (USHL) this season before attending Harvard in 2023-24.
Kristian Kostadinski, Sweden 6-5, 214 pounds | Shots: Left | 2023 Plan Eligible
Teams looking to add a defensive “D” that plays with some upside will be keeping a close eye on Kostadinski this season. It’s a big body that knows its limits and plays to its strengths. He’s not likely to produce much offensively, but he’s capable of making the first pass. Kostadinski prides himself on clearing his crease and making life miserable for opponents along the boards.
Theo Lindstein, Sweden 6-0, 179 lbs | Shots: Left | 2023 Plan Eligible
Lindstein is an elite skater who is fast and agile. He projects to be a transition ‘D’ who can man the power play. In the offensive zone he is more of a distributor than a shooter. He’s not an elite defender, but that’s not a concern or a weakness. Lindstein had one goal and five assists for six points in the tournament. He hasn’t historically shown that he can produce high-level offense for an entire season. Time will tell if he starts to come into his own.
Kalle Kangas, Finland 6-4, 205 lbs | Shots: Left | 2023 Plan Eligible
Kagas had a bit of an uneven tournament. He started the week playing with presence. He is a big body but not physically punishing. His length and ability to take away space with his range is an asset when dealing with his zone. There were times in the tournament his puck execution and ability to defend against speed were tested. There’s an interesting foundation with Kangas, but I’m looking for more definition and consistency as the season progresses.
Jakub Dvorak, Czech Republic 6-5, 203 pounds | Shots: Left | 2023 Plan Eligible
The captain for the Czech Republic was deployed in all situations. He wrote a ton of frozen time. Dvorak is a big body who is a skilled skater. He’s not shy about leading the rush or joining in as an extra layer. Although he is not elite in any division, he is very competitive and competes in all three zones. Dvorak is headed to Swift Current (WHL) this season. At this stage of his development, he projects to be a two-way “D” who isn’t likely to contribute on the power play as a pro.
This space is too limited for me to go into great detail about the minor league defenseman at the event, but these two players get a mention for their skills and upside for the 2024 Draft:
Niilopekka Muhonen, Finland 6-4 194 lbs | Shots: Left | 2024 Plan Eligible
Bulky two-way “D.”
Arvid Bergstrom, Sweden 5-10, 160 pounds | Shots: Left | 2024 Plan Eligible
Transitional “D” who is an elite skater and looks a lot like his teammate Lindstein.
FRONT
Eduard Sale, Czech Republic 6-1, 165 pounds | Shots: Left | 2023 Plan Eligible Sale is an elite offensive talent. He was deadly on the power play. In addition to rushing, he has the ability to drive the play with speed or pull and distribute. His detail and willingness to be more involved in difficult areas will be tested throughout the season, but there’s no doubting his upside as a potential elite forward at the NHL level is important. He finished the tournament with four goals and two assists for six points. He also scored two ridiculously skillful penalty goals. Kasper Halttunen, Finland 6-2, 207 pounds | Shots: Right | 2023 Plan Eligible The early leader in the clubhouse for hardest shot in the draft class. Halttunen rips bolts down the sideline on the power play. He also has a deadly snap that gets away quickly in tight areas. Sometimes attacking forwards play a moody game that lacks some detail and sometimes pressure. Definitely belongs in that category after this event. This kid has size, can play fast whenever he wants and definitely has an aggressive look. His effort overall needs to go to another level to make his element more consistently dangerous. He recorded one goal and two assists for three points in five games in the tournament. More traffic will lead to more results. Emil Jarventie, Finland 5-11, 170 lbs | Shots: Left | 2023 Plan Eligible Jarvedi became more and more noticeable as the tournament progressed. He is an energetic striker who is equal parts scorer and playmaker. His ability to control and create turnovers are skills that come to life through his work ethic. He had a positive week with two goals and three…
