REPORT: Former HABS scout doesn't believe BEDARD or MICHKOV are the BEST in the draft

PUBLICATION

Ryan
October 28, 2022 (1:00 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

Since the 2020-21 shortened season rookie phenom Connor Bedard has been absolutely ripping up the Western Hockey League. Many believe he is going to be the next National Hockey League franchise player, and by the looks of it, they could be right. He is the projected first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, and many teams are already ''tanking'' for a chance at him.

CONNOR BEDARD'S NICEST GOAL YET?! 😱😱😱

(🎥: @WHLPats) pic.twitter.com/t4XBSY6UiQ— TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 6, 2022

Also in the running for that first overall spot is Russian star Matvei Michkov, who has yet to play this season due to an injury he suffered at a charity game this offseason, but the kid is projected to be the next Ovechkin.

Did Matvei Michkov score the championship-winning goal via the lacrosse move?

Of course, he did.

He finishes the playoffs with 13 goals and 17 points in 17 playoff games - that's a new MHL playoff goal record for U18 skaters pic.twitter.com/2zIQXonn7k— /Cam Robinson/ (@Hockey_Robinson) April 25, 2022

Former Montreal Canadiens scout Grant McCagg, who does the Recrutes' preliminary top 32 rankings each year, actually doesn't believe that the first overall pick will be either of these two potential franchise players.

He released the top 20 rankings on Twitter, and has Bedard at #2, and Michkov at #3. He believes that Adam Fantilli from the University of Michigan will be going first overall. Fantalli has started off his University season with 5 goals and 15 points in 6 games:

Recrutes' preliminary top 32 rankings are published. There is what I will presume is a surprise at the top.
here is the top 20. You can view the full list and article here with a subscription (two game videos of Fantilli and Bedard included): https://t.co/oOuomduYh4 pic.twitter.com/OqgJhH0gl0� Grant McCagg (@grantmccagg) October 27, 2022