Bedard leads 2023 NHL Draft Central Scouting North America.

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The top spot on NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters presented by...

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...BioSteel for the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft belongs to Regina of the Western Hockey League's Connor Bedard, a center.

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On Tuesday, Central Scouting released its final rankings of the top skaters and goalies from North America and abroad.

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Center The top skater in the world is Orebro's Leo Carlsson, who plays in the Swedish Hockey League.

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Following a two-day video conference to discuss and finalize the regional lists, Central Scouting held its last meetings earlier this month with a five-day in-person session in Toronto.

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The NHL Draft Lottery, which determines the first 16 picks in the draft, will take place on May 8 at the NHL Network studios in Secaucus, New Jersey (7 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN, TVAS).

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