Complex sentence: Prior to the start of the season, he was highly regarded as a top prospect and was seen as a candidate for 1st overall, with considerable praise being given to his skating skills, puck skills and hockey sense.
Split into simpler sentences: Prior to the start of the season, he was highly regarded as a top prospect and was seen as a candidate for 1st overall. Considerable praise was given to his skating skills, puck skills and hockey sense.