NHL Mock Draft 2023: Final Edition

The 2023 NHL Draft is days away, and we’ll soon know where the top talents are ultimately heading for their professional careers.

I did a mock draft months ago as the season was just beginning, and the two will look somewhat different from that time. My views on prospects have changed dramatically, for better and for worse. Prospects have had the NHL Combine, the World Junior Championships, and their own seasons to showcase their talents to the NHL scouts. Trades are coming in fast and furious, and some major pieces will likely be moving on draft night as well.

One thing hasn’t changed, however; this draft class is shaping up to be one of the deepest in recent memory. Connor Bedard has been hyped as the next big thing for years now, and the Chicago Blackhawks will (theoretically) benefit from his talent. Adam Fantilli and Matvei Michkov are also players who would have been battling for the top overall spot if Bedard wasn’t in the mix this year. Some players have risen through the ranks as the season has gone on, and they could be rewarded with first-round selections for their efforts.

So who is your team drafting in the first round? Let’s find out.

1. Chicago Blackhawks: Connor Bedard, C, Regina (WHL): No need for any long-winded analysis here. Bedard is the next generational talent to hit the NHL, and the Blackhawks will make him the focal point of their current rebuild.

2. Anaheim Ducks: Adam Fantilli, C, Michigan (NCAA): While Leo Carlsson has picked up some traction for this spot, it’s hard to see the Ducks not taking Fantilli here. The Hobey Baker Award winner, Fantilli dominated the college ranks and did a great job justifying the Jack Eichel comparisons he’s gained throughout the year. Fantilli combining with Trevor Zegras, Troy Terry, and Mason McTavish gives the Ducks a forward group to be feared.

3. Columbus Blue Jackets: Leo Carlsson, C, Orebro (SHL): With the hiring of Mike Babcock as head coach and adding Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson to bolster the defense, it’s clear Columbus sees themselves as more competitive than last season alluded. Carlsson is definitely the most pro-ready prospect outside of Bedard and Fantilli at this stage, and his work against grown men in Sweden’s top league and the World Championships suggest he can be the top-line center Columbus has needed for a long time.

4. San Jose Sharks: Will Smith, C, U.S. NTDP: Insert the Fresh Prince references and slap jokes here. All kidding aside, while San Jose would consider taking Michkov here, I’m not certain if Mike Grier has the time or patience to take the risk. Smith showcased his skills at the World Juniors with a tournament-leading 20 points, and the Boston College commit will likely only need a season until the Sharks bring him along and inject some much-needed youth into their roster.

5. Washington Capitals (from Montreal): Matvei Michkov, F, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL): Trade time! Rumors have begun to circulate regarding the Capitals looking to trade up further into the top 10, suggesting Washington is hoping to land an elite prospect to get themselves prepared for a post-Ovechkin world. With Montreal willing to keep adding to their farm system and taking an extra pick or two for their troubles, Washington goes from one elite Russian to another in Michkov. His KHL contract means Michkov won’t make it to the US until 2026 at the earliest, but the league’s premier organization for drafting and developing Russians should have no problem with that.

6. Arizona Coyotes: David Reinbacher, D, EC Kloten (Swiss): While Arizona will take a look at the forwards remaining, a prospect like Reinbacher is exactly what they need right now. Trading away Jakob Chychrun and Shayne Gostisbehere at this year’s trade deadline left the Coyotes without a true top defenseman on their roster. Reinbacher, who already has experience competing against grown men in Switzerland’s top league and World Championships, has the potential to be that player as early as next season.

7. Philadelphia Flyers: Ryan Leonard, F, U.S. NTDP: With Travis Konecny possibly being moved this offseason as Danny Briere begins the rebuilding process, the Flyers will look towards the best player available with this pick. The fit between Leonard and the Flyers is perfect, as Leonard’s blend of offensive production, high compete level, and ability to come through in the clutch will endear himself to the organization and fans almost immediately. It’s not a bad thing he’s going to Boston College to play with Philadelphia’s first-round choice last year in Cutter Gauthier, either.

8. Montreal Canadiens (from Washington): Dalibor Dvorsky, C, AIK (HockeyAllsvenskan): With Washington trading up to get Michkov, Montreal decides to draft their third Slovakian player in the past two seasons (Juraj Slafkovsky and Filip Mesar were selected last season). Dvorsky, who applies his trade in Sweden’s HockeyAllsvenskan, has earned praise for his combination of skill and strength against grown men. Nick Suzuki and Dvorsky should be a nice 1-2 punch up the middle for years.

9. Detroit Red Wings: Samuel Honzek, F, Vancouver (WHL): While this pick could be flipped to Ottawa in exchange for hometown product Alex DeBrincat, I think Detroit would prefer to use their other-first rounder and a couple of extra pieces to get the deal done. Honzek would be somewhat of a reach here, but Steve Yzerman’s commitment to adding size and personally scouting Honzek suggest that there’s heavy interest. Honzek is arguably the best combination of size and athleticism in this class, and his production in the WHL only bolstered his chances of going this high; if he has the ability to play center, Yzerman could look like a genius with this selection.

10. St. Louis Blues: Tom Willander, D, Rogle Jr. (Sweden-Jr): While the Blues currently have three first-round picks, a suspected trade with Philadelphia involving Kevin Hayes leads me to think one pick will be going to the Flyers. Adding a center makes the choice for this pick a little bit easier, and St. Louis uses it to pick one of this class’s biggest risers in Willander. Willander instantly becomes St. Louis’s top defensive prospect with Scott Perunovich looking at a full-time NHL role, possessing plenty of skill at both ends of the ice while having enough size to make his NHL projection easier.

11. Vancouver Canucks: Nate Danielson, C, Brandon (WHL): Shining on what was a mediocre Brandon squad, Danielson showcased his ability to play in all situations; when Connor Bedard says that Danielson was the toughest player he’s skated against, that’s quite the ringing endorsement. With comparisons to Elias Lindholm and Joel Eriksson Ek, Danielson’s two-way style would complement Elias Pettersson perfectly in Vancouver, making this a near-perfect fit.

12. Arizona Coyotes (from Ottawa): Zach Benson, F, Winnipeg (WHL): While the Winnipeg Ice are moving to Washington state, they’ve quietly been churning out quality prospects over the past few years (Matt Savoie, Conor Geekie, Carson Lambos, Peyton Krebs). Benson looks like the latest to join this group, and he’s certainly earned that right. While his size may give teams pause, his speed, compete level, and developing two-way game should let him feature on an NHL team’s top-six group in a year or two. For a team like Arizona that needs help everywhere, they won’t turn down that high of a ceiling.

13. Buffalo Sabres: Dmitri Simashev, D, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl Jr. (Russia-Jr): While adding a Tage Thompson clone in Matthew Wood would be appropriate, the Sabres are actually deep enough on the wing that they don’t need to make such a move. Instead, the Sabres take a flier on Simashev, who has quickly turned into one of my personal favorite players in the class. A six-foot-four defenseman, Simashev has all the tools to make him a prototypical modern NHL blueliner. Like Michkov, Simashev has a KHL contract that will keep in Russia for a couple of years, but Buffalo won’t mind the extra time to build their roster and add him when he’s developed.

14. Pittsburgh Penguins: Matthew Wood, F, Connecticut (NCAA): Having one of the league’s worst prospect pools, new GM Kyle Dubas will have the challenge of making the Penguins competitive both in the present and future. A talented offensive forward like Wood would be a great start, giving the Penguins a potential top-six power forward in their system. His skating needs some work, but that issue can be corrected and is likely more a sign of rawness than anything.

15. Nashville Predators: Oliver Moore, C, U.S. NTDP: With the recent trade of Ryan Johansen to Colorado and Barry Trotz directing his scouts to take some swings on high-end talent, Moore fits what the Predators are looking for near-perfectly. Drawing comparisons to Dylan Larkin, Moore is arguably the fastest and smoothest-skating player this class has to offer. He’ll give the Predators a play driver in the middle-six with the potential to move up in the lineup.

16. Calgary Flames: Brayden Yager, C, Moose Jaw (WHL): With the news that Elias Lindholm and Mikael Backlund will likely not be extending their stay in Calgary, Craig Conroy will be tasked with replenishing the center depth quickly. Yager may have fallen a bit due to an uneven draft year, but his shot, skating, and improving two-way game will still get him looked at. It may be a risk, but it’s one the Flames will have to take.

17. Ottawa Senators (from New York Islanders via Vancouver and Detroit): Gabriel Perreault, F, U.S. NTDP: With Ottawa trading DeBrincat and acquiring this pick as part of the package, they will need to find some way to get back some level of offensive production. Perreault stands out as the best player available at this point of the draft, being one of the leaders of the NTDP and having not only the smarts to know where to put himself or the puck in the right areas of the ice, but the skills needed to pull those moves off successfully.

18. Winnipeg Jets: Colby Barlow, F, Owen Sound (OHL): The league’s leading blowup candidate, the Jets will almost certainly be looking to get some high-end talent wherever they can to eventually fill some spots. While Barlow has a few things in his scouting profile that are concerning, he does have some aspects to his game that can make him a nice complementary piece in the middle six. His shot and strength are good things to build off of, at least.

19. Chicago Blackhawks (from Tampa Bay): Quentin Musty, F, Sudbury (OHL): With the Blackhawks drafting Bedard, they can afford to gamble a bit with their second first-round choice. Musty hasn’t been the most consistent forward in this class, but his size is a nice complement to the smaller players they’ve drafted lately. He and Bedard will be a great combination on Chicago’s power play in the near future.

20. Seattle Kraken: Axel Sandin-Pellikka, D, Skelleftea Jr. (Sweden-Jr): The Kraken already boast two top-flight forward prospects in Matty Beniers and Shane Wright, so they can afford to boost their defensive ranks a bit. ASP needs some work in his own zone, but there’s no denying his offensive prowess from the back end. The Kraken net their potential future power play quarterback.

21. Minnesota Wild: Eduard Sale, F, Kometa Brno (Czech): While the Wild could be in the market for a center and trade this pick in exchange for someone like Elias Lindholm, some more high-end talent to add to a fantastic prospect pool is never a bad idea. Sale’s blend of size and offensive ability could see him go much higher than this, and the Wild will also need to consider the fact that they’ll have to replace Mats Zuccarello soon. It’s certainly worth a serious look.

22. Philadelphia Flyers (from Los Angeles via Columbus): Calum Ritchie, C, Oshawa (OHL): With Hayes potentially out of the picture, the Flyers will need to find someone who can take his spot in the future. Ritchie stands out as someone who will also be a favorite of Flyers fans, showcasing his toughness by starring for Canada in the World Juniors despite a serious shoulder injury. He and Cutter Gauthier should be a fun center duo.

23. New York Rangers: Otto Stenberg, C, Frolunda-Jr. (Sweden-Jr): While the Rangers have the NHL talent needed to make a deep run, they’ve had some bad luck with forwards lately. With Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck either at or approaching 30, they’ll need to keep that in mind going forward. Stenberg gives the Rangers a versatile forward who brings offensive prowess, hockey IQ, and leadership capabilities to the farm system.

24. Nashville Predators (from Edmonton): Daniil But, F, Lokomotiv Yarosavl Jr. (Russia-Jr): The Predators haven’t been afraid to take swings on Russians before, and But’s tantalizing potential will prove that statement true once again. Someone who can be a nice finisher to complement Oliver Moore’s playmaking ability, But’s massive size and skating ability should make him difficult to shake off the puck. Mark him down as Nashville’s power forward of the future.

25. Philadelphia Flyers (from Toronto via St. Louis): Oliver Bonk, D, London (OHL): With this pick being what comes back in the Kevin Hayes trade and two quality forwards already in tow, the Flyers can use this selection to bolster a defense in need of help. The son of former NHL (and Las Vegas Thunder) forward Radek Bonk, it’s no surprise that Oliver has some fantastic hockey IQ. A modern two-way defenseman, Bonk should find his spot in Philadelphia quickly.

26. San Jose Sharks (from New Jersey): Michael Hrabal, G, Omaha (USHL): While the Sharks can look a number of directions with this pick, they need to focus on their poor goaltending situation at some point. With a few goaltender-starved teams between them and their next pick, San Jose decides to take the plunge on Hrabal. A UMass commit, Hrabal’s six-foot-seven frame and insane athleticism make him the class’s most intriguing prospect netminder.

27. Colorado Avalanche: David Edstrom, C, Frolunda Jr. (Sweden-Jr): Colorado needs a long-term option to center the second line, and Edstrom fits the need rather well. A smart two-way center, Edstrom’s breakout at the World Juniors has pushed him from a mid-round pick to a legitimate first-round candidate.

28. Toronto Maple Leafs (from Boston via Washington): Mikhail Gulyayev, D, Avangard Omsk (KHL): The Rasmus Sandin trade left Toronto a little light on skill at the back end, which may need to be rectified sooner rather than later. While Gulyayev’s size is a bit of a concern, he’s one of the best offensive defensemen the class has to offer. A couple of years of development are necessary, but it’s a timeline the Leafs should be willing and able to provide.

29. St. Louis Blues (from Dallas via New York Rangers): Gavin Brindley, F, Michigan (NCAA): Getting Kevin Hayes would give the Blues the center depth needed to make this pick based off of their organizational needs than anything else. Brindley may not have the same impressive physical profile that the Blues have in most of their top forward prospects, but he has the same compete level and smarts that St. Louis is looking for. If he falls this far, it’s hard to imagine the Blues not jumping at the chance to get him.

30. Carolina Hurricanes: Andrew Cristall, F, Kelowna (WHL): The Hurricanes have had no trouble going after prospects with serious upside, and Cristall fits that bill perfectly. While Cristall showed serious flashes of offensive potential, there have been moments where teams have exploited his weaknesses. This is a long-term project for sure, but the Hurricanes will be willing to take that risk.

31. Montreal Canadiens (from Florida): Ethan Gauthier, F, Sherbrooke (QMJHL): While Montreal has gone away from the French-Canadian bias towards their prospects, Gauthier’s skillset is a perfect complement to what the Canadiens have now. While his size may prevent him from being a true power forward, Gauthier has a nice combination of speed and strength to match his nose for the net. A solid middle-six forward is a good value with a selection at the end of the first, even if there’s no guarantee Montreal will have this pick on draft night.

32. Vegas Golden Knights: Tanner Molendyk, D, Saskatoon (WHL): With Adin Hill looking like he’ll stay in Vegas, the champs can afford to go best player available here. To that end, the Knights go back to the WHL well and select Molendyk. While his size may not be in line with what Vegas has currently, Molendyk has plenty of NHL-projectable traits to build around. He’ll be a nice option to bolster a left side that could see departures soon.