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.

NHL Mock Draft: Early Season Edition

The 2023 NHL Draft is shaping up to be a special one.

After an odd draft last season that saw two Slovakian prospects (Juraj Slafkovsky and Simon Nemec) go with the first two picks over projected top choice Shane Wright, the 2023 draft will present a choice of three elite talents at the top, with projected number one selection Connor Bedard already being hailed as a generational talent. There are plenty of other projectable NHL stars in this group, and how they continue throughout the season could make teams gun-shy about trading premium selections this year.

While this class isn’t perfect and shouldn’t be expected to match 2003’s overall quality, this still has the potential to be the best rookie crop since 2015 (the McDavid-Eichel year, for the curious). There is still plenty of season to go through, but I’ve decided to project a mock draft in order to give out a general lay of the land and introduce some prospects that are worth a mention.

With that said, the Columbus Blue Jackets are on the clock.

1. Columbus Blue Jackets-Connor Bedard, C, Regina (WHL): We spent all season wondering who Columbus’s top center would be, but their struggles could lead to their answer being Bedard. While he isn’t the perfect prospect like McDavid was considered to be, very few players are as offensively gifted as Bedard is. Legit 50-goal potential right here.

2. Anaheim Ducks-Adam Fantilli, C, University of Michigan (NCAA): Fantilli is playing the Jack Eichel role: an elite talent that certain teams could favor. Not only is Fantilli leading the NCAA with 23 points so far, but his combination of size, skating, and offensive ability is going to make him a bona fide top center in the NHL. Look for him to be stapled to a line with Trevor Zegras and Troy Terry next year.

3. San Jose Sharks-Matvei Michkov, F, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL): While Russian prospects continue to struggle due to political issues and Michkov’s contract will mean the earliest he can arrive in North America is 2026, San Jose strikes me as a team willing to wait on him while they sort themselves out. Michkov is easily the most talented Russian prospect since the days of Ovechkin and Malkin, combining highlight-reel plays with a consistency you rarely see from draft-age players.

4. Arizona Coyotes-Leo Carlsson, C, Orebro HK (SHL): Carlsson is nowhere close to as flashy as the three players above him, but the fact he’s mentioned in the same breath as them speaks to his ability. Consider him a polished version of a top-five pick from this year in Cutter Gauthier: a big forward who has the skill, strength, and hockey IQ to play anywhere in the lineup.

5. Detroit Red Wings-Dalibor Dvorsky, C, AIK (HockeyAllsvenskan): Detroit has been the go-to destination for Sweden-playing prospects, so why change that now? Detroit has started to pick up some scorers, so picking up a strong two-way pivot who can make plays in Dvorsky to distribute the puck makes a lot of sense for Steve Yzerman. He’s lost a bit of ground on the top prospects of this class, but Dvorsky should still be a comfortable top-10 selection.

6. Chicago Blackhawks-Brayden Yager, C, Moose Jaw (WHL): The Blackhawks haven’t been bad enough to enter Connor Bedard territory, but they’ll be in good position to pick up arguably the next best prospect from western Canada. Combining quality offensive production with the defensive awareness you would hope to find in a center, Yager has the makings of a top-six center for the next decade.

7. Montreal Canadiens-Zach Benson, F, Winnipeg (WHL): With how much of a difference Martin St. Louis has made with Cole Caufield since arriving in Montreal, the prospect of a similar player in Benson joining the ranks is enticing. While not blessed with Caufield’s goal-scoring acumen, Benson’s playmaking and hockey IQ should make him a natural fit.

8. Philadelphia Flyers-Calum Ritchie, C, Oshawa (OHL): John Tortorella’s system requires players to be willing to make plays in their own zone, which is why Ritchie would be a great fit. Not only does he have the defensive awareness and faceoff skill that will make him a coaching favorite, but his playmaking and offensive productivity should make him a fan favorite as well.

9. Vancouver Canucks-Will Smith, C, U.S. NTDP: Smith has been a steady riser on draft boards all season long, with his most recent performance being a tournament-leading nine points at the Five Nations Tournament. With Vancouver potentially losing Bo Horvat in the near future, Smith will make for a reliable plan for a top-six center.

10. Ottawa Senators-Matthew Wood, F, University of Connecticut (NCAA): Another riser up draft boards, Wood’s combination of size and skill should make him a convincing target for an Ottawa team that has had no problem combing the NCAA for prospects. While he can use his six-foot-three frame better, that’s something that can be coached with time and experience; what can’t be taught is his devastating offensive skill that makes him a threat to score every time he hits the ice.

11. Buffalo Sabres-Eduard Sale, F, HC Kometa Brno (Czech): This feels a little too low for Sale, which speaks to the quality of this draft class at the forward positions. Sale’s skating and passing are among the best the class has to offer, which should make him a natural fit on a Buffalo team that looks to have some quality goal-scorers.

12. Nashville Predators-Oliver Moore, C, U.S. NTDP: The NTDP is very well-represented in this first round, as their gold-winning performance at the Five Nations Tournament opened some eyes on them. While Moore may not have the elite talent that some of his contemporaries may have, he stands out as one of the safer selections in that group. Draft him and enjoy landing a middle-six forward in two or three years.

13. St. Louis Blues-Colby Barlow, F, Owen Sound (OHL): Another relatively safe NHL projection, Barlow plays the two-way style that the Blues like to see out of their players. He’s a middle-six forward, but has the potential for more if his speed, shot, and penalty-killing acumen at least mostly translate well at the NHL level.

14. Seattle Kraken-Ryan Leonard, F, U.S. NTDP: I was debating giving the Kraken the first defenseman in this draft, but all of Leonard’s reports have me thinking they go with the energy player instead. Leonard is yet another safe bet for the NHL (notice a pattern yet?) due to his shot and competitive style of play.

15. New York Islanders-Ethan Gauthier, F, Sherbrooke (QMJHL): The Islanders can still use all of the scoring they can get, so why not get someone who can do that AND play the defensive-minded style the team is known for? Gauthier plays hard in all three zones and can impact the game in a variety of ways, regardless of whether the puck is on his stick or not.

16. Washington Capitals-Andrew Cristall, F, Kelowna (OHL): The Capitals have to presume that the player they select here will be for the post-Ovechkin era, so any skill they can get here will be a worthwhile investment. Despite his small stature (five-foot-ten), Cristall can make numerous plays on and off the puck, making him a perfect linemate for someone like Evgeny Kuznetsov in a few years.

17. Edmonton Oilers-Mikhail Gulyayev, D, Omskie Yasterby (MHL): It took until the second half of the first round for the first defenseman to come off the board, which should tell you how tepid this class is on the back end. While Gulyayev isn’t the rugged stay-at-home defenseman Edmonton needs right now, his Quinn Hughes-esque offensive game from the point should make him a good choice to replace Tyson Barrie in a few years.

18. New York Rangers-Kasper Halttunen, F, HIFK (Liiga): The Rangers have built themselves a quality team, but they are a little lacking on the right side. Halttunen has been inconsistent so far this season, but he has the makings of an NHL-caliber power forward.

19. Chicago Blackhawks (from Tampa Bay)-Gabe Perreault, F, U.S. NTDP: While he doesn’t get the recognition of linemates Smith and Leonard, Perreault’s game is more than enough to stand out on its own. His patience and intelligence make him a quality playmaker from the wing, and he would be a great fit with Yager if Chicago ties the two together.

20. Los Angeles Kings-Quentin Musty, F, Sudbury (OHL): Musty may not have turned out as the elite prospect everyone was hoping he’d turn out to be, but his game is more than worthy of a first-round selection. He’s a power forward with some skill to his game, which is something LA needs with Dustin Brown now retired.

21. New Jersey Devils-Cameron Allen, D, Guelph (OHL): With the Devils already being blessed with a cavalcade of impressive young forwards, they can continue to build on the defensive side. While Allen doesn’t have the game-to-game consistency down yet, he’s a strong two-way defenseman who can control play in the attacking and defensive zones.

22. Pittsburgh Penguins-Riley Heidt, C, Prince George (WHL): Heidt may seem like a forgotten man amongst a stacked WHL crop, but he’s already got plenty of NHL-ready tools at his disposal. His skills at the faceoff dot, skating ability, and playmaking should excite the Penguins, who traditionally have a good sense on how to develop talent.

23. Minnesota Wild-Gavin Brindley, C, University of Michigan (NCAA): The Wild have needed center depth for some time now, so adding a dominant freshman in Brindley makes sense for them. His skating and approach to the game should outweigh his five-foot-nine stature, but where he ends up on draft night will depend on whether teams see him as a center or a wing.

24. Winnipeg Jets-Jayden Perron, F, Chicago (USHL): If I were creating my 2023 draft sleepers list already, Perron would absolutely be the marquee name there. While some scouts are worried about his size (five-foot-nine) and low floor, Perron possesses all the high-end skill needed to make an impact. His time at the University of North Dakota next season will be interesting to watch.

25. Calgary Flames-Koehn Ziemmer, F, Prince George (WHL): Not only is Ziemmer leading Prince George with 16 goals and 33 points, but he’s only second in the entire WHL to Connor Bedard in both categories. While he certainly doesn’t have Bedard’s superstar potential, those are the kinds of numbers you’d like to see in a potential second-like winger.

26. Toronto Maple Leafs-Caden Price, D, Kelowna (OHL): Price’s scouting reports read similarly to Kevin Korchinski’s, and the latter’s rise up draft boards last year bodes very well for the former’s chances to land here. His two-way game and playmaking ability from the point certainly help his NHL projection, and he can easily slide into an NHL team’s top four within the next few years.

27. Montreal Canadiens (from Florida)-Michael Hrabal, G, Omaha (USHL): With Carey Price’s future still in question, Montreal’s lack of a future franchise goaltender in their system, and with a high draft pick already in their pocket, the Canadiens decide to take the plunge on a goalie here. Hrabal’s six-foot-six frame and athleticism make him a prototype goalie to today’s game, and his calm and confident approach should help his development.

28. Colorado Avalanche-Danny Nelson, C, U.S. NTDP: Make it five for the NTDP, as the Avalanche decide to go for another power forward to replace Nazem Kadri in the near future. He’s probably a step behind his teammates in terms of quality and potential, but his ceiling is as a Brock Nelson-type second-line center. Teams could certainly use that in their lineups.

29. New York Rangers (from Dallas)-Etienne Morin, D, Moncton (QMJHL): Just like Perron, Morin would absolutely be on my sleepers list if I made it today. Morin has absolutely burst onto the scene in his draft year, leading all QMJHL defensemen with seven goals and third with 20 points. He’ll be a fringe first-round contender with this current trajectory.

30. Boston Bruins-Hunter Brzustewicz, D, Kitchener (OHL): One of the more intelligent two-way defensemen available, Brzustewicz can help his team as a playmaker from the point and defending the rush at his own end. He has some skills similar to Charlie McAvoy, and the Bruins would love to turn Brzustewicz into a similar player at the NHL level.

31. Vegas Golden Knights-Nate Danielson, C, Brandon (WHL): There are very few prospect-team fits that make more sense than Danielson to Vegas. Outside of the obvious Brandon connection to GM Kelly McCrimmon, Danielson effectively plays the two-way style that Vegas has always looked for in their players.

32. Carolina Hurricanes-Otto Stenberg, C, Frolunda HC (SHL): While Stenberg’s projection as a center isn’t a lock, Carolina should have no issues with taking him here. Another dynamic forward that always looks to get involved with the play, Stenberg is as dynamic with the puck on his stick as it gets.

The Sports Nerd’s 2021 NHL Mock Draft

From one draft straight into another…

Just 48 hours after the Expansion Draft is completed (and believe me, I have PLENTY of thoughts about that), the Seattle Kraken will join the 31 other NHL teams and participate in the 2021 Entry Draft. While a lot of the focus may be on how thin the draft class is this year compared to recent history, there can always be gems worth finding.

It’s also fair to note that this year, due to the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, was the most difficult to scout players from. The Ontario Hockey League was shut down for the season due to public health orders, resulting in many of the players playing professionally in Europe. The NCAA was forced into a bubble, and several universities were not able to play this season as a result of shutting down sports for the semester. It leads to a strange scouting environment, where talent has to be evaluated largely off of the eye test.

Regardless, the draft will still go as planned, headlined by two Michigan Wolverines: defenseman Owen Power and center Matt Beniers. This is especially relevant after the draft lottery favored the Kraken, as they are positioned to take the prospect Buffalo does not choose at number 1. Either way, they’ll be able to start out their NHL life with a potential franchise talent.

So how will tomorrow’s NHL draft unfold? Let’s give it a go.

1. Buffalo Sabres: Owen Power, D, Michigan: After months of wondering which prospect would emerge as the top prospect in the class, Power has managed to become a near-unanimous decision. A great combination of size, skill, and hockey IQ, Power has all the makings of a top-pairing defenseman at the NHL level. Even if he does elect to stay at Michigan for another season, Buffalo likely won’t be concerned too much about it; it might be better for him to develop in college instead of sink-or-swim in Buffalo to start his career.

2. Seattle Kraken: Matt Beniers, C, Michigan: With a lack of true center depth from the expansion draft and news of likely top-line center Yanni Gourde needing shoulder surgery, the Kraken can’t miss the chance to take someone who can emerge as a top-line center for the next decade. A point-per-game player at Michigan, Beniers plays a solid two-way game and can play in multiple situations. It also helps he represented the United States at the World Hockey Championships and didn’t look out of place against NHL-level players, so add that as a bonus.

3. Anaheim Ducks: Dylan Guenther, RW, Edmonton (WHL): The Ducks finished dead-last in terms of offense again this past season, and that will have to change if the Ducks want to make any noise in the Pacific Division. Luckily for them, they’ll have a chance to take Guenther, an offensive dynamo who tore up the World Junior Championships and the shortened WHL season. A future top line of him, Trevor Zegras, and Maxime Comtois is a frightening thought.

4. New Jersey Devils: Luke Hughes, D, U.S. NTDP: The third Hughes brother to enter the NHL, it will likely be too tempting to pass up a brother act of Luke and former first overall pick Jack. Very similar to fellow defenseman Quinn, Luke is largely considered a top prospect due to his strong two-way ability, skating, and hockey IQ. The X-factor regarding Hughes will be his size, as his 6’2″ frame could allow him to be more physical as he fills out and learns how to use his frame to his advantage. Add him to the growing stable of intriguing Devils defensive prospects.

5. Columbus Blue Jackets: Simon Edvinsson, D, Frolunda (SHL): Some of the centers remaining on the board could be in play, but I expect the Blue Jackets to land one of the top two defensemen remaining to replace Seth Jones quicker. A strong combination of size and mobility, Edvinsson has serious number 1 defenseman upside. There are a couple of technical issues to work out, but those tend to get exposed when you’re playing against grown men like Edvinsson is in Sweden. Expect further development to help him out before he comes to North America.

6. Detroit Red Wings: William Eklund, LW/C, Djurgardens (SHL): The pick here was once Jesper Wallstedt with a bullet, but a surprise trade for another young netminder in Alex Nedeljkovic has likely altered those plans. The good news is Detroit can stay in Sweden and draft the best player available in Eklund. A playmaker who really found his game this season in the Swedish Hockey League, Eklund’s speed and offensive ability should be perfect for Detroit to build around. He could pair nicely with a natural sniper such as Jakub Vrana or fellow number six overall pick Filip Zadina.

7. San Jose Sharks: Jesper Wallstedt, G, Lulea (SHL): Wallstedt’s slide only lasts one pick, and it’s to quite possibly the most goaltender-desperate team in the NHL. Despite trading for Adin Hill before Seattle could snatch him up in the Expansion Draft, the Sharks are in desperate need of a legitimate future franchise goaltender. Enter Wallstedt, who put up amazing numbers in the SHL and has been hailed as one of the top goaltender prospects in recent memory. It’s as easy a selection as it gets, at least beyond the first couple of picks.

8. Los Angeles Kings: Brandt Clarke, D, Barrie (OHL): With the Kings building up a strong group of forward prospects in recent years, the defense should be looked at in terms of adding another top prospect. Being the last of the top defensive prospects available, Clarke should be the choice here. Despite the OHL’s shutdown, Clarke turned some heads by playing professionally in the Czech Republic and putting up some impressive numbers. He’ll learn quite a bit from Drew Doughty before eventually taking his spot as the Kings’ defensive leader.

9. Vancouver Canucks: Mason McTavish, C, Peterborough (OHL): Another OHL prospect who impressed while playing in Europe, McTavish put up a near point-per-game pace in Switzerland this season. After another emergence at the World Juniors, a lot of people started to put more stock in McTavish, which would make this a dream selection for Jim Benning and the Canucks. An Elias Pettersson-McTavish-Bo Horvat trio would create an effective three-headed monster at center.

10: Ottawa Senators: Kent Johnson, C, Michigan: Make that three Wolverines in the top 10. The Senators have been using the college ranks to build a nice farm system and, in this mock, Johnson becomes the latest addition to that pipeline. A versatile, offensively-gifted forward, Johnson could become a key piece of Ottawa’s top nine in a year or two’s time.

11. Chicago Blackhawks: Cole Sillinger, C/LW, Sioux City (USHL): A second-generation prospect, Sillinger stands out as the most likely prospect to emerge outside of the top ten as a legitimate star at the NHL level. One of the best combinations of size and skill in the class, Sillinger lit up the USHL with 24 goals in 31 games. Even with Jonathan Toews returning, the Blackhawks should look at improving their center depth in this draft. Whether his NHL future is at center or on the left wing, however, could be of interest to some teams.

12. Calgary Flames: Chaz Lucius, C, U.S. NTDP: A knee injury destroyed Lucius’s chances of breaking into the top 10, but what matters is that he didn’t seem to lose anything as a result. Lucius was still a dominant force offensively, scoring a total of 26 goals and 38 points in a combined 25 games for the U.S. NTDP and the national World Juniors team. With the Flames having precious little elite prospects and Sean Monahan on the trade block if Calgary intends to blow up their core, the decision to add Lucius will bear fruit sooner rather than later.

13. Philadelphia Flyers: Brennan Othmann, LW/RW, Flint (OHL): The Flyers have a decent array of wings to choose from at this spot and, while there is merit to the likes of Fyodor Svechkov and Matthew Coronato here, Othmann is more of a natural fit to Philadelphia’s identity as a team. A hybrid of a sniper and power forward, Othmann is not afraid to throw the body around and be a physical presence in his own end, on top of his finishing ability on offense. He’d be someone to earmark as a future Claude Giroux replacement.

14. Dallas Stars: Matthew Coronato, LW/RW, Chicago (USHL): Similar to the Ducks drafting Guenther, the offensively-challenged Stars would be smart to take a prospect who showed he could score goals in bunches. While it’s unlikely Coronato matches his blistering scoring pace at the NHL level, even finishing with half of his 48 USHL regular season goals would be a great year in the big leagues. His toughness and scoring ability are very similar to Alexander Radulov, who the Stars could be looking to find a successor to in the near future.

15. New York Rangers: Fyodor Svechkov, C, Lada Togliatti (VHL): With the Rangers loading up on talented wings like Alexis Lafreniere, Kaapo Kakko, and Vitali Kravtsov, it’s time for them to start looking into improving their center depth. Svechkov was one of the class’s biggest risers throughout the season, with his value reaching its peak after a 10-point performance at the World Juniors. A largely defensive-minded center with some offensive touch, Svechkov would be a nice complementary piece for the middle six.

16. St. Louis Blues: Carson Lambos, D, Winnipeg (WHL): Don’t be surprised if the Blues go after a wing such as Fabian Lysell or Nikita Chibrikov, especially if news surrounding Vladimir Tarasenko confirms a trade. While Lambos doesn’t have the top-tier upside of the four defensemen taken earlier, he did have an alright stint in Finland while the WHL was delayed, and there doesn’t seem to be many holes in his overall game. We’ll call it a high-floor pick for now.

17. Winnipeg Jets: Corson Ceulemans, D, Brooks (AJHL): The Jets have been long-maligned for their weaknesses on defense, especially on the right side after the likes of Dustin Byfuglien and Tyler Myers left. Ceulemans would be a pick designed to be a long-term plan on defense, with his two-way game showing a bright future in the NHL. He could pair nicely with someone such as Logan Stanley or Ville Heinola in the near future, depending on what attribute the Jets covet more.

18. Nashville Predators: Isak Rosen, LW/RW, Leksands (SHL): At this point, we’re starting to reach the prospects where the scouting reports tend to vary a bit more. While the diminutive Rosen struggled in the SHL this season, he flashed his offensive upside at the World Juniors with a goal-per-game pace. With the Predators losing a consistent offensive piece in Calle Jarnkrok to Seattle, Nashville could get his replacement right here and give him a couple seasons of development time.

19. Edmonton Oilers: Sebastian Cossa, G, Edmonton (WHL): With Cossa’s selection here, this draft becomes the first since 2012 to have two goaltenders drafted in the first round (Andrei Vasilevskiy and Malcolm Subban). With the Oilers being forced to re-sign Mike Smith and little help coming from the pipeline, they might be willing to trade up if it means drafting their future franchise netminder. Coming off of two straight spectacular seasons in the WHL, Cossa has NHL-caliber size and technical ability. This mock would mean getting at least three games of Cossa vs Wallstedt in the near future, which should excite any hockey fans who value great goaltending.

20. Boston Bruins: Fabian Lysell, LW, Lulea (SHL): With no first round pick last year and a thin farm system, the Bruins would be wise to go best player available here. There are serious questions surrounding Lysell’s game, especially after a rough transition to the SHL, but there’s no denying his speed and explosiveness could translate well at the NHL level. With the talent the Bruins now have in their forward group, they can afford to give Lysell two or three seasons’ worth of development. Medium risk, potentially high reward.

21. Minnesota Wild: Nikita Chibrikov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL): The Wild have started their Russian invasion with Kirill Kaprizov, and it could continue with another KHL product in Chibrikov. His size is on the smaller side and there are questions about his play off the puck, but he has shown skill and the ability to produce points. The Wild would certainly be hoping that he can earn some trust in the KHL, a league notorious for limiting the minutes of younger, non-superstar players.

22. Detroit Red Wings (from Washington): Aatu Raty, C, Karpat (Liiga): With the Red Wings having already made a selection in the first round and needing a center to take Joe Veleno’s spot in their farm system, the Red Wings could decide to take the plunge on Raty. Once seen as a potential number 1 selection, a rough rookie season in Finland’s top league caused his stock to plummet. Scouts already know what his ceiling could be, and Steve Yzerman knows a thing or two about what makes a great center. If Raty can improve his game and emerge into anything at least close to the player he was presume to be at the start of the season, this is a slam dunk selection.

23. Florida Panthers: Xavier Bourgault, C, Shawinigan (QMJHL): The Panthers sure love their two-way centermen; with Aleksander Barkov shedding the underrated label and Anton Lundell a top-six center in the making, Florida would be smart to create a three-headed monster and draft Bourgault. One of the more well-rounded forwards in the class, Bourgault showcased his ability to drive offensive play and the intelligence needed to make plays in all three zones. He’d become an immediate favorite of Joel Quenneville’s when he arrives in Sunrise.

24. Columbus Blue Jackets (from Toronto): Francesco Pinelli, C, Kitchener (OHL): With the Jackets opting for a defenseman in round one, center has to be the selection here. While Pinelli is more of a jack-of-all-trades type of player, that’s not a bad thing to be at this stage of the draft. A playmaker who put up points in the OHL, professionally in Slovenia, and the World Juniors, Pinelli should develop into a solid middle-six center at the NHL level.

25. Minnesota Wild (from Pittsburgh): Daniil Chayka, D, Guelph (OHL): With Ryan Suter bought out and Carson Soucy now part of the Kraken, the Wild will need to get a few more bodies into their defensive corps. Chayka showed a lot of promise as a two-way defenseman in the OHL, but his time in Russia brought up some questions about his game. If he’s learned from playing against stronger competition and develops consistency, this pick could be one of the best ones in the draft.

26. Carolina Hurricanes: Jack Peart, D, Fargo (USHL): While the Hurricanes have a strong defense at the NHL level, Jake Bean’s graduation leaves their prospect system without a top defensive option for the future. The reigning Mr. Hockey as the best player in Minnesota’s high school ranks, Peart was able to transition seamlessly from there to the USHL. A St. Cloud State commit, the Hurricanes can monitor Peart’s progress and let him develop his two-way game. A good spot for one of the draft’s top sleepers.

27. Colorado Avalanche: Sasha Pastujov, LW/RW, U.S. NTDP: Regardless of Gabriel Landeskog’s status, the Avalanche’s lack of true impact prospects out on the wing should make that a point of emphasis with this pick. A Notre Dame commit, Pastujov led the U.S. NTDP in scoring with 30 goals and 65 points, showing great offensive skill to pair with his size and hockey IQ. His dynamic offense would give the Avalanche a nice helping of secondary scoring in the future, which could be the key to making good on their Cup window.

28. New Jersey Devils (from New York Islanders): Simon Robertsson, RW, Skelleftea (SHL): The Devils have high-end talent at virtually every position, but they could use a grinding power forward to help tie it all together. Robertsson has the potential to be that for them, as he’s shown solid forechecking ability and has the size to play the role well. His scoring ability does have to improve against more mature competition, but he could be a fan favorite in New Jersey if he develops properly.

29. Vegas Golden Knights: Logan Stankoven, C/RW, Kamloops (WHL): A team in need of center depth and that can afford to add toughness on top of their skill. Sounds like a perfect fit for Stankoven, a small forward who’s not afraid to combine his speed and skill with physicality and ability to play in the rough areas. He’d be a good replacement for Jonathan Marchessault if he chooses not to re-sign after his contract expires in a couple years, and a good complement if he does.

30. Montreal Canadiens: Zachary Bolduc, C, Rimouski (QMJHL): With Phillip Danault likely on his way out of Montreal and the Canadiens running surprisingly thin on homegrown talent, they can land some good value with Bolduc. A strong two-way center, Bolduc has based his value on his impressive playmaking ability to go with plus speed and hockey IQ. While the center position is still safe with the emergence of Nick Suzuki and Jesperi Kotkaniemi, adding Bolduc into the middle six would be helpful.

31. Columbus Blue Jackets (from Tampa Bay): Zach Dean, C, Gatineau (QMJHL): The Blue Jackets elect to double down on centers by selecting Dean for more depth up the middle. Injuries plagued Dean’s draft year, but he’s already gaining a reputation as a pest and consistent net-front presence, both of which Columbus doesn’t really have at the moment. With skill in place, the Blue Jackets would certainly be hoping Dean’s physical style translates to some hard-fought victories.