We've finally arrived. It's NHL Draft day. That said, this isn't an ordinary draft. The collection of players available this summer is exceptional. By now, you likely know all about Connor Bedard, who is all but guaranteed to go to the Chicago Blackhawks with the first overall pick. But it's not just about Bedard. The top five would've gone first in the 2021 and 2022 drafts.
Several players not listed below will go in the first round, that's how deep this draft is. There will also surely be changes to the draft order. Only twice in the past 30 years has the NHL seen no trades. Nevertheless, I'll stick with what we have for the maiden mock draft of my career.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 1. Chicago Blackhawks: Connor Bedard, C, Regina Pats
Bedard will be the NHL's next superstar. He's been dubbed the "next one" for four years. Now, the kid will finally get his moment. Chicago knew their pick the second they won the lottery. Bedard had an exceptional season, scoring 71 goals and 143 points in 57 regular season games, followed by 10 goals and 20 points in just seven playoff games with Regina. Although the Pats fell in the end, Bedard's junior career was among the best we've ever seen.
Bedard faced immense pressure this season but didn't falter. He posted 71 goals and 72 assists in 57 games for the Regina Pats, with his 2.51 points per game being the highest by a WHL player of any age since 1991. His 23 points in seven games for Canada at the 2023 World Junior Championship topped the leaderboard, and it was the fourth-highest total by any player at the tournament all-time and easily the best by a draft-eligible player. He swept the CHL's awards table. He became the first player to win MVP, top scorer, and top draft prospect in the same season. He won IHF(International) Player of the Year. He has dominated everywhere he's played.
Bedard's hands make him a generational talent. He's one of the best shooters in hockey, with a shot release that's effortless and hits the corners of the net with velocity. He doesn't need space and attacks the middle lane, pushing or pulling the puck to change the angle and shoot in a flash. Bedard's brilliant stickhandling and clever maneuvers beat defenders, and even the best attempts to defend him are mostly futile. He beats goaltenders from bad angles with regularity.
Although Bedard has minor physical game work to do defensively, his exceptional offensive skills compensate for his weaker points. As long as he remains committed and ends up in a healthy environment, Bedard should have a long career in which he is challenging for the league lead in goals and points perennially. The NHL has its next Sidney Crosby. Speaking of No. 87, he'll be Bedard's first opponent. The NHL announced the 2023-24 season begins with a triple-header on October 10th. What game is part of that triple header? Blackhawks at Penguins.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 2. Anaheim Ducks: Adam Fantilli, C, University of Michigan
Fantilli had an outstanding rookie season in NCAA hockey, earning him the Hobey Baker Award for best men's college player. His opponents know what he's capable of but still can't stop him.
Physically, he has no weaknesses, and at 6-2 and 187 pounds, he skates like a freight train up and down the ice. Even those who can keep up with him struggle to handle him. He's unpredictable with the puck and has a powerful wrist shot, often picking corners. On the power play, he's lethal with one-timers from the right circle and can score from in-tight with soft hands. He's also great at creating tap-ins for his teammates. Fantilli's 1.81 points per game in his rookie season is the most by a draft-eligible player since 1992-93.
Fantilli is more than just an offensive threat, however. He's a heavy forechecker and ferocious hitter, putting in the effort to backcheck and create turnovers. He's also an asset on the penalty kill, taking away lanes and forcing turnovers while still being a threat to score. He's good at faceoffs, winning 52.9% of them, and can bring energy to the team when needed. His only real issue is sometimes trying too much and making a risky play.
While Fantilli may not be the best player in the upcoming draft, he is the most complete. He could be a first-line center in the NHL and a team leader.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 3. Columbus Blue Jackets Leo Carlsson, C, Örebro HK
Despite his size of 6-3 and 194 pounds, Carlsson is a skilled left-handed player adept at handling the puck. He utilizes his length to keep the puck away from defenders and move around them.
Although he isn't the most agile skater, Carlsson excels as a playmaker in the offensive zone, quickly moving the puck to his teammates with solid spatial awareness and passing abilities. While he may lack shooting ability, he can score goals with his soft hands around the net. He may sometimes struggle in puck battles and lose to his opponents. Carlsson has experience playing wing and center, but his high hockey IQ and playmaking skills make him a promising prospect as a center. Regardless of his position, Carlsson has the potential to be a first-line playmaker and excel on the Blue Jackets power play with Patrick Laine and Johnny Gaudreau.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 4. San Jose Sharks: Matvei Michkov, RW (HK Sochi, KHL)
Despite playing for the worst team in the KHL, Michkov finished fourth in team scoring with 20 goals in 27 games. He has the best points-per-game average by a U-19 in league history. Michkov's dynamic scoring ability and game-breaking offensive skills make him a promising prospect for NHL teams, but he has a KHL deal until 2026. Sharks fans should be patient especially considering their team is rebuilding. But there's a reason why he's up here and you'll soon see why.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 5. Montreal Canadiens: Will Smith, C, U.S. NTDP
Smith was named MVP at the U-18 Worlds, leading his team to gold with 9 goals and 20 points in 7 games. He's a skilled offensive center with extraordinary playmaking abilities and a knack for scoring. Some scouts rank him as a top-five player, but there are concerns about his consistency and defense. Overall, he has the potential to become a top-six NHL center who elevates his team's offense. There have been rumors about Montreal trading their pick. But if they keep it, Smith should be their guy.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 6 Arizona Coyotes: Dalibor Dvorsky, C, AIK
Dvorsky is a versatile forward with good NHL size. He had 14 points in 38 games with AIK and shone in international play. He was the leading scorer for Slovakia with eight goals and 13 points at the IIHF World Junior U18 Championship. He also tallied three points in five World Junior U20 tournament games. He'll fit right in with the Coyotes' plethora of young and developing prospects.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 7. Philadelphia Flyers: Ryan Leonard, RW (USNTDP)
The Flyers, who are rebuilding their team, need a forward who is both skillful and a strong leader. Ideally, he should be able to play both center and right-wing positions. Leonard fits the bill, scoring 51 goals and 94 points in 57 games for the U.S. National U18 team, with an additional 20 points in 17 games for the USNTDP Juniors in the USHL. He also helped Team USA win a gold medal at the IIHF World Junior U18 Championship, finishing third in scoring with 17 points in seven games. Leonard has completed his time with USNTDP and is set to attend Boston College in 2023-24, where he will further develop his skills before potentially joining the Flyers in the next two to three years.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 8. Washington Capitals: David Reinbacher, RHD, EHC Kloten
David Reinbacher is the top defenseman in this year's NHL draft. The 6-2, 194-pounder is praised for his maturity, puck movement, and hockey smarts. He had 22 points in 46 games this season and played well for Austria at the 2023 IIHF World Junior U20 Championship. He'd fill the Capitals' void on the backend.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 9. Detroit Red Wings Tom Willander, RHD, Rögle BK
The 6-1, 180-pound Wallinder tallied 25 points in 39 games with Rögle BK J20 this season. He also had eight points in seven games for Sweden at the IIHF World Junior U18 Championship. He will get a taste of North American hockey next season as he plays for Boston University. The Swede has incredible hockey sense, maturity, footwork, and puck skills. Detroit's farm system needs a top blue liner. They can fill the void here.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 10. St Louis Blues: Axel Sandin Pellikka, D (Skelleftea, SHL)
Sandin Pellikka is a defenseman with a mixed performance history. He excels in skating and attacking open ice but needs to improve in defense and recognizing developing plays. He needs to work on making quicker decisions. That said, the strengths outweigh the weaknesses by a large margin. They make him the second-best defenseman off the board.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 11. Vancouver Canucks: Zach Benson, LW, Winnipeg Ice (WHL):
During the regular season, Benson scored 98 points in 60 games, making him the leading scorer for the Winnipeg Ice. He also scored 17 points in 15 playoff games. What sets him apart is his exceptional skating skills and his persistent forechecking. Benson's hardworking and determined attitude could be a great asset for Vancouver.
2023 NHL Mock Draft:12 Arizona Coyotes: Oliver Moore C, U.S. NTDP
On March 1, the Arizona Coyotes obtained this pick from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Jakob Chychrun.
This season, the center for the NTDP, who stands at 5-11 and weighs 195 pounds, demonstrated impressive speed and shooting abilities. He scored 31 goals and 75 points in 61 games. In addition, he played 23 games for the USNTDP junior squad in the USHL, earning 25 points. Representing Team USA at the IIHF World Junior U18 Championship, he contributed nine points in seven games. Next season, he will attend the University of Minnesota. If he joins Arizona, he will enhance their offensive talent alongside Dvorsky.
2023 NHL Mock Draft:13. Buffalo Sabres Dmitri Simashev, LHD, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
Simashev is a promising 6-4 blueliner with offensive potential. He played 29 games for Lokomotiv's junior squad and had 10 points. He also played in 18 KHL games with the parent club. With more experience, he has the potential to become a skilled puck-moving defenseman. The Sabres system needs size on the blue line. Simsahev answers the bell.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 14. Pittsburgh Penguins: Matthew Wood, LW/C (University of Connecticut, NCAA)
Wood is already a big forward at 6-4 and 197 pounds. He possesses solid offensive skills and is considered by some to have the highest potential of any prospect in the first round. Wood's size and excellent shooting ability make him a valuable asset in offensive situations.
During his freshmen year with UConn, he scored 11 goals and 34 points in 35 games, leading the Huskies in scoring. Wood is committed to spending another season in the NCAA to develop his skills further. With his size and scoring talent, he has the potential to become a future star with the Penguins and improve their depleted prospect pool.
2023 NHL Mock Draft:15. Nashville Predators: Gabe Perreault, LW, U.S. NTD
There's a lot of pressure on GM Barry Trotz as he makes his maiden pick. But Gabe Perreault is still out there. He shouldn't need to think much. The winger starred with 132 points in 63 games for the under-18 team and 50 points in 51 games for the USA U17 team. He's a great offensive player with a strong vision and soft hands and is equally good at creating and finishing plays. He could be a better defensive player, but he hustles and works hard to create turnovers. His skating needs work, but he'll be a top-six-point producer on the power play. The hosts in Nashville get a good one.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: Calgary Flames:16. Nate Danielson, C, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Danielson is a talented 6-2 center with solid north-south skating and a top penalty killer. While he creates a lot of offensive zone time, he lacks a killer instinct, and his shot is average. His ceiling is uncertain, but he could be a second or third-line center. With the Flames in firesafe mode, they can kickstart their retool with a well-rounded center.
2023 NHL Mock Draft:17. Detroit Red Wings: Colby Barlow, RW, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
On March 1, the Detroit Red Wings got hold of this pick through the Filip Hronek trade with the Vancouver Canucks. Meanwhile, the Canucks got the pick as part of their return from the New York Islanders in the Bo Horvat trade on Jan. 30.
Barlow had a strong performance in his sophomore season with the Attack. He paced the club with 46 goals and 79 points. He also tallied three goals in four playoff games. He played for Canada at the IIHF World Junior U-18 Championship and scored three goals and four points in six games. Barlow is 6 feet tall, weighs 195 pounds, and is known for his speed and willingness to play a physical game. These qualities could make him a valuable addition to the Red Wings' prospect pool and potentially one of their top-nine forwards in the next few years.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 18. Winnipeg Jets: Samuel Honzek, LW, Vancouver (WHL)
Honzek is a skilled winger with impressive stickhandling and puck-possession abilities. He's a multifaceted goal scorer who also has some playmaking abilities. However, there are concerns about his skating and physical development. He's projected to be a middle-six winger in the NHL.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 19. Chicago Blackhawks: Brayden Yager, C, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
Yager has improved his playmaking, shot, zone effectiveness, and faceoff skills. The 5-11, 170-pounder scored 78 points in 67 games and 16 points in 10 playoffs, making him a good draft option for the Blackhawks. He's someone that can play with Bedard down the road The two are old rivals and good friends from their WHL days.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 20. Seattle Kraken: Mihail Gulyayev, LD, Omskie Yastreby (MHL)
This draft has a lot of mobile defensemen, and Gulyayev stands out as one of the best. His skating is one of his biggest strengths, with quick turns, pivots, and easy backskating. He also has a quick first step and moves smoothly through the neutral zone. Although he may not be an elite scorer or playmaker in the offensive zone, he excels at pinching from the blue line and finding space to make plays. He's particularly good at shooting for rebounds and redirections. Despite being on the smaller side, his defensive game is underrated, and he uses his footwork to defend the rush effectively. While he still needs to improve his defensive-zone recognitions, he often wins races to the puck and skates it out of danger. He's recently shown an increased willingness to throw his body around, surprising some puck carriers. His style is similar to former Winnipeg Jet Toby Enstrom, and while he may only reach AHL or KHL level, he also has the potential to be a top-four offensive defenseman.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 21. Minnesota Wild: Calum Ritchie, C (Oshawa, OHL)
Ritchie is a top off-the-puck player in the draft. He has a sixth sense for the puck and displays brilliant hockey IQ in the offensive zone. Defensively, he's proficient and rarely makes errors in his coverages. However, he only shows flashes of skill and his production in the OHL is mediocre. He could be a third-line, shutdown center or a winger who plays a top-six role. The Wild need a forward, so this should help their pool.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 22 Philadelphia Flyers: Oliver Bonk, D (London, OHL)
The Philadelphia Flyers obtained the pick from the Los Angeles Kings in a three-way deal involving Ivan Provorov being sent to the Blue Jackets. With this pick, they can select Oliver Bonk, a talented right-shot defenseman who has been praised for his well-rounded skills on the ice. Bonk had an impressive season with the OHL's London Knights, scoring 40 points in 67 regular-season games and 11 points in the playoffs.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 23. New York Rangers: David Edstrom, C, Frolunda (SHL)
The Rangers' prospect pool needs a center with size. Meet David Edstrom. Edstrom is a skilled defenseman who competes hard on the back-check and excels in puck battles. He's also effective at killing penalties and has good hands. He needs to add muscle to his 6'3,190 pound frame to improve his ability to box out opponents. He scored 28 points in 28 J20 games and spent 11 games with his SHL club, scoring two goals and four points. Edstrom makes smart plays that free up his teammates to take more risks.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 24. Nashville Predators: Lukas Dragicevic, RD, Tri-City Americans (WHL)
On February 28, the Nashville Predators got this pick from the Edmonton Oilers as part of the return in the Mattias Ekholm trade. after drafting a forward, how about a defenseman?
Lukas Dragicevic is the top offensive-zone blueliner in this draft. He's a great zone exit player and is excellent at finding outlets. He's a distributor and a shooter in the offensive zone, with an impressive wrist shot. Despite being awkward on his feet, he compensates with excellent decision-making and body movement. His stats indicate he's likely to make a top-four offensive defenseman and power-play quarterback.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 25. St. Louis Blues: Tanner Molendyk, D (Saskatoon, WHL)
On February 17, the St. Louis Blues received this pick from the Toronto Maple Leafs in a trade involving center Ryan O'Reilly.
Should the Blues take a winger with their first pick, one would think they'll like to choose a defenseman with their second.
Tanner Molendyk is a skilled offensive defenseman for the WHL's Saskatoon Blades. Despite not receiving as much playing time as his teammates, he scored 9 goals and 37 points in 67 games, ranking third among the team's defensemen in points. Molendyk's smooth skating ability makes him look like he's effortlessly gliding across the ice, and he can maintain his speed and agility while handling the puck. He's also a confident and patient player who successfully transitions the puck from defense to offense. In addition, Molendyk has a powerful and accurate shot that makes him a threat in the offensive zone. He's also proven to be one of Saskatoon's top players in shutting down their toughest opponents, including Connor Bedard, whom he kept goalless in two games this season.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 26. San Jose Sharks: Michael Hrabal, G (Omaha, USHL)
The Sharks desperately need a goaltender. That's the sole reason for the pick here. Hrabal is a highly skilled goalie standing at 6-6. He's NCAA bound for the University of Massachusetts in 2023-24. He has a remarkable record of 18 wins and 3 losses in 24 games with the U20 team, with a .936 SV% and a 2.14 GAA. His talent has earned him the attention of the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League (USHL), who drafted him in the ninth round of the 2021 USHL Futures Draft.
Hrabal's agility is impressive, especially for a goalie of his height. However, he tends to rely too much on his butterfly position and plays deep in his crease, which could be better for a goalie of his size. Nevertheless, with a good team in front of him, his potential will surely be maximized, and his strengths will shine.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 27. Colorado Avalanche: Eduard Sale, LW, Brno-Czechia
An 18-year-old left winger who can also skate on the right? Sign me up! The 6-2 175-pounder has strong skills in creating plays and is a good shooter. He was recognized as Extraliga Rookie of the Year for earning 14 points in 43 games. He also showcased himself in international competition, scoring six points in seven games for his team in the IIHF World Junior U20 championship.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 28. Toronto Maple Leafs: Etienne Morin, LHD, Moncton (QMJHL
Etienne Morin is a highly skilled defenseman, excelling in both offense and defense. He plays heavy minutes in all situations, with 20 goals and 65 points in 64 games. He has strong gap control and retrieves pucks quickly in the defensive zone. Morin's focus on becoming a 200-foot player has made him a valuable asset for his team. Toronto will love him especially because they need a good blue liner in their system.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 29. St Louis Blues: Otto Stenberg, C, Frölunda (SHL)
St. Louis Blues got the pick from NY Rangers in exchange for Vladimir Tarasenko. The rangers got it from Dallas Stars in return for Nils Lundqvist.
The Blues go with a center to round out their draft night. Stenberg excelled in international competitions but struggled in Swedish junior leagues. He's skilled at handling the puck and scored 26 points in 28 games for Frölunda's J20 team this season. He also scored 16 points in seven games at the IIHF World Junior U18 Championship for Sweden.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 30. Carolina Hurricanes: Daniil But, LW, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
The towering 6-5, 203-pound left winger scored 26 points in as many games this season, nine points in seven playoff games with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl's junior squad. He also had two goals in 15 games with their parent club. Hurricanes GM Don Waddel stressed a need for "getting heavier" at the end of the season. The winger may wait to make an impact. But in the long run, he's what they need.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 31. Montreal Canadiens: Andrew Cristall, LW, Kelowna(WHL)
In March of last year, the Montreal Canadiens obtained this pick from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Ben Chiarot.
Cristall is a creative player who excels at moving with the puck and changing directions. He's a skilled playmaker who can find passing lanes and is becoming a better goal-scorer. His 39 goals in 54 WHL regular-season games are a critical improvement from last season, and his 1.76 points per game in the WHL ranked only below two top prospects. There's potential for even more from this Vancouver resident.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 32. Vegas Golden Knights: Quentin Musty, LW, Sudbury (OHL)
Musty is a skilled player with exceptional vision and a keen sense of the available options. He makes excellent one-touch passes, moves the puck against the grain, and excels at making critical passes.
As a sharpshooter, and can pick corners without cradling the puck. Musty also carries the puck up the ice and creates zone entries with possession. He's tall and has a projectable frame, allowing him to leverage defenders for inside positions when battling for pucks or going to the net front. However, Musty needs more consistency and tends to fade in and out of games. He sometimes tries to make hero plays with the puck or makes poorly considered passes across the middle of the ice. Despite this, he shows diligence in the defensive zone and actively works to create turnovers.
Musty has excellent potential and could become a first-line winger if he puts in the work and ends up with the right team. There's no better place than Vegas, the reigning Stanley Cup champions, to do that.