Happy NHL Draft day everyone, and welcome, to the final edition of The Sports Bank’s 2023 NHL Mock Draft. Welcome to 2023 NHL Mock Draft version 7.0, with the all important, requisite bits of information that you need to know ahead of draft night. Congratulations to the Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights.
With their triumph, we now know the entire NHL Draft order. We also know who is going #1 overall. Past NHL Mock Draft Editions: 2021 2020 2016 2015 2014 2011 2010
So without further ado, Chicago is on the clock, and we all know exactly what they’re going to do. The Patrick Kane trade officially verified what we all already long knew- the Blackhawks are in full tear down to then precede a total rebuild mode.
Kane is gone, as is Jonathan Toews. That means they need to find a center and a right winger of the future.
They have two picks here in the first round to figure it out.
1. Chicago Blackhawks, Connor Bedard, C, Regina Pats (WHL)
There is no mystery here- everyone knows who is going first overall in this draft. Bedard is a generational talent, and no matter who ends up picking first, they’re taking one of the most hyped up prospects in recent memory.
Was the lottery fixed? I have no idea, but there is certainly plenty of material here for conspiracy theorists to work with. These types of conspiracies permeate every lottery or draw in every sport, and that’s understandable given the long history of shenanigans in sports.
Not to mention if the NHL did want to control the outcome, Chicago is definitely one of the teams that would be at the top of their list.
2. Anaheim Ducks, Adam Fantilli, C, University of Michigan
If you didn’t have a Connor Bedard this season, then you would see Adam Fantilli topping every NHL Mock Draft around. Owen Power went #1 overall a couple years ago out of Michigan to the Buffalo Sabres, and Fantilli has just as much promise and potential now as Power did then.
The leading scorer in the NCAA, he’s a near certainty to go #2 overall, and provide his pro team a future true #1 center.
3. Columbus Blue Jackets, Leo Carlsson, C/W, Orebro HK, SHL
The Blue Jackets mascot origin refers to the very rich history that the state has in producing key generals for the Union during the Civil War. That’s why it makes me so sad to see what has happened to that state now sociopolitically.
The electoral politics of Ohio have made it clear, if another Civil War were to actually happen, they would now be on the side that aligns with the Confederacy.
Oh and as for the team and the pick, Carlsson isn’t Fantilli or Bedard, but he’s a special blue chip prospect in his own right.
4. San Jose Sharks, Matvei Michkov, RW, HC Sochi (KHL)
If you’re drafting on pure talent alone, and not on production, then Michkov would be right up there with Bedard to be the #1 pick.
He won’t be, but at the same time, he definitely won’t slip out of the top five.
5. Montreal Canadiens, Will Smith, C, USA U18, (NDTP)
“Keep my wife’s name out your NHL Mock Draft ‘s mouth!” We kid. We kid, as there’s seemingly a Will Smith in every major sport now.
Smith needs to beef up a bit, but once he hits the weight room more and packs on the muscle, the path to superstardom is clear.
6. Arizona Coyotes, Nate Danielson, C, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Have enough centers yet? Is this center draft? No, that’s every draft.
Because the center is where the creamy filling is. Danielson, 18, is one of the more complete centers in this draft class, and it’s one where the position runs really deep.
7. Philadelphia Flyers, Zach Benson, LW/C, Winnipeg Ice (WHL)
Benson is a clever, intelligent and also versatile player. He’s heady and skilled, with the ability to make things happen on both the flank and in the center of the attack.
Philly can slot him in the center or on the wing.
8. Washington Capitals, Oliver Moore, C, USA U18 (USHL)
Honestly, hockey drafts, and thus a NHL Mock Draft, are all about centers. It is just like with baseball and shortstops.
It’s the position where usually the most talented and/or athletic kid is, so just draft a bunch of them, and then focus on developing and shifting them around to a different position later.
9. Detroit Red Wings, Brayden Yager, C, Moose Jaw Warriors, (WHL)
The Wings need to stock up on shooters, plain and simple.
They have a young defensive core in place, but they need more guys up top to make plays, and that is something Yager can definitely do.
10. St. Louis Blues, Andrew Cristall, LW, Kelowna (WHL)
Once you get out of the top ten, your typical hockey draft becomes even more best player available, regardless of position. It’s like a baseball draft in that way.
Although some would argue that both drafts are like that the entire way through.
11. Vancouver Canucks, Eduard Sale, RW, HC Kometa Brno (Czech Extraliga)
It would be a great investment idea to write a Czech for the sale of the contract on this specific player. Sorry, really sorry, but it was just too good to pass up. You got to have sports acumen, but you got to have sports comedy too.
And this pick makes perfect sense, given all the factors considered.
12. Arizona Coyotes via Ottawa Senators, Dalibor Dvorsky, C, AIK (HockeyAllsvenskan)
If there is one non-North American nation that was a huge winner at least year’s draft, it was Slovakia.
They’ll have a presence in this year’s lottery too, via Dvorsky, who is a solid, well-rounded, blue chip prospect.
13. Buffalo Sabres, Colby Barlow, RW, Owen Sound (OHL)
If you’re looking for a scorer/sniper out of Canada, then this maybe your guy.
The Ontario Hockey League is stacked, and this is probably the OHL’s best prospect.
14. Pittsburgh Penguins, Quentin Musty, LW, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
He can score, but he’s really more of a playmaker.
15. Nashville Predators, Matthew Wood, LW/C/RW, UConn
This prospect brings a ton to the table, including a high level of versatility, as you can see from position slash line.
16. Calgary Flames, David Reinbacher, D, Kloten (Swiss National League)
And our first blue-liner is off the boards! And this isn’t a defenseman, it’s a defencemen, as we’re talking about a Canadian team.
End of Lottery Picks
17. Detroit Red Wings via NY Islanders, Axel Sandin Pellikka, D, Skelleftea (SHL)
Wings have been known to draft a Swedish prospect or two. To quote the legendary Disco Stu, “if these trends continue….ayyyyyy”
Another defensemen selected- this is bonkers!
19. Winnipeg, Caden Price, D, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
Now comes the run on blue-liners. The floodgates have opened.
19. Chicago via Tampa Bay, Calum Ritchie, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
Yes, we have the Hawks going center twice in our NHL Mock Draft, because hey, it’s what we do. The first pick mocked to Chicago can play the forward positions too.
Again the Hawks are going to need a lot of picks and a lot of talent, because this team is going to be bad, really bad, for awhile.
20. Seattle, Otto Stenberg, C/W, Frolunda HC (SHL)
Kraken have taken a center in their first two drafts, so we’re guessing they’re going to switch it up here and go with a…..center?! LOL! He’s a real wild card in this draft, no one truly knows what to make of his NHL Draft stock. His name is quite memorable- it sounds like some kind of historical figure, who was critical towards turning the tide of the European theatre in WWII.
21. Minnesota via Edmonton, Beau Akey, D, Barrie Colts (OHL)
There will be a big roar for this pick, as the State of Hockey always shows out, wherever they go.
22. Columbus via Los Angeles, Mikhail Gulyayev, D, Avangard Omsk (KHL)
This could be the kind of draft that really sets up Columbus well for the future.
23. New York Rangers, Bradley Nadeau, C, Penticton Vees (BCHL)
24. Nashville via Edmonton, Charlie Stramel, C, University of Wisconsin
Madison is a wonderful place, and I’m sure the quality of life there is a zillion times better when you’re BMOC, but the time is right for Stramel to go pro.
If you’re looking for the best defensive-minded forward in this draft, then go with this guy. Especially if you want a player who is big and physical.
25. St. Louis via Toronto, William Whitelaw, RW/C, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
Maybe the best overall name in this NHL mock draft. I could have sworn that William Whitelaw was a drama series on A&E about a 19th century New England politician.
26. San Jose via New Jersey, Gavin Bridley, C, Michigan
#GoBlue indeed, as this perennial Frozen Four power is really maintaining their historical status as a juggernaut of a national program. They’re also a future NHL star factory up there in Ann Arbor, with Bridley up next on the assembly line.
He’s versatile, and could provide punch at different positions in the forward line.
27. Colorado, Samuel Honzek, C, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
The reigning champions didn’t hold on to their early round picks last time out, but they do have a first rounder this time around. They don’t need immediate help in any specific area, but I think they will go forward, and best forward/center available.
28. Toronto via Boston, Gabe Perreault, RW, USA U18 (USHL)
Perreault is a scoring machine, as he currently leads the U18 national team in points this season. He’s currently committed to Boston College, so we did the Beantown then here in our mock.
Conference Finals Runners-Up
29. St. Louis via Dallas, Ryan Leonard, C, USA U18, (NDTP)
30. Carolina, Ethan Gauthier, RW, Sherbrooke, (QMJHL)
STL will be stocking up on forwards, building up depth and talent in their front line
Stanley Cup Final Teams
31. Montreal via Florida, Maxim Strbak, D, Sioux Falls, Committed to Michigan State University
He could have the chance be King of Kings of the Biggie Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing. But on the other hand, this is all a paper chase! So if you can get paid, then get that money.
#GoGreen and get green!
32. Vegas, Jayden Perron, RW, Chicago Steel (USHL)
An undersized but very skilled player, Perron is also one of the most exciting and fun prospects in this class. Making things happen in the city of broad shoulders, this young forward could be one of the more all-or-nothing prospects in this class.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now. Follow the website on Twitter and Instagram.