2023 NHL Mock Draft: Top Prospects on the Rise amid 1st-Round Predictions

Connor Bedard has lengthy been the consensus top prospect in the 2023 NHL draft class. That’s why there should always not be any suspense when the Chicago Blackhawks are on the clock at No. 1 on Wednesday evening at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

The 2-day draft will continue into Thursday, because the league’s 32 teams add players who could turn into constructing blocks for a protracted time yet to realize. After Bedard seemingly gets picked by Chicago at No. 1, then the draft could be grand much less predictable.

There are obvious to be some surprises. No mock is seemingly to earn all the pieces precisely lawful.

Regardless, right here is a mock draft for this year’s opening round, followed by a ogle at loads of players who were on the upward push leading into the tournament.

1. Chicago Blackhawks: Connor Bedard, C, Regina

2. Anaheim Geese: Adam Fantilli, C, Michigan

3. Columbus Blue Jackets: Leo Carlsson, C, Örebro HK

4. San Jose Sharks: Matvei Michkov, RW, Ska St. Petersburg

5. Montreal Canadiens: David Reinbacher, D, Kloten

6. Arizona Coyotes: William Smith, C, USA U-18 NTDP

7. Philadelphia Flyers: Ryan Leonard, RW, USA U-18 NTDP

8. Washington Capitals: Dalibor Dvorsky, C, Aik

9. Detroit Crimson Wings: Gabriel Perreault, RW, USA U-18 NTDP

10. St. Louis Blues: Nate Danielson, C, Brandon

11. Vancouver Canucks: Tom Willander, D, Rogle Jr.

12. Arizona Coyotes (by Ottawa Senators): Matthew Wood, RW, UConn

13. Buffalo Sabres: Axel Sandin Pellikka, D, Skellefteå AIK

14. Pittsburgh Penguins: Zach Benson, LW, Winnipeg

15. Nashville Predators: Colby Barlow, LW, Owen Sound

16. Calgary Flames: Samuel Honzek, LW, Vancouver

17. Detroit Crimson Wings (by Novel York Islanders): Eduard Sale, LW, Brno

18. Winnipeg Jets: Oliver Moore, C, USA U-18 NTDP

19. Chicago Blackhawks (by Tampa Bay Lightning): Calum Ritchie, C, Oshawa

20. Seattle Kraken: Dmitri Simashev, D, Yaroslavl Jr.

21. Minnesota Wild: Brayden Yager, C, Moose Jaw

22. Philadelphia Flyers (by Los Angeles Kings): Oliver Bonk, D, London

23. Novel York Rangers: David Edstrom, C, Frolunda Jr.

24. Nashville Predators (by Edmonton Oilers): Etienne Morin, D, Moncton

25. St. Louis Blues (by Toronto Maple Leafs): Charlie Stramel, C, Wisconsin

26. San Jose Sharks (by Novel Jersey Devils): Michael Hrabal, G, Omaha

27. Colorado Avalanche: Quentin Weak, LW, Sudbury

28. Toronto Maple Leafs (by Boston Bruins): Bradly Nadeau, LW, Penticton

29. St. Louis Blues (by Dallas Stars): Tanner Molendyk, D, Saskatoon

30. Carolina Hurricanes: Danny Nelson, C, USA U-18 NTDP

31. Montreal Canadiens (by Florida Panthers): Carson Rehkopf, LW, Kitchener

32. Vegas Golden Knights: Gavin Brindley, C, Michigan

There is a lawful chance Leo Carlsson will earn drafted by both the Anaheim Geese at No. 2 or the Columbus Blue Jackets at No. 3. He solidified his standing as one in all the tip possibilities in the class with his performance for Sweden on the 2023 IIHF World Championship.

At that tournament, the 18-year-used heart had three goals and two assists in five video games. It became an excellent exhibiting after he tallied 10 goals and 15 assists for Örebro at some level of the SHL season.

“I mediate he’s proved he’s a wide skill at every level he’s performed,” NHL Central Scouting chief European scout Janne Vuorinen stated last month, per NHL.com’s Aaron Vickers. “I love how he stays on the puck in shut areas, shut to the boards, and create performs thru that. Within the in the meantime hockey is performed so grand shut to the boards and he’s utterly solid there.”

Carlsson’s skill role ought to create him one in all the famous players selected Wednesday evening. If he’s restful there after three picks, it could possibly be fairly a surprise.

There are some solid defensemen in this year’s draft class, plenty of of whom ought to earn taken at some level of the opening round. Surely one of them is Tom Willander, who has been “rising swiftly,” per The Athletic’s Corey Pronman.

Willander, who performed in the SHL this previous season, is dedicated to back Boston College. The 18-year-used wish to be a lawful fit there, given his impressive skill role and excessive effort.

“He’s one in all the true skaters in this draft, while also having respectable dimension, he performs exhausting and confirmed extra offense because the season advanced,” Pronman wrote.

A lawful touchdown role for Willander could be with the Vancouver Canucks, who have the No. 11 total decide. But with how grand his stock has been on the upward push at some level of the leadup to the draft, he could honest even earn taken at some level of the tip 10.

Here’s every other player who has labored his manner up the draft rankings and wish to be selected within the famous 10 picks. It is also fairly imaginable William Smith could honest even earn taken in the tip five, given honest how grand his stock has risen in most modern months.

Smith, who’s dedicated to play at Boston College, keep up wide numbers while having fun with for the U.S. U18 National Team Model Program this previous season. In 60 video games, the heart still 51 goals and 76 assists.

“Smith is a dynamic offensive player who stands out every sport with his skill,” Pronman wrote in Could honest. “He has wide puck abilities, vision and total offensive creativity and initiatives to be a prime asset on an NHL strength play.”

If the 18-year-used would now not trot in the tip five, he could honest no longer plunge extra than No. 6, as he could be a wide purpose for the Arizona Coyotes. Wherever he lands, he has the most likely to earn into a solid offensive player on the NHL level.