Mock Draft with Analysis (top 45)

Draft Class: 2023

Created By: Z0ra

Published: Mar. 23, 2023 at 11:52 a.m.

Description

For the second round, I won’t put explanations for the picks. If you want an analysis on a specific, comment below and I’ll give one.

DRAFT

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Round 1
1. Connor Bedard (Columbus Blue Jackets) (Details: I’m not doing draft lottery sims, so I have Columbus sticking with the first pick. They land the consensus player in Bedard. The kid I compare most to Auston Matthews, Bedard is the only option at 1st overall. Has already 70 goals of the season and has beaten McDavid’s draft year point totals. Future Hall of Famer, Bedard has shown elite goal-scoring qualities and a well advanced offensive toolkit. Skates well and also has an outstanding 200-ft game. Ready to take on a top 6 role immediately, Bedard will be the backbone of Columbus for the next decade.).
2. Adam Fantilli (San Jose Sharks) (Details: I posted a Sharks draft board recently, and I said that Fantilli fits Grier’s system perfectly. Currently Mike Grier is looking for a player with size, and although I love the potential of Bystedt and Bordeleau as centers, Fantilli will become better. He does address the need of skill up front however. Fantilli is a guy that can do it all, really good 3-zone type of player. Though he slowed down during the WJC, Fantilli has proven that he can score points in bunches. Like Bedard, Fantilli will be the guy that the Sharks build their team around.).
3. Leo Carlsson (Chicago Blackhawks) (Details: I do think Michkov is the best option for Chicago, but in the last mock I posted, a Blackhawks fan said that the Blackhawks should get a center because they have an abundance of them. And I agree with that, so here you go. Carlsson will be the No. 1 center and light it up offensively. He’s an offensive power forward that has a well-rounded offensive toolkit. From a booming shot and advanced playmaking. Also skates well for a power forward and is smart defensively. No major flaws are present in Carlsson’s game, he will be a fan and coaches favorite. Even though Michkov is a better option, Chicago can still build their team around Carlsson.).
4. Matvei Michkov (Anaheim Ducks) (Details: Even though centers are a need for the Ducks, Michkov doesn’t fall past here. Even though his play slowed down in the beginning of the season, Michkov picked it up after he was traded to Sochi. Although Sochi didn’t make the playoffs, Michkov was their lone bright spot. He’s proven that he can produce at an elite level. I do expect him to fall because of his KHL contract, but the second highest ceiling shouldn’t fall past 4th. He falls into Anaheim’s lap and sets up their winger depth nicely for the next decade. Reminds me of Kirill Kaprizov in many ways, pure goal-scorer with creativity. Small, but incredibly sturdy. Michkov does need to develop his understanding of how to play without the puck, as he makes questionable decisions. Also he is emotional on the ice, resulting in dumb infractions. But none of the less, a really good building block for the Ducks starting in 2026-27.).
5. Dalibor Dvorsky (Montreal Canadiens) (Details: Here’s where everyone will comment how much of an idiot I am. I could very well see the Habs taking Smith, but I think if the Canadiens take Dvorsky, it would create a buzzworthy storyline. Imagine a line of all Slovaks with Slafkovsky, Dvorsky, and Mesar. That would look formidable for the future. Dvorsky is an elite 2-way center with insane defensive consistency. Never takes a shift off offensively either, even though the numbers don’t show it. Can pretty much do it all, though the big knock on his game is his skating. While he’s speedy, Dvorsky doesn’t have the agility to take the next step in his development. But regardless, a high upside pick for the Canadiens.).
6. Will Smith (Philadelphia Flyers) (Details: With Briere’s first pick as GM, I do think he will go with the safe option, and that is Will Smith. Even though Gauthier is making the full-time switch from left wing to center, having a 1-2 punch down the middle with Smith is still ridiculous to think about. Smith is a Trevor Zegras-type player, an incredibly crafty playmaker with deceptive skating and a really good 200-ft game. Also a really hard-working player as Smith never takes a shift off defensively. The Flyers are a team that need everything in terms of prospects, the safe move is take the BPA. Smith is a really good pick and its fortunate that he falls out of the top 5.).
7. Zach Benson (Arizona Coyotes) (Details: Even though I prefer Cristall more, I think Benson’s chemistry with Geekie can translate into the NHL perfectly. Benson reminds me of Mitch Marner in a lot of ways, solid 200-ft playmaker with incredible hockey IQ. He often thinks one step of the defender and Benson doesn’t shy away from being creative with the puck. More of a dual-offensive winger, Benson also has a sniper’s shot. He’s hard-working defensively, but will it translate into the NHL? I don’t think so, as Benson is undersized for the NHL. But regardless, a solid pickup for the Coyotes, who ideally need everything but centers in their prospect pool.).
8. Nate Danielson (Vancouver Canucks) (Details: Completely off-the-board, but I think its well-worth for Vancouver. They suck defensively, so I think the play is get a guy who excels at the defensive aspects. That is Danielson, who is ranked 20th on my board. By far he’s the best defensive forward in the draft. He’s able to control the gaps extremely well and be aggressive without being undisciplined. Doesn’t shy away from a hit either and has the ability to muck it up in the corners using his 6’1” frame. However, Danielson has all the tools to succeed offensively, but does he use it consistently? I don’t think so, Danielson is selfish with the puck and doesn’t have the ability to finish a play. Whenever Danielson provides offense, he displays a booming shot and simple puck distribution. Again, widely off-the-board, but with the Canucks sucking defensively they should take this route.).
9. Eduard Sale (St. Louis Blues) (Details: I’ve said this before, and I will say it again, Sale feels like a Blue. Hard-nosed, deceptive playmaker, and incredibly poised. The guy that reminds me of a righty Clayton Keller in a lot of ways, really great 4-way mobility and is a menace in the outer lanes of the ice. Sale is a liability in his own end however, that will need fixing prior to his debut. But there’s no denying the potential of this pick, especially the way Sale played last year putting up 89 points in just 39 games. Very inspiring player, really good pickup for the Blues.).
10. Axel Sandin Pellikka (Detroit Red Wings) (Details: I do have Reinbacher ahead, but Pelikka is a Yzerman-type pick. Yzerman loves the Swedish talent, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him snag Pelikka if he’s sitting on the board. Undersized, but really sturdy as he uses his 200-ft game to blow by the opposition. Reminds me of a righty Josh Morrissey, shifty skater, good 200-ft game, booming shot, and a menace near the boards. The left side of defense is set up with Edvinsson, Wallinder, and McIssac. Behind Seider there’s nothing, Pelikka can create a nice top 4 for the Red Wings.).
11. Matthew Wood (Buffalo Sabres) (Details: The draft really becomes a crapshoot from here. The Sabres need a tall forward or a right-shot defender. I see Wood as a rawer version of Tage Thompson, so why not get a guy exactly like Thompson? A lot of people define Wood as a sniper, but more closely he’s a power forward. Booming shot, can carve through defenders, and amazing outlet passer. However, Wood is a liability in his own end and I don’t like his agility either. He does have amazing speed, but the agility simply isn’t there. Controversial pick here, but a guy that can be mentored under Thompson.).
12. David Reinbacher (Arizona Coyotes from Ottawa Senators) (Details: Arizona will be happy with their pick of Benson, here I think they go with Reinbacher. Especially after getting fleeced on the Chychrun deal, the Coyotes need to hope that Reinbacher or Pelikka is available. Reinbacher is a heavy two-way defender, similar to Mackenzie Weegar. Pretty much can do it all and be a leader on the back end. Reinbacher does need to act more consistent physically, he often shies away from a hit. But whenever he does go for a hit, it tends to wear down the opposition. The Coyotes can be considered winners in the draft already after having an underwhelming one last season.).
13. Andrew Cristall (Washington Capitals) (Details: Ovechkin and Backstrom are aging, the Capitals do have Miro but need a playmaker alongside him. The Capitals should be ecstatic to have Cristall fall in their lap. He falls solely due to teams addressing by need. Cristall is a bit on the small side at 5’10” but his skill make up for it. Pretty much a better version of Benson (I have him ranked higher), Cristall reminds me of Brayden Point in many ways. Insane 200-ft player, is a menace in the middle lane, undersized but has skill. Cristall is the definition of a full-time playmaker, but like Benson, he’s a dual-offensive threat with a booming shot. What needs improvement is the size like mentioned before, but this is a steal for the Capitals as Cristall is ranked 7th on my board. I think Miro will take at least 4 years to make the NHL, Cristall can earn a shot in 2 years.).
14. Brayden Yager (Pittsburgh Penguins) (Details: Like Washington, the Penguins forward core except Guentzel is aging. Crosby and Malkin will be on the decline sooner rather than later, so taking a forward is key. I don’t expect Hextall to be GM if the Penguins miss the playoffs, so I think the safe pick will be made. Yager pretty much falls into the Penguins lap. Ranked 10th on my board, Yager is having a subpar season but has showed that he can be a reliable two-way forward at the NHL level. A lot of people classify Yager as a sniper, but you would be solely mistaken if his game is looked much more closely. He’s a two-way forward and while he does have an NHL-ready shot, Yager is smart defensively. Yager is a guy that can do it all, but the main downfall on his game is the skating, which is the main reason of him falling. Also considering Yager’s height, he is relatively skinny. It will take a few years, but by the time Crosby and Malkin finally retire, Yager will be NHL-ready and be the backbone of the Penguins organization.).
15. Mikhail Gulyayev (Nashville Predators) (Details: Apart from wingers and goalies, the Predators pretty much need everything in their prospect pool. I think they will pick Gulyayev as they haven’t feared from taking Russians. Afanasyev has turned out to be a gem, the Predators have a Russian goalie in Askarov who is starting to come into his own, then in 2021 they draft Svechkov. I think Gulyayev is a great pickup, if he wasn’t Russian, he would be a top 10 pick. Cale Makar-type player, Gulyayev is the fastest skater in the draft in my opinion and is the definition of an offensive defenseman. Ranked 14th on my board, Gulyayev has a booming shot and an amazing first-pass. His first-step acceleration is really good. He just needs to improve his play inside the d-zone, without the puck Gulyayev is a liability. He also the most physical guy either, however the MHL is known for being a non-physical league. In shorter terms, Gulyayev just doesn’t use his body. Currently putting up a PPG, Gulyayev has amazing upside and is a hidden gem in this draft. Will be a blockbuster pick for the Predators within a few seasons.).
16. Riley Heidt (Calgary Flames) (Details: There are guys ranked higher, but Heidt reminds me of Johnny Gaudreau in many ways. Speedy, small, but flashy playmaker with an elite 200-ft game. Heidt can make passes from anywhere and has a sniper’s shot. But does he have the defensive upside to succeed at the NHL level? I don’t think so, Heidt needs to improve his effort off the puck significantly. The fact that he’s on a crappy Prince George system doesn’t help either. But either way, this is a solid grab for the Flames.).
17. Oliver Bonk (Montreal Canadiens from Florida Panthers) (Details: Montreal grabbed a forward in Dvorsky with their first pick, I see them going for defense with this pick. The Canadiens need a new face on the back end more than anything. Bonk won’t become the backbone, but he will provide some much-needed stability in the Canadiens top 4. This may be a reach for some people, and I get it, but Bonk is ranked 16th on my board, he’s one of my favorite defensemen in the draft. Reminds me of a righty Adam Pelech, solid defensive defenseman with size. He’s inconsistent offensively, but whenever it is there, Bonk looks like a top 10 player in the draft. He’s a cerebral puck carrier and has a booming shot from the point. Isn’t shy of pinching inside the o-zone either. But defensively he can do everything. He’s able to control the gaps extremely well, goes for a hit, and able to stick check without being overly undisciplined. It will take a few years, but it will be worth it. Bonk will help the Canadiens allow less goals with his high defensive upside.).
18. Gabe Perreault (Detroit Red Wings from New York Islanders) (Details: This isn’t the type of player that Yzerman would pick, but Perreault has fallen far enough. Ranked 14th on my board, the kid that I compare most to Nikita Kucherov falls into Detroit’s lap. I’ve seen a lot of mocks have Perreault fall solely based off size, but his overall skill makes me believe that the size isn’t an issue at all. Ideally its enough to succeed at the NHL level, if there was a flaw in Perreault’s game, it would be his defense. He often allows the opposition to get too many high-quality chances, sometimes resulting in goals. But offensively, he’s a very skilled playmaker. Also to keep in note, he has the best NHL bloodlines in the draft. Gabe is the younger brother of Jacob Perreault (a Ducks prospect) and the son of former NHLer Yanic Perreault. Yzerman and company should be ecstatic to have Perreault fall in their lap, fans would be through the roof.).
19. Calum Ritchie (Winnipeg Jets) (Details: Based off my draft board, this is off-the-board, but as a Jets fan, I could see Chevy taking this route. Ritchie feels like a Jet, he plays a game that Bowness will love. Smart two-way forward, reminds me of Barrett Hayton in many ways. Able to stick check and be aggressive without taking many penalties. But offensively, Ritchie has all the tools to succeed, but he is selfish with the puck. Not so much a finisher, which is why Ritchie isn’t putting up many points this season. He has a booming shot which isn’t used often and simple playmaking. Also Ritchie is agile, but he doesn’t have much explosiveness in his game. But Chevy has shown that he doesn’t care about skating issues, so it shouldn’t be a big issue. Knowing the Jets crappy method of developing young talent, it will take long than projected for Ritchie to develop. I see it only taking 2 years to develop, one year in the CHL then another in the AHL. If Ritchie improves his offense, he can fit in the Jets top 6 really well.).
20. Lukas Dragicevic (Seattle Kraken) (Details: Seattle has done well drafting high quality forwards like Beniers, Wright, Robertson, and Firkus. But outside Evans and Nelson, the Kraken don’t have a guy that can be the backbone of their d-core in the near future. Dragicevic won’t become that, but he’s a guy that can fit in any top 4 unit. He’s a really good offensive defenseman, reminds me of Tony DeAngelo in many ways. Dragicevic doesn’t have the attitude problems that DeAngelo has, but he has a similar offensive toolkit. However, the defensive upside of Dragicevic is extremely low, if he was at least an above average defender, Dragicevic would be a top 10 pick. However, Seattle has shown that they are willing to be patient with developing prospects. But none of the less, Dragicevic will be a good pickup for Seattle.).
21. Oliver Moore (Nashville Predators from Edmonton Oilers) (Details: The Predators addressed left defense, now they address their secondary need which is a playmaking center. Moore is that type of player, reminds of me of Dylan Larkin in many ways. Moore is a worse version of Smith, just a crafty playmaker, and he has the tools to succeed at the NHL level. Ranked 18th on my board, you could argue that Moore falls into Nashville’s lap. But there is one guy that is ranked higher than Moore that hasn’t been taken. But Moore will solidify the Predators weak center depth and be a solid linemate with Kemell.).
22. Ryan Leonard (Colorado Avalanche) (Details: Leonard is the one guy that is ahead of Moore, ranked 17th on my board. He falls into Colorado’s lap here. The Avalanche are a deep team, so the proper route for them is take the BPA. Leonard is a really good goal-scoring winger that can fit inside the top 6 easily. Often keeps his passes simple by passing to the open guy. However, Leonard does struggle to stay out of the penalty box by taking dumb stick infractions. He also shies away from being physical. But it is perfect, Leonard can fill the second-line center role that the Avalanche are missing currently after losing Kadri. There’s also versality as Leonard can also play on the wing. Sam Bennett-type player, Leonard won’t be a bust and succeed in a top 6 role.).
23. Colby Barlow (Chicago Blackhawks from Tampa Bay Lightning) (Details: Chicago could go one of two ways with this pick: right-shot defenseman or left winger. With Barlow sitting on the board, the Blackhawks should not hesitate to steal him. Its surprising to see Barlow be drafted this late, but there are at least 70 guys that could be drafted here. This draft is giving me 2015 vibes, Barlow falls into Chicago’s lap. Lots of people label him as a sniper, but if you look more closely at his play style, you would be solely mistaken. He is a two-way forward by trade, with an NHL-ready shot and size. While Barlow’s offensive toolkit is advanced, he is really good at using his size defensively and killing penalties. However, he is inconsistent 5 on 5, sometimes the gaps aren’t controlled well and Barlow isn’t the most aggressive guy. But his play on the penalty kill is consistent. Imagine building your team around Carlsson and Barlow? That would be a home run. A line of Barlow, Carlsson, and Nazar is ridiculous to think about.).
24. Samuel Honzek (Minnesota Wild) (Details: The Wild are extremely solid defensively, but outside Kaprizov and Rossi, there aren’t many all-offensive players up front. Honzek is a prime example of that, reminds me of Mark Schiefele in many ways. Elite playmaker, but more so a dual-offensive threat with a booming shot. The Slovakian center hasn’t looked out of place in the CHL after transitioning from Slovakia. While the offensive skill is there, Honzek’s effort without the puck is really bad. He needs to understand how to position himself without the puck in a proper manner. But despite that flaw, Honzek can fit in the Wild’s middle 6 perfectly.).
25. Jayden Perron (New York Rangers from Dallas Stars) (Details: Before I said the Rangers needed a sniper, but I didn’t realize they already have one in Othmann. What they actually need is a playmaker to compliment him and just in case Lafreniere doesn’t pan out. Perron is the best playmaker available on my board. Some may say this is a reach, and I get it, but I see Perron as a Lane Hutson-type pick. Perron is extremely small, but there’s zero holes in his game outside that. If Perron was two or three inches bigger, mark my words, he would have been inside my top 3. Cam Aktinson-type player, Perron is a really good playmaker that will compliment the likes of Othmann. Together they will create a deadly duo for the Rangers.).
26. Charlie Stramel (Columbus Blue Jackets from Los Angeles Kings) (Details: This may be a risk, but Columbus has shown that they are willing to take risks. Even with Bedard, I’m still not sold on their center depth. Stramel is a risk, but he’s bound to have a bounce-back season. Decent power forward who has the best frame in the draft, Stramel reminds me of Ryan Getzlaf in many ways. Sloppy skater, subpar defensively, but actually has smart playmaking instincts and a booming shot. Stramel was once a top 10 pick in the draft, but his horrible point totals alone have made him slip severely. Right now he looks like he will be a fringe NHLer, but there’s a high chance Stramel will bounce back. A year in the NCAA then a year in the CHL could increase the potential. If the potential gets back, Stramel will become a decent second line center.).
27. Theo Lindstein (St. Louis Blues from New York Rangers) (Details: The Blues defense are either getting into their prime or aging. The smart move with the back-to-back picks is addressing defense on both sides. The first guy that the Blues should grab is Lindstein, who is a really good two-way defender. Mostly defensive-minded but has inconsistent offense. Lindstein is fast, and often able to use his size defensively, but he needs to improve his consistency offensively. Seth Jones-type player, if Lindstein gets his offense back on track, he can be a solid middle pairing guy for the Blues.).
28. Maxim Strbak (St. Louis Blues from Toronto Maple Leafs) (Details: This is considered off-the-board, but Strbak has NHL-ready size and reminds me of Colton Parayko in many ways. The Slovak native is a valuable two-way defender who smartly uses his size to create chances for his teammates. Despite the lack of production, Strbak hasn’t looked out of place in the USHL, but his offensive toolkit is above average. He has a booming shot from the point, smart passing ability. His main downfall is his puck control and skating. But a great partner for Lindstein in the near future.).
29. Quentin Musty (Vegas Golden Knights) (Details: I will keep this analysis short and sweet. Vegas is a deep team, so they should go BPA. That would be Musty, who ideally falls into the Golden Knights lap. Ranked 22nd on my board, Musty reminds of me of JT Miller in many ways. Musty doesn’t have JT Miller’s bad attitude, but he has no effort defensively but makes up for it with his prolific offensive game. Pretty much the definition of a prototypical power forward with NHL-ready size. Musty has a booming shot and smart passing on him. He also needs to work on staying out of the penalty box, sometimes Musty takes too many dumb infractions with the body.).
30. Michael Hrabal (San Jose Sharks from New Jersey Devils) (Details: Along with size, Grier has addressed that he wants to address the goaltending position as the Sharks have had many years of average starters. And I agree with that statement, goaltenders are something that the Sharks desperately need. I’m not sold on Ben Gaudreau, especially after his abysmal WJC performance. At best Makinen can become a 1B. Hrabal on the other hand has potential to become an elite goal at the NHL level. Already has NHL-ready size and puck handling. Reminds me of Pekka Rinne in a lot of ways, good side-to-side movement, very athletic, and can move the puck out of danger. However, there are minor flaws that need fixing prior to Hrabal’s NHL debut, which is why it will take a couple of years for him to develop. Hrabal tends to be overaggressive against the puck carrier. He also doesn’t cover the post well, resulting in too many sharp angle goals for the opposition. But this is exactly what Grier is looking for, a goalie that can help San Jose long-term.).
31. Gavin Brindley (Carolina Hurricanes) (Details: Simple enough, Carolina is a team that should go BPA. They are a deep team, the BPA is Brindley. Undersized, but an elite playmaker that will compliment the likes of Jarvis or even Svechnikov. He will need time to work on his first-step acceleration as Brindley is often slow with the puck. But arguably Brindley falls into Carolina’s lap and goes to a team that hasn’t selected in the first round since 2020.).
32. Koehn Ziemmer (Toronto Maple Leafs from Boston Bruins) (Details: Toronto is in win-now mode, so the best move is either take the most NHL-ready guy or go BPA. I don’t think Ziemmer falls below the first round, he’s a natural goal-scorer. Not the best defensively, but the Leafs have shown that they don’t care about defense. A solid middle 6 option for the Leafs going forward.).

Round 2
33. Ethan Gauthier (Columbus Blue Jackets).
34. Gavin McCarthy (San Jose Sharks).
35. Kasper Halttunen (Chicago Blackhawks).
36. Luca Pinelli (Anaheim Ducks).
37. Caden Price (Montreal Canadiens).
38. Cameron Allen (Buffalo Sabres from Philadelphia Flyers).
0. Tomas Milic (Arizona Coyotes).
40. Otto Stenberg (Detroit Red Wings from Vancouver Canucks).
41. Daniil But (Detroit Red Wings from St. Louis Blues).
42. Dmitri Simashev (Detroit Red Wings).
43. Bradly Nadeau (Buffalo Sabres).
44. Pano Fimis (Chicago Blackhawks from Ottawa Senators).
45. Danny Nelson (Washington Capitals).

CapFriendly.com User-Generated Mock-Draft

ROUND 1	TEAM	ORIGINAL	PLAYER	DETAILS

1	-	Connor Bedard	I’m not doing draft lottery sims, so I have Columbus sticking with the first pick. They land the consensus player in Bedard. The kid I compare most to Auston Matthews, Bedard is the only option at 1st overall. Has already 70 goals of the season and has beaten McDavid’s draft year point totals. Future Hall of Famer, Bedard has shown elite goal-scoring qualities and a well advanced offensive toolkit. Skates well and also has an outstanding 200-ft game. Ready to take on a top 6 role immediately, Bedard will be the backbone of Columbus for the next decade.
2	-	Adam Fantilli	I posted a Sharks draft board recently, and I said that Fantilli fits Grier’s system perfectly. Currently Mike Grier is looking for a player with size, and although I love the potential of Bystedt and Bordeleau as centers, Fantilli will become better. He does address the need of skill up front however. Fantilli is a guy that can do it all, really good 3-zone type of player. Though he slowed down during the WJC, Fantilli has proven that he can score points in bunches. Like Bedard, Fantilli will be the guy that the Sharks build their team around.
3	-	Leo Carlsson	I do think Michkov is the best option for Chicago, but in the last mock I posted, a Blackhawks fan said that the Blackhawks should get a center because they have an abundance of them. And I agree with that, so here you go. Carlsson will be the No. 1 center and light it up offensively. He’s an offensive power forward that has a well-rounded offensive toolkit. From a booming shot and advanced playmaking. Also skates well for a power forward and is smart defensively. No major flaws are present in Carlsson’s game, he will be a fan and coaches favorite. Even though Michkov is a better option, Chicago can still build their team around Carlsson.
4	-	Matvei Michkov	Even though centers are a need for the Ducks, Michkov doesn’t fall past here. Even though his play slowed down in the beginning of the season, Michkov picked it up after he was traded to Sochi. Although Sochi didn’t make the playoffs, Michkov was their lone bright spot. He’s proven that he can produce at an elite level. I do expect him to fall because of his KHL contract, but the second highest ceiling shouldn’t fall past 4th. He falls into Anaheim’s lap and sets up their winger depth nicely for the next decade. Reminds me of Kirill Kaprizov in many ways, pure goal-scorer with creativity. Small, but incredibly sturdy. Michkov does need to develop his understanding of how to play without the puck, as he makes questionable decisions. Also he is emotional on the ice, resulting in dumb infractions. But none of the less, a really good building block for the Ducks starting in 2026-27.
5	-	Dalibor Dvorsky	Here’s where everyone will comment how much of an idiot I am. I could very well see the Habs taking Smith, but I think if the Canadiens take Dvorsky, it would create a buzzworthy storyline. Imagine a line of all Slovaks with Slafkovsky, Dvorsky, and Mesar. That would look formidable for the future. Dvorsky is an elite 2-way center with insane defensive consistency. Never takes a shift off offensively either, even though the numbers don’t show it. Can pretty much do it all, though the big knock on his game is his skating. While he’s speedy, Dvorsky doesn’t have the agility to take the next step in his development. But regardless, a high upside pick for the Canadiens.
6	-	Will Smith	With Briere’s first pick as GM, I do think he will go with the safe option, and that is Will Smith. Even though Gauthier is making the full-time switch from left wing to center, having a 1-2 punch down the middle with Smith is still ridiculous to think about. Smith is a Trevor Zegras-type player, an incredibly crafty playmaker with deceptive skating and a really good 200-ft game. Also a really hard-working player as Smith never takes a shift off defensively. The Flyers are a team that need everything in terms of prospects, the safe move is take the BPA. Smith is a really good pick and its fortunate that he falls out of the top 5.
7	-	Zach Benson	Even though I prefer Cristall more, I think Benson’s chemistry with Geekie can translate into the NHL perfectly. Benson reminds me of Mitch Marner in a lot of ways, solid 200-ft playmaker with incredible hockey IQ. He often thinks one step of the defender and Benson doesn’t shy away from being creative with the puck. More of a dual-offensive winger, Benson also has a sniper’s shot. He’s hard-working defensively, but will it translate into the NHL? I don’t think so, as Benson is undersized for the NHL. But regardless, a solid pickup for the Coyotes, who ideally need everything but centers in their prospect pool.
8	-	Nate Danielson	Completely off-the-board, but I think its well-worth for Vancouver. They suck defensively, so I think the play is get a guy who excels at the defensive aspects. That is Danielson, who is ranked 20th on my board. By far he’s the best defensive forward in the draft. He’s able to control the gaps extremely well and be aggressive without being undisciplined. Doesn’t shy away from a hit either and has the ability to muck it up in the corners using his 6’1” frame. However, Danielson has all the tools to succeed offensively, but does he use it consistently? I don’t think so, Danielson is selfish with the puck and doesn’t have the ability to finish a play. Whenever Danielson provides offense, he displays a booming shot and simple puck distribution. Again, widely off-the-board, but with the Canucks sucking defensively they should take this route.
9	-	Eduard Sale	I’ve said this before, and I will say it again, Sale feels like a Blue. Hard-nosed, deceptive playmaker, and incredibly poised. The guy that reminds me of a righty Clayton Keller in a lot of ways, really great 4-way mobility and is a menace in the outer lanes of the ice. Sale is a liability in his own end however, that will need fixing prior to his debut. But there’s no denying the potential of this pick, especially the way Sale played last year putting up 89 points in just 39 games. Very inspiring player, really good pickup for the Blues.
10	-	Axel Sandin Pellikka	I do have Reinbacher ahead, but Pelikka is a Yzerman-type pick. Yzerman loves the Swedish talent, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him snag Pelikka if he’s sitting on the board. Undersized, but really sturdy as he uses his 200-ft game to blow by the opposition. Reminds me of a righty Josh Morrissey, shifty skater, good 200-ft game, booming shot, and a menace near the boards. The left side of defense is set up with Edvinsson, Wallinder, and McIssac. Behind Seider there’s nothing, Pelikka can create a nice top 4 for the Red Wings.
11	-	Matthew Wood	The draft really becomes a crapshoot from here. The Sabres need a tall forward or a right-shot defender. I see Wood as a rawer version of Tage Thompson, so why not get a guy exactly like Thompson? A lot of people define Wood as a sniper, but more closely he’s a power forward. Booming shot, can carve through defenders, and amazing outlet passer. However, Wood is a liability in his own end and I don’t like his agility either. He does have amazing speed, but the agility simply isn’t there. Controversial pick here, but a guy that can be mentored under Thompson.
12		David Reinbacher	Arizona will be happy with their pick of Benson, here I think they go with Reinbacher. Especially after getting fleeced on the Chychrun deal, the Coyotes need to hope that Reinbacher or Pelikka is available. Reinbacher is a heavy two-way defender, similar to Mackenzie Weegar. Pretty much can do it all and be a leader on the back end. Reinbacher does need to act more consistent physically, he often shies away from a hit. But whenever he does go for a hit, it tends to wear down the opposition. The Coyotes can be considered winners in the draft already after having an underwhelming one last season.
13	-	Andrew Cristall	Ovechkin and Backstrom are aging, the Capitals do have Miro but need a playmaker alongside him. The Capitals should be ecstatic to have Cristall fall in their lap. He falls solely due to teams addressing by need. Cristall is a bit on the small side at 5’10” but his skill make up for it. Pretty much a better version of Benson (I have him ranked higher), Cristall reminds me of Brayden Point in many ways. Insane 200-ft player, is a menace in the middle lane, undersized but has skill. Cristall is the definition of a full-time playmaker, but like Benson, he’s a dual-offensive threat with a booming shot. What needs improvement is the size like mentioned before, but this is a steal for the Capitals as Cristall is ranked 7th on my board. I think Miro will take at least 4 years to make the NHL, Cristall can earn a shot in 2 years.
14	-	Brayden Yager	Like Washington, the Penguins forward core except Guentzel is aging. Crosby and Malkin will be on the decline sooner rather than later, so taking a forward is key. I don’t expect Hextall to be GM if the Penguins miss the playoffs, so I think the safe pick will be made. Yager pretty much falls into the Penguins lap. Ranked 10th on my board, Yager is having a subpar season but has showed that he can be a reliable two-way forward at the NHL level. A lot of people classify Yager as a sniper, but you would be solely mistaken if his game is looked much more closely. He’s a two-way forward and while he does have an NHL-ready shot, Yager is smart defensively. Yager is a guy that can do it all, but the main downfall on his game is the skating, which is the main reason of him falling. Also considering Yager’s height, he is relatively skinny. It will take a few years, but by the time Crosby and Malkin finally retire, Yager will be NHL-ready and be the backbone of the Penguins organization.
15	-	Mikhail Gulyayev	Apart from wingers and goalies, the Predators pretty much need everything in their prospect pool. I think they will pick Gulyayev as they haven’t feared from taking Russians. Afanasyev has turned out to be a gem, the Predators have a Russian goalie in Askarov who is starting to come into his own, then in 2021 they draft Svechkov. I think Gulyayev is a great pickup, if he wasn’t Russian, he would be a top 10 pick. Cale Makar-type player, Gulyayev is the fastest skater in the draft in my opinion and is the definition of an offensive defenseman. Ranked 14th on my board, Gulyayev has a booming shot and an amazing first-pass. His first-step acceleration is really good. He just needs to improve his play inside the d-zone, without the puck Gulyayev is a liability. He also the most physical guy either, however the MHL is known for being a non-physical league. In shorter terms, Gulyayev just doesn’t use his body. Currently putting up a PPG, Gulyayev has amazing upside and is a hidden gem in this draft. Will be a blockbuster pick for the Predators within a few seasons.
16	-	Riley Heidt	There are guys ranked higher, but Heidt reminds me of Johnny Gaudreau in many ways. Speedy, small, but flashy playmaker with an elite 200-ft game. Heidt can make passes from anywhere and has a sniper’s shot. But does he have the defensive upside to succeed at the NHL level? I don’t think so, Heidt needs to improve his effort off the puck significantly. The fact that he’s on a crappy Prince George system doesn’t help either. But either way, this is a solid grab for the Flames.
17		Oliver Bonk	Montreal grabbed a forward in Dvorsky with their first pick, I see them going for defense with this pick. The Canadiens need a new face on the back end more than anything. Bonk won’t become the backbone, but he will provide some much-needed stability in the Canadiens top 4. This may be a reach for some people, and I get it, but Bonk is ranked 16th on my board, he’s one of my favorite defensemen in the draft. Reminds me of a righty Adam Pelech, solid defensive defenseman with size. He’s inconsistent offensively, but whenever it is there, Bonk looks like a top 10 player in the draft. He’s a cerebral puck carrier and has a booming shot from the point. Isn’t shy of pinching inside the o-zone either. But defensively he can do everything. He’s able to control the gaps extremely well, goes for a hit, and able to stick check without being overly undisciplined. It will take a few years, but it will be worth it. Bonk will help the Canadiens allow less goals with his high defensive upside.
18		Gabe Perreault	This isn’t the type of player that Yzerman would pick, but Perreault has fallen far enough. Ranked 14th on my board, the kid that I compare most to Nikita Kucherov falls into Detroit’s lap. I’ve seen a lot of mocks have Perreault fall solely based off size, but his overall skill makes me believe that the size isn’t an issue at all. Ideally its enough to succeed at the NHL level, if there was a flaw in Perreault’s game, it would be his defense. He often allows the opposition to get too many high-quality chances, sometimes resulting in goals. But offensively, he’s a very skilled playmaker. Also to keep in note, he has the best NHL bloodlines in the draft. Gabe is the younger brother of Jacob Perreault (a Ducks prospect) and the son of former NHLer Yanic Perreault. Yzerman and company should be ecstatic to have Perreault fall in their lap, fans would be through the roof.
19	-	Calum Ritchie	Based off my draft board, this is off-the-board, but as a Jets fan, I could see Chevy taking this route. Ritchie feels like a Jet, he plays a game that Bowness will love. Smart two-way forward, reminds me of Barrett Hayton in many ways. Able to stick check and be aggressive without taking many penalties. But offensively, Ritchie has all the tools to succeed, but he is selfish with the puck. Not so much a finisher, which is why Ritchie isn’t putting up many points this season. He has a booming shot which isn’t used often and simple playmaking. Also Ritchie is agile, but he doesn’t have much explosiveness in his game. But Chevy has shown that he doesn’t care about skating issues, so it shouldn’t be a big issue. Knowing the Jets crappy method of developing young talent, it will take long than projected for Ritchie to develop. I see it only taking 2 years to develop, one year in the CHL then another in the AHL. If Ritchie improves his offense, he can fit in the Jets top 6 really well.
20	-	Lukas Dragicevic	Seattle has done well drafting high quality forwards like Beniers, Wright, Robertson, and Firkus. But outside Evans and Nelson, the Kraken don’t have a guy that can be the backbone of their d-core in the near future. Dragicevic won’t become that, but he’s a guy that can fit in any top 4 unit. He’s a really good offensive defenseman, reminds me of Tony DeAngelo in many ways. Dragicevic doesn’t have the attitude problems that DeAngelo has, but he has a similar offensive toolkit. However, the defensive upside of Dragicevic is extremely low, if he was at least an above average defender, Dragicevic would be a top 10 pick. However, Seattle has shown that they are willing to be patient with developing prospects. But none of the less, Dragicevic will be a good pickup for Seattle.
21		Oliver Moore	The Predators addressed left defense, now they address their secondary need which is a playmaking center. Moore is that type of player, reminds of me of Dylan Larkin in many ways. Moore is a worse version of Smith, just a crafty playmaker, and he has the tools to succeed at the NHL level. Ranked 18th on my board, you could argue that Moore falls into Nashville’s lap. But there is one guy that is ranked higher than Moore that hasn’t been taken. But Moore will solidify the Predators weak center depth and be a solid linemate with Kemell.
22	-	Ryan Leonard	Leonard is the one guy that is ahead of Moore, ranked 17th on my board. He falls into Colorado’s lap here. The Avalanche are a deep team, so the proper route for them is take the BPA. Leonard is a really good goal-scoring winger that can fit inside the top 6 easily. Often keeps his passes simple by passing to the open guy. However, Leonard does struggle to stay out of the penalty box by taking dumb stick infractions. He also shies away from being physical. But it is perfect, Leonard can fill the second-line center role that the Avalanche are missing currently after losing Kadri. There’s also versality as Leonard can also play on the wing. Sam Bennett-type player, Leonard won’t be a bust and succeed in a top 6 role.
23		Colby Barlow	Chicago could go one of two ways with this pick: right-shot defenseman or left winger. With Barlow sitting on the board, the Blackhawks should not hesitate to steal him. Its surprising to see Barlow be drafted this late, but there are at least 70 guys that could be drafted here. This draft is giving me 2015 vibes, Barlow falls into Chicago’s lap. Lots of people label him as a sniper, but if you look more closely at his play style, you would be solely mistaken. He is a two-way forward by trade, with an NHL-ready shot and size. While Barlow’s offensive toolkit is advanced, he is really good at using his size defensively and killing penalties. However, he is inconsistent 5 on 5, sometimes the gaps aren’t controlled well and Barlow isn’t the most aggressive guy. But his play on the penalty kill is consistent. Imagine building your team around Carlsson and Barlow? That would be a home run. A line of Barlow, Carlsson, and Nazar is ridiculous to think about.
24	-	Samuel Honzek	The Wild are extremely solid defensively, but outside Kaprizov and Rossi, there aren’t many all-offensive players up front. Honzek is a prime example of that, reminds me of Mark Schiefele in many ways. Elite playmaker, but more so a dual-offensive threat with a booming shot. The Slovakian center hasn’t looked out of place in the CHL after transitioning from Slovakia. While the offensive skill is there, Honzek’s effort without the puck is really bad. He needs to understand how to position himself without the puck in a proper manner. But despite that flaw, Honzek can fit in the Wild’s middle 6 perfectly.
25		Jayden Perron	Before I said the Rangers needed a sniper, but I didn’t realize they already have one in Othmann. What they actually need is a playmaker to compliment him and just in case Lafreniere doesn’t pan out. Perron is the best playmaker available on my board. Some may say this is a reach, and I get it, but I see Perron as a Lane Hutson-type pick. Perron is extremely small, but there’s zero holes in his game outside that. If Perron was two or three inches bigger, mark my words, he would have been inside my top 3. Cam Aktinson-type player, Perron is a really good playmaker that will compliment the likes of Othmann. Together they will create a deadly duo for the Rangers.
26		Charlie Stramel	This may be a risk, but Columbus has shown that they are willing to take risks. Even with Bedard, I’m still not sold on their center depth. Stramel is a risk, but he’s bound to have a bounce-back season. Decent power forward who has the best frame in the draft, Stramel reminds me of Ryan Getzlaf in many ways. Sloppy skater, subpar defensively, but actually has smart playmaking instincts and a booming shot. Stramel was once a top 10 pick in the draft, but his horrible point totals alone have made him slip severely. Right now he looks like he will be a fringe NHLer, but there’s a high chance Stramel will bounce back. A year in the NCAA then a year in the CHL could increase the potential. If the potential gets back, Stramel will become a decent second line center.
27		Theo Lindstein	The Blues defense are either getting into their prime or aging. The smart move with the back-to-back picks is addressing defense on both sides. The first guy that the Blues should grab is Lindstein, who is a really good two-way defender. Mostly defensive-minded but has inconsistent offense. Lindstein is fast, and often able to use his size defensively, but he needs to improve his consistency offensively. Seth Jones-type player, if Lindstein gets his offense back on track, he can be a solid middle pairing guy for the Blues.
28		Maxim Strbak	This is considered off-the-board, but Strbak has NHL-ready size and reminds me of Colton Parayko in many ways. The Slovak native is a valuable two-way defender who smartly uses his size to create chances for his teammates. Despite the lack of production, Strbak hasn’t looked out of place in the USHL, but his offensive toolkit is above average. He has a booming shot from the point, smart passing ability. His main downfall is his puck control and skating. But a great partner for Lindstein in the near future.
29	-	Quentin Musty	I will keep this analysis short and sweet. Vegas is a deep team, so they should go BPA. That would be Musty, who ideally falls into the Golden Knights lap. Ranked 22nd on my board, Musty reminds of me of JT Miller in many ways. Musty doesn’t have JT Miller’s bad attitude, but he has no effort defensively but makes up for it with his prolific offensive game. Pretty much the definition of a prototypical power forward with NHL-ready size. Musty has a booming shot and smart passing on him. He also needs to work on staying out of the penalty box, sometimes Musty takes too many dumb infractions with the body.
30		Michael Hrabal	Along with size, Grier has addressed that he wants to address the goaltending position as the Sharks have had many years of average starters. And I agree with that statement, goaltenders are something that the Sharks desperately need. I’m not sold on Ben Gaudreau, especially after his abysmal WJC performance. At best Makinen can become a 1B. Hrabal on the other hand has potential to become an elite goal at the NHL level. Already has NHL-ready size and puck handling. Reminds me of Pekka Rinne in a lot of ways, good side-to-side movement, very athletic, and can move the puck out of danger. However, there are minor flaws that need fixing prior to Hrabal’s NHL debut, which is why it will take a couple of years for him to develop. Hrabal tends to be overaggressive against the puck carrier. He also doesn’t cover the post well, resulting in too many sharp angle goals for the opposition. But this is exactly what Grier is looking for, a goalie that can help San Jose long-term.
31	-	Gavin Brindley	Simple enough, Carolina is a team that should go BPA. They are a deep team, the BPA is Brindley. Undersized, but an elite playmaker that will compliment the likes of Jarvis or even Svechnikov. He will need time to work on his first-step acceleration as Brindley is often slow with the puck. But arguably Brindley falls into Carolina’s lap and goes to a team that hasn’t selected in the first round since 2020.
32		Koehn Ziemmer	Toronto is in win-now mode, so the best move is either take the most NHL-ready guy or go BPA. I don’t think Ziemmer falls below the first round, he’s a natural goal-scorer. Not the best defensively, but the Leafs have shown that they don’t care about defense. A solid middle 6 option for the Leafs going forward.

ROUND 2	TEAM	ORIGINAL	PLAYER	DETAILS

33	-	Ethan Gauthier
34	-	Gavin McCarthy
35	-	Kasper Halttunen
36	-	Luca Pinelli
37	-	Caden Price
38		Cameron Allen
39	-	Tomas Milic
40		Otto Stenberg
41		Daniil But
42	-	Dmitri Simashev
43	-	Bradly Nadeau
44		Pano Fimis
45	-	Danny Nelson
46	-
47	-
48	-
49
50	-
51
52	-
53
54
55	-
56	-
57	-
58	-
59
60
61
62	-
63	-
64