As the dust settles in Nashville, let’s take a look at everything we just witnessed. Some teams stockpiled future stars while others made moves to make a run to the Stanley Cup playoffs next season.
However, the main focus of the evening is the draft itself. And with the first round out of the way, how did each team fare? Let’s take a deep dive into the first round and break down spot scores for the 2023 NHL Draft.
1) Chicago Blackhawks: Conor Bedard, C, Regina Bats (WHL)
The Chicago Blackhawks confirmed the worst in the world of hockey. Bedard is a generational talent that will change the course of the Blackhawks for years to come. And he’ll likely line up with former Taylor Hall first overall pick, too. Chicago made the obvious choice here.
Grade: A+
2) Anaheim Ducks: Leo Carlsson, C, Örebro (SHL)
The Ducks are already going the Swedish well in the NHL Draft. Carlson is a dynamic player who brings legitimate high center potential to the Anaheim organization. Adam Fantilli has been the pick in several NHL Mock Drafts, and time will tell if it was the right decision. But for now, this is a great choice.
Grade: A+
The Blue Jackets benefit greatly from taking Carlson’s ducks. The Michigan forward was widely considered the second best player in the category. He plays a full game at 200 feet and has the potential to be a true center of excellence in the NHL. Columbus is sure to come out as an early winner in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Grade: A+
The Sharks make four straight spots with their pick of Will Smith. Smith starred in the US National Team Development Program and established himself as another elite talent in this category. San Jose could have gone in different directions in the NHL Draft. But they took the best player on the board here.
Grade: A+
5) Montreal Canadiens: David Reinbacher, D, Kloten (NLA)
The Canadians decide against Matvey Michkov or Ryan Leonard. Instead, they grabbed the best defenseman in this draft in David Reinbacher. While I think Leonard might have been a better way to go, this is still a great choice. Reinbacher has stellar potential written all over it.
Grade: A-
6) Arizona wolf: Dmitry Semashev, D, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)
The first huge upset of the NHL draft, and to some extent, it makes sense. Arizona needs depth at their blue line, and Simashev is a good defensive prospect. Still, it feels a bit farfetched, especially given the names on the board. An interesting choice to say the least.
Grade B-
7) Philadelphia Flyers: Matvei Michkov, W, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)
Many around the league have wondered where Matvey Michkov will end up in the 2023 NHL Draft. On the talent level, he’s a legitimate contender for first overall pick Conor Bedard, however, his contract status with the KHL has turned some teams away. Regardless, this is a home pick for Daniel Briere.
Grade: A+
8) Washington Capitals: Ryan Leonard, W, USNTDP
Ryan Leonard is an incredibly skilled player who is fearless on the ice. There is some Tom Wilson sentiment in his game, so the fit here makes a lot of sense. Leonard was the best player left on the board. There is no Matvei Michkov-Alex Ovechkin union, but this is a great choice regardless.
Grade: A+
9) Detroit Red Wings: Nate Danielson, C, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
The Red Wings could have gone with a defenseman here, however, this is an absolute home run. Danielson is one of my favorite players in this class. He is a reliable player in any situation and Detroit now has an impressive selection of positions for the future. A great choice by Steve Yzerman.
Grade: A+
10 pcs. Louis Blues: Dalibor Dvorsky, C, AIK (HockeyAllsvenskan)
The St. Louis Blues needed depth in the center position. Fortunately for them, they didn’t need to reach out to anyone. Dvorsky has been talked about as a suitable fit for the Arizona Coyotes with the sixth pick. He fell into the lap of the Blues to fall out of the top 10, which is a big deal for St. Louis.
Grade: A+
11) Vancouver Canucks: Tom Willander, D, Rogle BK (SHL)
The Canucks decide against American center Oliver Moore. Instead, they took third man defense off the board in Rogle BK star Tom Wilander. He’s been late getting up in this draft, and some are wondering what his cap really is. However, the Canucks’ compatibility is great, and he instantly becomes their top prospect.
Grade: A
12) Arizona Coyotes (via Senators): Daniel Butt, W, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)
Daniel But is a very promising prospect and it’s easy to see why Wolves love him as a player. However, his on-ice contrasts make this a very high pick. Arizona took a swing at two prospects from Lokomotiv, and it will be interesting to see how that gamble pays off.
b grade
13) Buffalo Sabers: Zack Benson, W, Winnipeg Ice (WHL)
The Sabers were picking on the trash the way the board went down here. And they have had absolute success at home with this pick. Benson is a top 10 talent in this draft in some prospects rankings. He’s another one of those players who would have stepped up any other year. Swords continues to stock amazing young talent.
Grade: A+
14) Pittsburgh Penguins: Brayden Yager, C, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
Yager is an interesting player, and that’s not necessarily all the way up at this point in the NHL Draft. However, penguins can use depth along the wings. While Yager could make the switch, there were natural wingers on the board with higher ceilings. However, the Penguins got a good player.
b grade
15) Nashville Predators: Matthew Wood, W, UConn (NCAA)
The Predators took to the stage in front of a raucous Smashville fan building. And they chose an interesting prospect with this choice. Wood is a very talented player, but some have concerns about his competitive form. If Nashville can project a competitive edge, there’s a lot to like. Let’s see how Barry Trotz approaches his evolution.
Grade: B+
16) Calgary Flames: Samuel Hunzik, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
Honzik is a great offensive player and he combines that with his size. Some are divided on dropping him at the NHL level. However, the Slovak producer could play the top six in the right situation. He can also play quarterback as well, giving the Flames options.
Grade: A
17) Detroit Red Wings (via Canucks/Islanders): Axel Sandin Pellikka, D, Skelleftea (SHL)
The Red Wings finally come out with the right defender they’ve been craving. Many consider Sandin Pellikka to be the best blueliner in the 2023 NHL Draft. I’m not one of them, but Sandin Pellikka is still a great player with legitimate potential among the top four.
Grade: A
18) Winnipeg Jets: Colby Barlow, W, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
Barlow is an incredible offensive player and leader on the ice. He was the attacking leader during his playing days. Some of it is split on its roof, but there’s a lot to like here. Barlow could form a dynamic wing-centre with Kyle Connor and Nikolai Eilers.
Grade: A
19) Chicago Blackhawks (via Lightning): Oliver Moore, C, USNTDP
Oliver Moore is one of the fastest skaters in this category. You can never have too many centers, and they took a straight grand slam by taking one more. He uses his dynamic pace to create dangerous scoring opportunities for his team. He is excellent at moving. The Blackhawks come up with two possible top six spots for their future.
Grade: A+
20) Seattle Kraken: Edward Sale, W, Brno (Czech Extraliga)
There’s a lot to like about Sale. He brings legitimate potential as a top-nine winger. However, some are unsure of his prospects at the NHL level. And the Czech customer may lack competitive advantage sometimes. If Seattle can make a competitive edge out of it, it’s a great pick.
Grade: B+
21) Minnesota Wild: Charlie Strammel, Wisconsin (NCAA)
Stramel entered the 2023 NHL Draft season as a top 10 prospect for many people. However, his stock went down after a bit of a rough season with the Badgers. There’s a lot to like here, but there have been other centers on the board that have a higher cap. We’ll see if the Wild can bring out the prospects they saw before this season.
Grade B-
22) Philadelphia Flyers (via Kings): Oliver Bonk, DE, London Knights (OHL)
Bonk is the son of former NHL center Radek Bonk, so the game runs in his family. He is more offensively defensive, but defends himself more defensively. He could definitely become a real two-way defensive lineman in the NHL. The Flyers had an excellent first run.
Grade: A
23) New York Rangers: Gabe Perrault, W, USNTDP
The Rangers had an amazing talent that fell into his lap. Perreault is one of the smartest players in this draft. There are some concerns about his skating, but Boston College’s commitment has a lot of potential. A great addition to the Rangers in the NHL draft.
Grade: A+
24) Nashville Predators (via Oilers): Tanner Molendyk, DE, Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
Molendyk is one of the more mobile defensemen in this class. He doesn’t exactly have high potential, but there is definitely a future for him in the NHL’s second pairing. Barry Trotz wanted a scout swing in the 2023 NHL Draft, and they did just that on Wednesday.
Grade: B+
25) St. Louis Blues (via Maple Leafs): Otto Steinberg, C, Frolunda (SHL)
Stenberg had an interesting projection project. Many thought he could rise a little higher than this, while some thought he would be knocked out in the first round altogether. He is a versatile scorer who plays a two-way match. Stenberg can move to the wing, but he’s a solid player wherever he is.
Grade: B+
26) San Jose Sharks (via Devils): Quentin Muste, W, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
Some think there is a chance for Musty to go into the top 15. He falls into the hands of the sharks here who have no problems taking him. Musti has played very well after the coaching change this season. There could be top six potential here, but he could also thrive in the middle six.
Grade: A-
27) Colorado Avalanche: Callum Ritchie, C, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
The Avalanche made their first two picks in the 2023 NHL Draft. Ritchie is a solid center prospect who could have been up as well. I think he has a higher ceiling than Stramel, who went Wild earlier. Colorado does well to add center depth here.
Grade: A-
28) Toronto Maple Leafs (via Capitals/Bruins): Easton Cowan, W, London Knights (OHL)
The Maple Leafs begin the Brad Treliving era by stepping off the plate. Kwan had a strong second half of the season with the OHL’s London Knights. This obviously skyrocketed his stock. However, there were players with a higher cap on the board here. It’s an interesting move by Treliving to begin his tenure in Toronto.
Grade: C+
29) St. Louis Blues (via Stars/Rangers): Theo Lindstein, D, Brynas (HockeyAllsvenskan)
Lindstein is another player who has a split draft pick. The Blues took a step forward with their first pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. Here, they add a strong blueliner that won’t score many points. Lindstein is defense first, and he’s very good at it. He has a future as a two-man defenseman in the NHL.
Grade: B+
30) Carolina Hurricanes: Bradley Nadeau, Penticton Ves (BCHL)
Nadou is one of my favorite players in this season. He is an incredibly dynamic attacking player. His shot is truly NHL caliber. The issue is that it is mostly offense and very little defense. If Carolina can improve his defensive technique, it’s a Grand Slam.
Grade: A+
31) Colorado Avalanche (via Canadiens/Panthers): Mikhail Gulyaev, D, Avangard Omsk (KHL)
Guliaev has a lot of Adam Fox in his game. If he turned into a half-player Fox, Avalanche would be fearsome in the future. He certainly could have gone to a higher level than this. Colorado holds an impressive prospect.
Grade: A+
32) Vegas Golden Knights: David Edstrom, C, Frolunda (SHL)
The Golden Knights concluded a quiet night by adding their center depth. Edstrom has been in the conversation about possibly making it to the top 15. He’s a solid two-way player and an incredible passer. He also has a promising shot. The Golden Knights could take their time fetching Edstrom.
Grade: A-