The first night of the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville is done, and I’ve got grades for every single pick. Who won the night? Who might’ve picked up a steal or two? Who surprised everyone? I’ve got the answers below.
- Chicago Blackhawks: Connor Bedard – A+
- I will refrain from using plus or minus grades, but this is an exception. Connor Bedard is the best NHL prospect since Connor McDavid, and maybe he’ll even upstage him too. It was impossible for Chicago to mess up this pick no matter how much it pains Predators fans. Get used to seeing a generational talent in the division for years to come.
- Anaheim Ducks: Leo Carlsson – B
- Our first surprise of the night. Carlsson is an excellent player, but I’m not sure I’d pass up taking Adam Fantilli. They could be nearly equivalent players for years to come, but I had the latter ranked higher.
- Columbus Blue Jackets: Adam Fantilli – A
- An absolute gift goes to the Blue Jackets. Fantilli was second on my final list and is one of the best college freshmen we’ve seen in a long time. It’s been said many times before, but he would be the first pick in any other class.
- San Jose Sharks: Will Smith – A
- Smith to San Jose is about what we expected. He’s my fifth-rated prospect and should be an excellent top-line center for the Sharks for years to come.
- Montreal Canadiens: David Reinbacher – B
- As we got closer to the draft, it seemed clear that if the Habs weren’t trading this pick or taking Matvei Michkov, they were going to pick Reinbacher. I ranked him 12th on my final list, but this could prove to be a very smart pick a decade from now. It will be a tight race to see who ends up being the best blueliner from this class.
- Arizona Coyotes: Dmitri Simashev – B
- I wouldn’t pass on Michkov here, but damn I love this swing. I ranked Simashev 16th, but it’s impossible not to be tempted by the size, hands, and skating. He’s Reinbacher’s best competition to be the best defender from this class in five or so years.
- Philadelphia Flyers: Matvei Michkov – A
- My third-ranked prospect, the Flyers swiped Michkov away just before the Capitals had their chance. If all goes right, he and Bedard will be this generation’s Ovechkin and Crosby. I’m not as concerned about the contract as others are, and he will be a blast to watch in the NHL.
- Washington Capitals: Ryan Leonard – A
- Ryan Leonard plays the exact kind of power forward any team wants in this day and age. He’s quick, powerful, battles against any opponent, and scores highlight-reel goals. He could score 40 in the NHL one day.
- Detroit Red Wings: Nate Danielson – D
- Our first truly major reach of the first round in my opinion. Danielson will be a perfectively effective NHL player one day, but I think the Red Wings left a ton of talent on the board here as evidenced by my 20th-overall ranking for the Brandon Wheat Kings center.
- St. Louis Blues: Dalibor Dvorský – A
- Ranked eighth on my list, I love the detail Dvorský plays with. I think he’s so much more creative than folks give him credit for, and he should be a productive top-six playmaker in the NHL.
- Vancouver Canucks: Tom Willander – B
- I probably didn’t do Tom Willander enough justice with my final ranking; he came in at 22nd. I appreciate this pick but don’t love it. I’m excited to see how his game translates to the NCAA, but I think the Canucks could’ve grabbed one of a couple of higher-ceiling players still on the board here.
- Arizona Coyotes (via OTT): Daniil But – C
- The Coyotes snagged both Yaroslavl guys in round one. I ranked But 28th overall, so I consider this a bit of a reach. But Arizona should be generally pleased with two extremely tall, well-skating Russians headed to the desert.
- Buffalo Sabres: Zach Benson – A
- Benson is small and fun as hell. The skating needs a bit of work, but despite that, this kid covers so much ice so quickly. Him and Matthew Savoie playing together for the Sabres should be a deluge of skill.
- Pittsburgh Penguins: Brayden Yager – B
- I had Yager ranked 15th overall, so this is about where I would’ve taken him. He’s a future top-six center with really good feet. Not the flashiest player available, but I’m generally fine with this pick.
- Nashville Predators: Matthew Wood – A
- I’m upset that David Poile and Barry Trotz passed on Oliver Moore, especially if Trotz wants to get faster. But, Wood is one of the best scorers in this class, and if it weren’t for Adam Fantilli, he would be the talk of this year’s NCAA freshmen class. Nashville will need to work a lot on his skating, but if they can refine that… watch out.
- Calgary Flames: Samuel Honzek – C
- I’m a huge believer in Honzek as the next-best power forward behind Ryan Leonard, but 16 overall is a big reach. I feel they could’ve traded back to the 20s and still snagged him. Also, the Moore slander needs to stop.
- Detroit Red Wings (via NYI): Axel Sandin Pellikka – A
- Sandin Pellikka, otherwise known as ASP, was my top-rated defender in this class. His offensive instincts are special, and his positioning and four-way agility allows him to stand out despite his lack of size. The Red Wings’ blue line of the future looks terrifying.
- Winnipeg Jets: Colby Barlow – A
- Barlow is a pure goal-scorer with an incredible release. His shot is forceful and accurate, but he has a deceptive quality to his sniping as well. He can also score in a bunch of other ways. Like wood, Winnipeg will need to work on the skating, but this is a great pick.
- Chicago Blackhawks (via TBL): Oliver Moore – A
- Nashville let him slip, AND Chicago took him; I’m furious. Moore is a phenomenal skater, and I think his off-the-puck intelligence is better than what many NHL scouts think. What a homerun first round for the Blackhawks.
- Seattle Kraken: Eduard Šalé – A
- Šalé definitely has big bust potential; his game left much to be desired at times this year. But like Barlow, he loves to score goals, and I would’ve taken him as high as 13th overall.
- Minnesota Wild: Charlie Stramel – F
- I’m very much not surprised Stramel was a first-round pick with his size, translatable skills, and pedigree in international hockey. But wow, the Wild left a ton of skill on the board. I ranked Stramel 60th on my final list.
- Philadelphia Flyers (via LAK): Oliver Bonk – C
- I should probably give this pick a lower grade, but Bonk really impressed me as the year went on. With Michkov already selected, the Flyers could afford to take a bit of a swing here. I had Bonk ranked 37th, but I generally enjoy his game.
- New York Rangers: Gabe Perreault – A
- You don’t shatter records previously held by Auston Matthews and Cole Caufield by accident, and that’s just what Perreault did. I have significant concerns about his skating and reliance on linemates, but the Rangers may have hit this one out of the park.
- Nashville Predators (via EDM): Tanner Molendyk – B
- The more I watch Molendyk, the more I appreciate his game. He reminds me of Spencer Stastney in many ways, especially their flawless skating mechanics. I think some refinements are in order for his rush defense, but more importantly, I’m not sure I’m sold on his scoring impact at the next level. But we shall see.
- St. Louis Blues (via TOR): Otto Stenberg – B
- Stenberg was my 27th-ranked prospect. I love his confidence with the puck and how he attacks the offensive zone. His shooting talent is impressive too. There were a handful of guys still on the board here that I would’ve taken instead, but this is a solid pick.
- San Jose Sharks (via NJD): Quentin Musty – A
- Musty has a lot of desirable skills: great shooting ability, a desire to cut to high-danger areas, a heavy forechecker, etc. I have some concerns about his shift-to-shift consistency, but he was my 26th-ranked prospect.
- Colorado Avalanche: Calum Ritchie – A
- Ritchie has above-average hands and can dazzle and confuse opponents all the way up the ice. He needs to work on coordinating his hands and feet, but I really appreciate his distribution skills.
- Toronto Maple Leafs (via BOS): Easton Cowan – F
- I’m generally a fan of Cowan’s game, and I’m unsurprised there’s a team betting big on the London Knights’ development path. But Cowan was a second or third-round guy to me, so this has me scratching my head a bit.
- St. Louis Blues (via DAL): Theo Lindstein – B
- I’m a big believer in Lindstein even if I had him ranked 43rd. With this being their third pick of the night, I’m fine with the Blues reaching a bit for a big defender with a translatable skillset.
- Carolina Hurricanes: Bradly Nadeau – C
- Nadeau is looking to break a trend of overhyped BCHL prospects, and if you watch this kid score goals, you’d probably guess he will. Still, I wouldn’t have taken him until around ten picks later.
- Colorado Avalanche (via FLA): Mikhail Gulyayev – A
- A great pick by the Avs… Gulyayev was my 24th-ranked prospect. His puck skills are impressive, and I really like his change-of-direction speed. At his best, he’s a treat to watch, but I’m curious to see how his defensive skills adjust at higher levels.
- Vegas Golden Knights: David Edstrom – F
- Edstrom is a perfectly fine player that combines good size with alright skating. So much of what he does is fine but not spectacular. He was a clear day-two player for me.
