2023 NHL Mock Draft: Fifth Edition

 Here is the fifth edition of my 2023 NHL Mock Draft.

1. Chicago Blackhawks- Connor Bedard, Center, Regina (WHL): It is a no brainer who the Blackhawks will take first overall. Bedard is the best prospect since Connor McDavid and will be a franchise building block in Chicago for years to come with his ability to rake up points and will bring much needed hope to the franchise.

2. Anaheim Dicks- Adam Fantilli, Center, Michigan (NCAA): It felt like a no brainer that Fantilli will be the choice here for the Ducks, but some may feel different after the World Championships and with rumors he might got back to school for his sophomore year.  Fantilli would fit very nicely with the young talent the Ducks have.

3. Columbus Blue Jackets- Leo Carlsson, Center/Wing, Orebro (Sweden): The Jackets have some options here, but the feeling is that they'll go with the versatile player here in Carlsson here. He is big and has good skill down low and gets through traffic well with his speed.

4. San Jose Sharks- Will Smith, Center, USA-U18 (NTDP): The Sharks have some options here and personally should go with best player available. Smith has the potential to be a top line center with his play making ability, which the Sharks have lacked over the past several years.

5. Montreal Canadiens- Ryan Leonard, Wing, USA-U18 (NTDP): Leonard is rising after as the draft approaches this week and he would be an interesting addition to the Habs young forward group. Leonard comes from a loaded team and he is a good scorer and is a character guy, which everyone love to have on their team.

6. Arizona Coyotes- David Reinbacher, Defenseman, EHC Kloten: The Coyotes have to be in the take the best guy available strategy here and they get Michkov, who fits that bill here. Reinbacher has the offensive upside, size, and mobility as he's the most league ready D-man in the draft.

7. Philadelphia Flyers- Matevi Michkov, Wing, St. Petersburg (Russia): Michov falling to the Flyers here at seven would be a steal for a Flyers team that is in dire need of youth in their system. In any other season, he could have been the top pick in the draft and if not for a long contract in Russia, he could have gone higher than this.

8. Washington Capitals- Dalibor Dvorsky, Center, Aik (Sweden): The Capitals can realistically go anywhere with this selection, but they should go with the best player available. Dvorsky has the ability to be a plug and play player and has a good hockey IQ.

9. Detroit Red Wings- Zach Benson, Wing, Winnipeg (WHL): Benson is somebody who's draft stock is rising to the point that people had Benson mocked to the Red Wings with their second first rounder. Benson has excellent skill, IQ, and the motor to be successful.

10. St. Louis Blues- Tom Willander, Defenseman, Rogle Jr. (Sweden Jr): The Blues with their first pick of the round land a solid, fast rising D-man in Willander and it would make sense here with Torey Krug suddenly in trade rumors. He is a solid two way guy that is very mobile and has the pedigree many teams like.

11. Vancouver Canucks- Nate Danielson, Center, Brandon (WHL): The Canucks get a center prospect here in Danielson, which they can use after trading away Bo Horvat. Danielson has a great tools-kit, is a character guy that teams love, and has great all around play.

12. Arizona Coyotes (from Ottawa Senators)- Oliver Moore, Center/Wing, USA-U18 (NTDP): With their second first rounder, the Coyotes take the fast rising forward in Moore. His speed is blazing and is a versatile player that would be an ideal pick for the Coyotes with Clayton Keller in trade rumors.

13. Buffalo Sabres- Dmitriy Simashev, Defenseman, Yaroslavl Jr (Russia-Jr): The Sabres here grab a solid D-man in Simashev to add to their collection of defense prospects. Simashev has the ability to be a great defenseman with some offensive game too.

14. Pittsburgh Penguins- Matthew Wood, Wing, UConn (NCAA): This would be a good pick for the Pens as they are a team that needs some youth in their system. Wood is a power forward type of player with a ton of high end skill.

15. Nashville Predators- Quentin Mutsy, Wing, Sudbury (OHL): With their first of two first round picks, the Predators take a super fast rising prospect in Mutsy. He is unafraid to throw his body around and is great in front of the net and he can beat defenders well too.

16. Calgary Flames- Samuel Honzek, Wing, Vancouver (WHL): Honzek is somebody who's draft stock was dropping a few weeks ago. Honzek has a lot of upside and is super physical and moves well and could get to the net as teams think he can convert to center.

17. Detroit Red Wings (from New York Islanders via Vancouver Canucks)- Axel Sandin-Pellika, Defenseman, Skelleftea Jr (Sweden): This would be a solid pick for the Red Wings as they can use some young defenseman. Sandin-Pellika is a good puck handler and could guide an offense.

18. Winnipeg Jets- Brayden Yager, Center, Moose Jaw (WHL): The Jets are a real "blow it up" candidate this offseason so best player available should be the way this team goes in the draft. Yager is someone that could slip out of the first round due to his height and lack of scoring sans having a quick shot.

19. Chicago Blackhawks (from Tampa Bay Lightning)- Gabriel Perrault, Wing, USA-U18 (NTDP): Here's another NTDP player off the board in Perrault. He played on the top line on the loaded NTDP team and has a good shot, a solid puck handler, and a good passer.

20. Seattle Kraken- Colby Barlow, Wing, Owen (OHL): The Kraken are a team that aren't too far away from being a contender in the west after the season they had. Barlow is somebody that is a terrific scorer with a good shot and is a good defender too.

21. Minnesota Wild- Calum Ritchie, Center/Wing, Oshawa (OHL): The Wild can use some center depth in their system and here they land Ritchie. He is a good all around player that can score and pass and is reliable in all three zones.

22. Philadelphia Flyers (from Los Angeles Kings via Columbus Blue Jackets)- Oliver Bonk, Defenseman, London (OHL): With their second first round pick, the Flyers go defense here with Bonk. He is a big mobile puck mover and would fit with the Flyers.

23. New York Rangers- David Edstrom, Center, Frolund Jr (Sweden Jr): This would be a good pick for the Rangers who need center depth in their system. Edstrom is a good two-way player that can skate and has good size.

24. Nashville Predators (from Edmonton Oilers)- Otto Stenberg, Center/Wing, Frolunda HC (SHL): With their second first rounder, the Oilers get the versatile forward in Stenberg. He a strong player and has a good wrist shot.

25. St. Louis Blues (from Toronto Maple Leafs)- Eduard Sale, Wing, Brno (Czechia): With their second first rounder, the Blues get the forward in Sale. He is somebody that many feel he is a polarizing player and has great hands.

26. San Jose Sharks (from New Jersey Devils)- Daniil But, Wing, Loko Yaroslavl (OHL): With their second first rounder, the Sharks take the rising forward in But. He has a great shot and is a force on the boards and down low, but he is not the best skater.

27. Colorado Avalanche- Gavin Brindley, Center/Wing, Michigan (NCAA): The Avalanche can use some youth in their system and here I have them taking the talented forward in Brindley. He is a versatile player that has speed and a good scoring touch.

28. Toronto Maple Leafs (from Boston Bruins via Washington Capitals)- Mikhail Gulyayev, Defenseman, Omsk Jr (Russia): The Maple Leafs have options here and here I have them grabbing the D-man. Gulyayev excels on offense and is a good skater.

29. St. Louis Blues (from Dallas Stars via New York Rangers)- Andrew Cristall, Wing, Kelowna (WHL): With their second first rounder, the Blackhawks go with another forward. Cristall is an offensive machine and has great vision and ability.

30. Carolina Hurricanes- Bradly Nadeau, Wing, Penticton (BCHL): The Hurricanes take a super fast rising prospect here in Nadeau with their lone first rounder. Nadeau ripped up the BCHL with points and if he can do it against better competition, the Canes have yet another hit.

31. Montreal Canadiens (from Florida Panthers)- Ethan Gauthier, Wing, Sherbrooke (QMJHL): With their second first roudner, I have the Canadiens going with Gauthier. He is someone that established himself as a goal scorer and his power forward status fits himself well.

32. Vegas Golden Knights- Danny Nelson, Center, USA U-18 (NDTP): The Golden Knights take a safe bet prospect here with Nelson. He is very athletic and has good physical tools and is good in the face-off department and has good size.