2023 NHL Mock Draft: Fourth Edition

 Here is the fourth 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- Matevi Michkov, Wing, St. Petersburg (Russia): The Canadiens add to their collection of young forwards here with Michkov. 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.

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- Ryan Leonard, Wing, USA-U18 (NTDP): The Flyers are a team that is in dire need of younger talent. 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.

8. Washington Capitals- Dalibor Dvorsky, Center, Aik (Sweden): The Capitals can realistically go anywhere with this selection. 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. 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. 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)- 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.

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. He 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- 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.

16. Calgary Flames- Colby Barlow, Wing, Owen (OHL): The Flames are a team that aren't too far away from being a contender in the west again. Barlow is somebody that is a terrific scorer with a good shot and is a good defender too.

17. Detroit Red Wings (from New York Islanders via Vancouver Canucks)- Daniil But, Wing, Loko Yaroslavl (OHL): With their second first rounder, the Red Wings 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.

18. Winnipeg Jets- Oliver Moore, Center/Wing, USA-U18 (NTDP): The Jets get a possible steal with yet another NTDP player off the board in Moore. His speed is blazing and is a versatile player that would be an ideal pick for the Jets.

19. Chicago Blackhawks (from Tampa Bay Lightning)- Brayden Yager, Center, Moose Jaw (WHL): The Blackhawks double down and take another talented center in Yager. He is someone that could slip out of the first round due to his height and lack of scoring sans having a quick shot.

20. Seattle Kraken- Axel Sandin-Pellika, Defenseman, Skelleftea Jr (Sweden): This would be a solid pick for the Kraken as they need young defenseman. Sandin-Pellika is a good puck handler and could guide an offense.

21. Minnesota Wild- David Edstrom, Center, Frolund Jr (Sweden Jr): This would be a good pick for the Wild who need center depth in their system and have cap issues long term. Edstrom is a good two-way player that can skate and has good size.

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- Calum Ritchie, Center/Wing, Oshawa (OHL): The Rangers 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.

24. Nashville Predators (from Edmonton Oilers)- Andrew Cristall, Wing, Kelowna (WHL): With their second first rounder, the Predators go with another forward. Cristall is an offensive machine and has great vision and ability.

25. St. Louis Blues (from Toronto Maple Leafs)- Otto Stenberg, Center/Wing, Frolunda HC (SHL): With their second first rounder, the Blues get the versatile forward in Stenberg. He a strong player and has a good wrist shot.

26. San Jose Sharks (from New Jersey Devils)- Michael Hrabal, Goaltender, Omaha (USHL): With their second first rounder, the Sharks take the first goalie off the board. The Sharks do need a long term answer in net and Hrabal showed that potential in the past.

27. Colorado Avalanche- Tanner Molendyk, Defenseman, Saskatoon (WHL): The Avalanche need some youth in their system and here I have them snagging the d-man in Molendyk. He is a high end skater and competes hard.

28. Toronto Maple Leafs (from Boston Bruins via Washington Capitals)- Eduard Sale, Wing, Brno (Czechia): With their lone first rounder which they got in a deal last trade deadline, the Maple Leafs go with the forward. Sale is somebody that many feel he is a polarizing player and has great hands.

29. St. Louis Blues (from Dallas Stars via New York Rangers)- Gavin Brindley, Center/Wing, Michigan (NCAA): The Blues with their third first rounder here go with the talented forward here in Brindley. He is a versatile player that has speed and a good scoring touch.

30. Carolina Hurricanes- Quentin Mutsy, Wing, Sudbury (OHL): The Hurricanes are a team that is a complete unknown come the offseason. Mutsy is unafraid to throw his body around and is great in front of the net and he can beat defenders well too.

31. Montreal Canadiens (from Florida Panthers)- Etienne Morin, Defenseman, Moncton (QMJHL): With their second first rounder, the Habs go defense here with Morin. He is a good puck moving defenseman and excels in transition.

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.