2023 VHL Mock Draft - Part 1
Jun 19, 2023 15:42:15 GMT -5
Philadelphia Flyers, Buffalo Sabres, and 11 more like this
Post by Florida Panthers on Jun 19, 2023 15:42:15 GMT -5
The much anticipated VHL Mock Draft is finally here! Put together by myself and @brad we tried our best to project who will be picked by each team and why. This draft is so damn deep that it can go any number of ways starting with pick 2 so don't be shocked if we don't get a single pick right other than 1st overall!
Let's not waste any time and get "The Connor Bedard Draft" underway!
1. Calgary Flames - Connor Bedard
An absolute no brainer. Bedard is the most hyped prospect since Connor McDavid and no one in this draft class is on his level. Bedard already has an elite NHL level shot, insanely high hockey IQ, incredible stick handling and playmaking, and can play physical when he needs to.
2. Chicago Blackhawks - Adam Fantilli
While there has been some debate around who is really the 2nd best prospect in the draft - with various scouts pushing for Matvei Michkov, and a smaller number pushing for Leo Carlsson - Fantilli is the pick here. As GM Sully looks to put his stamp on the Blackhawks, he opts for the prototypical franchise NHL centre, who really shows no weaknesses. Fantilli is a physical specimen, and will be a treat to watch in Chicago.
3. Vancouver Canucks - Matvei Michkov
This is where it gets tricky, Vancouver can go either Carlsson, Michkov, or there's an outside chance he goes with Smith. In the end Monty takes a MASSIVE swing for the fences. The only prospect in the draft that can rival Bedards talent is Matvei Michkov. That talent however, comes with great risk and many unknowns. Does he become the next Nikita Kucherov or Kirill Kaprizov? Or does he stay in Russia for his entire career?!
4. Los Angeles Kings - Leo Carlsson
The Michkov pick at 3 makes Chris's pick at 4 a little bit easier. But it's not a slam dunk. Leo Carlsson and Will Smith are both consensus candidates for the fourth pick, and it really comes down to a stylistic preference. Does Chris prefer the rangy, two-way stud in Carlsson who may lack the foot speed to stick at centre? Or the agile, dynamic scorer in Smith who may lack the size to defend effectively. Or does he go off the board and opt for a defenseman? Our pick here is Carlsson, but the options are there and this could be a key pivot point in the draft.
5. Philadelphia Flyers - Will Smith
This is where the draft can open up, there are plenty of options available for Wolf at 5 and Will Smith has the highest upside of all. A playmaking centre with incredible stick handling and vision, Smith can leave you with your jaw on the floor some nights....other nights he can be invisible and a defensive liability, if he puts it all together he can become a #1 centre. The real question here is, does this pick get traded for someone more NHL ready? Smith is at minimum 4 years away from being a impact player in the sim.
6. Edmonton Oilers - David Reinbacher
It’s rare to see a draft without a defenseman taken in the 5, but it feels like a no brainer this year. But the run on forwards doesn’t last much longer. Is Reinbacher, Edmonton gets a safe pick with pro experience, an NHL frame, and high end athletic tools. He may not have the upside of the top wingers available, but he’s going to impact an NHL team very quickly.
7. Nashville Predators - Zach Benson
Nashville continues to add to their wealthy pool of young players and prospects by grabbing the #2 WHL player behind Bedard. Benson is an elite playmaker that already possesses a strong two way game. In a different draft this guy might go top 3. Do the Preds opt to trade this pick to help their team out now though? They look ready to take that next step.
8. Florida Panthers via San Jose Sharks - Tom Willander
Projecting who Florida will pick a 8 becomes ever more difficult when you factor in that it may not even be Florida making the pick. Rumours are rampant that Florida is looking at a big trade to bring in a top centre, so who would a mystery team acquiring #8 be after? Our money is on a later riser in Tom Willander, as teams prioritize defensemen in building out competitive roster. Willander's size, skating, and poise make him a great fit as a projectable shut down defenseman.
9. @hurricanesgm - Dalibor Dvorsky
The now vacant Carolina Hurricanes which may be league controlled at the time of the draft will simply go with the best player available to them. They’ve been a little mis managed these past few years and need high end talent. Dvorsky is just that, he excels at two-way play and is very skilled. If he can find some consistency to his game he will very likely become a long term top 6 C for many years to come.
10. @colorado - Ryan Leonard
The Avs are sprinting to the podium with this player still available at 10. Don’t be surprised if we see him go in the 5-7 range in the NHL Draft. How will his competitiveness and high motor translate to the sim? Only time will tell.
11. Tampa Bay Lightning via Bryan Hull - Axel Sandin-Pellikka
It wouldn’t be a VHL draft without Tony selecting a smaller PMD. Sandin-Pellikka has everything you want in a defence man, vision, passing, puck skills, good stick on puck defending, he just lacks a bit of size and muscle.
12. Colorado Avalanche via Ottawa Senators - Nate Danielson
Dallas is a team squarely in contending mode, so they're going to target someone that can help quickly. He may not be Finnish, but Danielson's work ethic and defensive responsibility could have fooled me. He could be ready to contribute as a middle six centre within a couple years, and the has the offensive upside to grow from there.
13. Boston Bruins - Oliver Moore
Oliver Moore might be the best skater in this draft class. Not only that but he may be one of the best two-way forwards and hardest workers as well. He may not have the flash or skill that others around him possess but he has a pretty high floor and is a safe bet to make the NHL sooner rather than later.
14. @garyg - Colby Barlow
As we get deeper into the draft, the lists of potential players to take in a given range gets longer. But Barlow is a player that stands out from the pack with his competitiveness, physicality, and finishing talent. The Wings are getting a playoff-style NHL player here, even if it's not at a premium position.
15. Chicago Blackhawks via Washington Capitals - Eduard Sale
After selecting Adam Fantilli with their 1st pick, Chicago takes a bit of a swing here. Sale is a very raw prospect, he has many tools and great offensive skill but can he put it all together? Chicago bets yes and takes a player who could potentially be a game breaking talent down the road. Don't be surprised if Sale ends up going top 10, he has that kind of upside.
16. Vancouver Canucks via Chris Groenink - Gabriel Perreault
Teams will be careful drafting the top line of the US NTDP. Once upon a time, a line of Jack Eichel, Alex Tuch, and Sonny Milano broke NTDP scoring records en route to being selected in the first round. Over time, Milano was proven to be the third wheel that benefited from playing with two elite junior players. Is Perreault that guy on the 2023 version of the American's top line? Or is he the creative, play-driving engine that's driving the bus, and bound to do the same for an NHL line in the future? Vancouver is willing to that risk, and they inherent some serious upside with it.
And with that we are done the first half of our mock draft! Keep your eyes peeled for part 2 coming soon!
Let's not waste any time and get "The Connor Bedard Draft" underway!
1. Calgary Flames - Connor Bedard
An absolute no brainer. Bedard is the most hyped prospect since Connor McDavid and no one in this draft class is on his level. Bedard already has an elite NHL level shot, insanely high hockey IQ, incredible stick handling and playmaking, and can play physical when he needs to.
2. Chicago Blackhawks - Adam Fantilli
While there has been some debate around who is really the 2nd best prospect in the draft - with various scouts pushing for Matvei Michkov, and a smaller number pushing for Leo Carlsson - Fantilli is the pick here. As GM Sully looks to put his stamp on the Blackhawks, he opts for the prototypical franchise NHL centre, who really shows no weaknesses. Fantilli is a physical specimen, and will be a treat to watch in Chicago.
3. Vancouver Canucks - Matvei Michkov
This is where it gets tricky, Vancouver can go either Carlsson, Michkov, or there's an outside chance he goes with Smith. In the end Monty takes a MASSIVE swing for the fences. The only prospect in the draft that can rival Bedards talent is Matvei Michkov. That talent however, comes with great risk and many unknowns. Does he become the next Nikita Kucherov or Kirill Kaprizov? Or does he stay in Russia for his entire career?!
4. Los Angeles Kings - Leo Carlsson
The Michkov pick at 3 makes Chris's pick at 4 a little bit easier. But it's not a slam dunk. Leo Carlsson and Will Smith are both consensus candidates for the fourth pick, and it really comes down to a stylistic preference. Does Chris prefer the rangy, two-way stud in Carlsson who may lack the foot speed to stick at centre? Or the agile, dynamic scorer in Smith who may lack the size to defend effectively. Or does he go off the board and opt for a defenseman? Our pick here is Carlsson, but the options are there and this could be a key pivot point in the draft.
5. Philadelphia Flyers - Will Smith
This is where the draft can open up, there are plenty of options available for Wolf at 5 and Will Smith has the highest upside of all. A playmaking centre with incredible stick handling and vision, Smith can leave you with your jaw on the floor some nights....other nights he can be invisible and a defensive liability, if he puts it all together he can become a #1 centre. The real question here is, does this pick get traded for someone more NHL ready? Smith is at minimum 4 years away from being a impact player in the sim.
6. Edmonton Oilers - David Reinbacher
It’s rare to see a draft without a defenseman taken in the 5, but it feels like a no brainer this year. But the run on forwards doesn’t last much longer. Is Reinbacher, Edmonton gets a safe pick with pro experience, an NHL frame, and high end athletic tools. He may not have the upside of the top wingers available, but he’s going to impact an NHL team very quickly.
7. Nashville Predators - Zach Benson
Nashville continues to add to their wealthy pool of young players and prospects by grabbing the #2 WHL player behind Bedard. Benson is an elite playmaker that already possesses a strong two way game. In a different draft this guy might go top 3. Do the Preds opt to trade this pick to help their team out now though? They look ready to take that next step.
8. Florida Panthers via San Jose Sharks - Tom Willander
Projecting who Florida will pick a 8 becomes ever more difficult when you factor in that it may not even be Florida making the pick. Rumours are rampant that Florida is looking at a big trade to bring in a top centre, so who would a mystery team acquiring #8 be after? Our money is on a later riser in Tom Willander, as teams prioritize defensemen in building out competitive roster. Willander's size, skating, and poise make him a great fit as a projectable shut down defenseman.
9. @hurricanesgm - Dalibor Dvorsky
The now vacant Carolina Hurricanes which may be league controlled at the time of the draft will simply go with the best player available to them. They’ve been a little mis managed these past few years and need high end talent. Dvorsky is just that, he excels at two-way play and is very skilled. If he can find some consistency to his game he will very likely become a long term top 6 C for many years to come.
10. @colorado - Ryan Leonard
The Avs are sprinting to the podium with this player still available at 10. Don’t be surprised if we see him go in the 5-7 range in the NHL Draft. How will his competitiveness and high motor translate to the sim? Only time will tell.
11. Tampa Bay Lightning via Bryan Hull - Axel Sandin-Pellikka
It wouldn’t be a VHL draft without Tony selecting a smaller PMD. Sandin-Pellikka has everything you want in a defence man, vision, passing, puck skills, good stick on puck defending, he just lacks a bit of size and muscle.
12. Colorado Avalanche via Ottawa Senators - Nate Danielson
Dallas is a team squarely in contending mode, so they're going to target someone that can help quickly. He may not be Finnish, but Danielson's work ethic and defensive responsibility could have fooled me. He could be ready to contribute as a middle six centre within a couple years, and the has the offensive upside to grow from there.
13. Boston Bruins - Oliver Moore
Oliver Moore might be the best skater in this draft class. Not only that but he may be one of the best two-way forwards and hardest workers as well. He may not have the flash or skill that others around him possess but he has a pretty high floor and is a safe bet to make the NHL sooner rather than later.
14. @garyg - Colby Barlow
As we get deeper into the draft, the lists of potential players to take in a given range gets longer. But Barlow is a player that stands out from the pack with his competitiveness, physicality, and finishing talent. The Wings are getting a playoff-style NHL player here, even if it's not at a premium position.
15. Chicago Blackhawks via Washington Capitals - Eduard Sale
After selecting Adam Fantilli with their 1st pick, Chicago takes a bit of a swing here. Sale is a very raw prospect, he has many tools and great offensive skill but can he put it all together? Chicago bets yes and takes a player who could potentially be a game breaking talent down the road. Don't be surprised if Sale ends up going top 10, he has that kind of upside.
16. Vancouver Canucks via Chris Groenink - Gabriel Perreault
Teams will be careful drafting the top line of the US NTDP. Once upon a time, a line of Jack Eichel, Alex Tuch, and Sonny Milano broke NTDP scoring records en route to being selected in the first round. Over time, Milano was proven to be the third wheel that benefited from playing with two elite junior players. Is Perreault that guy on the 2023 version of the American's top line? Or is he the creative, play-driving engine that's driving the bus, and bound to do the same for an NHL line in the future? Vancouver is willing to that risk, and they inherent some serious upside with it.
And with that we are done the first half of our mock draft! Keep your eyes peeled for part 2 coming soon!
