2023 NHL Draft Grades: How all 32 teams did
NASHVILLE – And that’s that.
The 2023 NHL Draft has come to a close, marking the end of a season that saw some of the deepest talent we’ve seen in quite some time. Led by Connor Bedard, this class was hyped from the get-go, and the action on the draft floor in Nashville didn’t disappoint.
With everything wrapped up, we decided to grade each team’s performance at the draft. Some teams did well due to quantity, some succeeded thanks to quality, and others fell for a negative mix of both.
So, here’s how each team did:
1. Chicago Blackhawks (A+)
Key picks: Connor Bedard (C), Oliver Moore (C), Adam Gajan (G)
It’s hard to screw this one up. They got the best player in the draft in Connor Bedard. They got the fastest player in the draft in Oliver Moore. They got the goalie with the most potential in the draft in Adam Gajan. They got one of the biggest risers in the draft in Nick Lardis. Everything else was just gravy. The Hawks needed a big draft, and they got it. They have an excellent defensive crop, and they focused on offense this time around.
2. Columbus Blue Jackets (A+)
Key picks: Adam Fantilli (C), Gavin Brindley (RW), William Whitelaw (C)
The Blue Jackets got their next superstar in Adam Fantilli, something I can’t imagine the team could have possibly expected. They then snagged his good buddy in Gavin Brindley, one of the best undersized wingers in the draft. William Whitelaw, Andrew Strathmann and Luca Pinelli are great value picks, too. CBJ fans have to be thrilled.
3. Philadelphia Flyers (A+)
Key picks: Matvei Michkov (RW), Oliver Bonk (D), Carson Bjarnason (G)
Just hit after hit. It felt like they snagged a high-quality player later than everyone expected all day long. Michkov is going to be a superstar, and Bonk is a modern-day, future top-four defender. Carson Bjarnason and Yegor Zavragin were two of the better goalies available in the second and third round, while Cole Knuble was one of the better overagers. Carter Sotheran went at No. 135 – he’ll be an NHLer.
4. San Jose Sharks (A+)
Key picks: Will Smith (C), Quentin Musty (LW), Kasper Halttunen (RW)
The Sharks spent the trade deadline acquiring quality defensive prospects, and they hit big in both the forward and defensive departments this year. Will Smith at No. 4 was a no-brainer, and Quentin Musty is a guy many scouts had as a potential top 10 pick earlier in the year. Few players hit as hard as Kasper Halttunen and Luca Cagnoni is one of the best defensive defenders in the draft. This is all about the upside here.
5. Anaheim Ducks (A)
Key picks: Leo Carlsson (C), Nico Myatovic (LW), Damien Clara (G)
The Ducks kicked things off by getting their No. 1 center, and followed it up with some decent second-round, high-upside picks in Nico Myatovic and Carey Terrance. Damian Clara, an Italian-born goalie, should have an excellent future, while Yegor Sidorov and Rodin Dionicio were both slam-dunk overagers.
6. St. Louis Blues (A)
Key picks: Dalibor Dvorsky (C), Otto Stenberg (LW), Theo Lindstein (D)
The team could have easily elected to move one or two of their three first-rounders but decided to go all-in on the future. What they got is one of the hardest working centers in Dalibor Dvorsky, a high-end forward in Otto Stenberg with some potentially untapped potential, and a good bounce-back candidate in defenseman Theo Lindstein. Quinton Burns and Juraj Pekarcik are great third-round picks, while Jakub Stancl and Paul Fischer could be depth picks.
7. Buffalo Sabres (A-)
Key picks: Zach Benson (LW), Anton Wahlberg (C), Maxim Strbak (D)
The Sabres hit home runs year after year, and after taking Zach Benson at No. 13, they hit another one. Maxim Strbak and Gavin McCarthy are difficult players to play against, while Anton Wahlberg could have easily slid into the first round. They added some solid depth up front and on the blueline, and that’s all you can ask for.
8. Seattle Kraken (A-)
Key picks: Eduard Sale (RW), Carson Rehkopf (RW), Oscar Fisker Molgaard (C)
This is all about finding upside. Consistency was an issue for Sale, but he has some solid traits. Rehkopf has a lethal shot that he loves to use, and if he can improve his skating, it’ll be a good sign. Fisker Molgaard is a tremendous defensive center, while Lukas Dragicevic is the best offensive defenseman in the draft. Caden Price and Andrei Loshko were great mid-round selections.
9. Arizona Coyotes (B+)
Key picks: Dmitri Simashev (D), Daniil But (LW), Michael Hrabal (G)
Quality, and quantity. Grabbing the pair of Russian teammates in Simashev and But could pay off, while Hrabal, a 6-foot-7 goalie, was regarded as the best goalie in the draft. Noel Nordh and Tanner Ludtke are some good glue guys who can find a role deeper in the lineup, too.
10. Washington Capitals (B+)
Key picks: Ryan Leonard (RW), Andrew Cristall (LW), Cameron Allen (D)
Again, it’s all about the upside here. Ryan Leonard is the Capitals’ next Tom Wilson – someone who can score, create and hit. He’s a better offensive player, which is nice. Cristall is one of the most skilled wingers in the draft, but he’ll need to overcome skating concerns. Allen had an ugly year in Guelph, but he’s a minute-muncher that was once viewed as a top 10 prospect for this class. If he can clean up the decision-making and figure out who he wants to be, he could be a huge value selection.
11. Nashville Predators (B+)
Key picks: Matt Wood (RW), Tanner Molendyk (D), Felix Nilsson (C)
With so many picks, the team snagged quality and quantity. Wood is a talented college winger that just needs to improve his skating to really thrive. Molendyk has potential, but not sure I would have used him in the first round. I really like the Felix Nilsson and Kalan Lind picks in the second, while Joey Willis and Juha Jatkola were both fantastic fourth-rounders. Love the value.
12. Carolina Hurricanes (B+)
Key picks: Bradly Nadeau (LW), Felix Unger Sorum (RW), Jayden Perron (C)
Quality over quantity. The internet loves these picks. Nadeau is one of the best shooters in the class, and is coming off one of the best Junior A seasons we’ve seen. Unger Sorum is a creative playmaker that could do some damage in the third line, while Perron was one of the best passers selected. He’s small, but many scouts think he can be an excellent undersized forward in the NHL thanks to his playmaking talent.
13. Detroit Red Wings (B)
Key picks: Nate Danielson (C), Axel Sandin Pellikka (D), Trey Augustine (G)
At each of their first three picks, they got close to the best player available at each position. They reached a bit to snag Andrew Gibson and Brady Cleveland, but I like Noah Dower Nilsson and his potential. Kevin Bicker was a decent fifth-round pick, a German player who’s ready to go full-time pro.
14. Calgary Flames (B)
Key picks: Samuel Honzek (RW), Etienne Morin (D), Aydar Suniev (LW)
It won’t take long for Honzek to make an impact for the Flames thanks to his great work ethic. He was more of a safe pick, but one worth taking under new GM Craig Conroy. Morin is one of the better two-way defensemen, and one many expected to go on Day 1, while Suniev had a monster year in the BCHL.
15. Montreal Canadiens (B)
Key picks: David Reinbacher (D), Jacob Fowler (G), Florian Xhekaj (LW)
David Reinbacher is doing most of the heavy lifting here after going fifth overall as the top defenseman. Was it the right pick? Probably not, but they filled a need. Jacob Fowler is an excellent goalie prospect, but they took two others later in the draft. Florian Xhekaj is a cool story because of his brother, but I’m surprised he got drafted – let alone at No. 101.
16. Colorado Avalanche (B)
Key picks: Cal Ritchie (C), Mikhail Gulyayev (D), Nikita Ishimnikov (D)
What the Avs lacked in quantity, they got in quality. Cal Ritchie is one of the draft’s better two-way centers, and Gulyayev had a great season in the MHL. But then they didn’t pick again until the fifth round, with Nikita Ishimnikov, a big defenseman.
17. Minnesota Wild (B-)
Key picks: Charlie Stramel (C), Rasmus Kumpulainen (C), Riley Heidt (C)
A lot of people like the Wild’s picks more than me, that’s for sure. Charlie Starmel still feels boom-bust to me, but I like Riley Heidt (more than Stramel) and Rasmus Kumpulainen in the second round. Aaron Pionk showed some promise as a physical, shutdown defender in the USHL.
18. Winnipeg Jets (B-)
Key picks: Colby Barlow (LW), Zach Nehring (RW), Thomas Milic (G)
Barlow is one of the best pure goal-scorers in the draft, a guy who could score over 30 goals a year in the NHL. I also think Milic did enough to prove himself after his incredible WJC, winning goalie of the year honors in the WHL. Maybe he becomes a long-term backup option.
19. Vancouver Canucks (B-)
Key picks: Tom Willander (D), Hunter Brzustewicz (D), Sawyer Mynio (D)
Vancouver’s biggest need this draft was adding defensive depth, and they got it. Willander is an exciting pick, and Brzystewicz and Mynio were good value picks. After that, it was just fine, but it was cool to see them get Aiden Celebrini, the older brother of top 2024 draft prospect Macklin Celebrini.
20. New York Rangers (B-)
Key picks: Gabe Perreault (LW), Drew Fortescue (D), Rasmus Larsson (D)
The Rangers potentially had one of the best sleeper picks in the first in Gabe Perreault, a dominant scorer with skating issues. I wasn’t a huge fan of many of their other picks, but Drew Fortescue
21. Vegas Golden Knights (C+)
Key picks: David Edstrom (C), Mathieu Cataford (RW), Arttu Karki (D)
I loved the Edstrom pick, someone who, if they don’t trade him like every other first-rounder, could be a great middle-six forward with size and good skating. Cataford and Tuomas Uronen were both nice value picks.
22. Florida Panthers (B-)
Key picks: Gracyn Sawchyn (C), Albert Wikman (D), Olof Glifford (G)
Sawchyn was one of the NHL Draft’s biggest risers this year, so it’s great to see him go at No. 63. I think that’s one of the biggest steals of the draft right now. Wikman is a nice pickup too, and Luke Coughlin is a solid late-round defender that many expected to go earlier, but he’s not a big defender.
23. New York Islanders (B-)
Key picks: Danny Nelson (C), Jesse Nurmi (LW), Zach Schultz (D)
The focus was on getting role guys, and mission accomplished. Nelson should have a good NHL career, and I have some faith in Nurmi’s game. Schultz can hit and shut teams down, but I’d like to see his skating improve. So while none of these prospects will get you salivating, you do need depth pieces in the lineup.
24. Los Angeles Kings (C+)
Key picks: Jakub Dvorak (D), Koehn Ziemmer (RW), Hampton Slukynsky (G)
Dvorak and Ziemmer give the Kings two difficult players to play against, guys that might slot into depth roles in their respective positions. Hampton Slukynsky is a nice sleeper goalie pick who didn’t get enough love this year.
25. Dallas Stars (C+)
Key picks: Tristan Bertucci (D), Brad Gardiner (C), Aram Minnetian (D)
The Stars had been one of the teams to watch at the draft the past few years, but they didn’t have much draft capital this time. Tristan Bertucci, Brad Gardiner and Aram Minnetian were decent picks, while Arno Tiefensee could be a sleeper goalie pick in the fifth.
26. Pittsburgh Penguins (C)
Key picks: Brayden Yager (C), Emil Pieniniemi (D), Mikhail Ye. Ilyin (LW)
Brayden Yager is a guy I believe in, someone I think will have a solid career with the Penguins in a middle-six forward role. I’m not a huge fan of the rest of their picks, so it’s Yager doing the heaviest lifting here. Emil Jarventie was worth the late-round pick.
27. Tampa Bay Lightning (C)
Key picks: Ethan Gauthier (RW), Jayson Shaugabay (C), Warren Clark (D)
Ethan Gauthier is a hard-nosed winger who lives near the net. I think he’ll be an excellent pickup for the Lightning. Shaugabay has a way to go, but I could see the high school standout in the NHL one day.
28. Boston Bruins (C-)
Key picks: Christopher Pelosi (LW), Beckett Hendrickson (LW), Ryan Walsh (C)
I kind of forgot the Bruins were at the draft, to be honest. Pelosi had a great season with Cedar Rapids, but he’s a double coverage. Let’s see how he handles the NCAA. Hendrickson was an underrated player with the U-18 team, someone who can handle his own zone well.
29. New Jersey Devils (D+)
Key picks: Leeni Hameenaho (RW), Cam Squires (RW), Chase Cheslock (D)
Put it this way, Devils fans: the team didn’t need a good draft because they were so good at it the past few years. Enjoy the NHLers you have.
30. Edmonton Oilers (D)
Key picks: Beau Akey (D), Nathaniel Day (G), Matt Copponi (C)
The Oilers had almost nothing to do all weekend, but at least they got a solid defender in Beau Akey. After following in Brandt Clarke’s wake this year, we’ll have to see how he develops on his own. I like Copponi as a seventh-rounder, he’s difficult to play against.
31. Toronto Maple Leafs (D)
Key picks: Easton Cowan (C), Hudson Malinoski (C), Noah Chadwick (D)
Hard to do much when you have just a couple picks. In this case, they picked Cowan in the first round, and didn’t have another pic until Malinoski in the fifth. I don’t think I’ll ever understand the Cowan pick, and while I liked Malinoski, I’m not sure there’s NHL potential there.
32. Ottawa Senators (D-)
Hoyt Stanley (D), Matthew Andonovski (D), Vladimir Nikitin (G)
I’m not sure any of these guys will be NHLers. I like Stanley, a big defenseman with good skating, but he’s still a bit of a longshot right now. We’ll see what happens. The Senators know what team they are, what they want to be, and this draft wasn’t going to be make-it-or-break-it anyways.
Discover Betano.ca – a premium Sports Betting and Online Casino experience. Offering numerous unique and dynamic betting options along with diverse digital and live casino games, Betano is where The Game Starts Now. 19+. Please play responsibly.