NHL Mock Draft: Connor Bedard No. 1, but who’s next?

We’ve finally arrived. It’s NHL Draft day. That said, this isn’t an ordinary draft. The collection of players available this summer is exceptional. By now, you likely know all about Connor Bedard, who is all but guaranteed to go to the Chicago Blackhawks with the first overall pick. But it’s not just about Bedard. The top five would’ve gone first in the 2021 and 2022 drafts.

Several players not listed below will go in the first round, that’s how deep this draft is. There will also surely be changes to the draft order. Only twice in the past 30 years has the NHL seen no trades. Nevertheless, I’ll stick with what we have for the maiden mock draft of my career.

2023 NHL Mock Draft: 1. Chicago Blackhawks: Connor Bedard, C, Regina Pats

Bedard will be the NHL’s next superstar. He’s been dubbed the “next one” for four years. Now, the kid will finally get his moment. Chicago knew their pick the second they won the lottery. Bedard had an exceptional season, scoring 71 goals and 143 points in 57 regular season games, followed by 10 goals and 20 points in just seven playoff games with Regina. Although the Pats fell in the end, Bedard’s junior career was among the best we’ve ever seen.

Bedard faced immense pressure this season but didn’t falter. He posted 71 goals and 72 assists in 57 games for the Regina Pats, with his 2.51 points per game being the highest by a WHL player of any age since 1991. His 23 points in seven games for Canada at the 2023 World Junior Championship topped the leaderboard, and it was the fourth-highest total by any player at the tournament all-time and easily the best by a draft-eligible player. He swept the CHL’s awards table. He became the first player to win MVP, top scorer, and top draft prospect in the same season. He won IHF(International) Player of the Year. He has dominated everywhere he’s played.

Bedard’s hands make him a generational talent. He’s one of the best shooters in hockey, with a shot release that’s effortless and hits the corners of the net with velocity. He doesn’t need space and attacks the middle lane, pushing or pulling the puck to change the angle and shoot in a flash. Bedard’s brilliant stickhandling and clever maneuvers beat defenders, and even the best attempts to defend him are mostly futile. He beats goaltenders from bad angles with regularity.

Although Bedard has minor physical game work to do defensively, his exceptional offensive skills compensate for his weaker points. As long as he remains committed and ends up in a healthy environment, Bedard should have a long career in which he is challenging for the league lead in goals and points perennially. The NHL has its next Sidney Crosby. Speaking of No. 87, he’ll be Bedard’s first opponent. The NHL announced the 2023-24 season begins with a triple-header on October 10th. What game is part of that triple header? Blackhawks at Penguins.

2023 NHL Mock Draft: 2. Anaheim Ducks: Adam Fantilli, C, University of Michigan

Fantilli had an outstanding rookie season in NCAA hockey, earning him the Hobey Baker Award for best men’s college player. His opponents know what he’s capable of but still can’t stop him.

Physically, he has no weaknesses, and at 6-2 and 187 pounds, he skates like a freight train up and down the ice. Even those who can keep up with him struggle to handle him. He’s unpredictable with the puck and has a powerful wrist shot, often picking corners. On the power play, he’s lethal with one-timers from the right circle and can score from in-tight with soft hands. He’s also great at creating tap-ins for his teammates. Fantilli’s 1.81 points per game in his rookie season is the most by a draft-eligible player since 1992-93.

Fantilli is more than just an offensive threat, however. He’s a heavy forechecker and ferocious hitter, putting in the effort to backcheck and create turnovers. He’s also an asset on the penalty kill, taking away lanes and forcing turnovers while still being a threat to score. He’s good at faceoffs, winning 52.9% of them, and can bring energy to the team when needed. His only real issue is sometimes trying too much and making a risky play.

While Fantilli may not be the best player in the upcoming draft, he is the most complete. He could be a first-line center in the NHL and a team leader.

2023 NHL Mock Draft: 3. Columbus Blue Jackets Leo Carlsson, C, Örebro HK

Despite his size of 6-3 and 194 pounds, Carlsson is a skilled left-handed player adept at handling the puck. He utilizes his length to keep the puck away from defenders and move around them.

Although he isn’t the most agile skater, Carlsson excels as a playmaker in the offensive zone, quickly moving the puck to his teammates with solid spatial awareness and passing abilities. While he may lack shooting ability, he can score goals with his soft hands around the net. He may sometimes struggle in puck battles and lose to his opponents. Carlsson has experience playing wing and center, but his high hockey IQ and playmaking skills make him a promising prospect as a center. Regardless of his position, Carlsson has the potential to be a first-line playmaker and excel on the Blue Jackets power play with Patrick Laine and Johnny Gaudreau.

2023 NHL Mock Draft: 4. San Jose Sharks: Matvei Michkov, RW (HK Sochi, KHL)

Despite playing for the worst team in the KHL, Michkov finished fourth in team scoring with 20 goals in 27 games. He has the best points-per-game average by a U-19 in league history. Michkov’s dynamic scoring ability and game-breaking offensive skills make him a promising prospect for NHL teams, but he has a KHL deal until 2026. Sharks fans should be patient especially considering their team is rebuilding. But there’s a reason why he’s up here and you’ll soon see why.