NHL Mock Draft: Connor Bedard No. 1, but who’s next?
By Marvin Azrak
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 21. Minnesota Wild: Calum Ritchie, C (Oshawa, OHL)
Ritchie is a top off-the-puck player in the draft. He has a sixth sense for the puck and displays brilliant hockey IQ in the offensive zone. Defensively, he’s proficient and rarely makes errors in his coverages. However, he only shows flashes of skill and his production in the OHL is mediocre. He could be a third-line, shutdown center or a winger who plays a top-six role. The Wild need a forward, so this should help their pool.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 22 Philadelphia Flyers: Oliver Bonk, D (London, OHL)
The Philadelphia Flyers obtained the pick from the Los Angeles Kings in a three-way deal involving Ivan Provorov being sent to the Blue Jackets. With this pick, they can select Oliver Bonk, a talented right-shot defenseman who has been praised for his well-rounded skills on the ice. Bonk had an impressive season with the OHL’s London Knights, scoring 40 points in 67 regular-season games and 11 points in the playoffs.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 23. New York Rangers: David Edstrom, C, Frolunda (SHL)
The Rangers’ prospect pool needs a center with size. Meet David Edstrom. Edstrom is a skilled defenseman who competes hard on the back-check and excels in puck battles. He’s also effective at killing penalties and has good hands. He needs to add muscle to his 6’3,190 pound frame to improve his ability to box out opponents. He scored 28 points in 28 J20 games and spent 11 games with his SHL club, scoring two goals and four points. Edstrom makes smart plays that free up his teammates to take more risks.
2023 NHL Mock Draft: 24. Nashville Predators: Lukas Dragicevic, RD, Tri-City Americans (WHL)
On February 28, the Nashville Predators got this pick from the Edmonton Oilers as part of the return in the Mattias Ekholm trade. after drafting a forward, how about a defenseman?
Lukas Dragicevic is the top offensive-zone blueliner in this draft. He’s a great zone exit player and is excellent at finding outlets. He’s a distributor and a shooter in the offensive zone, with an impressive wrist shot. Despite being awkward on his feet, he compensates with excellent decision-making and body movement. His stats indicate he’s likely to make a top-four offensive defenseman and power-play quarterback.