2023 NHL Entry Mock Draft: The Pool is Deep for the Toronto Maple Leafs
1. Connor Bedard (C, 5’9″, 185 lbs) – Columbus Blue Jackets
The Prize of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft is undoubtedly Connor Bedard. The center has been tearing up the Western Hockey League (WHL) for the Regina Pats. This season, in 57 games, Bedard scored 71 goals with an additional 72 assists. It’s given him 143 points, which is an outstanding 2.51 points per game.
Bedard was also the leading scorer in this year’s U20 World Junior Championship (WJC).
He had 23 points in seven games after scoring nine goals and 14 assists. That was a production rate of 3.29 points per game. The next closest player in the tournament was Logan Cooley (selected third-overall in the 2022 draft by the Arizona Coyotes) who had nine fewer points than Bedard.
For the Columbus Blue Jackets, taking Bedard off the board right away is a no-brainer. It instantly makes that team better. They can put the youngster on the first line next to Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine or move one of them to the second line to add more depth.
2. Adam Fantilli (C, 6’2″, 195 lbs) – San Jose Sharks
Adam Fantilli is a player we’ve been watching closely for years.
He’s been on track to be a top NHL pick since his days playing for the Toronto Red Wings in the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) battling against Shane Wright with both players being underage in their division.
Fantilli is now playing for the University of Michigan. This season, in 34 games, he packaged 28 goals and 35 assists for 63 points. It’s not surprising after how strong Fantilli has looked in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) after his success in the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the Chicago Steel.
Last year with the Steel, he recorded 74 points in 54 games, evenly split with 37 goals and 37 assists.
The San Jose Sharks will be very happy with Fantilli who could figure into their top six as soon as next season.
3. (C, 6’3″, 198 lbs) – Chicago Blackhawks
Leo Carlsson is the third center in a row to lead off the draft. He is also the first international skater to be selected. Carlsson plays in Sweden for Orebro HK in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).
He would fit in nicely for the Chicago Blackhawks. After they sent Patrick Kane to the New York Rangers, the fan base could enjoy a new set of slick hands. Carlsson is known to dazzle with his stick handling.
This season with Orebro, Carlsson has 25 points in 44 games with 10 goals and 15 assists. In the WJC, he managed to have three goals and three assists in his seven games.
4. Matvei Michkov (RW, 5’10”, 172 lbs) – Anaheim Ducks
There are very high hopes for Matvei Michkov.
The man is a professional goal scorer with scouts already making connections to Alexander Ovechkin. Dobber Prospects described Michkov as “a generational goal scoring talent who is a threat from all over the offensive zone. His quick and accurate release, along with his elite offensive vision, should make him a star in the NHL whenever he arrives.”
This season, Michkov has played in Russia’s Supreme Hockey League (VHL), Russia’s Junior Hockey League (MHL), and for two teams in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
While on loan with HK Sochi in the KHL, he recorded nine goals and 11 assists in 27 games. What makes it most impressive is that Michkov is just 18-years-old playing with pros.
5. William Smith (C, 5’11”, 178 lbs) – Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens could be drafting a player due to get the best nickname of the cohort, Will Smith. I propose, “The Fresh Prince de La Métropole”.
Smith is a part of the U.S. National U18 Team. He has had a phenomenal season with them. In 49 games, Smith has scored 39 goals and added 61 assists for a total of 100 points. He leads the team with 2.04 points per game.
Smith will round out the top five of the draft because of his ability to create his own shot. With the combination of his strong skating and impressive stick handling, Smith has consistently shown that he can shake defenders to generate offense.
6. Zach Benson (LW, 5′ 9″ 160 lbs) – Philadelphia Flyers
Zach Benson will quickly become a fan favourite with the Philadelphia Flyers.
He has made a name for himself as a hard worker with the Winnipeg ICE in the WHL. Benson has great vision and hockey IQ, which helps him make his teammates better. He is a true play maker.
Toronto Maple Leafs fans will see a lot of Mitch Marner in Benson’s game as Benson has the ability to do magical things with the puck. This year with the ICE, in 60 games, he has scored 36 goals and had 62 assists. It adds up to 98 points. That’s good enough to make him the third leading point getter in the WHL.
7. Colby Barlow (LW, 6′ 0″, 193 lbs) – Arizona Coyotes
The Arizona Coyotes will benefit from adding a sniper to their squad. Like the previous selections, Colby Barlow is another player who fills the net in bunches. It helps that he has a seeing-eye wrist shot.
Barlow is the Captain of the Owen Sound Attack in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He had a fantastic rookie season where he put managed to collect 30 goals and 17 assists in 59 games. In the playoffs, Barlow continued his scoring ways. In those seven games, he racked up five goals and an assist.
This year, Barlow has been even better. In his 59 games on the campaign, he’s recorded 46 goals and 33 assists for a total of 79 points.
On the Coyotes, Barlow can thrive playing on Nick Schmaltz’s wing. Schmaltz isn’t just a good choice to set up the rookie and allow him to unleash his shot, but the 27-year-old center would make a great mentor as well.
8. Ryan Leonard (RW, 5’11”, 190 lbs) – Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks will be looking to replace Bo Horvat who they shipped off to the New York Islanders. Ryan Leonard appears to be someone who can fill in as a pure goal scorer in Horvat’s absence.
Leonard is another member of the U.S. National U18 Team. With them, he potted 41 goals in 47 games. Leonard added 34 helpers for a total of 75 points. Leonard also played 15 games for the USNTDP Juniors team in the USHL this season. With them, he had 10 goals and nine assists.
While Leonard’s penchant for goal scoring is undeniable, he can still use more time to work on his game. He has committed to Boston College for next season where he will continue his development under the tutelage of Coach Greg Brown.
9. Brayden Yager (C, 5’10”, 166 lbs) – St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues will be pleased to select a center who will one day replace their former captain, Ryan O’Reilly. That should come in the form of Brayden Yager.
Playing with the Moose Jaw Warriors in the WHL this season, the team’s assistant captain has 78 points in 66 games. It’s come on 28 goals and 50 assists.
Scott Wheeler described Yager’s game in The Athletic. “He’s dangerous inside the offensive zone from the top of the circles in, with a quick-release wrister… an equal ability to play off of coverage and make himself available for his linemates.”
10. Dalibor Dvorsky (C, 6’1″, 201 lbs) – Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings have the chance to close out the top ten with their selection.
They are able to find a great prospect out of Europe. That would be center Dalibor Dvorsky. He has been turning heads in HockeyAllsvenskan. That’s Sweden’s second highest leveled league after the SHL.
Dvorsky plays for AIK and their Under 20 Junior affiliate. The Slovakian recorded six goals with an additional eight assists in 38 games with the big club. With the Junior squad, Dvorsky had 10 goals and 11 assists in just 10 games.
11. Gabriel Perreault (RW, 5’10”, 165 lbs) – Washington Capitals
Gabriel Perreault has a very familiar name, especially to Maple Leafs fans. That’s because his father, Yanic Perraeault, had three different stays with the organization.
The Washington Capitals will be hoping that their draft choice in Perreault will bring them someone with the same longevity as his father. However, it’s important to note that the two don’t play the same style of play. Yanic was known for his impressive faceoff skills, while Gabriel is a right-winger like his two older brothers.
With the USNTDP U18 squad this season, Perreault has been excellent. He has collected 105 points in 52 games through his 45 goals and 60 assists. On the Junior Team in the same program, Perreault continued his dominance with 18 goals and 22 assists for 40 points in 20 games.
12. Axel Sandin Pellikka (D, 5’10”, 176 lbs) – Arizona Coyotes (Ottawa Senators Pick)
It took 12 picks, but finally a defenseman has come off the board. T
hat’s going to be Axel Sandin Pellikka heading to Arizona with their second selection in the draft. This is a smart move for the organization as they can upgrade two areas of their team very quickly.
Pellikka has been patrolling the blue line for Skelleftea AIK’s main club in the SHL and their Junior squad in J20 Nationell. With the Under 20s he has been an offensive help. In 31 contests, the Swede from Gallivare has registered 16 goals and 20 assists.
13. (RW, 6′ 2″ 174 lbs) – Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres will use their first pick of the draft on Eduard Sale, a shifty player out of Czechia. He plays for HC Kometa Brno in his home town.
This season, the right-winger has compiled seven goals and seven assists in 43 games. While that may not appear to be an impressive stat line, it’s important to recognize that it’s been done in the professional league. While playing internationally against athletes his own age, Sale has been nearly a point-per-game player.
Sale received high praise from Tony Ferrari in The Hockey News. Ferrari wrote, “Sale is one of the more intelligent players in the draft, diagnosing play and making the smart pass every time. He’s analytical in his approach, anticipating all possibilities for what the next step could be and making the correct decision.”
14. Andrew Cristall (LW, 5′ 9″, 167 lbs) – Calgary Flames
With the struggle the Calgary Flames have had to keep top players, it’s become vitally important that they don’t make any missteps in the draft. That’s why they will look to a player they see a lot in the WHL. That’s Andrew Cristall.
He is the assistant captain of the Kelowna Rockets and a real machine on the ice. In 53 contests on the campaign, Cristall has amassed 39 goals and 51 assists in 90 points.
15. Oliver Moore (C, 5’11”, 188 lbs) – Pittsburgh Penguins
This year’s draft is proving to be a deep one. The proof is in Oliver Moore being taken by the Pittsburgh Penguins with the 15th pick. This product of the USNTDP has played in 50 games this season for the U18 crew. In those, he mustered 26 goals with 36 helpers.
Moore has committed to the University of Minnesota next season, where he will be playing and learning close to home. Moore will be playing in the same system that has helped develop Leafs prospect Matthew Knies.
16. Matthew Wood (RW, 6’3″, 193 lbs) – Nashville Predators
Like Moore, Matthew Wood is a player who has chosen to go the NCAA route.
He has already began his journey with the University of Connecticut. In Wood’s freshman season, he has been close to a point-per-game player. In his 35 games, the Lethbridge, Alberta native has registered 11 goals and 23 assists for 34 total points.
17. Samuel Honzek (LW, 6’3″, 186 lbs) – Detroit Red Wings (New York Islanders Pick)
Just like their previous pick in the draft, the Red Wings will scoop an international player. This time, they will take Samuel Honzek.
Interestingly, despite Honzek playing most of his hockey in Slovakia, including lacing up for the nation in international play, he’s considered a North American skater because he joined the Vancouver Giants in the WHL this season.
With the Giants, Honzek has played in 43 contests where he put 23 goals past opposing goalies and had 33 helpers for a total of 56 points. He’s the team’s leading scorer behind overager Ty Thorpe.
18. Otto Stenberg (C, 5’11”, 180 lbs) – Montreal Canadiens (Florida Panthers Pick)
The Montreal Canadiens will use their first pick to find someone from the mostly untouched international pool. They will take Otto Stenberg, a center with Frolunda HC.
Stenberg has already gotten professional experience, playing in the SHL. There, he has not been used to his full potential. That was not the case with Stenberg while playing for the Frolunda HC Junior Clubs.
His best showing was with the J18 Region team. Stenberg made it look like he was playing house league games. That’s because in only three games, he managed to score seven goals with three helpers.
19. Mikhail Gulyayev (D, 5’10”, 172 lbs) – Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets will be ecstatic to be able to take the second defenseman off the board with their 19th pick in the draft. They will take Mikhail Gulyayev.
The Russian has already worked his way up to the KHL this season. He played in 13 games for Avangard Omsk. In the MHL with Omskie Yastreby this year, Gulyayev laced up for 22 contests where he scored a pair of goals along with picking up 23 assists.
20. Quentin Musty (LW, 6’1″, 200 lbs) – Seattle Kraken
There have been high hopes for Quentin Musty ever since he exited the North Jersey Avalanche AAA minor hockey program. He was taken first-overall in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection by the Sudbury Wolves.
Now in his second year with the Wolves, Musty has managed to amass 24 goals and 51 assists for 75 points in 52 games. He is an assistant captain on the club and their second-leading point producer. Musty finds himself just behind last year’s second-round pick for the Seattle Kraken, David Goyette, in points collected.
21. Ethan Gauthier (RW, 5′ 11.25″ 176 lbs) – Nashville Predators (Edmonton Oilers Pick)
For the second selection in a row, a former first-overall pick is taken in the NHL Draft. That’s because the Nashville Predators will choose Ethan Gauthier, the 2021 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) Entry Draft’s opening pick.
Gauthier, who is from Phoenix, Arizona, plays for Sherbrooke Phoenix in the QMJHL. It’s the team that is partially owned by former NHL goaltender, Jocelyn Thibault. In Sherbrooke this season, Gauthier has played in 65 games where he has registered 30 goals and 39 assists for a total of 69 points.
Gauthier is related to the current NHL right-winger on the Ottawa Senators with the same last name, Julien. Julien’s father is the brother of Ethan’s dad, Denis. It also happens that Denis Gauthier is a former NHLer himself.
22. Lukas Dragicevic (D, 6’1″, 192 lbs) – Minnesota Wild
In an effort to beef up their back end, the Minnesota wild will select Lukas Dragicevic.
Playing for the Tri-City Americans in the WHL, Dragivevic is now in his third season. He has put together a 15 goal 60 assist campaign, giving the Richmond, British Columbia native 75 points in 67 games. Keep in mind, that he’s put up those unreal numbers as a defenseman.
23. Calum Ritchie (C, 6’1″, 187 lbs) – Chicago Blackhawks (Tampa Bay Lightning Pick)
The Chicago Blackhawks will have the opportunity to get a strong play maker with their first selection in the draft. They’ll pick up Calum Ritchie, the Oshawa Generals’ assistant captain. With the Generals, Ritchie has had a successful year. In 59 games, he has recorded 24 goals and 35 assists. That’s good enough for Ritchie to have averaged exactly one point per contest.
24. Lenni Hameenaho (RW, 5’11”, 173 lbs) – New York Rangers (Dallas Stars Pick)
The New York Rangers have a chance to add to their collection of good young talent. They can do so by adding Lenni Hameenaho from Finland. Playing for Assat in Liiga this season, Hameenaho has amassed nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points in 51 games.
This will be considered a risky decision for the Rangers. Hameenaho is projected by a number of scouts to be a second-round pick. He, however, will be a complimentary addition to the Rangers lineup once he gets more time to develop and polish his game.
25. David Reinbacher (D, 6’2″, 185 lbs) – Columbus Blue Jackets (Los Angeles Kings Pick)
The Columbus Blue Jackets look to Switzerland to find their newest prospect, David Reinbacher. He’s an Austrian playing for EHC Kloten in the National League (NL). While playing in the top tier professional Swiss league, Reinbacher has fit right in. He has even added to his club’s offense.
In 46 regular season games, the defenseman has given Kloten three goals and 19 assists. Reinbacher continued to be a difference maker in the playoffs. In three games, he notched a goal and an assist.
26. Koehn Ziemmer (RW, 6’0,” 204 lbs) – St. Louis Blues (New York Rangers Pick)
Koehn Ziemmer is making it very difficult for teams to look past him. Ultimately, the Blues won’t. They will select the Prince George Cougars right-winger. Ziemmer has been lighting it up in the WHL. In 67 games, he has filled the net 41 times with the addition of 48 helpers for a total of 89 points.
27. Oliver Bonk (D, 6’2″ 174 lbs) – St. Louis Blues (Toronto Maple Leafs Pick)
The Blues have set themselves up to restock their prospect cupboards with three first round selections. Having already found two goal scoring forwards, it makes the most sense for general manager Doug Armstrong to find a defenseman.
That is why St. Louis will draft Oliver Bonk. He is an offensive defenseman playing for the London Knights in the OHL. In 75 contests, the Ottawa, Ontario native registered 10 goals and 33 assists.
28. Riley Heidt (C, 5’10”, 182 lbs) – San Jose Sharks (New Jersey Devils Pick)
The San Jose Sharks are selecting the second-overall pick from the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft, Riley Heidt. Unsurprisingly, the player that went first was Bedard.
Heidt is now in his third season in Prince George. He is teammates with Ziemmer and the two have even played on the same line. The pairing has helped them both improve their stats. Heidt has picked up 24 goals and 71 assists for 95 points in 67 games.
29. Daniil But (LW, 6′ 5″, 203 lbs) – Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are taking Daniil But with the 29th pick in the draft. Like his father had years earlier, But is now playing in the KHL. He got into 15 regular season games for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl and one playoff game.
But earned his KHL position through his play with his organization’s MHL club. In 26 regular season games, he had 15 goals and 11 helpers. In the playoffs, But added to his production with four goals and five assists in seven games.
30. Kasper Halttunen (RW, 6′ 2″, 207 lbs) – Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes have the opportunity to add a forward and the luxury to wait on his development. That benefits Kasper Halttunen who the Canes will take with their first-round pick.
Halttunen got his first taste of professional hockey this season. He played 27 games for HIFK in Liiga, Finland’s top tier league. His only point came on an assist. The right-winger also played on loan for Kiekko-Vantaa in Mestis, Finland’s second-highest league. With them, he played three games where he recorded a goal and two assists.
Halttunen proved himself ready for the pros while playing for HIFK U20. That’s where he scored 18 goals and six assists in 18 games.
31. Etienne Morin (D, 5’11”, 181 lbs) – Vegas Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights will use their pick to take Etienne Morin from the Moncton Wildcats in the QMJHL. Like all the previous defensemen, he is an offensive help to his club. In 67 games, he notched 21 goals and 51 assists for a strong marker of 72 points.
32. Beau Akey (D, 5’11”, 170 lbs) – Toronto Maple Leafs (Boston Bruins Pick)
The Toronto Maple Leafs can use more depth help on defense in the organization.
This should lead them to Beau Akey, a blueliner for the Barrie Colts in the OHL. On their preliminary players to watch list, NHL Central Scouting rated Akey a “B”. That was in October of last year, but he has made great progress since then. In fact, by November, he had already been upgraded to an “A” rating. By January, Central Scouting had him ranked 25th among North American Skaters.
Akey has played in 66 games for the Colts. In them, he collected 11 goals and 36 assists for a total of 47 points.
There's just nothing better than a first-career goal!
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) January 19, 2022
2021 First Round @OHLBarrieColts #OHLDraft pick Beau Akey (@beauakey) has his first in the #OHL, and what an absolute beauuuuty! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/g7iKmWmiK8
The Toronto Maple Leafs will love what Akey brings to the table. Melaina Tucker from The Prospects by Sports Illustrated wrote, “Beau Akey is an elite player on the back end. Beau is a very offensive minded defender that enjoys joining the rush. Beau is an excellent skater with high-quality offensive instincts. ”
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Note: All stats are from Elite Hockey Prospects.
With more seasoning, Akey will continue to find himself and improve his game. He could absolutely work his way into the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup in a few years time. That is a win for the organization considering their position at the very end of the first round.