2023 NHL Mock Draft: Final Mock 7 Rounds

Round 3

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: June 28, 2023.

65. Anaheim Ducks: Andrew Gibson, D, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
    
    
    Anaheim gets a defenseman that can be groomed to potentially be a third line defenseman on the Anaheim Ducks in the NHL. There's a chance for Andrew Gibson to crack the NHL when Cam Fowler's contract expires. By this point Anaheim would have Jamie Drysdale and Pavel Mintyukov as their first line defensemen. Owen Zellweger and Tristan Luneau would be Anaheim's second line defensemen. Noah Warren Anaheim's 2022 second round pick and Andrew Gibson would play on the Anaheim Ducks third line if the Ducks move on from Cam Fowler when his contract is up in 2026.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 202 lb Andrew Gibson had 0 points in 6 games in 2021-2022. Andrew Gibson 7 goals, 14 assists, 21 points, and a -4 +/- ratio in 45 games in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Andrew Gibson has the skating, explosion, burst, agility, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Andrew Gibson is a great forechecker, he's physical. His offensive traits on film and his skating speak for itself, but he's extremely raw and his +/- ratio is in the negative.
    
    
    
    Andrew Gibson will spend two more seasons in the OHL and at least one season on the San Diego Gulls in the AHL. If Anaheim gives Cam Fowler a one or two year extension after that, then Gibson could play out his entry level contract on the Gulls in the AHL and potentially arrive in the NHL whenever Fowler decides to retire.
    
    
    
66. Columbus Blue Jackets: Jayson Shaugabay, C, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
    
    
    Columbus goes for value in the third round. Jayson Shaugabay was the Green Bay Gamblers first round pick in the 2021 USHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Jayson Shaugabay has dominated at Warroad High School in Minnesota. Jayson Shaugabay had 30 goals, 42 assists, and 72 points in 28 games as a freshman at Warroad High School in 2019-2020 before the Covid-19 pandemic. Jayson Shaugabay had 24 goals, 30 assists, and 54 points as a sophomore in 2020-2021 at Warroad High School with his play at Warroad High School leading to him being the eleventh overall pick in the 2021 USHL Draft. Jayson Shaugabay had 27 goals, 55 assists, and 82 points after getting promoted to team captain during 31 games as a junior at Warroad High School while recording 0 points and a -2 +/- ratio in 9 USHL games with the Green Bay Gamblers following his junior season of High School in 2021-2022. Jayson Shaugabay had 33 goals, 63 assists, and 96 points in 31 games during his senior season and second season as the team captain at Warroad High School leading his High School to a 29-1-1 record before losing the State Championship en route to winning the 2023 Mr. Hockey Award for the best High School player in the state of Minnesota. Jayson Shaugabay also had 3 goals, 13 assists, 16 points, and a -2 +/- ratio in 27 USHL gaes in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    The 5-9 165 lb Jayson Shaugabay is versatile enough to play both center and right winger. Jayson Shaugabay accepted a hockey scholarship to go to Minnesota-Duluth. Columbus can stash Jayson Shaugabay on Minnesota-Duluth while he develops and then bring him up to the Cleveland Monsters in the AHL for a year. The potential to develop into a top 6 forward who can have an impact on the Columbus Blue Jackets second line down the road is there.
    
    
    
    Jayson Shaugabay has the skating, playmaking, passing, versatility, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, stick handling, puck skills, offensive awareness, and leadership to succeed in the NHL. Jayson Shaugabay needs to increase the top end speed, explosive burst, and first step quickness when skating. He's also got to get stronger. Developing his slap shot power and slap shot accuracy at Minnesota-Duluth is a must as well. Jayson Shaugabay also has to improve his defensive awareness and hockey IQ as he panics when double teammed by opponents in the USHL. There's definitely potential with Jayson Shaugabay, but you're looking at a minimum of three years in the NCAA and one or two seasons on the Cleveland Monsters in the AHL before Jaysn Shaugabay will be ready to compete for a roster spot on the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL. He could be on an NHL roster in five years, but he could also end up being an AHL player who feels like somewhat of a boom or bust prospect.
    
    
    
    Taking a boom or bust player in the first two rounds of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft is irresponsible unless there are more pros than cons or unless you just love the players traits. Drafting Jayson Shaugabay means you're gambling on a boom or bust prospect who has the skating, might be a top ten player in terms of stick handling, playmaking, an NHL ready wrist shot in terms of both wrist shot power along with wrist shot accuracy, puck skills of a top 16 prospect, and leadership traits of a top 16 prospect as a two year team captain on his High School hockey team. At the same token, Jayson Shaugabay lacks the slap shot power plus slap shot accuracy you want to see from an NHL prospect, strength is an issue since he's got to get stronger, explosion when skating, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ you want in an NHL player. The bottom line is Jayson Shaugabay has six strengths and six weaknesses with his three or four biggest strengths making him someone who warrants a top sixteen selection if he had no weaknesses on film.
    
    
    
    Unfortuantely for Columbus, Jayson Shaugabay has just as many weaknesses as he has strengths with six strengths and six weaknesses. If Columbus can patiently correct each weakness one year at a time, you can have Jayson Shaugabay play three years at Minnesota-Duluth in the NCAA and three years on the Cleveland Monsters in the AHL before bringing him up to the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL in 2029. Developing Jayson Shaugabay, so his weaknesses are gone by the time he's 24 and ready to make the NHL could lead to Jayson Shaugabay being one of the biggest steals in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft if the team that drafts him remains patient. If the team that drafts Jayson Shaugabay rushes him in his development, this selection could also be a total disaster waiting to happen as well. That's the definition of a boom or bust prospect.
    
    
    
    
    
67. Chicago Blackhawks: Carson Bjanason, G, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
    
    
    Chicago finally got their 2020 second round pick Drew Comesso to sign his NHL entry level contract after three seasons at Boston University. There were rumors that Chicago had a first round grade on Comesso back in 2020, but I cannot confirm or deny that rumor. It's safe to say Yaroslav Askarov was the top goalie on Chicago's draft board with Drew Comesso right behind him. Drew Comesso is expected to play on the Rockford Icehogs in the AHL, so Chicago needs an insurance plan at goalie in case Drew Comesso struggles to transition from the NCAA to the AHL. At the very worst, Carson Bjarnason, the youngest goalie in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft is a high end backup to Comesso. Best case scenario for Carson Bjarnason is he beats out Drew Comesso for a goalie job assuming Comesso struggles to transiton from the NCAA to AHL which seems extremely unlikely.
    
    
    
    Carson Bjanarson is a former defender. He brought two sets of equipment. His equipment from his time as a defender in one bag with his equipment from his goalie gear in the other bag. Carson Bjanarson had a dedicated goalie coach in bantam AAA hockey when he was younger around the age of 14 which is one thing that prepared him for the WHL. Carson's dad was a firm believer in having Carson play multiple sports as Carson played hockey and baseball growing up in Canada.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 190 lb Carson Bjarnason is the youngest goalie in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. He also has the quickest development path to the NHL allowing him to go from the CHL to the AHL after two more seasons with the Brandon Wheat Kings.
    
    
    
    Carson Bjarnason had a 4.00 goals against average, an .882 save percentage, 76 goals allowed, 0 shutouts, and an 8-10-1 record in 23 games played starting 19 of those games as a rookie in 2021-2022. Carson Bjarnason had a 3.08 goals against average, a .900 save percentage, 140 goals allowed, 3 shutouts, a 21-19-6 record in 47 games played and 46 WHL starts in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Carson Bjarnason went from recording 566 saves as a rookie in 2021-2022 to recording to recording 1,265 saves as a sophomore in 2022-2023 recording 699 more saves.
    
    
    
    Style, Post Integration, Glove, Blocker Pad, Reading The Puck By Tracking, Rebound Control, Post Save Recovery, Quickness, Footwork, and Puckhandling. Those are ten different categories that NHL Draft Scouts use to evaluate goalies. Carson Bjarnason checks eight of these ten boxes. Carson Bjarnason needs to improve his quickness and footwork. He's got to react quicker, but his anticipation of the puck is good. Sometimes it feels like Carson Bjanarason is trapped in quicksand when goaltending in the crease. That's how sloppy Carson Bjanarson's footwork was after watching his October Highlights from 2022 and it continued into December and January.
    
    
    
    NHL Central Scouting ranked Carson Bjarnason as the number one North Americn goalie in the 2023 NHL Draft despite this. It's not like he cannot clean this part of his game up. In fact when he uses his pads, hips, moves his skates, and utilizes his footwork properly there are moments where Carson Bjarnasn has moments where he makes an incredible save like Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy did in the late 1990's and early 2000's. There are also moments where Carson Bjanarason's footwork is so sloppy that WHL teams are teeing off on the Brandon Wheat Kings goalie.
    
    
    
    Most have a second round grade on Carson Bjarnason. The third round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft where he can develop as an insurance plan feels like a much better spot.
    
    
    
68. Nashville Predators: Jake Fisher, C, Fargo Force (USHL)
    
    
    The 6-2 187 lb Jake Fisher is the younger brother of Drew Fisher who was a Mr. Hockey finalist in the State of Minnesota in 2021-2022. His father Pat Fisher is one of the team scouts for the San Jose Sharks as well meaning the Fisher family is one of the more ambitious hockey families hoping to leave their last name in NHL glory for years to come. Jake Fisher was a finalist for Mr. Hockey, but ended up losing that award to Jayson Shaugabay in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Jake Fisher had 34 goals, 29 assists, and 63 points in 29 games in 2022-2023. Jake Fisher only had 1 goal in 12 USHL games with the Fargo Force in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Jake Fisher will play one more sesaon on the Fargo Force in the USHL. Then he will go to the University Of Denver where accept a hockey scholarship with the Denver Pioneers in the NCAA starting in 2024.
    
    
    
    Jake Fisher has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, and offensive awareness to succeed in the NHL. Jake Fisher is one of the fastest skaters, he's strong, and he's got some nice developmental traits for a project player that the Nashville Predators can stash for up to four years before having to sign him.
    
    
    
    
    
69. Montreal Canadiens: Alex Ciernik, LW, Sodertalje SK (Allsvenskan)
    
    
    Montreal drafts a winger from Sweden here. Alex Ciernik has quite the shot making him an interesting project or Montreal to gamble on.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 174 lb Alex Ciernik is versatile enough to play left wing or right wing. Alex Ciernik had 3 goals, 9 assists, and 12 points in Allsvenskan in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Alex Ciernik has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, and offensive awareness to succeed in the NHL. Alex Ciernik is a good skater whose effective offensively, but raw defensively. If you cannot develop his defensive game, you're looking at a high end AHL winger. If you get his defense on par with his offense you're looking at a potential back six winger on the third or fourth line for the Montreal Canaidens down the road once he finishes developing.
    
    
    
70. Arizona Coyotes: Gavin Thoreson, RW, Waterloo Blackhawks (USHL)
    
    
    Arizona drafts the third and Mr. Hockey nominee in the State of Minnesota here. Jayson Shaugabay, Jake Fisher, Gavin Thoreson, and Chase Cheslock were the four Mr. Hockey nominees for best High School hockey player in the state of Minnesota.
    
    
    
    The 5-8 183 lb Gavin Thoreson was a team captain at Andover High School in Minnesota. Gavin Thoreseon had 41 goals, 56 assists, and 97 points during his senior season at Andover High School with the Andover Huskies. Gavin Thoreson had 9 goals, 14 assists, and 23 points in 23 USHL games with the Waterloo Blackhawks. Gavin Thoreson will play full-time with the Waterloo Blackhawks in the USHL next sesaon befofre going to St. Cloud State in 2024.
    
    
    
    Arizona can bet on the traits that Gavin Thoreson brings. Arizona's situation is uncertain at the moment since they couldn't get support to build a new stadium in Tempe Arizona, the choices are build a stadium in Scotsdale or relocate.
    
    
    
    Gavin Thoreson has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy and offensive awareness to succeed in the NHL. Gavin Thoreson just needs to develop defensively and maintain his level of offensive play when he transitions from the USHL to the NCAA.
    
    
    
    I gave Arizona Michael Hrabel in the second round saying he could be in the NHL anywhere from 2027 to 2029. That's about when when Thoreson should arrive. Thoreson will spend at least a year on the Tuscon Roadrunners in the AHL if Arizona signs him, so Thoreson won't be on the Coyotes until 2028 at the earliest if Airzona drafts him.
    
    
    
    
    
71. Philadelphia Flyers: Noah Dower Nilsson, C, Frolunda Indians (Elitserien)
    
    
    Philadelphia drafts a center to gamble on in the third round. Noah Dower Nilsson has NHL traits, but doesn't exactly utilize those traits on a consistent basis. Also most of his production came on the Frolunda Indians Under 20 Team as Noah Dower Nilsson only played 3 SHL games. Noah Dower Nilsson had 2 goals, 4 assists, and 6 points for Sweden in 7 games during the World Junior Championships.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 185 lb Noah Dower Nilsson had 26 goals, 28 assists, and 54 points on the Frolunda Indians Under 20 Team. Noah Dower Nilsson had 0 points in 3 SHL games after being promoted to the SHL.
    
    
    
    Noah Dower Nilsson has the skating, versatility, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Noah Dower Nilsson needs to improve his ability to win face offs as he was used as a left winger more so than a center in the SHL once known as Eliserien. Noah Dower Nilsson can continue to develop in Sweden and the AHL until he's ready to play with the Philadelphia Flyers. I see him as a third or fourth line forward on Philadelphia's back six by the time he finishes developing.
    
    
    
72. Arizona Coyotes: Maxim Strbak, D, Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
    
    
    Arizona drafts a defenseman here. Maxim Strbak has the traits to be a defenseman in the NHL yet he's extremely raw as a prospect.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 198 lb Maxim Strbak had 5 goals, 13 assists, 18 points, and a -20 +/- ratio in 46 games with the Sioux Falls Stampede 2022-2023. Maxim Strbak was also the team captain for Slovakia during the 20222 IIHC World Junior Championships.
    
    
    
    Maxim Strbak has the skating, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Maxim Strbak is better on defense than offense according to a scouting report I ready on the Hockey Writers, however his tape and highlights show more of his offensive skill. Maxim Strbak has NHL traits, but he doesn't utilize those traits consistently.
    
    
    
    Maxim Strbak has a hockey scholarship to Michigan State. He will play defense on the Michigan State Spartans hockey team this Fall. He can develop there for the next three years before Arizona has to make a decision on whether or not to sign Maxim Strbak to an NHL roster in 2026.
    
    
    
    
    
73. Detroit Red Wings: Timur Mukhanov, C, Avangard Osmk (KHL)
    
    
    Detroit goes for the best player on the board here. Timur Mukhanov is the third center that I've mocked to Detroit, but his ability to process information is through the roof.
    
    
    
    The 5-8 170 lb Timur Mukhanov had 8 goals, 9 assists, and 17 points in the MHL in 2022-2023. He did well enough to get promoted to the VHL where he had 4 goals, 4 assists, and 8 points in 2022-2023. Timur Mukhanov is going to be on a KHL roster next season. It's possible that Timur Mukhanov is in the AHL on the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2025 once his contract in the KHL expires.
    
    
    
    Timur Mukhanov has the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He processes the game quickly and does a remarkable job anticipating where the puck will go. His skating, passing, shooting, and face off ability needs to be refined. It's not a weakness in his game, yet not a strength either. Timur Mukhanov can develop in the KHL for two years trying to make those weaknesses strengths before an NHL team has to sign him to an entry level contract.
    
    
    
74. St. Louis Blues: Aiden Fink, RW, Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
    
    
    I considered giving Detroit Aiden Fink, but he's going to college for three years while Timur Mukhanov will have two years in the KHL. Basically, Timur Mukhanov could be in the AHL by the time 2025 rolls around. Aiden Fink will be in the NCAA until at least 2026 despite winning AJHL MVP this past season. The St. Louis Blues gamble on this years AJHL MVP with their third round pick.
    
    
    
    Aiden Fink fell to the third round because the 2023 NHL Entry Draft is deep like the 2020 and 2022 NHL Entry Drafts with more star power in this draft than those two drafts, but this draft doesn't feel as deep as those two once you get past the third round. However, the 2023 NHL Entry Draft boasts more stars and skill players in the top 100 compared to 2020 or 2022. Aiden Fink was the best skill player in the AJHL and accepted a hockey scholarship to Penn State this Fall.
    
    
    
    The 5-9 153 Aiden Fink had 19 goals, 34 assists, and 53 points in 60 AJHL games in 2021-2022. Aiden Fink had 4 goals, 1 assist, and 5 points in 4 games during the 2022 AJHL Playoffs on the eventual AJHL Champions. Aiden Fink got promoted to alternate captain this season posting 41 goals, 56 assists, and 97 points in 54 games. Aiden Fink had 8 goals, 5 assists, and 13 points in 15 AJHL games during the 2023 AJHL Playoffs helping the Brooks Bandits repeat in the AJHL.
    
    
    
    Aiden Fink has the speed, burst, explosion, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, stick handling, offensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Aiden Fink has the offensive traits and athletic traits you covet. He just needs to get stronger and develop his defensive game by improving his defensive awareness. He's got leadership traits too as an alternate captain on the Brooks Bandits.
    
    
    
    
    
75. Vancouver Canucks: Jordan Tourigny, D, Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)
    
    
    The Vancouver Canucks have a ton of prospects on defense in their prospect pool. Vancouver ends up drafting another defenseman after enduring three different injuries on the blue line last season.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 165 lb Jordan Tourigny was drafted ninth overall in the 2021 QMJHL Draft. Jordan Tourigny is another player that Vancouver could add to their prospect pool despite already having a pretty good prospect pool.
    
    
    
    Jordan Tourigny had 4 goals, 17 assists, 21 points, and a +15 +/- ratio in 64 QMJHL games 2021-2022. Jordan Tourigny had 2 goals, 7 assists, and 9 points in 16 games during the 2022 QMJHL Playoffs. He also helped the Shawinigan Cataractes win the QMJHL last season Jordan Tourigny had 6 goals, 35 assists, 41 points, and a -28 +/- ratio in 67 QMJHL games in 2022-2023. Jordan Tourigny had 0 goals, 2 assists, and 2 points in 5 games during the 2023 QMJHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Jordan Tourigny has the speed, burst, explosion, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, stick handling, and offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Jordan Tourigny can play with the Shawinigan Cataractes in the QMJHL for two more seasons before he signs his entry level contract.
    
    
    
    Vancouver has Quinn Hughes and Oliver Ekman-Larsson locked up until 2027. Tyler Myers is gone after next season unless he gets traded to a contending team now and my guess is that Filip Hronek will anchor the second line of Vancouver's defense on the blue line as early as 2023 and as late as 2024 if the Canucks cannot find a buyer for Tyler Myers. Jack Rathbone, Vancouver's 2017 fourth round pick played in 11 NHL games and could be the replacement for Tyler Myers while Jett Woo Vancouver's 2018 second round pick looks like a potential replacement for Tucker Poolman if he can improve in the AHL after having a career high 21 points. Jett Woo will probably get a two-way contract once he's extended, but I think he'll be in the NHL by 2025 as a replacement to Poolman. Vancouver has Cole Mcward, but he's got to outright win the number six defenseman job in training camp next year and agree to a team friendly extension in 2024 before we solidify him as the number six defenseman.
    
    
    
    My guess is Vancouver's 2022 third round pick Elias Petersson will replace Oliver Ekman-Larsson down the road in 2027 because if he's on the same line as Petersson it will confuse the hell out of NHL teams. This means that Jordan Touringy probably won't see the NHL anytime soon unless Quinn Hughes leaves Vancouver to test Free Agency in 2027. If Hughes leaves, Jordan Touringy will be ready for the NHL by the time Quinn Hughes leaves Vancouver, but I honeslty don't see Quinn leaving Vancouver unless the New Jersey Devils have enough cap space to get the older brother of Jack Hughes and Luke Hughes to come to New Jersey by 2027.
    
    
    
76. St. Louis Blues: Aram Minnetian, D, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    St. Louis drafts a defenseman from the United States National Team Developmental Program that the Blues can stash in their prospect pool. This guy can go the NCAA route and then start out in the AHL before climbing his way up the Blues roster.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 195 lb Aram Minnetian had 7 goals, 24 assists, and 31 points in 62 games on the US-Under 18 Team. Aram Minnetian had 0 goals, 6 assists, 6 points, and a +16 +/- ratio in 23 USHL games in 2022-2023. Aram Minnetian is going to Boston College where he will play with Will Smith, Gabriel Perreault, and Ryan Leonard the three first line forwards on the USNTDP roster in the USHL. Boston College also got Jacob Fowler my top goalie. Keep an eye on Boston College because the talent for the Boston College Eagles to return to a Frozen Four in the next three years is there.
    
    
    
    Aram Minnetian has the speed, burst, explosion, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, stick handling, and offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Aram Minnetian has similar traits to Jordan Touringny, but he will be taking the NCAA route meaning the Blues don't have to give him an entry level deal until 2026. He would probably be in the AHL until 2029 and wouldn't have to offer him a one-way contract in the NHL until 2030 giving the Blues ample time to develop Aram Minnetian.
    
    
    
    
    
77. Vegas Golden Knights: Carson Rehkopf, LW, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
    
    
    I was skeptical about the Kitchener Rangers taking Carson Rehkopf in the 2021 OHL Draft because there were rumors that Carson Rehkopf would play in the USHL instead at the time. The Kitchener Rangers managed to secure the rights to Carson Rehkopf as Carson has made me look foolish for doubting his ability to succeed with the Kitchener Rangers. Anybody who makes me look foolish belongs in the top 100.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 195 lb Carson Rehkpof had 15 goals, 13 assists, 28 points, and a -20 +/- ratio in 65 OHL games in 2021-2022. Carson Rehkpoff had 4 goals, 2 assists, and 6 points in 12 games during the 2022 OHL Playofs. Carson Rehkpof had 30 goals, 29 assists, 59 points, and a -9 +/- ratio in 68 OHL games in 2022-2023. Carson Rehkpof had 1 goal, 3 assists, and 4 points in 4 games during the 2023 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Carson Rehkpof has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, stick handling, versatility, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Carson Rehkpof would probably play left winger on the Vegas Golden Knights despite being proficient at winning face offs on film because Vegas loses two left wingers to Free Agency in 2023 while Brett Howden is an RFA. Also playing left winger means Carson Rehkpof would have less defensive responsibility and that may help with his +/- ratio still in the negative. Carson Rehkpof interviewed with 26 NHL teams at the 2023 NHL Combine.
    
    
    
78. Los Angeles Kings: Hunter Brzustewicz, D, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
    
    
    The 5-11 190 lb Hunter Brzustewicz had 6 goals, 51 assists, 57 points, and a+8 +/- ratio in 68 OHL games in 2022-2023. Hunter Brzustewicz had 0 goals, 4 assists, and 4 points in 9 games during the 2023 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Hunter Brzustewicz also won the Bob Schlieman Award with the Kitchener Rangers having four of the last five winners for the Bob Schlieman Award which goes to the best offensive defenseman. I'm not sure if that's the best offensive defenseman on the Kitchener Rangers or if it is for the best offensive defenseman in the OHL. Regardless, it's an impressive accomplishment on the resume of Hunter Brzustewicz.
    
    
    
    Hunter Brzustewicz has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Hunter Brzustewicz is a guy who could end up being a steal in the 2023 NHL Draft if he fell to the third round. He's raw, but the traits to be a top 4 defenseman in the NHL once he finishes developing are there in spades. The Kings can take as much time with Huner Brzustewicz as they need.
    
    
    
    
    
79. Nashville Predators: David Edstrom, C, Frolunda Indians (Elitserien)
    
    
    Nashville goes for value and drafts another center that can be groomed for the future. Nashville can go for value over need with a lot of stability at a lot of positions when fully healthy. David Edstrom is a traits guy that an NHL team is gonna fall in love with. He's also extremely unselfish.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 185 lb David Edstrom had 15 goals, 13 assists, and 28 points with the Frolunda Indians Under 20 Team. David Edstrom had 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points, and a +2 +/- ratio in 11 games with Frolunda HC formerly known as the Frolunda Indians in the SHL once known as Elitserien in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    David Edstrom has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. David Edstrom has the best forecheck and backcheck combination of any center I've seen in this years draft meaning he might be the best defensive center. He lacks the top end explosion you want to see from a skater, but many NHL scouts believe that will be fixed once he adds more muscle and fills out his frame getting closer to 200 lbs since he's got the 200 foot game you want from an NHL center in addition to his stout defending. He's also got to improve in terms of winning face offs, but the traits you want from an NHL player are there.
    
    
    
80. Calgary Flames: Felix Nilsson, C, Rogle BK (Elitserien)
    
    
    Calgary gets another center that could realistically develop into a third line center down the road. Felix Nilsson is versatile enough to play left wing, center, or right wing as he can play every forward spot.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 187 lb Felix Nilsson had 19 goals, 22 assists, and 41 points in 36 games with Rogle BK's Under 20 Team in 2022-2023. Felix Nilsson had 0 points in 18 SHL games against men and there is no game film or highlights on him when I tried to find his tape on Youtube.
    
    
    
    Felix Nilsson has the versatility, playmaking, passing, puck handling, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He's got to improve his skating, his shot, and get stronger. He's a top six AHL forward with potential to develop into a third line center in the NHL if he fixes his weaknesses.
    
    
    
    The hockey IQ and mental traits you want are there if the scouting report that I read about Felix Nilsson on The Hockey Writers has some truth to it. Having the versatility to play any of the three forward spots at left wing, center, or right wing has to help as well.
    
    
    
    In that scouting report there were three different NHL Draft content creators that scout NHL Draft prospects that were quoted by The Hockey Writers due to no game film or highlights of Felix Nilsson being available on Youtube and that is the only reason why I have Nilsson dropping to 80 in the third round because without any Youtube highlights or game film on Felix Nilsson, you have to trust what people are saying about this young man along with what your NHL scouting department is saying about Felix Nilsson if you pick him in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    There are some players in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft where there is no game film or highlights of said player when you type that players name on Youtube and Felix Nilsson is the first player to meet that criteria. Six NHL scouting services out of fifteen have a second or third round grade on Felix Nilsson and that excludes Draft Utopia even though I reference my site as one of the fifteen sites for scouting NHL prospects.
    
    
    
    
    
81. Arizona Coyotes: Coulson Pitre, RW, Flint Firebirds (OHL)
    
    
    The 6-0 170 lb Coulson Pitre is versatile enough to play left wing, center, or right wing. He can play all three forward roles effectively, yet right wing is his best role. The Flint Firebirds produced two first round wingers in Ty Dellandrea and Brennan Othmann. Coulson Pitre is the Flint Firebirds best winger since those two.
    
    
    
    Coulson Pitre had 23 goals, 21 assists, 44 poinsts, and a +11 +/- ratio in 52 OHL games during his rookie season in 2021-2022 after being a fourth round pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. Coulson Pitre had 6 goals, 3 assists, and 9 points in 16 games during the 2022 OHL Playoffs. Coulson Pitre had 25 goals, 35 assists, 60 points, and a +20 +/- ratio in 59 games in 2022-2023. Coulson Pitre had 2 goals, 3 assists, and 5 points in the 2023 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Coulson Pitre has the skating, versatility, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Coulson Pitre needs to develop his slap shot power and slap shot accuracy and continue to improve that area of his game. Most of his goals came on wrist shots, but Pitre showed he could score front handed and back handed wrist shots which makes Pitre one of the better shooters in the 2023 NHL Draft even though he still needs to develop and refine his slap shot.
    
    
    
82. Winnipeg Jets: Joseph Willis, C, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
    
    
    Joseph Willis, also known as Joey Willis was drafted third overall in the 2021 USHL Draft. Joseph Willis turned down the USHL to sign a contract with the Saginaw Spirit in the OHL where he would be a second line center behind future number one overall pick Michael Misa whose the projected top pick in 2025.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 175 lb Joseph Willis had 15 goals, 29 assists, 44 points, and a -4 +/- ratio in 2022-2023. Joseph Willis also had 4 goals, 2 assists, and 6 points in the 2023 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Joseph Willis has the skating, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, vision, and offensive awareness to succeed in the NHL. Joseph Willis has to improve his defense and his ability to execute a slap shot. He's a project, but he's got some traits that could excite you as a prospect down the road.
    
    
    
    
    
83. Nashville Predators: Beckett Hendrickson, C, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    Nashville goes with the best player on the board once again. Beckett Hendrickson, the son of former NHL player Darby Hendrickson has one more season with the USNTDP team before he goes to Minnesota in 2024.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 174 lb Beckett Hendrickson had 13 goals, 21 assists, and 34 points with the US-Under 18 Team in 2022-2023. Beckett Hendrickson had 7 goals, 9 assists, 16 points, and a +3 +/- ratio imrproving his +/- ratio from -23 to +3 by giving up 26 fewer goals in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Beckett Hendrickson has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, versatility, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Beckett Hendrickson needs to refine his passing and defensive game. Improving his face off ability would solidify his ability to play center, but if he just focuses on improving his passing and defensive fundamentals he should still be a solid third line left winger on an NHL team down the road because Beckett Hendrickson has an NHL shot and athleticism that's through the roof despite needing to refine his skating mechanics.
    
    
    
84. Seattle Kraken: Scott Ratzlaff, G, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
    
    
    The Seattle Kraken may end up drafting hometown goalie Scott Ratzlaff for insurance despite spending a 2022 second round pick on Niklas Kokko since the Kraken have so few needs at the moment along with an abundance of quality prospects thanks to a very strong 2022 NHL Draft Class that Ron Francis assembled. You have Phillip Grubauer as your starting goalie until 2027. Chris Driedger, the backup goalie is under contract for one more season. Niklas Kokko should be in the AHL on the Coachella Valley Firebirds which is the Seattle Kraken's AHL team next season. Seattle has RFA goalie Joey Daccord as the current Coachella Valley starter and a 26 year old backup whose not an NHL goalie despite being under contract meaning that Coachella Valley can ease Niklas Kokko into the lineup rather than rushing the Kraken's 2022 second round pick into the starting lineup of the Seattle Kraken's AHL team.
    
    
    
    Drafting another goalie here for insurance isn't a bad move. Worst case scenario is that Niklas Kokko doesn't pan out and Ratzlaff gets an opportunity to play which would be worst case for the Kraken and best case for Ratzlaff. Best case scenario for the Kraken is, you got a great goalie tandem of Niklas Kokko and Scott Ratzlaff as your top two goalies with both goaltenders pushing each other for the starting goalie gig by 2027 when Phillip Grubauer's contract is up.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 175 lb Scott Ratzlaff was a second round pick in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft drafted forty third overall by the Seattle Thunderbirds. He was the first goalie drafted in the 2020 WHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Scott Ratzlaff had a 2.48 goals against average, an .904 save percentage, 51 goals allowed, 1 shutout, and an 17-2-1 record in 22 games played starting 20 of those games as a rookie in 2021-2022. Scott Ratzlaff had a 2.15 goals against average, a .918 save percentage, 72 goals allowed, 5 shutouts, a 25-8-1 record in 34 WHL starts in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Style, Post Integration, Glove, Blocker Pad, Reading The Puck By Tracking, Rebound Control, Post Save Recovery, Quickness, Footwork, and Puckhandling. Those are ten different categories that NHL Draft Scouts use to evaluate goalies. Scott Ratzlaff checks eight of these ten boxes. Scott Ratzlaff improved his ability to make saves with his blocker pad considerably this past season, but still hasn't perfected using his blocker pad. Post save recovery is another area of improvement as Ratzlaff has to do a better job deflecting pucks in low-danger areas on the ice. In my opinion, Scott Ratzlaff is closer to checking off all ten of these boxes than Carson Bjarnason.
    
    
    
    Honestly, Scott Ratzlaff might have a better floor than Carson Bjarnason. Carson Bjarnason is the youngest goalie in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft and he had more starts than Ratzlaff as well, but there are moments where Carson looks like he's playing in quicksand. That's got to get cleaned up despite the fact that I did an even lengthier writeup than my Ratzlaff writeup on Carson Bjarnason when mocking him to Chicago at 67.
    
    
    
    I think Ratzlaff could get picked by Seattle at 83, but if the Kraken pass on a goalie, then either the Philadelphia Flyers at 86 with the New York Rangers third round pick or the Pittsburgh Penguins at 90 with the New Jersey Devils third round selection are both candidates to draft Scott Ratzlaff since he's the only third round goalie left on the board.
    
    
    
    If the Seattle Kraken gamble on the hometown Seattle Thunderbirds goalie Scott Ratzlaff, then both of those teams in the great state of Pennsylvania will either have to improve their goalie siutations by Free Agency or trade for a veteran goalie who can help their franchise win now.
    
    
    
    The best goalie in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft after Scott Ratzlaff is Tomas Suchanek of the Tri-City Americans. The 20-year-old Tomas Suchanek went undrafted in the 2021 and 2022 NHL Entry Drafts and he's got one more year of draft eligibility in 2023 which is why I have a hard time seeing him getting picked in the first three rounds of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. While Suchanek has potential after finally posting his best season on Tri-City, he's not considered to be in the same tier as other goalies in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft like Jacob Fowler, Trey Augustine, Michael Hrabel, Adam Gajac, Carson Bjarnason, or Scott Ratzlaff who headline an extremely deep goalie class that could see as many as 25 goalies get drafted. Those six goalies including the one I mocked to Seattle are the six stone cold locks to get signed by NHL teams at some point in the next two or three years while the other 19 draft eligible goalies will have to earn any opportunity that they can get regardless of where those goalies get drafted in rounds four through seven.
    
    
    
    
    
85. Anaheim Ducks: Connor Levis, RW, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
    
    
    Connor Levis was the twentieth pick in the 2019 WHL Draft. Connor Levis trained with Andrew Cristall prior to the 2020 WHL Draft when the Kelownoa Rockets took Cristall in the 2020 WHL Draft as the two were best friends growing up. There were a lot of reports three years ago that Connor Levis would take the USHL route, but the Kamloops Blazers secured Levis to a WHL contract and he became a member of the Kamloops Blazers.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 187 lb Connor Levis had 9 goals, 5 assists, 14 points, and a +2 +/- ratio in 22 WHL games in 2020-2021. Connor Levis had 16 goals, 26 assists, 42 points, and a +5 +/- ratio in 68 WHL regular season games 2021-2022. Connor Levis had 3 goals, 7 assists, and 10 points during the 2022 WHL Playoffs. Connor Levis had 27 goals, 40 assists, 67 points, and a +23 +/- ratio in 2022-2023. Connor Levis had 1 goal, 5 assists, and 6 points in 14 games during the 2023 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Minnesota also has Carson Lambos, Ryan O'Rourke, Filip Johansson, Simon Johansson, Daemon Hunt, Kyle Masters, and David Spacek in their prospect pool. Minnesota has six defensemen that are good enough to play in the NHL. Alex Goligoski for inusurance, and seven other quality defensemen in their prospect pool. I don't think Minnesota needs to draft a defenseman. Simply loading up with offensive talent should be good enough.
    
    
    
    Connor Levis has the skating, versatility, passing, playmaking, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Connor Levis has always been a playmaker who gets his teammates involved even dating back to his Bantam days when playing with Andrew Cristall prior to the 2020 WHL Draft. He's great defensively and can get the puck to teammates. He has potential to be an effective third or fourth line right winger on the Anaheim Ducks down the road once he develops his shots while refinining his shot selection. He doesn't have the explosiveness of a top six forward, but he's very consistent in terms of production which is why I see him as a third or fourth line player at either center or right winger, most likely right wing in the NHL.
    
    
    
86. Buffalo Sabres: Carter Sotheran, D, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
    
    
    The Buffalo Sabres boost their prospect pool with another blue line prospect. Carter Sotheran was one of 106 players that got invited to the 2023 NHL Combine.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 201 lb Carter Sotheran is bigger than Luca Cagnoni despite being a rawer prospect after the Portland Winterhawks fifth round pick in the 2020 WHL Draft finally made his WHL debut this season. Carter Sotheran had 4 goals, 19 assists, 23 points, and a +14 +/- ratio in 68 games in his first WHL season in 2022-2023. Carter Sotheran had 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point in 9 games in the 2023 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Carter Sotheran is the second prospect in the 2023 NHL Draft with no game film outside of Felix Nilsson. It was cool to see Sotheran grow. Buffalo will lose their second line defenseman in 2024. Cameron Allen could develop into an NHl player down the road in 2026 or 2027. Cater Sotheran would not be in the NHL until 2028 or 2030 at the earliest, but he'd be going to Buffalo where he would be in a great situation.
    
    
    
    Carter Sotheran has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Carter Sotheran an excellent skater with elite offensive traits. "Carter Sotheran is a guy who continues to gain more confidence each time he steps on the ice." That quote came from Portland's assistant head coach despite the fact that NHL Central Scouting gave him a C grade in November. He went from having a C grade to being one of 106 players to get invited to the 2023 NHL Combine. That should say quite a bit about Carter Sotheran.
    
    
    
    
    
87. Philadelphia Flyers: Jesse Kiiskinen, RW, Lahti Pelicans (SM Liiga)
    
    
    The Philadelphia Flyers draft another right winger here. Jesse Kiiskinen is one of the top right wing prospects from Finland in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 190 lb Jesse Kiiskinen had 13 goals, 12 assists, and 25 points on the Lahti Pelicans Under 20 Team in 2021-2022. Jesse Kiiskinen had 20 goals, 23 assists, and 43 points on the Lahti Pelicans Under 20 Team in 2022-2023. Jesse Kiiskinen played 7 SM Liiga games where he had 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point in 7 games n 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Jesse Kiiskinen has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, skating, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. As long as a player is born before September 15, 2005, that player can enter the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Jesse Kiiskinen was born after Connor Bedard on August 23, 2005. He was also the team captain of Finland's International team in multiple tournaments involving Finland's Under 18 National Hockey Team leading up to the 2023 NHL Entry Draft so not only is Jesse Kiiskinen one of the youngest players in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, he's got incredible leadership traits for such a young player.
    
    
    
    Jesse Kiiskinen is projected to go in the third round on most NHL Mock Drafts despite getting an invite to the 2023 NHL Combine. I've seen multiple NHL Mock drafts put him in the second round and one put him in the late first round. I can see why though when you look at his leadership traits and longevity for one of the youngest players in this draft class when there isn't a consensus first round player from Finland this year. Philadelphia has to pull the trigger on Jesse Kiiskinen if he slips to the late third round with this pick from the New York Rangers.
    
    
    
88. Arizona Coyotes: Rasmus Kumpalainen, C, Lahti Pelicans (SM Liiga)
    
    
    I kept praising Jesse Kiiskinen. His Lahti Pelicans teammate Rasmus Kumpalainen is going one pick later to the Arizona Coyotes with this third round selection that Arizona acquired from the Edmonton Oilers in their trade deadline move that sent Nick Bjugstad and Cam Dineen to Edmonton.
    
    
    
    At some point Arizona will have Logan Cooley as their first line center, Barrett Hayton as their second line center, and Connor Geekie as their third line center. One guy still on the board who could be Arizona's fourth line center down the road is Rasmus Kumpalainen.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 190 lb Rasmus Kumpalainen had 11 goals, 23 assists, and 34 points on the Lahti Pelicans Under 20 Team in 2022-2023. Unlike Jesse Kiiskinen he didn't get promoted to the Liiga league once known as SM Liiga. However, unlike Jesse Kiiskinen there is game film on Ramsus Kumpalainen which is one thing working in his favor.
    
    
    
    Rasmus Kumpalainen has the skating, playmaking, passing, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Rasmus Kumpalainen reminds me a little of Dallas Stars fourth line center Radek Faksa. Not only does he win face offs he can be a very good defensive center that loves to get his teammates involved when controlling th puck on offense. He forechecks and backchecks effectively.
    
    
    
    If you piss this guy off enough he just might drop his stick and gloves and whoop your ass like Jamie Benn. A player like that on the fourth line gives Arizona's core of centers an identity once Logan Cooley, Connor Geekie, and Rasmus Kumpalinen join Barrett Hayton in the NHL down the road.
    
    
    
    
    
89. Vancouver Canucks: Carey Terrance, C, Erie Otters (OHL)
    
    
    Vancouver spends this third round pick on a player with the upside to develop into a second line center behind Elias Petersson down the road. That's the type of ceiling Terrance has. He's got great character and interviewed extremely well not only heading into the OHL, but heading into Bantam hockey as a teenager which may explain why Carey Terrance was picked tenth overall in the 2021 OHL Draft. Carey Terrance will crack the top 100 of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft based solely on his ability to interview in front of NHL teams at the 2023 NHL Combine.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 178 lb Carey Terrance had 10 goals, 14 assists, 24 points, and a -16 +/- ratio in 2021-2022. Carey Terrance had 30 goals, 17 assists, 47 points, and a -28 +/- ratio in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Carey Terrance has the skating, foot speed, explosion, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Carey Terrance models his game after Detroit Red Wings team captain and first line center Dylan Larkin and talked about wanting to improve his face off ability following the 2021 OHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Carey Terrance brings a lot to an NHL organization from a traits standpoint. There's still three things he's got to do.
    
    
    
    Those three things Carey Terrance needs to improve in are playing with more physicality, utilizing his teammates more frequently, and improving his forecheck and back checks despite displaying the necessary defensive awareness of a forward that can play offense and defense effectively. Basically Carey Terrance has most of the traits you want, but you want to see him assert himself as a leader of the team.
    
    
    
    Elias Petersson is the first line center on Vancouver as long as he wants to stay in Vancouver. Can you really say that about Sheldon Dries on the second line, Nils Ahman on the third line, or Jack Studnicka on the fourth line at center? From a traits standpoint, I feel like Carey Terrance could be the Vancouver Canucks version of Brayden Point if the Vancouver Canucks really take their time to develop Carey Terrance.
    
    
    
90. Pittsburgh Penguins: Jakub Dvorak, D, HC Bili Tygri Liberec (Extraliga)
    
    
    The Pittsburgh Penguins draft a defenseman with this third round pick from the New Jersey Devils knowing they need more quality prospects on the blue line. Jakub Dvorak was the team captain for the Czech Republic hockey team when Czech Republic competed in the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup playing with the tallest goalie in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft Michael Hrabel who got picked earlier in the second round.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 210 lb Jakub Dvorak had 0 goals, 2 assists, and 2 points in 24 games in Extraliga in 2022-2023. Jakub Dvorak has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL.
    
    
    
    Jakub Dvorak needs to develop his shot, display that top speed explosion when skating on offense, and being more physical along the boards. Dvorak is superb at forechecking and backchecking. He can defend at an NHL level and pass effectively. He's just needs to refine other elements of his game before making the jump to the NHL. He will probably get to play in Wilkes-Barre Scranton as well with the Wilkes Barre-Scranton Penguins in the AHL for a year as well even though this may be the one third round defenseman that Pittsburgh can get to the NHL relatively quickly like Kris Letang did back in 2006 one year after being the Pittsburgh Penguins third round pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    If you take a year to correct each weakness, then you're looking at him arriving in the NHL by either 2025 at the earliest which is a long shot unless Dvorak develops as quickly as Kris Letang. The more realistic projection is that Jakub Dvorak would be up in the NHL by 2026 at the latest if Pittsburgh has him correct all three weaknesses for a season.
    
    
    
    Pittsburgh has three defenseman that are Free Agents in 2025 with Jeff Petry, Marcus Petersson, and Jan Rutta. Owen Pickering, Pittsburgh's 2022 first round pick will be on this roster by 2025. Jakub Dvorak would have an opportunity to join Owen Pickering in 2025 if Pittsburgh's 2023 first round pick is in the NHL by then. Pittsburgh is one of these teams that might be able to reload rather than rebuild with a strong draft at the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
91. New York Rangers: Dylan Mackinnon, D, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
    
    
    New York will need a replacement to their number six defenseman Ben Harpur when he's a UFA in 2025 in two years. One guy who might be ready in two years is Halifax Mooseheads defenseman Dylan Mackinnon. He's a player who could develop quickly like his predecessor in Halifax Justin Barron. Dylan MacKinnon was drafted fifth overall 2021 QMJHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 190 lb Dylan MacKinnon had 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points, and a -14 +/- ratio in 52 QMJHL games in 2021-2022. Dylan MacKinnon had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in 4 games during the 2022 QMJHL Playoffs. Dylan MacKinnon had 6 goals, 17 assists, 23 points, and a +31 +/- ratio in 61 games in 2022-2023. Dylan MacKinnon had 0 goals, 2 assists, and 2 points in 20 games during the 2023 QMJHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Dylan MacKinnon has the speed, explosion, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Dylan MacKinnon has to develop his shot and perform better in the QMJHL Playoffs. He's got to show he can be an impact player in th playoffs as well as the regular season. His floor is better than Jakub Dvorak, but his ceiling isn't quite as high.
    
    
    
92. Boston Bruins: Nico Myatovic, LW, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
    
    
    The Boston Bruins have Brad Marchand as their first line left winger, Patrice Bergeron their first line center is set to be a UFA, and David Pastrnak their leading point producer and first line right winger signed an eight year extension in March. Boston has $4.9 million in cap space and retained Bergeron for only $2.5-million with Bergeron taking a team friendly deal to keep this core together. Don Sweeney would probably be willing to pay Bergeron up to $3-million, but no more than that with limited cap space.
    
    
    
    Boston has Pavel Zacha as their second line left winger, but can move him to center if their second line center leaves. David Krejci their second line center is a UFA, but he came back for only $1 million last season so there is an outside chance that Boston can get both Bergeron and Krejci back. My guess is Boston tries to retain Bergeron and moves on from Krejci. Tyler Bertuzzi who Boston got from Detroit at the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline is also a UFA, but Boston can always promote Jake DeBrusk their third line right winger and give him an opportunity to play on the top 6 in a contract year following his first career 50 point season which happened to be a career high for DeBrusk in the NHL.
    
    
    
    Boston was clearly going all in this season when the Bruins set an NHL record 65 wins. That all in plan was all for nothing after losing a first round series to the Florida Panthers in seven games after winning the President's Trophy and having the NHL's best regular season record.
    
    
    
    Boston Bruins third line left winger Taylor Hall is now on the Chicago Blackhawks meaning Boston needs a third line left winger. Charlie Coyle, Boston's third line center has a modified no trade clause and he's back next season. Boston's third line right winger Jake DeBrusk, one of Don Sweeney's first draft picks as General Manager in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft enters a contract year next season costing $4 million, but if DeBrusk moves up to the second line there's a chance that Fabian Lysell Boston's 2021 first round pick becomes the third line right winger behind their other two first round picks at right winger in David Pastrnak and Jake DeBrusk after having 14 goals, 23 assists, and 37 points with the Providence Bruins in the AHL last year.
    
    
    
    DeBrusk is the one guy that Boston can trade at forward to save cap space who doesn't have a no move clause, no trade clause, or modified no trade clause. Trading DeBrusk would clear up to $4 million dollars. DeBrusk is also coming off a career high season and when I assessed him during the 2015 NHL Entry Draft I said he was undersized and struggled as a penalty killer. I haven't watched enough Bruins games to know if he's cleaned that part of his game up, but now may be the time to cash in on Jake DeBrusk before he hits Free Agency in 2024.
    
    
    
    Trent Frederic is an RFA and he's the only left winger with an uncertain status for next season. Boston's fourth line center Tomas Nosek and fourth line right winger Garnet Hathaway to Free Agency. Boston loses five of their twelve forwards to Free Agency and potentially three of their top six if Bergeron, Krejci, and Bertuzzi all leave.
    
    
    
    The Boston Bruins have Charlie McAvoy as their first line defenseman anchoring their blue line on Boston's top defensive line. Hampus Lindholm will probably return to the first line with Dmitry Orlov set to hit Free Agency. Brandon Carlo will continue to anchor your second line on the blue line on defense. Matt Grezelcyk will probably move back up to the second line unless he gets traded to save cap space. Derek Forbort has a modified no trade clause and would be a third line defenseman. Jakub Zboril the thirteenth overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft who got picked one spot ahead of Jake DeBrusk is probably Boston's number six defenseman if Don Sweeney opts to keep his blue line as it is.
    
    
    
    Boston Bruins starting goalie Linus Ullmark is a Vezina Trophy finalist and he's under contract until 2025. Boston Bruins backup goalie Jeremy Swayman is just as capable of being a full time starter as Linus ullmark as Swayman is currently an RFA. Swayman was drafted in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft which featured Jake Oettinger and Stuart Skinner at goalie. Swayman would cost around $4 million to retain which is what Oettinger received. Boston may pay Swayman less than that since he is the current backup goalie on Boston, but I expect the Bruins to prioritze Bergeron and Swayman over every other Free Agent with $10.9 million in cap space after trading Taylor Hall to Chicago.
    
    
    
    The Boston Bruins are getting my best forward on the board with this third round pick. Nico Myatovic got a hat trick for the 2023 WHL Champion and 2023 Memorial Cup Runner Up in a game against the Victoria Royals as the Seattle Thunderbirds forward showed the versatility to play left winger, center, and right winger.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 180 lb Nico Myatovic had 30 goals, 30 assists, 60 points, and a +43 +/- ratio with the Seattle Thunderbirds in 2022-2023. Nico Myatovic played 25 games witgh 3 goals, 5 assists, and 8 poins during the 2022 WHL Playoffs when the Edmonton Oil Kings defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds during the 2022 WHL Finals. Nico Myatovic played 19 games with 4 goals, 3 assists, and 7 points during the 2023 WHL Playoffs as well as 5 more playoff games in the 2023 Memorial Cup meaning Nico Myatovic has played in 49 different playoff games the past two seasons with the Seattle Thunderbirds.
    
    
    
    Nico Myatovic has the skating, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, versatility, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Nico Myatovic checks off a lot of boxes. There's more areas of improvements than weaknesses with Myatovic when finding a weakness on film.
    
    
    
    This guy has an NHL ready shot with both his wrist shot and slap shot. Two things he can do are get more creative with the puck and stay away from the boards when skating. When lining up at the wing Myatovic did well skating, but was too close to the boards where a defender can whack him for an easy hit.
    
    
    
    Nico Myatovic can correct those two areas of his game. By 2025 he will be ready for the Providence Bruins if Brad Marchand re-signs with Boston in the AHL. Nico Myatovic could end up on the Boston Bruins as early as 2026 if the Boston Bruins gamble on him with their first pick in the third round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
93. Chicago Blackhawks: Danny Nelson, C, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    The 6-3 212 lb Danny Nelson had 21 goals, 26 assists, and 47 points in 62 games with the US-Under 18 Team. Danny Nelson had 8 goals, 9 assists, 17 points, and a +10 +/- ratio in 23 games with the United States National Team Developmental Program in the USHL in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Danny Nelson has the skating, versatility, playmaking, passing, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Danny Nelson has the size, versatility, passing, face off ability, and defensive play that you want from a center. He doesn't shoot the puck effectively in the USHL when seeing him on film against Muskegon. He skates well, but lacks explosion and speed when skating. He's going to Notre Dame in 2024 and could be a fourth line center on Chicago by 2027, but right now Danny Nelson is somewhat of a project getting overhyped as a second round prospect by five or six other NHL scouting services.
    
    
    
    Chicago can gamble on Danny Nelson and track his development over the next four years. He might be good enough to be a fourth line center on an NHL team in 2028, but he's got to fix his wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, and become faster as a skater just to have a shot at cracking the NHL. The size, face off ability, and defensive play you want from a back six center on a third or fourth line in the NHL is there though. He also played right winger on the power play for the United States National Team Developmental Program in the USHL which is the biggest reason I said he's versatile.
    
    
    
94. Carolina Hurricanes: Noel Nordh, RW, Brynas IF (Elitserien)
    
    
    Carolina drafts another winger prospect here. Noel Nordh is versatile enouhgh to play left wing or right wing.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 200 lb Noel Nordh had 13 goals, 14 assists, 27 points, and a -6 +/- ratio on the Brynas IF Under 20 Team in 32 games in 2022-2023. Noel Nordh had 1 goal, 0 assists, 1 point, and a -4 +/- ratio in 10 SHL games in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    Noel Nordh has the skating, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He's got a high motor. Even if he fixes his passing and wrist shot, he's not projected to be a high end scorer in the NHL which will limit him to a third or fourth line winger role in the NHL despite defending well.
    
    
    
    
    
95. San Jose Sharks: Ethan Miedema, LW, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
    
    
    The fourth overall pick in the 2021 OHL Draft got traded from the Winsdor Spitfires to the Kingston Frontenacs. Ethan Miedema got sent to Kingston in the blockbuster trade that sent Kingston Frontenacs team captain Shane Wright to the Windsor Spitfires.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 208 lb Ethan Miedema had 20 goals, 32 assists, 52 points, and a -8 +/- ratio in 2022-2023. Ethan Miedema had a positive +/- ratio in Windsor, but that went down once he got traded to the Kingston Frontenacs.
    
    
    
    Ethan Miedema has the skating, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, passing, playmaking, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Ethan Miedema just needs to improve his defensive awareness. He's got every other trait you want. San Jose can keep him in the OHL for two years and potentially bring him up to compete for a roster spot at left wing once he turns twenty or send him to the AHL where he would play with the San Jose Barracuda.
    
    
    
96. Vegas Golden Knights: Jesse Nurmi, LW, KooKoo (SM Liiga)
    
    
    Vegas grabs another winger near the end of the third round. Jesse Nurmi from Finland is another player from the third round that got an invite to the 2023 NHL Combine. Picks 86 through 96 have all been players that interviewed at the 2023 NHL Combine this week.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 168 lb Jesse Nurmi had 21 goals, 29 assists, 50 points, and a +0 +/- ratio in 41 games with KooKoo's Under 20 Team in 2022-2023. Jesse Nurmi had 0 goals, 1 assist, 1 point, and a +0 +/- ratio in 9 Liiga games in the league once known as SM Liiga.
    
    
    
    Jesse Nurmi has the skating, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Jesse Nurmi is good enough to go in the first three rounds, but he's not consistent since his play from the KooKoo Under 20 Team didn't carry over to Liiga in Finland against men. He's also got to get stronger.
    
    
    
    Jesse Nurmi is a project, but he has the traits you want a future left winger on the Vegas Golden Knights to have. At the very worst, he'll be an effective left winger on the Henderson Silver Knights in the AHL.