2023 MOCK DRAFT - TORIE PETERSON

Every year prior to the NHL Draft, CalgaryFlames.com staff members take a shot at predicting the opening round. Like many drafts, there is a consensus on the first-overall pick, with Regina's Connor Bedard sitting in that spot. After that, Torie Peterson, Ryan Dittrick, and Alex Medina's selections go in different directions.

1. Chicago Blackhawks

Connor Bedard - C - Regina (WHL)

No explanation needed. A generational talent.

2. Anaheim Ducks

Adam Fantilli - C - Michigan (NCAA)

This year's Hobey Baker winner is one of the greatest NCAA players in its history - and he's played just a single season. Scoring 30 goals and 65 points in just 36 games, he's going to be an impact player for years to come.

3. Columbus Blue Jackets

Matvei Michkov - RW - SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)

Patience is key with Michkov not because of his play but due to his KHL contract, which runs through 2025-26, but given his elite talent level, waiting is worth it. He's masterful with the puck, will put up bucketloads of points, and never quits on plays. He's set to be a superstar like Bedard and Fantilli.

4. San Jose Sharks

Leo Carlsson - C - Orebro (SHL)

Carlsson has all the tools to develop into a top centre: he's extremely intelligent, a responsible player in all three zones, can bring a physical edge to the game, and has plenty of offensive skill to either act as a goal-scorer or playmaker.

5. Montreal Canadiens

Will Smith - C - USA U-18 (USNTDP)

Smith plays a style that brings crowds to their feet. He's so creative with the puck and generates so many chances thanks to his high level of skill. With his vision and dynamic puck skills, he'll be featured on highlight reels throughout his career.

6. Arizona Coyotes

David Reinbacher - D - Kloten (SUI)

Playing - and thriving - in the top Swiss league this season has Reinbacher on the rise. A defender with a top-four ceiling, he's rock-solid in his own zone, skates extremely well, and moves the puck extremely well. In 46 games in 2022-23, he put up 22 points - impressive for an 18-year-old playing against men.

7. Philadelphia Flyers

Ryan Leonard - RW - USA U-18 (USNTDP)

Another high-quality forward in this year's draft class, Leonard has an impressive set of tools along with a motor that just doesn't quit. He's the type of player coaches absolutely love and trust in the most crucial of moments. In 57 games this year, he posted 51 goals and 94 points.

8. Washington Capitals

Dalibor Dvorsky - C - AIK (HockeyAllsvenskan)

The Slovakian centre's style of play has earned comparisons to Elias Lindholm - not too shabby of a player to be compared to. Dvorsky is an intelligent, responsible pivot who has worked on refining the details on his game while his offensive skill set allowed him to shine at the U-18s, where he put up 13 points through seven games.

9. Detroit Red Wings

Oliver Moore - C - USA U-18 (USNTDP)

An exceptional skater, Moore's speed and agility sets him apart from the vast majority of this year's draft class. Defenders consistently struggle to keep up with him on the forecheck and he opens up plenty of space for his linemates as he darts around the offensize zone. He also owns a heck of a shot, scoring 31 goals through 61 games in 2022-23.

READ - NHL Draft - Oliver Moore

10. St. Louis Blues

Nate Danielson - C - Brandon (WHL)

The Wheat Kings' captain is a natural leader who led his club in scoring in 2022-23 with 33 goals and 78 points through 68 skates. While he doesn't jump out at you in one particular area, Danielson has all the attributes teams love to see in their forwards and a consistency to his game that coaches love.

11. Vancouver Canucks

Zach Benson - LW - Winnipeg (WHL)

The Langley, BC product plays an energic, dynamic style that fans love. He's masterful with the puck and can manipulate defenders at will, drawing opponents to him before deftly dishing it off to a wide-open linemate. In 60 games in 2022-23, he recorded 36 goals and 98 points.

12. Arizona Coyotes (via Ottawa)

Matthew Wood - RW - UConn (NCAA)

The Lethbridge, AB native had a heck of a freshman season with the Huskies, registering 34 points in 35 games as the youngest player in the NCAA in 2022-23. Always known for his goal-scoring abilities, his first year with UConn allowed him to develop his playmaking skills and saw his draft stock rise as a result.

13. Buffalo Sabres

Gabriel Perrault - RW - USA U-18 (USNTDP)

Perrault made history in 2022-23 when put up an eye-popping 132 points in 63 games - the highest total ever by a draft-eligible player in the USNTDP. While on the smaller side at 5-foot-11 and not fastest player in the program, he's very smart with the puck and that has allowed his offensive game to reach such an impressive level.

READ - NHL Draft Profile - Gabe Perreault

14. Pittsburgh Penguins

Samuel Honzek - LW - Vancouver (WHL)

Already standing 6-foot-4 and weighing in at 185-pounds, the Slovak has a pro-ready frame and the tools to develop into a very capable top-six forward. With 56 points through 43 games with the Giants, he was a bright light on a Vancouver squad that didn't find much success in 2022-23.

15. Nashville Predators

Brayden Yager - C - Moose Jaw (WHL)

The Saskatoon, SK native's calling card? His shot. He has an absolute laser that he can get off his stick from anywhere on the ice, handcuffing goaltenders. Knowing that he could add to his arsenal, he worked on developing his playmaking skills this past year and in 2022-23, he played 67 games, scoring 28 goals and 78 points.

READ - NHL Draft Profile - Brayden Yager

16. Calgary Flames

Axel Sandin Pellikka - D - Skelleftea AIK (SHL)

Puck-moving defencemen are crucial to NHL teams success and Sandin Pellikka is the best among this year's draft class. He's excellent in transition and has an abundance of offensive upside. During his time with Skelleftea's under-20 club, he put up 36 points in 31 games, and while with the senior team, he managed five points in 22 outings. He has the potential to a top-unit power play quarterback at the NHL level with his vision and puck skills.

17. Detroit Red Wings (via Vancouver, via New York Islanders)

Dmitri Simashev - D - Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)

At 6-foot-4, the Russian blueliner is an exceptional skater - a rarity for a player of his stature. His speed and agility, paired with his defensive abilities, bring so much upside that one can see him being an impact player at the NHL level.

18. Winnipeg Jets

Eduard Sale - LW - HC Kometa Brno (Czechia)

Sale has looked one step ahead of his peers throughout his entire career and this season, playing against men, he once again showed he's on a different level than most of this year's draft class. This is, in large part, due to his intelligence and vision with the puck, giving him an edge against his opponents.

19. Chicago Blackhawks (via Tampa Bay)

Colby Barlow - LW - Owen Sound (OHL)

With Barlow, a team is bringing in a winger with some grit to compliment his skill. He's not shy about playing a physical, abbrasive brand of hockey but has proven he has strong offensive upside, posting 46 goals and 79 points in 59 games with the Attack last season. His goal-scoring prowess is thanks to his shot versatility and strength.

20. Seattle Kraken

Tom Willander - D - Rogle Jr. (J20 Nationell)

The Swede is known for being a pain to play against. Physically strong and an adept defender, he forces forecheckers to bring their all every shift and can shut down plays in the blink of an eye. A true defensive defenceman, Willander is going to provide a team with a steady, dependable presence in their own zone every night.

21. Minnesota Wild

Andrew Cristall - LW - Kelowna (WHL)

A dynamic skill set that sets him apart offensively, Cristall recorded 95 points through 54 games with Kelowna in 2022-23. There's not many in this year's draft class that have the same high-skill level as the Vancouver, BC product. A game-breaker when he's on, developing more consistency will take his play to the next level.

READ - NHL Draft Profile - Andrew Cristall

22. Columbus Blue Jackets (via LA)

Calum Ritchie - C - Oshawa (OHL)

A player who has rounded out his game in the neutral and defensive zones, Ritchie provides a ton of value thanks to his two-way play. He also has a strong offensive toolkit, posting 59 points through 59 games with the Generals last year.

23. New York Rangers

Daniil But - LW - Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)

There's a lot to work with when it comes to the Russian winger. He's got size, strength, high hockey IQ, and a strong shot. Once he puts it all together and takes steps to strengthen his skating, But could be a very capable top-nine forward at the NHL level.

24. Nashville Predators (via Edmonton)

Mikhail Gulyayev - D - Omsk (MHL)

Gulyayev's skating and speed are extremely impressive, elevating his offensive skills and allowing him to thrive in transition. While still polishing up his defensive game, his skating allows him to quickly get back into position when he's caught off-guard.

25. St. Louis Blues (via Toronto)

Quentin Musty - LW - Sudbury (OHL)

Another player who does everything well, Musty had a strong season with the Wolves, where he sat second in team scoring with 78 points on the year. While he can finish, he's more of a playmaker thanks to his strong passing abilities and vision in the offensive zone.

26. San Jose Sharks (via New Jersey)

Lukas Dragicevic - D - Tri-City (WHL)

If Dragicevic continues to develop his defensive zone play, he could turn out to be one of the most exciting blueliners drafted this summer. His offensive talent is off the charts which shouldn't come as a surprise - he switched to defence a few years ago. In 2022-23 he put up 75 points in 68 games, which led all Tri-City skaters.

27. Colorado Avalanche

Otto Stenberg - C - Frolunda (SHL)

A forward who loves having the puck on his stick, Stenberg is a creative and deceptive in the offensive zone. The more he has the puck, the better his game becomes. While his time with Frolunda was impressive, his play at the U-18s was exceptional. Wearing his country's colours, he put up 16 points in seven games.

28. Toronto Maple Leafs (via Washington, via Boston)

Oliver Bonk - D - London (OHL)

A stellar shutdown defender for the Knights, Bonk's best qualities are the ones most prized by pro teams as they push for championships. He's extremely hard to play against, is positionally-sound almost every single shift, hounds forecheckers like a dog on a bone, and isn't going to set his team back with high-risk plays.

29. St. Louis Blues (via New York, via Dallas)

Riley Heidt - C - Prince George (WHL)

Heidt's ceiling is sky-high. He's a threat every time he's in the offensive zone, as evidenced by his 97 points in 2022-23, and can act as the finisher or playmaker. And while he's not the biggest guy on the ice, he has a nasty edge to his game and won't back down from anyone. If he can translate this at the pro level, he'll be a big part of a team's offensive success.

30. Carolina Hurricanes

Bradly Nadeau - RW - Penticton (BCHL)

Penticton has been churning top notch players for ages and Nadeau could easily be the next big thing coming out of the Vees program. He's a sharp-shooter, getting the puck off his stick with insane strength and accuracy. In 2022-23, he put up an astounding 113 points in 54 regular season games and continued that scoring clip in the postseason with 35 points in 17 games.

31. Montreal Canadiens (via Florida)

Gavin Brindley - RW - Michigan (NCAA)

Energetic and relentless, Brindley's freshman season at Michigan was second only to Fantilli's. In 41 games, he amassed 38 points, good for fifth in team scoring. While he has solid offensive tools, he's responsible defensively. With feet that are always moving, he's going to be in opponents faces every single shift.

32. Vegas Golden Knights

Beau Akey - D - Barrie (OHL)

Mobility is Akey's best asset and the skill that could take him very far in his career. His skating has allowed him to flourish with the Colts, with a strong focus on his defensive zone play. With his speed in mind, his offensive ceiling could very well rise dramatically as he develops.