Bedard, 2023 NHL Draft discussed on 'NHL @TheRink' podcast

NASHVILLE -- Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, Matvei Michkov, sleepers, top defenseman, rankings and so much more related to the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft were discussed on this week's edition of the "NHL @TheRink" podcast.

Adam Kimelman, who covers prospects for NHL.com and co-hosts the "NHL Draft Class" podcast with Mike G. Morreale, joined Dan Rosen and Shawn P. Roarke to give a deep dive into the draft that will take place in Nashville this week.

The first round is Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN, TVAS), and Rounds 2-7 are Thursday (11 a.m. ET; NHLN, SN, TVAS). Forwards Bedard, Fantilli, Leo Carlsson and Will Smith are the first four picks of NHL.com's final mock draft conducted by Kimelman and Morreale.

Kimelman said he, like so many others, believes Bedard will be a franchise-changing player for the Chicago Blackhawks once they make him the No. 1 pick in the draft. He said Fantilli would easily be the No. 1 pick if this draft did not feature Bedard.

Kimelman also talked about Austrian defenseman David Reinbacher as the top defenseman in the draft and said he thinks Michkov, the Russian forward, could go to the Montreal Canadiens with the No. 5 pick.

Rosen, Roarke and Kimelman also talked about the Philadelphia Flyers, who have picks Nos. 7 and 22, and would like to add a third first-round pick if possible. Kimelman, who also covers the Flyers for NHL.com, said he believes center Kevin Hayes will be traded, and it's possible forwards Travis Konecny and Scott Laughton could too.

In addition to the conversation with Kimelman, Rosen and Roarke discussed the impact of the trade on Monday between the Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins that sent forward Taylor Hall to the Windy City.

They also debated if the San Jose Sharks will be able to trade defenseman Erik Karlsson, and if it's something they should even do, especially if they will have to retain salary to make it happen.

The buzz in Nashville and the hometown team, the Nashville Predators, looking to make a splash this week was also discussed on the podcast.

The "NHL @TheRink"podcast is free and listeners can subscribe on all podcast platforms. It is also available on NHL.com/multimedia/podcasts and the NHL app.

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