All right, here goes nothing — another year, another mock draft!

Always an enjoyable exercise, predicting landing spots for the NHL’s top prospects.

Let it be known, like Bob McKenzie, I’m an outsider nowadays, not networking with anybody inside the NHL for intel on how this draft may play out. But, as we know, everybody lies at this time of the year, leading us astray and blowing smoke to put off their peers without tipping their hand on their true intentions.

So, by and large, this is a guessing game regardless of your connections. We are swinging for the fences in these mocks, not necessarily batting for average. You want to hit a few home runs, outside of the obvious (if there is such a thing) to come away feeling good about your results.

And this year, even more so than usual, could go off the rails as early as the second overall pick — that is assuming the obvious exists here, with the New York Islanders making all-around stud defender Matthew Schaefer the No. 1 selection. That is expected on the eve of the draft, so no spoiler there.

Who goes second? Then third? And throughout the Top 10, let alone the Top 32, is still speculation at this point. Nobody has the script this year, making it all the more fun with the wait almost over now.

Worth noting, there are two ways to approach a mock draft — who you would take at each spot and who you think the teams will take. Mine is something of a hybrid but leaning towards the latter by putting myself in the shoes of each GM. That is a balancing act, though, between the best fit in your opinion and who the teams are most likely to take based on their tendencies.

It’s tricky because you want your mock to stand out as unique while staying realistic. You want to do some homework to get a feel for market preferences and some research to identify trends, but you don’t want to study all the other mocks at risk of getting influenced and losing that uniqueness.

So, with that in mind, here is how I see the draft playing out with analysis on the opening round through 32 picks. Then, just for kicks, I’ll mock rounds 2-7 followed by the team recaps.

First Round

1) New York Islanders — Matthew Schaefer (LD, Canada, Erie OHL)

ANALYSIS: Rookie GM Mathieu Darche won’t overthink this — or shouldn’t — with Schaefer the cream of this year’s crop, drawing comparisons to Miro Heiskanen for his playing style and Drew Doughty for his competitiveness. That’s a nice combination for the Islanders, who could be trading their top defender in Noah Dobson while trying to move back up the draft order for Long Island local James Hagens. Stay tuned as Darche starts to put his stamp on this roster.

2) San Jose Sharks — Anton Frondell (LC, Sweden, Djurgardens SHL)

ANALYSIS: He’s not the consensus second-best prospect in this class, but there is a lot of smoke swirling around Frondell to the Sharks. Are the Sharks swarming this Swede or stirring the pot with that rumoured target? Time will tell, but this could be a case of “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” — reminiscent of two years ago when another California club, the Anaheim Ducks, took another Swede in Leo Carlsson ahead of projected No. 2 prospect Adam Fantilli. This feels like a repeat scenario, with Frondell potentially flanked by fellow Swede William Eklund in San Jose. But a bit surprising that the Sharks would be passing on Michael Misa as a running mate of 2024 second-rounder Igor Chernyshov with OHL Saginaw.

3) Chicago Blackhawks — Michael Misa (LC, Canada, Saginaw OHL)

ANALYSIS: As was the case for Columbus in 2023, when Fantilli fell into their lap, this becomes an easy decision for Kyle Davidson and the Blackhawks, who gladly take Misa as a running mate for Connor Bedard. Another former exceptional status CHLer, Misa’s stock soared upon moving back to the middle for his draft year and he should stick at center to give Chicago a formidable 1-2 punch with Bedard. If San Jose takes Misa, this decision becomes more difficult for Chicago with Davidson debating between Frondell and Caleb Desnoyers, along with Porter Martone and possibly even James Hagens, who entered this draft year as the favourite to go first overall. I won’t be betting on it, but this top three appears to have a good probability of hitting.

4) Utah Mammoth — Porter Martone (RW, Canada, Brampton OHL)

ANALYSIS: The newly minted Mammoth take a mountain of a man with their first pick in Martone, who would add much-needed size to their top six while following a franchise trend of taking big forwards in the first round (Cole Beaudoin, Daniil But and Conor Geekie, who has since been traded to Tampa Bay). Tij Iginla isn’t as tall but offers more physicality than Martone, who is more finesse than power in the present but could model his game after Rick Nash going forward. This pick is far from a lock. Utah could go several different directions here, or even trade the pick for another impact player after already acquiring JJ Peterka. The draft is sure to get interesting at this spot.

5) Nashville Predators — Caleb Desnoyers (LC, Canada, Moncton QMJHL)

ANALYSIS: The Predators are a perceived wild card here, waiting to see who falls out of the top four and presumably preparing for scenarios with Frondell still on the board. But assuming those San Jose rumblings come to fruition, Desnoyers would be a nice consolation prize as a two-way center to take that torch from Ryan O’Reilly. However, if Barry Trotz wants to take a bigger swing on upside, Nashville could be targeting Roger McQueen, Jake O’Brien or James Hagens to round out the top five. McQueen and O’Brien would be surprises ahead of Desnoyers but stranger things have happened. Desnoyers is certainly the safer selection.

6) Philadelphia Flyers — Roger McQueen (RC, Canada, Brandon WHL)

ANALYSIS: The Flyers could very well be infatuated with McQueen too, envisioning Sean Couturier’s successor as a big center. Couturier, the eighth overall pick from 2011, is turning 33 in December. McQueen missed much of his draft year with a back injury but he is still 6-foot-5 with slick hands and a wicked shot. Philadelphia has some ties to Brandon, with amateur scout Mark Greig’s son Ridly developing there before making the Ottawa Senators, although they only played two games together during Greig’s final junior season in 2022 when McQueen was 15. Philly might shy away from McQueen’s injury history, especially with Couturier also experiencing back issues throughout his career. If Desnoyers is still available, the Flyers would be thrilled to take him — already familiar with that family, his 23-year-old brother Elliot is in Philadelphia’s system as a fifth-rounder from 2020. But it doesn’t sound like Desnoyers will be sliding this far, so Danny Briere will need a backup plan. Regardless, I’m getting the sense these will be the top six prospects taken in some order tonight (again, not betting advice!).

7) Boston Bruins — Brady Martin (RC/RW, Canada, Soo OHL)

ANALYSIS: Cam Neely was one of the NHL’s biggest hitters in his prime, Don Sweeney was a physical defenseman and Marco Sturm was a driven grinder, so you can bet (not literally) that they have taken a liking to Martin. No relation to recently retired Matt Martin, as a perennial hits leader, Brady will challenge for that title in the coming years as a bruising farm boy who throws his body around but can also fill the net. He’s not as big as Tom Wilson and plays more like Sam Bennett, which makes him a hot commodity when compared to the current playoff MVP. Martin could thrive as a Broad Street Bully too, if Desnoyers and McQueen were both gone by Philly’s pick, but he’d certainly give the Bruins more of an identity again. And some of that personality or swagger that Brad Marchand always brought.

8) Seattle Kraken — James Hagens (LC, USA, Boston College NCAA)

ANALYSIS: This is where the draft really opens up for me, where the guessing really gets going. Many are predicting Seattle will take a defenseman in the first round for the first time in franchise history — either Radim Mrtka or Jackson Smith, both developing near Seattle in the state of Washington — but I have the Kraken taking their best player available, which happens to be a forward for the fifth year in a row following Matty Beniers, Shane Wright, Eduard Sale and Berkly Catton. As mentioned, Hagens had previously been heralded as the top prospect for this class, which is similar to Wright, who fell to Seattle at fourth overall in 2022. Hagens could fall even farther than this if the Kraken draft for positional need and indeed go with a defender, but Hagens will be tough to pass on here. He is still arguably the most skilled forward in this draft, thus could turn into a steal for Seattle at this spot.

9) Buffalo Sabres — Victor Eklund (RW, Sweden, Djurgardens SHL)

ANALYSIS: The Sabres love their Swedes, selecting Isak Rosen and Noah Ostlund in the first round in recent years, so Eklund would be on brand for Buffalo. He could be their “BPA” (best player available) and a good fit for their evolving forward core. This franchise remains a work in progress from top to bottom despite their NHL-longest playoff drought — now at 14 seasons — but Eklund would give the Sabres another reason for optimism going forward.

10) Anaheim Ducks — Jake O’Brien (RC, Canada, Brantford OHL)

ANALYSIS: The Ducks could be tempted by Mrtka as a big righty to replace Jacob Trouba and Radko Gudas in the years to come, but I have them going back to the OHL for another high-upside forward in O’Brien after reaching for Beckett Sennecke at third overall in 2024. They could become a dynamic duo for the Ducks, but there is a decent chance somebody could reach for O’Brien earlier than this too. After trading Trevor Zegras this week, Anaheim could have O’Brien in their sights here as another talented center. That would make it nine forwards in the Top 10, which feels a bit forward heavy but this isn’t a great year for defenders in terms of best players available.

11) Pittsburgh Penguins — Radim Mrtka (RD, Czechia, Seattle WHL)

ANALYSIS: With back to back picks, Kyle Dubas decides to address the future of Pittsburgh’s defense, starting with Mrtka as a towering minute muncher. He’s not overly physical at this stage of his development, more of a smooth skater like Tyler Myers, who went 12th overall in 2008. This isn’t the sexiest pick but Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson are nearing the end of their illustrious careers and Mrtka would become the Penguins’ top prospect on the blue line. For the record, if we’re talking sexy picks, this is as far as I can see James Hagens falling. He’ll be a Penguin if he’s still on the board outside the Top 10.

12) Pittsburgh Penguins (from New York Rangers) — Jackson Smith (LD, Canada, Tri-City WHL)

ANALYSIS: Dubas goes back to the Dub for another defender in Smith, who has more offensive upside as a potential partner for Mrtka. The Penguins could ice an all-WHL top four with pairings of Mrtka and Smith as well as Owen Pickering and Harrison Brunicke. Mrtka and Smith are a tier above and their selections could set Pittsburgh up for a decade. But if the Penguins wanted a forward here and Hagens wasn’t available or the Top 10 plays out as I’m predicting, then Justin Carbonneau and Lynden Lakovic could be options in these spots as wingers with good size and skill combinations.

13) Detroit Red Wings — Braeden Cootes (RC, Canada, Seattle WHL)

ANALYSIS: If those are the Top 12 picks, and I truly believe they will be, it’s hard to say what Steve Yzerman will do here. This could be a real turning point in the draft. We know Detroit’s list tends to differ from the public consensus, to put it mildly. I definitely considered Kashawn Aitcheson and his potential to form a sandpaper pairing with Moritz Seider but I settled on Cootes, who fits the mold for the Yzerplan as a hard-driving forward with leadership traits. He’s not the same as 2023 first-rounder Nate Danielson. Cootes plays with more pace, a higher-octane motor. He can be deployed as a shutdown center but can also impact the game offensively. Just a solid selection with a high floor as a middle-six forward. A typical target for the Red Wings, Cootes would be a hit in the Motor City.

14) Columbus Blue Jackets — Lynden Lakovic (LW, Canada, Moose Jaw WHL)

ANALYSIS: The Blue Jackets will be familiar with Lakovic from Moose Jaw’s championship run a couple seasons ago when he was scoring overtime winners in the playoffs alongside Denton Mateychuk, who captained that club and is coming off an impressive rookie season with Columbus. Lakovic is a lanky winger with projectable tools, from his size to his skating to his shot, and Columbus could see him filling the role that James van Riemsdyk did this past season. If they retain JVR, he could take Lakovic under his wing as the perfect mentor. Lakovic isn’t overly physical and thus can’t be described as a power forward in the present, but he could grow into that type of player. He tries to model his game after Tage Thompson and he reminds me of Kirby Dach in a lot of ways, but Lakovic has a long way to go in reaching that potential. If not Lakovic, I contemplated Justin Carbonneau as another toolsy winger and Logan Hensler as a smooth and steady defender. Any of those three would be good fits for the Blue Jackets, who haven’t drafted a defenseman in the first round since Mateychuk and David Jiricek (since traded to Minnesota) in 2022.

15) Vancouver Canucks — Cole Reschny (LC, Canada, Victoria WHL)

ANALYSIS: The run of WHL forwards continues with Reschny, who the Canucks would have watched closely while starring for Victoria in the B.C. Division. Vancouver reportedly wants to take a center here and would have interest in Cootes if he was still available, but Reschny offers more offensive upside while still maintaining a responsible two-way game. He is undersized and not the swiftest skater, which could make him a faller like Logan Stankoven in 2021, but this isn’t a reach for the Canucks. Reschny is among the best players available here, certainly among the most talented — equal parts playmaker and scorer, and as clutch as they come in this class. If size is a concern for the Canucks, they could opt for the much bigger Jack Nesbitt, who is expected to be a riser into this range as a 6-foot-4 center. He’ll certainly be part of the conversation for the Canucks’ brass. This is probably too much of a reach for the 6-foot-4 Will Horcoff or the 6-foot-6 Mason West. Ditto for Will Moore and Cole McKinney from The Program, but those four Americans centers could crack the first round. And we know the Canucks love their Swedes, with a trio of potential interest for Vancouver in Milton Gastrin, Eric Nilson and Gustav Hillstrom. For those keeping count, that is nine centers (or 10 counting Cootes) for the Canucks to contemplate, but I’d take my chances on Reschny.

16) Montreal Canadiens (from Calgary) — Justin Carbonneau (RW, Canada, Blainville-Boisbriand QMJHL)

ANALYSIS: Kent Hughes endears himself to the fan base with this Francophone developing within an hour of Montreal, but Carbonneau would be taken on merit, not sentimentality. He warrants selection in the teens as a talented winger with a ton of offensive upside. And obviously he’d be happy to become a Hab, so this feels like a fantastic fit if Carbonneau is still on the board for the Canadiens.

17) Montreal Canadiens — Logan Hensler (RD, USA, Wisconsin NCAA)

ANALYSIS: With back to back picks, Hughes takes a safer option with their second selection in Hensler, who has a high floor and could become the perfect complement for Lane Hutson. He could also be a great partner for Kaiden Guhle on more of a shutdown or matchup pairing. With some similarities to Mike Matheson in terms of playing style and skating ability, Hensler would be a nice fit for Montreal’s future blue line, which might also feature Noah Dobson if that trade rumour involving Logan Mailloux becomes reality today. If not Hensler, Blake Fiddler would be another right-handed defender of interest from WHL Edmonton — where Guhle won a championship in his junior finale after getting selected 16th overall in 2020. And I’ll throw out a few more forwards that could be on Montreal’s radar in the aforementioned Jack Nesbitt as a big center from the OHL, Jack Murtagh as a triggerman from The Program (albeit not on Cole Caufield’s level of sniper), and Bill Zonnon as more of a power winger from the QMJHL who could be teammates with Carbonneau in Blainville-Boisbriand next season, assuming Carbonneau doesn’t bail for Boston College as rumoured.

18) Calgary Flames (from New Jersey) — Ben Kindel (RW/RC, Canada, Calgary WHL)

ANALYSIS: Craig Conroy doesn’t have to look far for his first-rounder in Kindel, who projects as more of a winger in pro but would be fun to watch as a Flame graduating from the Hitmen. He’s an offensive catalyst and a pretty electric talent. He’s not Johnny Gaudreau (RIP) but he has some of that creativity and flare in his game. This would be a popular pick in Calgary but also a quality pick in this range — not a reach, much the same as Carbonneau. All things being equal, staying local is always a bonus and never a bad idea. You don’t want to hail Kindel as the second coming of Johnny Hockey but the hype would be high in Cowtown. The other player I considered for Calgary was rugged defender Kashawn Aitcheson, who could learn the pro ropes from MacKenzie Weegar as a long-term partner for Zayne Parekh and a throwback to the Dion Phaneuf days.

19) St. Louis Blues — Jack Nesbitt (LC, Canada, Windsor OHL)

ANALYSIS: If Calgary passed on Kindel, the Blues would be interested — seeing shades of Jordan Kyrou — but Nesbitt would be following St. Louis’s trend of taking bigger-bodied forwards in the first round, including Dalibor Dvorsky (2023), Jimmy Snuggerud (2022), Zach Bolduc (2021) and Jake Neighbours (2020). Those four are trending well as wingers but Nesbitt could become a force down the middle. He is a good bet to go in the teens and St. Louis seems like a good landing spot. But the Blues still have a ton of options here, including Kashawn Aitcheson, Blake Fiddler, Cameron Reid and Sascha Boumedienne if they target a defenseman in the first round for the second year in a row. Fiddler feels like another good fit among that group. A couple more forwards that could be on St. Louis’s radar include Malcolm Spence and Carter Bear, and this is the earliest I could see a goaltender going, which would likely be Joshua Ravensbergen for the Blues. So that’s no fewer than eight options, or nine if Kindel is still available.

20) Columbus Blue Jackets (from Minnesota) — Joshua Ravensbergen (G, Canada, Prince George WHL)

ANALYSIS: Another team with two first-rounders, Columbus takes a swing on their goaltender of the future in Ravensbergen. The Blue Jackets took Evan Gardner from WHL Saskatoon in the second round last year but Ravensbergen has a higher ceiling with starter potential despite not having the best draft year — failing to record a single shutout and barely posting a .900 save percentage (.901). Standing 6-foot-5 and catching right-handed, Ravensbergen is technically sound with a calm, controlled, confident style. His ability is evident, from positioning to athleticism. He is expected to be the first goaltender selected and projected to be a first-round pick with several teams having multiple selections.

21) Ottawa Senators — Kashawn Aitcheson (LD, Canada, Barrie OHL)

ANALYSIS: This would be something of a controversial or confusing pick for Ottawa, who could really use a forward like Carter Bear in their system, but the Senators opt for more truculence on the back end as they look to build a punishing defense corps. A case can be made for Aitcheson as the best player available here and the Senators would have seen plenty of him while watching last year’s second-rounder Gabriel Eliasson rack up 100-plus penalty minutes as his teammate in Barrie where they emerged as the bash brothers. Aitcheson could eventually form the league’s hardest-hitting pair with last year’s first-rounder Carter Yakemchuk. Tyler Kleven is already making his mark in Ottawa as a second-rounder from 2020 on a blue line that is headlined by Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot. And there are more feisty OHL alums in the minors with Donovan Sebrango and Jorian Donovan. So while some might cite BPA, including Steve Staios, others will see Aitcheson as redundant for Ottawa. A forward would seemingly make more sense, be it Bear as another BPA candidate here or somebody like Malcolm Spence or Bill Zonnon. Even if the Sens are hellbent on taking a defender again, a case can also be made for Blake Fiddler as another big righty from the Dub or for Cameron Reid and Henry Brzustewicz as better skating, more offensive-minded OHLers. But don’t discount Aitcheson’s connection to Ottawa.

22) Philadelphia Flyers (from Colorado) — Carter Bear (LW, Canada, Everett WHL)

ANALYSIS: The Flyers are absolutely elated to get Bear here, believing he could be one of the steals of the draft outside the Top 20. His Achilles injury isn’t as concerning as McQueen’s back but Philadelphia would be taking chances on two WHL forwards who were hurt in their draft year. Not before netting 40 goals in Bear’s case. He is a consistent threat and a complete player, capable of impacting the game in many ways. Combining talent and work ethic with good instincts, Bear projects as a middle-six forward with plenty of upside for the Flyers.

23) Nashville Predators (from Tampa Bay) — Blake Fiddler (RD, USA, Edmonton WHL)

ANALYSIS: Another feel-good story here as Fiddler’s father Vernon broke into the NHL with Nashville and later retired as a Predator under Barry Trotz. That familiarity ensures Fiddler is on Nashville’s radar and likely their short list for this spot. The Preds would be adding another character kid to build around after taking Caleb Desnoyers with their first pick in my mock. Fiddler is well rounded and could become a quality partner for 2023 first-rounder and fellow WHLer Tanner Molendyk. The Predators do have Justin Barron, Andrew Gibson and Ryan Ufko as righties in their system — along with Luke Prokop, who won a championship with WHL Edmonton in 2022, albeit before Fiddler’s time there (arriving in 2023) — but Fiddler would be a safer selection with a high floor and still a good fit for the organization.

24) Los Angeles Kings — Will Horcoff (LC, USA, Michigan NCAA)

ANALYSIS: Not to fixate on the storylines and connections, but the Kings’ new general manager Ken Holland hired Horcoff’s dad Shawn as Detroit’s director of player development in 2016 immediately following his retirement. He is now an assistant GM there and his son is a chip off the old block as a hard-working, two-way center. But Will might have more skill than the old man and is certainly bigger at 6-foot-4 with room to grow as he bulks up. He won’t be as skilled as Quinton Byfield (6-foot-5) or Anze Kopitar (6-foot-4), but Los Angeles would be happy to slot Horcoff on the third line when Phillip Danault is done. That would make for some serious size down the middle, with 6-foot-6 Samuel Helenius on the fourth line as a second-rounder from 2021. Like Fiddler before him, Horcoff would be picked on merit here, not as a favour to his father. In saying that, the Kings might be holding out hope for a different 6-foot-4 center. If Jack Nesbitt was still available — which is sounding more and more unlikely — he’d probably be LA’s pick as a teammate of last year’s first-rounder Liam Greentree with OHL Windsor. Assuming he is gone, if not long gone, Horcoff would be a decent consolation prize. I kind of like Jack Murtagh for the Kings but understandable if their scouts are sensing Arthur Kaliyev vibes there.

25) Chicago Blackhawks (from Toronto) — Jack Murtagh (LW, USA, NTDP U18)

ANALYSIS: I think the Hawks are taking a swing on a high-upside forward here, perhaps one with boom or bust potential. Their defense is shaping up nicely, so they can focus on forwards in this year’s first round. After taking Misa to start my mock, I’m liking Murtagh as a finisher to flank Frank Nazar as a fellow alum from The Program. They could turn into a dynamic duo for Chicago’s middle six. If not Murtagh, maybe one of the Russians in Alex Zharovsky, Daniil Prokhorov or even the enigmatic Ivan Ryabkin, who was projected as a top-five talent for this class but could now fall out of the first round. That would be a huge swing on Ryabkin, with his stock plummeting, but the Blackhawks could afford to take that risk with their prospect pool already stockpiled. Ryabkin’s teammate Vaclav Nestrasil from Muskegon, the USHL champion, could also be a candidate here, along with fellow Czechia import Adam Benak of USHL Youngstown. Since we’re rattling off names, here are three more to keep in mind at this spot — Cullen Potter, Ryker Lee and Cameron Schmidt. A total of nine names to consider and Chicago could come away with a couple of them. Stay tuned!

26) Nashville Predators (from Vegas) — Ivan Ryabkin (LC, Russia, Muskegon USHL)

ANALYSIS: With their third pick of the first round, Nashville tries to crush this one out of the ballpark, believing the risk is worth the reward with Ryabkin. The Predators haven’t shied away from Russians in the first round, taking fellow forwards Fedor Svechkov (19th overall) in 2021 and Yegor Surin (22nd) in 2024. They didn’t have the best experience with Yaroslav Askarov, their 2020 first-rounder (11th), or else I’d be tempted to go with another Russian goaltender here — be it Pyotr Andreyanov or Semyon Frolov. But after taking Desnoyers and Fiddler, Nashville would want to hit a homer and Ryabkin could be a grand slam if he realizes his potential.

27) Washington Capitals — Pyotr Andreyanov (G, Russia, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva MHL)

ANALYSIS: Washington also didn’t have the best experience with Ilya Samsonov as their perceived franchise goaltender, but the Capitals still need their netminder of the future and Andreyanov’s upside is enticing as the second goalie off the board in my mock. The Capitals would be going a bit off the board here — at least based on my rankings (I have Andreyanov at No. 76 in my 51-115 tier) — but if they see starter potential in Andreyanov (and most do), then they may want to grab him sooner than later, fearing he wouldn’t last until their second selection at No. 37. But if they are indifferent between Andreyanov and fellow Russian stopper Semyon Frolov, or Jack Ivankovic and Michal Pradel among the top goalies in a relatively deep class, then Washington might go with a skater for their first selection at this spot. That could be one of the domestic Russians in forwards Alexander Zharovsky or Daniil Prokhorov, or perhaps defender Kurban Limatov. I could see Swedish blueliner Sascha Boumedienne on Washington’s short list, along with Cameron Schmidt as a small forward with big upside.

28) Winnipeg Jets — Cullen Potter (LW, USA, Arizona State NCAA)

ANALYSIS: Potter feels like a good fit for the Jets, almost like a poor man’s Kyle Connor, who Winnipeg stole at 17th overall in 2015 — now the sixth-highest scoring player from that star-studded class behind Connor McDavid, Mitch Marner, Mikko Rantanen, Sebastian Aho and Jack Eichel. Potter probably won’t get to that level but he is a dynamic winger with a distinct scoring touch. He could be fun opposite or alongside Cole Perfetti. Put Brad Lambert between them and there could be fireworks in Winnipeg.

29) Carolina Hurricanes — Alexander Zharovsky (RW, Russia, Ufa Jr.)

ANALYSIS: As far as “on brand” picks go, Zharovsky to Carolina is a no-brainer if he’s still available here. The Hurricanes are always swinging for the highest upside and Zharovsky’s ceiling is much higher than this draft position. The jury is still out on some of their swings — such as Noel Gunler (41st in 2020), Gleb Trikozov (60th in 2022) and Nikita Artamonov (50th in 2024) — but analytically-inclined GM Eric Tulsky and his scouting staff aren’t afraid to roll the dice on this kind of potential. Zharovsky is still a bit under the radar, playing over in Russia with no international showcases for a coming-out party, but Carolina will certainly be intrigued by his talent.

30) San Jose Sharks (from Dallas) — Bill Zonnon (RW, Canada, Rouyn-Noranda QMJHL)

ANALYSIS: The Sharks are loaded with talent up front but Zonnon brings a different element as more of a power forward. They have some size coming with the aforementioned Chernyshov and OHL playoff MVP Kasper Halttunen, along with Filip Bystedt, Quentin Musty and Cameron Lund all at least 6-foot-2, but Zonnon (also 6-2) is more of a physical presence as an aggressive forechecker with nice offensive tools. His intensity would be a welcome addition and Mike Grier would have done well to grab Frondell and Zonnon from this first round.

31) Philadelphia Flyers (from Edmonton) — Malcolm Spence (LW, Canada, Erie OHL)

ANALYSIS: The Flyers make it a hat trick of forwards by snagging Spence as a faller after previously taking McQueen and Bear. And you guessed it, Spence was also dealing with injuries and illness throughout his draft year. So all three picks have that in common, but Philadelphia has a league-high six picks through two rounds, so they can afford to take some risks and also to take three players of the same position in this first round. Is that how it will play out? Perhaps not, but with three more picks to come in the second round, the Flyers can mix in some defenders and maybe even a goaltender there.

32) Calgary Flames (from Florida) — Henry Brzustewicz (RD, USA, London OHL)

ANALYSIS: The Flames finish off the first round with another bloodlines-inspired selection in Brzustewicz, whose brother Hunter had an impressive pro debut as a fellow right-shot defender, even getting into a game with the Flames after producing 32 points for the AHL Wranglers as a 20-year-old. Henry had a decent role as a sophomore with the Memorial Cup-winning Knights and he’ll be a go-to guy back in London next season with Sam Dickinson, Oliver Bonk and Cam Allen expected to turn pro as signed prospects. Calgary would be excited to have both Brzustewicz brothers in their stable. If not Brzustewicz, I could see the Flames liking Vaclav Nestrasil at this spot as another talented forward with size, somewhat similar to 2023 first-rounder Samuel Honzek while offsetting the smaller Kindel with their first selection.

First Round

1) New York Islanders — Matthew Schaefer (LD, Canada, Erie OHL)

2) San Jose Sharks — Anton Frondell (LC, Sweden, Djurgardens SHL)

3) Chicago Blackhawks — Michael Misa (LC, Canada, Saginaw OHL)

4) Utah Mammoth — Porter Martone (RW, Canada, Brampton OHL)

5) Nashville Predators — Caleb Desnoyers (LC, Canada, Moncton QMJHL)

6) Philadelphia Flyers — Roger McQueen (RC, Canada, Brandon WHL)

7) Boston Bruins — Brady Martin (RC/RW, Canada, Soo OHL)

8) Seattle Kraken — James Hagens (LC, USA, Boston College NCAA)

9) Buffalo Sabres — Victor Eklund (RW, Sweden, Djurgardens SHL)

10) Anaheim Ducks — Jake O’Brien (RC, Canada, Brantford OHL)

11) Pittsburgh Penguins — Radim Mrtka (RD, Czechia, Seattle WHL)

12) Pittsburgh Penguins (from New York Rangers) — Jackson Smith (LD, Canada, Tri-City WHL)

13) Detroit Red Wings — Braeden Cootes (RC, Canada, Seattle WHL)

14) Columbus Blue Jackets — Lynden Lakovic (LW, Canada, Moose Jaw WHL)

15) Vancouver Canucks — Cole Reschny (LC, Canada, Victoria WHL)

16) Montreal Canadiens (from Calgary) — Justin Carbonneau (RW, Canada, Blainville-Boisbriand QMJHL)

17) Montreal Canadiens — Logan Hensler (RD, USA, Wisconsin NCAA)

18) Calgary Flames (from New Jersey) — Ben Kindel (RW/RC, Canada, Calgary WHL)

19) St. Louis Blues — Jack Nesbitt (LC, Canada, Windsor OHL)

20) Columbus Blue Jackets (from Minnesota) — Joshua Ravensbergen (G, Canada, Prince George WHL)

21) Ottawa Senators — Kashawn Aitcheson (LD, Canada, Barrie OHL)

22) Philadelphia Flyers (from Colorado) — Carter Bear (LW, Canada, Everett WHL)

23) Nashville Predators (from Tampa Bay) — Blake Fiddler (RD, USA, Edmonton WHL)

24) Los Angeles Kings — Will Horcoff (LC, USA, Michigan NCAA)

25) Chicago Blackhawks (from Toronto) — Jack Murtagh (LW, USA, NTDP U18)

26) Nashville Predators (from Vegas) — Ivan Ryabkin (LC, Russia, Muskegon USHL)

27) Washington Capitals — Pyotr Andreyanov (G, Russia, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva MHL)

28) Winnipeg Jets — Cullen Potter (LW, USA, Arizona State NCAA)

29) Carolina Hurricanes — Alexander Zharovsky (RW, Russia, Ufa Jr.)

30) San Jose Sharks (from Dallas) — Bill Zonnon (RW, Canada, Rouyn-Noranda QMJHL)

31) Philadelphia Flyers (from Edmonton) — Malcolm Spence (LW, Canada, Erie OHL)

32) Calgary Flames (from Florida) — Henry Brzustewicz (RD, USA, London OHL)

Second Round

33) San Jose Sharks — Kurban Limatov (LD, Russia, Dynamo Moscow MHL)

34) Chicago Blackhawks — Daniil Prokhorov (RW, Russia, MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg MHL)

35) Nashville Predators — Cameron Reid (LD, Canada, Kitchener OHL)

36) Philadelphia Flyers — Sascha Boumedienne (LD, Sweden, Boston University NCAA)

37) Washington Capitals (from Boston) — Cameron Schmidt (RW, Canada, Vancouver WHL)

38) Seattle Kraken — Adam Benak (LC, Czechia, Youngstown USHL)

39) Buffalo Sabres — Vaclav Nestrasil (RW, Czechia, Muskegon USHL)

40) Philadelphia Flyers (from Anaheim) — Mason West (RC, USA, Edina USHS/Fargo USHL)

41) Montreal Canadiens (from Pittsburgh) — Ryker Lee (RW, USA, Madison USHL)

42) New York Islanders — Semyon Frolov (G, Russia, Spartak Moscow MHL)

43) New York Rangers — Cole McKinney (RC, USA, NTDP U18)

44) Detroit Red Wings — Milton Gastrin (LC, Sweden, MODO Jr.)

45) Anaheim Ducks (from Columbus) — Gustav Hillstrom (RC, Sweden, Brynas J20)

46) Utah Mammoth — Peyton Kettles (RD, Canada, Swift Current WHL)

47) Vancouver Canucks — Jakob Ihs-Wozniak (RW, Sweden, Lulea J20)

48) Philadelphia Flyers (from Calgary) — Sean Barnhill (RD, USA, Dubuque USHL)

49) Montreal Canadiens — Charlie Trethewey (RD, USA, NTDP U18)

50) New Jersey Devils — Max Westergard (LW, Finland, Frolunda J20)

51) Boston Bruins (from St. Louis) — Jack Ivankovic (G, Canada, Brampton OHL)

52) Minnesota Wild — Hayden Paupanekis (RC, Canada, Kelowna WHL)

53) San Jose Sharks (from Ottawa) — Jacob Rombach (LD, USA, Lincoln USHL)

54) Calgary Flames (from Colorado) — Ben Kevan (RW, USA, Des Moines USHL)

55) Nashville Predators (from Tampa Bay) — Nathan Behm (RW/LW, Canada, Kamloops WHL)

56) Tampa Bay Lightning (from Los Angeles) — Shane Vansaghi (RW, USA, Michigan State NCAA)

57) Seattle Kraken (from Toronto) — Michal Pradel (G, Slovakia, Tri-City USHL)

58) Vegas Golden Knights — Matous Kucharcik (LC, Czechia, Slavia Praha)

59) Pittsburgh Penguins (from Washington) — LJ Mooney (RW/RC, USA, NTDP U18)

60) Anaheim Ducks (from Winnipeg) — Philippe Veilleux (LW/RW, Canada, Val-D’Or QMJHL)

61) Boston Bruins (from Carolina) — Carter Amico (RD, USA, NTDP U18)

62) Chicago Blackhawks (from Dallas) — Kristian Epperson (LW, USA, Saginaw OHL, overager)

63) New Jersey Devils (from Edmonton) — Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen (RD, USA, Michigan NCAA)

64) Toronto Maple Leafs (from Florida) — Owen Griffin (RC, Canada, Oshawa OHL)

Third Round

65) Vancouver Canucks (from San Jose) — Theodor Hallquisth (RD, Sweden, Orebro J20)

66) Chicago Blackhawks — Max Psenicka (RD, Czechia, Portland WHL)

67) Nashville Predators — Theo Stockselius (RW, Sweden, Djurgardens J20)

68) Philadelphia Flyers — Filip Ekberg (RW, Sweden, Ottawa OHL)

69) Boston Bruins — Michal Svrcek (LW, Slovakia, Brynas J20)

70) New York Rangers (from Seattle) — Will Moore (LC, USA, NTDP U18)

71) Buffalo Sabres — Eric Nilson (RC, Sweden, Djurgardens J20)

72) Anaheim Ducks — Tyler Hopkins (LC, Canada, Kingston OHL)

73) Pittsburgh Penguins — Charlie Cerrato (LC, USA, Penn State NCAA, overager)

74) New York Islanders — Simon Wang (LD, China, Oshawa OHL)

75) Detroit Red Wings (from New York Rangers) — Jimmy Lombardi (LC, Canada, Flint OHL)

76) Detroit Red Wings — Malte Vass (LD, Sweden, Farjestad J20)

77) Columbus Blue Jackets — Luca Romano (RC, Canada, Kitchener OHL)

78) Utah Mammoth — Matthew Gard (LC, Canada, Red Deer WHL)

79) Montreal Canadiens (from Vancouver) — Cooper Simpson (LW, USA, Shakopee USHS/Tri-City USHL)

80) Calgary Flames — Reese Hamilton (LD, Canada, Regina WHL)

81) Montreal Canadiens — Mateo Nobert (LC, Canada, Blainville-Boisbriand QMJHL)

82) Montreal Canadiens (from New Jersey) — Ethan Wyttenbach (RW, USA, Sioux Falls USHL)

83) Edmonton Oilers (from St. Louis) — Bryce Pickford (RD, Canada, Medicine Hat WHL, overager)

84) Pittsburgh Penguins (from Minnesota) — Petteri Rimpinen (G, Finland, Kiekko-Espoo Liiga, overager)

85) Pittsburgh Penguins (from Ottawa) — Conrad Fondrk (LC, USA, NTDP U18)

86) Toronto Maple Leafs (from Colorado) — Alexei Medvedev (G, Russia, London OHL)

87) Carolina Hurricanes (from Tampa Bay) — Vojtech Cihar (LW, Czechia, Karlovy Vary)

88) Los Angeles Kings — Ethan Czata (LC, Canada, Niagara OHL)

89) New York Rangers (from Toronto) — Brandon Gorzynski (LC, USA, Calgary WHL)

90) New Jersey Devils (from Vegas) — Topias Hynninen (LC/LW, Finland, Jukurit Liiga, overager)

91) Vegas Golden Knights (from Washington) — Owen Martin (RC, Canada, Spokane WHL)

92) Winnipeg Jets — David Bedkowski (RD, Canada, Owen Sound OHL)

93) Washington Capitals (from Carolina) — Everett Baldwin (RD, USA, NTDP U18)

94) Dallas Stars — Eddie Genborg (LW, Sweden, Linkoping J20)

95) San Jose Sharks (from Edmonton) — Tomas Galvas (LD, Czechia, Liberec, overager)

96) Ottawa Senators (from Florida) — Mason Moe (LC, USA, Madison USHL)

Fourth Round

97) Ottawa Senators (from San Jose) — Lev Katzin (LC, Canada, Guelph OHL)

98) Chicago Blackhawks — Alex Misiak (RW, Slovakia, Waterloo USHL)

99) New Jersey Devils (from Nashville) — Viktor Klingsell (LW, Sweden, Skelleftea J20)

100) Boston Bruins (from Philadelphia) — Jan Chovan (LC/RW, Slovakia, Tappara U20)

101) Anaheim Ducks (from Boston) — Carlos Handel (RD, Germany, Halifax QMJHL)

102) Minnesota Wild (from Seattle) — Love Harenstam (G, Sweden, Skelleftea J20)

103) Buffalo Sabres — Linus Funck (RD, Sweden, Lulea J20)

104) Anaheim Ducks — Ondrej Stebetak (G, Czechia, Portland WHL)

105) Pittsburgh Penguins — Artyom Gonchar (LD, Russia, Magnitogorsk MHL)

106) New York Islanders — Emile Guite (LW, Canada, Chicoutimi QMJHL)

107) Chicago Blackhawks (from New York Rangers) — Dmitri Isayev (LW, Russia, Avto Yekaterinburg MHL)

108) Montreal Canadiens (from Detroit) — Bogdan Pestretsov (LD, Russia, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva MHL)

109) Columbus Blue Jackets — Zachary Morin (LW, Canada, Saint John QMJHL)

110) Utah Mammoth — Mans Goos (G, Sweden, Farjestad J20)

111) New York Rangers (from Vancouver) — Burke Hood (G, Canada, Vancouver WHL)

112) Florida Panthers (from Calgary) — Lasse Boelius (LD, Finland, Assat U20)

113) Montreal Canadiens — Maxim Agafonov (RD, Russia, Tolpar Ufa MHL)

114) New Jersey Devils — Arvid Drott (RW, Sweden, Djurgardens J20)

115) San Jose Sharks (from St. Louis) — Elijah Neuenschwander (G, Switzerland, Fribourg-Gotteron U20)

116) Buffalo Sabres (from Minnesota) — Blake Vanek (RW, USA, Stillwater USHS/Chicago USHL)

117) Edmonton Oilers (from Ottawa) — Carter Sotheran (RD, Canada, Portland WHL, re-entry)

118) Colorado Avalanche — Harry Nansi (RC, Canada, Owen Sound OHL)

119) Detroit Red Wings (from Tampa Bay) — Richard Gallant (LW, USA, NTDP U18)

120) Los Angeles Kings — Luka Radivojevic (RD, Slovakia, Muskegon USHL)

121) Minnesota Wild (from Toronto) — Will Sharpe (LD, Canada, Kelowna WHL)

122) Vegas Golden Knights — Francesco Dell’Elce (LD, Canada, UMass NCAA, overager)

123) Washington Capitals — Roman Bausov (RD, Russia, Dynamo St. Petersburg MHL)

124) San Jose Sharks (from Winnipeg) — Tomas Poletin (LW, Czechia, Pelicans U20)

125) Carolina Hurricanes — Atte Joki (LC, Finland, Lukko U20)

126) Dallas Stars — Daniel Nieminen (LD, Finland, Pelicans Liiga, overager)

127) Tampa Bay Lightning (from Edmonton) — Sam Laurila (LD, USA, Fargo USHL, overager)

128) Florida Panthers — Shea Busch (LW, Canada, Everett WHL)

Fifth Round

129) Florida Panthers (from San Jose) — William Belle (RW, USA, NTDP U18)

130) Pittsburgh Penguins (from Chicago) — Aidan Park (RC, USA, Green Bay USHL/Calgary WHL, overager)

131) Nashville Predators — Alex Huang (RD, Canada, Chicoutimi QMJHL)

132) Philadelphia Flyers — Shamar Moses (RW, Canada, North Bay OHL)

133) Boston Bruins — Tomas Pobezal (LC, Slovakia, Nitra)

134) Seattle Kraken — Owen Conrad (LD, Canada, Charlottetown QMJHL)

135) Buffalo Sabres — Karl Annborn (RD, Sweden, HV71 J20)

136) Anaheim Ducks — Jacob Kvasnicka (RW, USA, NTDP U18)

137) Toronto Maple Leafs (from Pittsburgh) — Aidan Lane (RW, Canada, Brampton OHL)

138) New York Islanders — Teddy Mutryn (RC, USA, Chicago USHL/NTDP U18)

139) New York Rangers — Mace’o Phillips (LD, USA, NTDP U18)

140) Detroit Red Wings — Viggo Nordlund (LW, Sweden, Skelleftea J20)

141) Minnesota Wild (from Columbus) — Jeremy Loranger (RC, Canada, Sherwood Park BCHL)

142) Utah Mammoth — Quinn Beauchesne (RD, Canada, Guelph OHL)

143) Vancouver Canucks — Liam Pettersson (LD, Sweden, Vaxjo J20)

144) Calgary Flames — Anders Miller (G, USA, Calgary WHL)

145) Montreal Canadiens — Tommy Lafreniere (RW/RC, Canada, Kamloops WHL)

146) Dallas Stars (from New Jersey) — Linards Feldbergs (G, Latvia, Sherbrooke QMJHL, overager)

147) St. Louis Blues — Drew Schock (LD, USA, NTDP U18)

148) Pittsburgh Penguins (from Minnesota) — Daniil Skvortsov (LD, Russia, Guelph OHL)

149) Ottawa Senators — David Lewandowski (LW, Germany, Saskatoon WHL)

150) San Jose Sharks (from Colorado) — Eduard Bondar (RD, Russia, Val-d’Or QMJHL)

151) Tampa Bay Lightning — Caeden Herrington (RD, USA, Lincoln USHL, overager)

152) Los Angeles Kings — Luke Vlooswyk (RD, Canada, Red Deer WHL)

153) Toronto Maple Leafs — Carter Klippenstein (LC, Canada, Brandon WHL)

154) Vegas Golden Knights — Jordan Gavin (LW, Canada, Brandon WHL)

155) Washington Capitals — Felix Farhammar (LD, Sweden, Orebro J20)

156) Winnipeg Jets — Lucas Beckman (G, Canada, Baie-Comeau QMJHL)

157) Philadelphia Flyers (from Carolina) — Noah Read (LW, Canada, London OHL)

158) Dallas Stars — Mads Kongsbak Klyvo (LW, Denmark, Frolunda J20)

159) Anaheim Ducks (from Edmonton) — Remi Gelinas (LC, Canada, Rouyn-Noranda QMJHL, overager)

160) Columbus Blue Jackets (from Florida) — David Rozsival (RW, Czechia, Liberec U20)

Sixth Round

161) New Jersey Devils (from San Jose) — Nicolas Sykora (LW, USA, Sioux City USHL)

162) Chicago Blackhawks — Aaron Obobaifo (LC, Canada, Vancouver WHL)

163) Nashville Predators — Luke Mistelbacher (RW, Canada, Swift Current WHL, overager)

164) Philadelphia Flyers — Asanali Sarkenov (RW, Kazakhstan, Spokane WHL, overager)

165) Boston Bruins — Lirim Amidovski (RW, Canada, North Bay OHL)

166) New York Rangers (from Seattle) — Finn McLaughlin (LD, USA, Muskegon USHL, overager)

167) Buffalo Sabres — Anthony Allain-Samake (LD, Canada, Sioux City USHL)

168) Anaheim Ducks — Brady Peddle (LD, Canada, Waterloo USHL)

169) Pittsburgh Penguins — Vit Zahejsky (RW/RC, Czechia, Kamloops WHL)

170) New York Islanders — Oliver Turner (RD, Canada, St. Andrew’s College CAHS/Erie OHL)

171) New York Rangers — Bruno Idzan (RW, Croatia, Lincoln USHL, overager)

172) Detroit Red Wings — Patryk Zubek (LD, Slovakia, Team Slovakia U18)

173) Columbus Blue Jackets — Yegor Borikov (RW, Belarus, Dinamo Minsk KHL, overager)

174) Utah Mammoth — Jack Galanek (LC, USA, Muskegon USHL, overager)

175) Vancouver Canucks — Jonas Woo (RD, Canada, Medicine Hat WHL)

176) Calgary Flames — Kadon McCann (LW, Canada, Medicine Hat WHL)

177) Montreal Canadiens — Kieren Dervin (LC, Canada, St. Andrew’s College CAHS/Kingston OHL)

178) New Jersey Devils — Andreas Straka (LC, Slovakia, Quebec QMJHL)

179) St. Louis Blues — Ben Hrebik (G, Canada, Barrie OHL, overager)

180) Minnesota Wild — Rasmus Svartstrom (LW, Finland, Cranbrook BCHL, overager)

181) Ottawa Senators — Gabriel D’Aigle (G, Canada, Victoriaville QMJHL)

182) Nashville Predators (from Colorado) — Louis-Antoine Denault (G, Canada, Quebec QMJHL)

183) Carolina Hurricanes (from Tampa Bay) — Donato Bracco (LD, USA, NTDP U18)

184) Los Angeles Kings — Liam Kilfoil (LC, Canada, Halifax QMJHL)

185) Toronto Maple Leafs — Kale Dach (LC, Canada, Sherwood Park BCHL)

186) Vegas Golden Knights — Artyom Kashtanov (LC, Russia, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg KHL, overager)

187) Vegas Golden Knights (from Washington) — Andrei Trofimov (G, Russia, Magnitogorsk MHL, overager)

188) Winnipeg Jets — Ryan Miller (LW, Canada, Portland WHL)

189) Carolina Hurricanes — Ivan Tkach-Tkachenko (G, Russia, Tolpar Ufa MHL)

190) Dallas Stars — Julius Saari (LD, Finland, Jokerit U20)

191) Edmonton Oilers — Maxim Schafer (RW, Germany, Eisbaren Berlin DEL)

192) Florida Panthers — Lukas Sawchyn (RW, Canada, Edmonton WHL)

Seventh Round

193) Tampa Bay Lightning (from San Jose) — Bruno Osmanis (RW, Latvia, Bjorkloven J20)

194) Chicago Blackhawks — Samuel Meloche (G, Canada, Rouyn-Noranda QMJHL)

195) Buffalo Sabres (from Nashville) — Raiden LeGall (G, Canada, Everett WHL)

196) Los Angeles Kings (from Philadelphia) — Maddox Labre (LD, Canada, Victoriaville QMJHL)

197) Chicago Blackhawks (from Boston) — Travis Hayes (RW, USA, Soo OHL)

198) Seattle Kraken — Cole Temple (LC, Canada, Everett WHL)

199) Buffalo Sabres — Jett Lajoie (RW, Canada, Prince George WHL)

200) Anaheim Ducks — Nathan Quinn (RC, Canada, Quebec QMJHL)

201) Pittsburgh Penguins — Artemi Nizameyev (RW, Russia, Tri-City USHL, overager)

202) New York Islanders — Benjamin Rautiainen (LC, Finland, Tappara Liiga, overager)

203) New York Rangers — Brendan McMorrow (LW, USA, Waterloo USHL, overager)

204) Detroit Red Wings — Artyom Shchuchinov (LD, Russia, Severstal Cherepovets KHL, overager)

205) Columbus Blue Jackets — Kirill Yemelyanov (LC, Russia, Loko Yaroslavl MHL)

206) Tampa Bay Lightning (from Utah) — Savin Virk (RW, Canada, Tri-City WHL)

207) Vancouver Canucks — Wilson Bjorck (LW, Sweden, Djurgardens J20, overager)

208) Calgary Flames — Aiden Foster (LW, Canada, Prince George WHL)

209) Montreal Canadiens — Andrew O’Neill (RC, USA, NTDP U18)

210) San Jose Sharks (from New Jersey) — Jack Christ (RW/LW, USA, Muskegon USHL, overager)

211) Detroit Red Wings (from St. Louis) — Jamiro Reber (LC/LW, Switzerland, HV71 SHL, overager)

212) Tampa Bay Lightning (from Minnesota) — Gavin Cornforth (RW, USA, Dubuque USHL)

213) Ottawa Senators — Julius Sumpf (LC, Germany, Moncton QMJHL, overager)

214) Colorado Avalanche — Makar Fomin (LD, Russia, Almaz Cherepovets MHL)

215) Tampa Bay Lightning — Diego Buttazzoni (RW, Canada, Portland WHL, overager)

216) Los Angeles Kings — Edison Engle (LD, USA, Dubuque USHL)

217) Toronto Maple Leafs — Teydon Trembecky (LW, Canada, Victoria WHL, overager)

218) Columbus Blue Jackets (from Vegas) — Richard Baran (LD, Slovakia, Des Moines USHL, overager)

219) Buffalo Sabres (from Washington) — Melvin Novotny (LW, Sweden, Leksands J20)

220) Winnipeg Jets — Mikkel Eriksen (LC, Norway, Farjestad J20)

221) Carolina Hurricanes — Adam Titlbach (LW, Czechia, Vancouver WHL, overager)

222) Dallas Stars — Niklas Nykyri (LD, Finland, HIFK Liiga, overager)

223) Edmonton Oilers — Dawson Cowan (G, Canada, Spokane WHL, overager)

224) Florida Panthers — Ludvig Johnson (LD, Switzerland, Zug NL, overager)

Team Results

New York Islanders

1) Matthew Schaefer (LD, Canada, Erie OHL)

42) Semyon Frolov (G, Russia, Spartak Moscow MHL)

74) Simon Wang (LD, China, Oshawa OHL)

106) Emile Guite (LW, Canada, Chicoutimi QMJHL)

138) Teddy Mutryn (RC, USA, Chicago USHL/NTDP U18)

170) Oliver Turner (RD, Canada, St. Andrew’s College CAHS/Erie OHL)

202) Benjamin Rautiainen (LC, Finland, Tappara Liiga, overager)

TOTAL: 7 (3 D, 3 F, 1 G)

San Jose Sharks

2) Anton Frondell (LC, Sweden, Djurgardens SHL)

30) Bill Zonnon (RW, Canada, Rouyn-Noranda QMJHL)

33) Kurban Limatov (LD, Russia, Dynamo Moscow MHL)

53) Jacob Rombach (LD, USA, Lincoln USHL)

95) Tomas Galvas (LD, Czechia, Liberec, overager)

115) Elijah Neuenschwander (G, Switzerland, Fribourg-Gotteron U20)

124) Tomas Poletin (LW, Czechia, Pelicans U20)

150) Eduard Bondar (RD, Russia, Val-d’Or QMJHL)

210) Jack Christ (RW/LW, USA, Muskegon USHL, overager)

TOTAL: 9 (4 F, 4 D, 1 G)

Chicago Blackhawks

3) Michael Misa (LC, Canada, Saginaw OHL)

25) Jack Murtagh (LW, USA, NTDP U18)

34) Daniil Prokhorov (RW, Russia, MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg MHL)

62) Kristian Epperson (LW, USA, Saginaw OHL, overager)

66) Max Psenicka (RD, Czechia, Portland WHL)

98) Alex Misiak (RW, Slovakia, Waterloo USHL)

107) Dmitri Isayev (LW, Russia, Avto Yekaterinburg MHL)

162) Aaron Obobaifo (LC, Canada, Vancouver WHL)

194) Samuel Meloche (G, Canada, Rouyn-Noranda QMJHL)

197) Travis Hayes (RW, USA, Soo OHL)

TOTAL: 10 (8 F, 1 D, 1 G)

Utah Mammoth

4) Porter Martone (RW, Canada, Brampton OHL)

46) Peyton Kettles (RD, Canada, Swift Current WHL)

78) Matthew Gard (LC, Canada, Red Deer WHL)

110) Mans Goos (G, Sweden, Farjestad J20)

142) Quinn Beauchesne (RD, Canada, Guelph OHL)

174) Jack Galanek (LC, USA, Muskegon USHL, overager)

TOTAL: 6 (3 F, 2 D, 1 G)

Nashville Predators

5) Caleb Desnoyers (LC, Canada, Moncton QMJHL)

23) Blake Fiddler (RD, USA, Edmonton WHL)

26) Ivan Ryabkin (LC, Russia, Muskegon USHL)

35) Cameron Reid (LD, Canada, Kitchener OHL)

55) Nathan Behm (RW/LW, Canada, Kamloops WHL)

67) Theo Stockselius (RW, Sweden, Djurgardens J20)

131) Alex Huang (RD, Canada, Chicoutimi QMJHL)

163) Luke Mistelbacher (RW, Canada, Swift Current WHL, overager)

182) Louis-Antoine Denault (G, Canada, Quebec QMJHL)

TOTAL: 9 (5 F, 3 D, 1 G)

Philadelphia Flyers

6) Roger McQueen (RC, Canada, Brandon WHL)

22) Carter Bear (LW, Canada, Everett WHL)

31) Malcolm Spence (LW, Canada, Erie OHL)

36) Sascha Boumedienne (LD, Sweden, Boston University NCAA)

40) Mason West (RC, USA, Edina USHS/Fargo USHL)

48) Sean Barnhill (RD, USA, Dubuque USHL)

68) Filip Ekberg (RW, Sweden, Ottawa OHL)

132) Shamar Moses (RW, Canada, North Bay OHL)

157) Noah Read (LW, Canada, London OHL)

164) Asanali Sarkenov (RW, Kazakhstan, Spokane WHL, overager)

TOTAL: 10 (8 F, 2 D)

Boston Bruins

7) Brady Martin (RC/RW, Canada, Soo OHL)

51) Jack Ivankovic (G, Canada, Brampton OHL)

61) Carter Amico (RD, USA, NTDP U18)

69) Michal Svrcek (LW, Slovakia, Brynas J20)

100) Jan Chovan (LC/RW, Slovakia, Tappara U20)

133) Tomas Pobezal (LC, Slovakia, Nitra)

165) Lirim Amidovski (RW, Canada, North Bay OHL)

TOTAL: 7 (5 F, 1 G, 1 D)

Seattle Kraken

8) James Hagens (LC, USA, Boston College NCAA)

38) Adam Benak (LC, Czechia, Youngstown USHL)

57) Michal Pradel (G, Slovakia, Tri-City USHL)

134) Owen Conrad (LD, Canada, Charlottetown QMJHL)

198) Cole Temple (LC, Canada, Everett WHL)

TOTAL: 5 (3 F, 1 G, 1 D)

Buffalo Sabres

9) Victor Eklund (RW, Sweden, Djurgardens SHL)

39) Vaclav Nestrasil (RW, Czechia, Muskegon USHL)

71) Eric Nilson (RC, Sweden, Djurgardens J20)

103) Linus Funck (RD, Sweden, Lulea J20)

116) Blake Vanek (RW, USA, Stillwater USHS/Chicago USHL)

135) Karl Annborn (RD, Sweden, HV71 J20)

167) Anthony Allain-Samake (LD, Canada, Sioux City USHL)

195) Raiden LeGall (G, Canada, Everett WHL)

199) Jett Lajoie (RW, Canada, Prince George WHL)

219) Melvin Novotny (LW, Sweden, Leksands J20)

TOTAL: 10 (6 F, 3 D, 1 G)

Anaheim Ducks

10) Jake O’Brien (RC, Canada, Brantford OHL)

45) Gustav Hillstrom (RC, Sweden, Brynas J20)

60) Philippe Veilleux (LW/RW, Canada, Val-D’Or QMJHL)

72) Tyler Hopkins (LC, Canada, Kingston OHL)

101) Carlos Handel (RD, Germany, Halifax QMJHL)

104) Ondrej Stebetak (G, Czechia, Portland WHL)

136) Jacob Kvasnicka (RW, USA, NTDP U18)

159) Remi Gelinas (LC, Canada, Rouyn-Noranda QMJHL, overager)

168) Brady Peddle (LD, Canada, Waterloo USHL)

200) Nathan Quinn (RC, Canada, Quebec QMJHL)

TOTAL: 10 (7 F, 2 D, 1 G)

Pittsburgh Penguins

11) Radim Mrtka (RD, Czechia, Seattle WHL)

12) Jackson Smith (LD, Canada, Tri-City WHL)

59) LJ Mooney (RW/RC, USA, NTDP U18)

73) Charlie Cerrato (LC, USA, Penn State NCAA, overager)

84) Petteri Rimpinen (G, Finland, Kiekko-Espoo Liiga, overager)

85) Conrad Fondrk (LC, USA, NTDP U18)

105) Artyom Gonchar (LD, Russia, Magnitogorsk MHL)

130) Aidan Park (RC, USA, Green Bay USHL/Calgary WHL, overager)

148) Daniil Skvortsov (LD, Russia, Guelph OHL)

169) Vit Zahejsky (RW/RC, Czechia, Kamloops WHL)

201) Artemi Nizameyev (RW, Russia, Tri-City USHL, overager)

TOTAL: 11 (6 F, 4 D, 1 G)

Detroit Red Wings

13) Braeden Cootes (RC, Canada, Seattle WHL)

44) Milton Gastrin (LC, Sweden, MODO Jr.)

75) Jimmy Lombardi (LC, Canada, Flint OHL)

76) Malte Vass (LD, Sweden, Farjestad J20)

119) Richard Gallant (LW, USA, NTDP U18)

140) Viggo Nordlund (LW, Sweden, Skelleftea J20)

172) Patryk Zubek (LD, Slovakia, Team Slovakia U18)

204) Artyom Shchuchinov (LD, Russia, Severstal Cherepovets KHL, overager)

211) Jamiro Reber (LC/LW, Switzerland, HV71 SHL, overager)

TOTAL: 9 (6 F, 3 D)

Columbus Blue Jackets

14) Lynden Lakovic (LW, Canada, Moose Jaw WHL)

20) Joshua Ravensbergen (G, Canada, Prince George WHL)

77) Luca Romano (RC, Canada, Kitchener OHL)

109) Zachary Morin (LW, Canada, Saint John QMJHL)

160) David Rozsival (RW, Czechia, Liberec U20)

173) Yegor Borikov (RW, Belarus, Dinamo Minsk KHL, overager)

205) Kirill Yemelyanov (LC, Russia, Loko Yaroslavl MHL)

218) Richard Baran (LD, Slovakia, Des Moines USHL, overager)

TOTAL: 8 (6 F, 1 G, 1 D)

Vancouver Canucks

15) Cole Reschny (LC, Canada, Victoria WHL)

47) Jakob Ihs-Wozniak (RW, Sweden, Lulea J20)

65) Theodor Hallquisth (RD, Sweden, Orebro J20)

143) Liam Pettersson (LD, Sweden, Vaxjo J20)

175) Jonas Woo (RD, Canada, Medicine Hat WHL)

207) Wilson Bjorck (LW, Sweden, Djurgardens J20, overager)

TOTAL: 6 (3 F, 3 D)

Montreal Canadiens

16) Justin Carbonneau (RW, Canada, Blainville-Boisbriand QMJHL)

17) Logan Hensler (RD, USA, Wisconsin NCAA)

41) Ryker Lee (RW, USA, Madison USHL)

49) Charlie Trethewey (RD, USA, NTDP U18)

79) Cooper Simpson (LW, USA, Shakopee USHS/Tri-City USHL)

81) Mateo Nobert (LC, Canada, Blainville-Boisbriand QMJHL)

82) Ethan Wyttenbach (RW, USA, Sioux Falls USHL)

108) Bogdan Pestretsov (LD, Russia, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva MHL)

113) Maxim Agafonov (RD, Russia, Tolpar Ufa MHL)

145) Tommy Lafreniere (RW/RC, Canada, Kamloops WHL)

177) Kieren Dervin (LC, Canada, St. Andrew’s College CAHS/Kingston OHL)

209) Andrew O’Neill (RC, USA, NTDP U18)

TOTAL: 12 (8 F, 4 D)

Calgary Flames

18) Ben Kindel (RW/RC, Canada, Calgary WHL)

32) Henry Brzustewicz (RD, USA, London OHL)

54) Ben Kevan (RW, USA, Des Moines USHL)

80) Reese Hamilton (LD, Canada, Regina WHL)

144) Anders Miller (G, USA, Calgary WHL)

176) Kadon McCann (LW, Canada, Medicine Hat WHL)

208) Aiden Foster (LW, Canada, Prince George WHL)

TOTAL: 7 (4 F, 2 D, 1 G)

St. Louis Blues

19) Jack Nesbitt (LC, Canada, Windsor OHL)

147) Drew Schock (LD, USA, NTDP U18)

179) Ben Hrebik (G, Canada, Barrie OHL, overager)

TOTAL: 3 (1 F, 1 D, 1 G)

Ottawa Senators

21) Kashawn Aitcheson (LD, Canada, Barrie OHL)

96) Mason Moe (LC, USA, Madison USHL)

97) Lev Katzin (LC, Canada, Guelph OHL)

149) David Lewandowski (LW, Germany, Saskatoon WHL)

181) Gabriel D’Aigle (G, Canada, Victoriaville QMJHL)

213) Julius Sumpf (LC, Germany, Moncton QMJHL, overager)

TOTAL: 6 (4 F, 1 D, 1 G)

Los Angeles Kings

24) Will Horcoff (LC, USA, Michigan NCAA)

88) Ethan Czata (LC, Canada, Niagara OHL)

120) Luka Radivojevic (RD, Slovakia, Muskegon USHL)

152) Luke Vlooswyk (RD, Canada, Red Deer WHL)

184) Liam Kilfoil (LC, Canada, Halifax QMJHL)

196) Maddox Labre (LD, Canada, Victoriaville QMJHL)

216) Edison Engle (LD, USA, Dubuque USHL)

TOTAL: 7 (4 D, 3 F)

Washington Capitals

27) Pyotr Andreyanov (G, Russia, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva MHL)

37) Cameron Schmidt (RW, Canada, Vancouver WHL)

93) Everett Baldwin (RD, USA, NTDP U18)

123) Roman Bausov (RD, Russia, Dynamo St. Petersburg MHL)

155) Felix Farhammar (LD, Sweden, Orebro J20)

TOTAL: 5 (3 D, 1 G, 1 F)

Winnipeg Jets

28) Cullen Potter (LC, USA, Arizona State NCAA)

92) David Bedkowski (RD, Canada, Owen Sound OHL)

156) Lucas Beckman (G, Canada, Baie-Comeau QMJHL)

188) Ryan Miller (LW, Canada, Portland WHL)

220) Mikkel Eriksen (LC, Norway, Farjestad J20)

TOTAL: 5 (3 F, 1 D, 1 G)

Carolina Hurricanes

29) Alexander Zharovsky (RW, Russia, Ufa Jr.)

87) Vojtech Cihar (LW, Czechia, Karlovy Vary)

125) Atte Joki (LC, Finland, Lukko U20)

183) Donato Bracco (LD, USA, NTDP U18)

189) Ivan Tkach-Tkachenko (G, Russia, Tolpar Ufa MHL)

221) Adam Titlbach (LW, Czechia, Vancouver WHL, overager)

TOTAL: 6 (4 F, 1 D, 1 G)

New York Rangers

43) Cole McKinney (RC, USA, NTDP U18)

70) Will Moore (LC, USA, NTDP U18)

89) Brandon Gorzynski (LC, USA, Calgary WHL)

111) Burke Hood (G, Canada, Vancouver WHL)

139) Mace’o Phillips (LD, USA, NTDP U18)

166) Finn McLaughlin (LD, USA, Muskegon USHL, overager)

171) Bruno Idzan (RW, Croatia, Lincoln USHL, overager)

203) Brendan McMorrow (LW, USA, Waterloo USHL, overager)

TOTAL: 8 (5 F, 2 D, 1 G)

New Jersey Devils

50) Max Westergard (LW, Finland, Frolunda J20)

63) Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen (RD, USA, Michigan NCAA)

90) Topias Hynninen (LC/LW, Finland, Jukurit Liiga, overager)

99) Viktor Klingsell (LW, Sweden, Skelleftea J20)

114) Arvid Drott (RW, Sweden, Djurgardens J20)

161) Nicolas Sykora (LW, USA, Sioux City USHL)

178) Andreas Straka (LC, Slovakia, Quebec QMJHL)

TOTAL: 7 (6 F, 1 D)

Minnesota Wild

52) Hayden Paupanekis (RC, Canada, Kelowna WHL)

102) Love Harenstam (G, Sweden, Skelleftea J20)

121) Will Sharpe (LD, Canada, Kelowna WHL)

141) Jeremy Loranger (RC, Canada, Sherwood Park BCHL)

180) Rasmus Svartstrom (LW, Finland, Cranbrook BCHL, overager)

TOTAL: 5 (3 F, 1 G, 1 D)

Tampa Bay Lightning

56) Shane Vansaghi (RW, USA, Michigan State NCAA)

127) Sam Laurila (LD, USA, Fargo USHL, overager)

151) Caeden Herrington (RD, USA, Lincoln USHL, overager)

193) Bruno Osmanis (RW, Latvia, Bjorkloven J20)

206) Savin Virk (RW, Canada, Tri-City WHL)

212) Gavin Cornforth (RW, USA, Dubuque USHL)

215) Diego Buttazzoni (RW, Canada, Portland WHL, overager)

TOTAL: 7 (5 F, 2 D)

Vegas Golden Knights

58) Matous Kucharcik (LC, Czechia, Slavia Praha)

91) Owen Martin (RC, Canada, Spokane WHL)

122) Francesco Dell’Elce (LD, Canada, UMass NCAA, overager)

154) Jordan Gavin (LW, Canada, Brandon WHL)

186) Artyom Kashtanov (LC, Russia, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg KHL, overager)

187) Andrei Trofimov (G, Russia, Magnitogorsk MHL, overager)

TOTAL: 6 (4 F, 1 D, 1 G)

Toronto Maple Leafs

64) Owen Griffin (RC, Canada, Oshawa OHL)

86) Alexei Medvedev (G, Russia, London OHL)

137) Aidan Lane (RW, Canada, Brampton OHL)

153) Carter Klippenstein (LC, Canada, Brandon WHL)

185) Kale Dach (LC, Canada, Sherwood Park BCHL)

217) Teydon Trembecky (LW, Canada, Victoria WHL, overager)

TOTAL: 6 (5 F, 1 G)

Edmonton Oilers

83) Bryce Pickford (RD, Canada, Medicine Hat WHL, overager)

117) Carter Sotheran (RD, Canada, Portland WHL, re-entry)

191) Maxim Schafer (RW, Germany, Eisbaren Berlin DEL)

223) Dawson Cowan (G, Canada, Spokane WHL, overager)

TOTAL: 4 (2 D, 1 F, 1 G)

Dallas Stars

94) Eddie Genborg (LW, Sweden, Linkoping J20)

126) Daniel Nieminen (LD, Finland, Pelicans Liiga, overager)

146) Linards Feldbergs (G, Latvia, Sherbrooke QMJHL, overager)

158) Mads Kongsbak Klyvo (LW, Denmark, Frolunda J20)

190) Julius Saari (LD, Finland, Jokerit U20)

222) Niklas Nykyri (LD, Finland, HIFK Liiga, overager)

TOTAL: 6 (3 D, 2 F, 1 G)

Florida Panthers

112) Lasse Boelius (LD, Finland, Assat U20)

128) Shea Busch (LW, Canada, Everett WHL)

129) William Belle (RW, USA, NTDP U18)

192) Lukas Sawchyn (RW, Canada, Edmonton WHL)

224) Ludvig Johnson (LD, Switzerland, Zug NL, overager)

TOTAL: 5 (3 F, 2 D)

Colorado Avalanche

118) Harry Nansi (RC, Canada, Owen Sound OHL)

214) Makar Fomin (LD, Russia, Almaz Cherepovets MHL)

TOTAL: 2 (1 F, 1 D)

As exhausting, yet exhilarating, as that process was, I can’t wait to see the results tonight and throughout tomorrow. It will be fun to follow along and see how many hits I get or whether I mostly strike out this year. Stay tuned and enjoy the draft!