1.
Connor Bedard: Duh
2. b
Adam Fantilli: I know there's a debate between Michkov or Fantilli since Zegras can play Center, and the Ducks are still a few years from competing. I just think Center is the more important position, and moving Zegras to wing with Fantilli is better than having Michkov on the wings with Zegras as a center.
3.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Fits a need for a center prospect. Carlsson has a higher floor and is a more complete player than the Fresh Prince and Michkov.
4.
Matvei Michkov: It was tough deciding between Michkov or Smith, but ultimately I think they go for Michkov. Michkov is just way too dynamic, and San Jose can afford to wait.
5.
Billiam Smith: Montreal goes for BPA and a great center to complete that 1-2 center punch.
6.
Zach Benson: Benson played with Arizona's Connor Geekie, and also the fact he's BPA.
7.
Ryan Leonard: Leonard fits Flyer's identity a ton and would look great next to Gauthier.
8.
Dalibor Dvorsky: Dvorsky fits a need for the Caps and is also the perfect fit for someone like Ovechkin with his exceptional 2-way game.
9.
Matthew Wood: This one was kinda hard ngl, I thought of giving Detroit Barlow or Moore. But I think Wood's potential, his IQ, and fitting Yzerman's vision the most makes the most sense.
10.
Oliver Moore: Blues go for the tenacious forechecker who also happens to be one of the fastest players in the draft.
11.
David Reinbacher: The first Dman selected will be Reinbacher and it makes perfect sense for the Canucks to take him.
12.
Mikhail Gulyayev: Gulyayev's offensive potential is through the roof. Arizona can afford to wait, and since they already took BPA initially, I think they'll take a need now.
13.
Tom Willander: Buffalo needs a strong defensive Dman. I think Willander would be a great pick for them.
14.
Colby Barlow: Barlow is a great sniper that is also smart and overall a safe pick. I think Pittsburgh goes for him while Crosby and Malkin are still on their last legs.
15.
Gabe Perreault: Nashville goes for BPA. A dynamic offensive threat that would look fantastic next to anyone.
16.
Brayden Yager: Flames go for a great transition player who also has an excellent shot. He'll fit exceptionally well with Huberdeau.
17.
Samuel Honzek: Detroit goes for a power forward that has the potential to be a C. Honzek fits the Yzerman mould.
18.
Nate Danielson: Jets go for Danielson since he's a great defensive player and a center.
19.
Riley Heidt: Chicago goes for a highly skilled offensive zone player that has the ability to play all 3 positions in Heidt.
20.
Eduard Sale: Seattle needs a game-breaking talent, and I think Sale has that potential even if he has his risks.
21.
Axel Sandin Pellikka: Wild need a good offensive PPQB in the future that is young and cost controlled. I think they go for ASP here.
22.
Andrew Cristall: Cristall won't fall any further than this. Flyers take an exceptionally high risk but high reward forward with their 2nd first rounder.
23.
Calum Ritchie: Ritchie is a smart and safe player and I think he can contribute soon and help with the Rangers timeline.
24.
Dmitri Simashev: This isn't a Nashville draft if they don't end up taking a Dman. Trotzky loves his excellent defensive Dman as well.
25.
Oliver Bonk: I can see Bonk not being drafted in the first round, but he is a very good defensive player and a safe player. Blues would like a good Dman prospect, and if they don't grab him here, they'll never get him.
26.
Gavin Brindley: This sounds crazy, but I have a ton of hope for Brindley. He has a super high ceiling. It's a bit of a project, but I think San Jose takes that risk.
27.
Otto Stenberg: Stenberg is a great 2-way player that we'll need to see what happens once he hits smaller ice. Nonetheless, I see him as BPA here.
28.
David Edstrom: Toronto takes on a very defensively sound and smart player that will take a while to be ready for the NHL, but I think it'll be worth the wait.
29.
Daniil But: Gluteus Maximus may take some time to be NHL ready, but Blues can afford to wait. He has all the tools of becoming a great power forward, which will serve STL well.
30.
Quentin Musty: Musty fits perfectly for the Canes style of play.
31.
Koehn Ziemmer: Ziemmer may seem like a bit of a reach, but he is a super talented player that I think Montreal reaches for.
32.
Ethan Gauthier: Gauthier fits Vegas' style exceptionally well. Cassidy will love him.
33. Kasper Halttunen (Anaheim Ducks).
34. Gracyn Sawchyn (Columbus Blue Jackets).
35. Maxim Strbak (Chicago Blackhawks).
36. Lukas Dragicevic (San Jose Sharks).
37. Michael Hrabal (Montreal Canadiens).
38. Charlie Stramel (Arizona Coyotes).
39. Bradly Nadeau (Buffalo Sabres from Philadelphia Flyers).
40. Étienne Morin (Washington Capitals).
41. Jayden Perron (Detroit Red Wings).
42. Andrew Gibson (Detroit Red Wings from St. Louis Blues).
43. Coulson Pitre (Detroit Red Wings from Vancouver Canucks).
44. Carson Bjarnason (Chicago Blackhawks from Ottawa Senators).
45. Felix Nilsson (Buffalo Sabres).
46. Alex Ciernik (Nashville Predators from Pittsburgh Penguins).
47. Jesse Kiiskinen (Nashville Predators).
48. Theo Lindstein (Calgary Flames).
49. Danny Nelson (New York Islanders).
50. William Whitelaw (Seattle Kraken from Winnipeg Jets).
51. Mathieu Cataford (Chicago Blackhawks from Tampa Bay Lightning).
52. Tanner Molendyk (Seattle Kraken).
53. Noah Dower Nilsson (Minnesota Wild).
54. Jakub Dvorak (Los Angeles Kings).
55. Carson Rehkopf (Chicago Blackhawks from New York Rangers).
56. Beau Akey (Edmonton Oilers).
57. Lenni Hämeenaho (Seattle Kraken from Toronto Maple Leafs).
58. Luca Cagnoni (New Jersey Devils).
59. Emil Järventie (Anaheim Ducks from Colorado Avalanche).
60. Nick Lardis (Anaheim Ducks from Boston Bruins).
61. Gavin McCarthy (Dallas Stars).
62. Luca Pinelli (Carolina Hurricanes).
63. Caden Price (Florida Panthers).
64. Juraj Pekarcik (Minnesota Wild from Vegas Golden Knights).
