The NHL draft is a little over a month away and the speculation on who the Pittsburgh Penguins will select grows by the day.

The draft order is set, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are locked in at the number 14 selection in the 2023 NHL Draft. With their highest selection in recent memory looming, newly incoming Penguins management needs to hit on whoever they select, if they decide to keep the pick. Let's take a look at how this draft order might go, with the first mock draft of the season. 

1.) Chicago Blackhawks: Connor Bedard, C, Regina Pats

No debate here. Bedard is a game changer.

2.) Anaheim Ducks: Adam Fantilli, C, University of Michigan

The consolation prize to Bedard is a steep drop off, but Fantilli is poised to be a top line center in this league.

3.) Columbus Blue Jackets: Matvei Michkov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg

Michkov might be the most talented player in the draft besides Bedard. They must be patient, but he gives Columbus a long-term replacement for Patrik Laine

4.) San Jose Sharks: Leo Carlsson, C, Orebro HK

The Sharks will jump on Michkov if he falls, but Carlsson has the size, skill, and potential to be a future captain for the Sharks.

5.) Montreal Canadiens: David Reinbacher, D, EHC Kloten

The Canadiens have their offensive leaders, now they select a new defensive leader in Reinbacher, who could see NHL action this season.

6.) Arizona Coyotes: Will Smith, C, USNTDP

A steal at number six, the Coyotes get a dynamic playmaker.

7.) Philadelphia Flyers: Zach Benson, LW, Winnipeg Ice

The Flyers have a glut of young forward prospects, but something about his skillset and tenacity scream “Philadelphia Flyer in the making." 

8.) Washington Capitals: Dalibor Dvorsky, C, AIK

Similar to Benson to the Flyers, Dvorsky feels like he's a Capital and instantly becomes a top prospect for the Washington organization.

9.) Detroit Red Wings: Danil But, LW, Yaroslavl Jr

Detroit takes the best player available here and gets the uber-talented and poorly named Danil But.

10.) St. Louis Blues: Oliver Moore, C, USNTDP

The Blues are all about speed, and they add to that with the best skater in the draft.

11.) Vancouver Canucks: Nate Danielson, C, Brandon Wheat Kings

The Canucks don’t know what they need, but they still wind up with a future top six center here.

12.) Arizona Coyotes: Axel Sandin Pellikka, D, Skelleftea Jr.

After getting their new number one center, they select a right-shot offense first defenseman that can eventually replace the absence left by trading Jakob Chychrun.

13.) Buffalo Sabres: Matthew Wood, RW, UCONN

The Sabres select a player with immense talent, and even more potential upside.

14.) Pittsburgh Penguins: Brayden Yager, C, Moose Jaw

The Penguins need help everywhere and desperately need a blue chip prospect. Yager is a talented, two-way player with tons of upside and a booming shot.

15.) Nashville Predators: David Edstrom, C, Frolunda Jr

Center is a position of need for Nashville, and they’ll likely add the best center left on the board with their pick. Edstrom is a big, long-term project that could pay dividends for the retooling Preds.

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