2023 NHL Draft Preview For Non-Draft Geeks
Fortunately, the folks at THN are wizards at dissecting the intricacies of the NHL Draft, tomorrow and Thursday in Nashville. Many of my fellow THN team site editors, too.
Me? I'm not sure I'm wise enough to determine if an 18-year-old right-shooting defenseman from Flin Flon has the right elbow-to-tongue ratio to fit the needs of the Seattle Kraken.
So here's a Very Unofficial Top 10 list to get us non-draft geeks ready for the parade of teenagers in Tennessee pulling on team sweaters and baseball caps.
10. Many Picks Have New Owners
Of the 224 picks scheduled over 7 rounds, 72 (so far) have been traded to new owners.
For example, in the 2nd round alone, Seattle has three picks: their own (#50), and a pair acquired by trade (#52, #57). More amazing, Detroit will have three consecutive 2nd round choices: their own, (#41) and trade pickups (#42, #43).
9. Pick #80 Is Well-Traveled
Is this the pick nobody wanted, or the pick everyone wanted? The 2nd round, 80th overall selection currently belongs to New Jersey, after spending time in Calgary, Seattle and Columbus. This draft choice has already accumulated 3,543 miles across the U.S. and Canada, before even being attached to a player.
8. 1984 Picks Had Staying Power
The 1984 NHL Draft holds the record for the most 1st round picks (17) who ended up playing more than 1,000 games. Check back in this space around 2037 to see how this year's class stacked up.
7. Brendl, But Don't Break
Superstar-in-waiting Connor Bedard, who will be drafted first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks, scored an amazing 71 goals this season for the WHL's Regina Pats.
You know who scored more in the same league? Pavel Brendl, with 73 for the Calgary Hitmen in 1998-99. Which makes Brendl one of a million draft-day cautionary tales. Drafted 4th overall, Pavel played a grand total of 78 NHL games with the Flyers, Hurricanes and Coyotes, scoring 11 goals.
6. Wolverine Wonders
The University of Michigan has produced 15 1st round draft picks, including the Kraken's Matty Beniers in 2021. That number will rise to 16 this month. Wolverines center Adam Fantilli, the No. 2-ranked North American skater, became just the 3rd-ever freshman to win the Hobey Baker Award.
Editor's Note: We'll complete our Top 10 tomorrow morning.