5 – Montreal Canadiens: Will Smith, C/USNT
Defensively, Will Smith could use a lot of fine-tuning, but the future Boston College product’s playmaking skills are on another level, with 189 total points in 2022-23 in just 87 contests between the NTDP, USHL, and WJC-18. Give him time at the collegiate level to fine-tune his overall game, and Montreal may have landed a future star.
6 – Arizona Coyotes: Zach Benson, LW/Winnipeg Ice
This one could come down to David Reinbacher or Zach Benson. But at this point, the Arizona Coyotes need to go with the best overall player on the board, even if defense may be a bigger need. You could call Benson an elite player now, but give him another season or two, and he will hit the ice in full stride.
7 – Philadelphia Flyers: Ryan Leonard, F/USNT
The Philadelphia Flyers are another team who could go either with a forward or a blueliner, but I’m having them go with the hard-hitting, ultra-competitive power forward in Ryan Leonard. Like the other forwards that have gone before him, Leonard has shown the ability to consistently produce.
8 – Washington Capitals: David Reinbacher/EHC Kloten
The Washington Capitals scoop up the best defenseman in this draft class, and he will immediately bring a competitive edge to the system. With Alexander Ovechkin on the back nine of his career, the Caps need to bring in more players who have that edge, and the ultra-talented Reinbacher is a perfect fit.