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2023 NHL Mock Draft 1.0: Buffalo Sabres land best available

By Sion Fawkes

WINNIPEG, CANADA - FEBRUARY 01: Connor McClennon #94 of the Winnipeg ICE celebrates his goal with teammates Zach Benson #9 and Matthew Savoie #93 during second period action against the Saskatoon Blades at Wayne Fleming Arena on February 01, 2023 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, CANADA - FEBRUARY 01: Connor McClennon #94 of the Winnipeg ICE celebrates his goal with teammates Zach Benson #9 and Matthew Savoie #93 during second period action against the Saskatoon Blades at Wayne Fleming Arena on February 01, 2023 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/Getty Images) /
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BASEL, SWITZERLAND – APRIL 30: Will Smith of United States during final of U18 Ice Hockey World Championship match between United States and Sweden at St. Jakob-Park at St. Jakob-Park on April 30, 2023 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Jari Pestelacci/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
BASEL, SWITZERLAND – APRIL 30: Will Smith of United States during final of U18 Ice Hockey World Championship match between United States and Sweden at St. Jakob-Park at St. Jakob-Park on April 30, 2023 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Jari Pestelacci/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) /

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.

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