Now that we know the first round draft order let’s do another NHL Mock Draft. Our third edition will tell you who we think the Washington Capitals will take at eighth.
Alas let’s begin with the first round from picks one through 16:
- Chicago Blackhawks: Connor Bedard
- Anaheim Ducks: Adam Fantilli
- Columbus Blue Jackets: Leo Carlsson
- San Jose Sharks: William Smith
- Montreal Canadiens: Matvei Michkov
- Arizona Coyotes: Zach Benson
- Philadelphia Flyers: Ryan Leonard
- Washington Capitals: David Reinbacher
- Detroit Red Wings: Oliver Moore
- St. Louis Blues: Dalibor Dvorsky
- Vancouver Cancusk: Eduard Sale
- Arizona Coyotes (from Ottawa Senators): Gabriel Perreault
- Buffalo Sabres: Matthew Wood
- Pittsburgh Penguins: Nate Danielson
- Nashville Predators: Axel Sandin Pellikka
- Calgary Flames: Samuel Honzek
With the eighth pick in the 2023 NHL Draft we have the Capitals selecting David Reinbacher who is a defenseman from Kloten of the SUI. Here’s what Adam Kimelman of NHL.com said about the kid:
"The Capitals have done well with adding young forwards at the top of the draft the past few seasons, with Connor McMichael (2019, No. 25) and Hendrix Lapierre (2020, No. 22) looking like they’re ready for more. Now would be a good time to address the defense, and Reinbacher (6-2, 185) appears to be the best defenseman prospect available. The Austria-born right-shot defenseman didn’t look out of place playing in the top professional league in Switzerland with 22 points (three goals, 19 assists) in 46 games, and scouts have compared him to Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider."
Reinbacher had three goals and 19 assists for 22 points in 46 games with EHC Kloten along with 26 penalty minutes and a plus minus rating of plus seven. In the playoffs he had two points in three games with a goal and an assist.
The first round of the 2023 draft will be held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on June 28 with rounds 2-7 on June 29. We’ll have plenty more mock drafts between now and then.