Each year, 32 teams select a certain amount of prospects in the NHL Entry Draft, the 2023 NHL Entry Draft is considered to be the best draft class since the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. The report card for each team is in, see how your team was graded for their draft selections in the 2023 NHL Entry draft.
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks took a lot of twists and turns, they owned four picks in the top 60 of this year’s draft, however, their second overall selection was not what everyone thought it would be.
Forward Draft Grade: B+
Defence Draft Grade: C
Goalie Draft Grade: B-
Overall Draft Grade: C+
Total draft selections: nine
Arizona Coyotes
The Arizona Coyotes made a couple of shocking picks, but they drafted pretty well for themselves this year. A team looking to be more competitive drafted big players who will look to fight for an NHL spot as soon as possible.
Forward Draft Grade: B
Defence Draft Grade: C+
Goalie Draft Grade: B-
Overall Draft Grade: B
Total draft selections: 12
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins did not have a first or second-round draft pick, though they seemed to have specific players in mind. Boston’s contention window is winding down so their draft picks in the next few years may become crucial selections moving forward.
Forward Draft Grade: B+
Defence Draft Grade: C
Goalie Draft Grade: N/A
Overall Draft Grade: B-
Total draft selections: five
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres did quite well for themselves in this draft, they got a solid player at each position. Buffalo will become a strong contender when they figure out their team’s identity on the ice. The team is shaped to be strong even now, a few additional pieces coming in could be what pushes Buffalo into a solid competitor.
Forward Draft Grade: A-
Defence Draft Grade: B+
Goalie Draft Grade: B
Overall Draft Grade: B+
Total draft selections: eight
Calgary Flames
I’m not quite sure about the direction of the Calgary Flames’ 2023 NHL Entry Draft selections, however, they seemed to have a couple of key players in mind. The Calgary Flames could have a shorter rebuild considering all of the right pieces fall into place.
Forward Draft Grade: B-
Defence Draft Grade: C-
Goalie Draft Grade: D
Overall Draft Grade: C-
Total draft selections: six
Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina got some great players throughout each round, I was thoroughly impressed with the draft selections they were able to make, especially in the third round. Carolina has certainly stocked their prospect pipeline and won’t be rebuilding or retooling anytime soon after their previous NHL Entry Drafts.
Forward Draft Grade: A-
Defence Draft Grade: D
Goalie Draft Grade: B
Overall Draft Grade: C+
Total draft selections: 10
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks certainly had quite an incredible draft this year, they owned the first overall selection and they kept getting the guys they want. General Manager Kyle Davidson will go from a long and treacherous rebuild to a solid contender once he has developed the vision and the team he’s hoping to build.
Forward Draft Grade: A+
Defence Draft Grade: D
Goalie Draft Grade: A-
Overall Draft Grade: B-
Total draft selections: 11
Colorado Avalanche
Colorado utilized prospects that they couldn’t afford to sign to get a second first-round pick, which was a solid move on their end. Colorado also ended up with a couple of prospects that make you want to get out of your seat, something each fanbase loves to have on their team.
Forward Draft Grade: B-
Defence Draft Grade: B+
Goalie Draft Grade: N/A
Overall Draft Grade: B
Total draft selections: five
Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen certainly wasn’t expecting to get Adam Fantilli at third overall. However, the Anaheim Ducks would not select Fantilli and Columbus got the center they were looking for.
Forward Draft Grade: A
Defence Draft Grade: C
Goalie Draft Grade: B-
Overall Draft Grade: B+
Total draft selections: eight
Dallas Stars
Dallas has a history of really good drafting, while I’m skeptical about this year’s draft, I’m not ruling out the possibility that they did just as well as their 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
Forward Draft Grade: C-
Defence Draft Grade: B+
Goalie Draft Grade: B-
Overall Draft Grade: B–
Total draft selections: six
Detroit Red Wings
Steve Yzerman, general manager of the Detroit Red Wings has me on the fence when it comes to his Yzerplan. He drafts incredibly and has a solid team already, but then goes out and spends money during free agency that he should attempt to keep to sign his young stars. Otherwise, Steve Yzerman is slowly constructing a powerhouse of a team in Detroit.
Forward Draft Grade: C+
Defence Draft Grade: A
Goalie Draft Grade: A
Overall Draft Grade: B
Total draft selections: 11
Edmonton Oilers
Ken Holland is attempting to make the Edmonton Oilers better now to cater to Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl’s best years. Though I’m not a fan of his 2023 NHL Entry Draft as Oilers GM, I’m optimistic to see what he does going forward.
Forward Draft Grade: D
Defence Draft Grade: A
Goalie Draft Grade: B
Overall Draft Grade: C+
Total draft selections: three
Florida Panthers
Bill Zito drafted some pretty good players this year, he also utilized the free agency market to keep his contention window open. While Florida didn’t own a first-round pick, I’m curious to see how this team builds going forward.
Forward Draft Grade: B-
Defence Draft Grade: C
Goalie Draft Grade: B-
Overall Draft Grade: C+
Total draft selections: five
Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles will continue to be competitive after acquiring Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Winnipeg Jets and their 2023 NHL Entry Draft selections. LA will certainly be looking to integrate as many prospects into their lineup as cap space is severely limited.
Forward Draft Grade: C+
Defence Draft Grade: A-
Goalie Draft Grade: C+
Overall Draft Grade: B-
Total draft selections: five
Minnesota Wild
Minnesota is at a point in their franchise’s history where they might have to move some pieces around to get over the hill they can’t seem to climb. Minnesota made some decent draft selections this year and could have drafted the missing piece they’ve needed for a couple of years now.
Forward Draft Grade: A-
Defence Draft Grade: C-
Goalie Draft Grade: N/A
Overall Draft Grade: B-
Total draft selections: six
Montreal Canadiens
My head spins when I look at the 2023 NHL Entry Draft Class of the Montreal Canadiens. They got some really good players, but they also took some massive risks with the number of selections they had.
Forward Draft Grade: C-
Defence Draft Grade: A
Goalie Draft Grade: B-
Overall Draft Grade: B-
Total draft selections: nine
Nashville Predators
Barry Trotz and David Poile certainly drafted some gems in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Trotz wanted the kind of players that make you jump out of your seat, and they found multiple in this year’s draft class.
Forward Draft Grade: A-
Defence Draft Grade: A-
Goalie Draft Grade: C-
Overall Draft Grade: B+
Total draft selections: 11
New Jersey Devils
I wasn’t too sure about the draft picks that the New Jersey Devils made, though I’m willing to entertain everything they’ve done up until this point. The Devils went from a not-so-great team to being in contention conversation again, they’ve signed great contracts and have really established an identity on the ice.
Forward Draft Grade: C+
Defence Draft Grade: C+
Goalie Draft Grade: N/A
Overall Draft Grade: C+
Total draft selections: five
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders definitely have had some rather mediocre drafts in recent years, the 2023 NHL Entry Draft isn’t much different. However, they always have found some real gems in players in each draft, so I won’t be overly critical. The Islanders are a well-built team and they could use some additional depth to step in every now and then, especially on the prospect side.
Forward Draft Grade: B-
Defence Draft Grade: C+
Goalie Draft Grade: N/A
Overall Draft Grade: B-
Total draft selections: five
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers draft solid players each draft, they are certainly one of the teams that can find guys and attract players to their market with no real pitch to the player. This year, the Rangers grabbed a strong group of forwards and defensemen, they catered to their needs and the players they drafted could fit into the Rangers’ long-term plan.
Forward Draft Grade: B-
Defence Draft Grade: B+
Goalie Draft Grade: N/A
Overall Draft Grade: B
Total draft selections: five
Ottawa Senators
I don’t know what the long-term vision is for the Ottawa Senators, but the prospects they picked up can become household names given the right opportunity. However, the Senators will become a strong contender soon, so they might be looking to pick up stronger players now and have prospects who develop later and not sooner.
Forward Draft Grade: C-
Defence Draft Grade: B-
Goalie Draft Grade: D
Overall Draft Grade: C-
Total draft selections: five
Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers probably had one of the best well-rounded drafts in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. They drafted players that fit into the development window of a slow rebuild and the Flyers could certainly become incredibly competitive once the rebuild is over.
Forward Draft Grade: A+
Defence Draft Grade: B+
Goalie Draft Grade: A
Overall Draft Grade: A-
Total draft selections: 10
Pittsburgh Penguins
I wasn’t crazy to consider the draft that Pittsburgh had this year, they had a couple of really solid picks while the others are floater picks in my opinion. However, a prospect is a prospect, making the NHL is not a guarantee and some prospects that are drafted later might work harder to earn a spot in the NHL.
Forward Draft Grade: B-
Defence Draft Grade: C-
Goalie Draft Grade: N/A
Overall Draft Grade: C+
Total draft selections: six
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks were one of the teams that started off the draft really strong, dropped off the face of the earth for a couple of rounds, and then made a couple more really great picks. We’ll see what San Jose’s long-term future builds into.
Forward Draft Grade: B
Defence Draft Grade: B-
Goalie Draft Grade: N/A
Overall Draft Grade: B
Total draft selections: nine
Seattle Kraken
The Seattle Kraken started off the draft incredibly strong and then followed it up with some blunders in my opinion. Though, each team’s scouts get reports of these players that the public doesn’t see and these blunders could become late-round gems.
Forward Draft Grade: B+
Defence Draft Grade: B
Goalie Draft Grade: D
Overall Draft Grade: C+
Total draft selections: 10
St. Louis Blues
The Blues definitely had a solid draft overall, one of the few drafted players that might be able to step into their lineup now or after a couple of years in a retool. St. Louis also held three first-round picks and two second-round picks, which certainly helps with retooling and bolstering your prospect pool.
Forward Draft Grade: A
Defence Draft Grade: B+
Goalie Draft Grade: N/A
Overall Draft Grade: A-
Total draft selections: nine
Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay nearly went into the 2023 NHL Entry Draft with no picks higher than a fourth-round pick, however, they would acquire a second-round pick to make their time worthwhile. While they didn’t overly impress me in the draft, they are coming off of two Stanley Cup wins and a third straight Stanley Cup Finals run. The team is built well and has a super specific contention window that is slowly winding down, so the lack of draft capital makes sense when you consider Tampa Bay’s contention for more Stanley Cups.
Forward Draft Grade: C-
Defence Draft Grade: D
Goalie Draft Grade: N/A
Overall Draft Grade: C-
Total draft selections: five
Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto has a new general manager who only had three picks in this year’s NHL Entry Draft. Brad Treliving certainly utilized what he had at his disposal and knew the team is still in win-now mode. There’s not a lot to say about Toronto’s draft, but it isn’t overly exciting at face value.
Forward Draft Grade: C+
Defence Draft Grade: D
Goalie Draft Grade: N/A
Overall Draft Grade: C-
Total draft selections: three
Vancouver Canucks
I was pleasantly surprised at Vancouver’s draft this year, they had a bunch of middle-round picks and they utilized them on low-risk, high-reward players. This could become one of Vancouver’s best drafts in the history of their franchise, other than drafting the Sedin twins, of course.
Forward Draft Grade: B-
Defence Draft Grade: B-
Goalie Draft Grade: N/A
Overall Draft Grade: B-
Total draft selections: seven
Vegas Golden Knights
The 2023 Stanley Cup Champions found some gems in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft that might just help them continue their competitiveness long-term. I really liked Vegas’ draft this year, especially with the lack of draft capital.
Forward Draft Grade: B+
Defence Draft Grade: C+
Goalie Draft Grade: N/A
Overall Draft Grade: B
Total draft selections: four
Washington Capitals
Washington’s aging core might just get a bit younger with the players they were able to draft in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Almost all of their picks have highlights that make them look like they’re ready to step into the NHL as soon as they’re asked to, which is always a good sign for your team’s prospects.
Forward Draft Grade: A-
Defence Draft Grade: B+
Goalie Draft Grade: D
Overall Draft Grade: B-
Total draft selections: six
Winnipeg Jets
The only team in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft to not select a forward/defenseman. Mostly, teams don’t draft a goaltender, so this was a pleasant twist in how drafts. I am a huge fan of the class of prospects that Winnipeg got in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, and they have a couple of players who look like they can take over NHL roles as soon as they are asked to.
Forward Draft Grade: A-
Defence Draft Grade: N/A
Goalie Draft Grade: A-
Overall Draft Grade: A-
Total draft selections: five
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