C Leo Carlsson (2023, 2nd, ANA)

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

This kid could be one of the best consolation prizes in years.

If he's passed over at #2 I think that team will regret it.

 

[imnothere]

This kid could be one of the best consolation prizes in years.

If he's passed over at #2 I think that team will regret it.

I think they'll manage. Fantilli is also pretty much a surefire number 1 center.

Incredible top 5 this year.

 

[ozzie]

I'm not sure if Detroit would go with the Michigan kid or the Swedish player to try to rekindle Zetterberg. It's a really tough call for any team drafting second overall. Will see how those lottery balls fall in less than an hour!

 

[Yasuo]

I think they'll manage. Fantilli is also pretty much a surefire number 1 center.

Incredible top 5 this year.

Night and day from last year. Slafkovsky would not even be top 5 if he was in this year draft.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

This kid could be one of the best consolation prizes in years.

If he's passed over at #2 I think that team will regret it.

Idk.... i think this year all 3 teams picking 1-3 are going to end up very happy with their picks (dont think well see a stutzle/byfield situation)

 

[Smirnov2Chistov]

6’3 center that brings smooth playmaking ability and an offensive threat.. I hope to god Anaheim drafts him

 

[Lavar Ball]

I think he goes to Anaheim over Fantilli

 

[Static]

I think he goes to Anaheim over Fantilli

That would be shocking. Seems like he goes fourth because Columbus is smitten with smith.

 

[Rebels57]

Will look good next to Gaudreau in Columbus.


Both Fantilli and Carlsson will see the playoffs before Bedard.

 

[Stealth JD]

Future Blue Jacket

 

[Doc5]

Night and day from last year. Slafkovsky would not even be top 5 if he was in this year draft.

I was meaning to ask this somewhere, so you think the player we take at 5 will ultimately be better player than Slaf?

 

[Yasuo]

I was meaning to ask this somewhere, so you think the player we take at 5 will ultimately be better player than Slaf?

Michkov 99% chance. If it's Smith its closer but i think Smith is just the better prospect and his offensive ceilling is higher than Slaf. I dont think Carlson or Fantilli will be there at 5 but who know. Both of them are better prospect than Slaf as well.

 

[Anaheim4ever]

He's a perfect fit for my other team the Blue Jackets, 6'3 center to counter balance the undersized Gaudreau. Carlsson and Johnson down the middle is gonna be sweet.

 

[ViD]

95% welcome to Ohio, Leo

 

[Atoadaso]

Ughh another post lotto depression. What are the odds he slips to 4? Would love to see wings try to trade up to get him but odds of that are about even with our lottery luck.

 

[MichaelFarrell]

Ughh another post lotto depression. What are the odds he slips to 4? Would love to see wings try to trade up to get him but odds of that are about even with our lottery luck.

I think the odds are pretty low but it could definitely happen. Will Smith has really gained in popularity and has played center for one of the best lines the USNTDP has ever had. If Columbus believes that Smith has a better opportunity to become a center at the NHL level, they could take him over Leo or Michkov.

But, I also don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibilities that Anaheim takes Leo Carlsson over Fantilli.

 

[TheWayToRefJose]

That would be shocking. Seems like he goes fourth because Columbus is smitten with smith.

Do you have any source regarding CBJ and Smith? I’ve heard this a few times now, but no sources.

Ughh another post lotto depression. What are the odds he slips to 4? Would love to see wings try to trade up to get him but odds of that are about even with our lottery luck.

Don’t think you’re trading up to 4 lol.

 

[Static]

Do you have any source regarding CBJ and Smith? I’ve heard this a few times now, but no sources.

I guess their writer Aaron portzline has been signaling that he has sources saying how highly they think of smith. Could be a smokescreen, but he made that connection.

 

[stevo61]

I guess their writer Aaron portzline has been signaling that he has sources saying how highly they think of smith. Could be a smokescreen, but he made that connection.

For context he also said he didnt think Jiricek would be the pick last year

 

[Static]

For context he also said he didnt think Jiricek would be the pick last year

He could be being used to put false information out there, but that high in the draft it doesn't seem all that useful.

 

[Static]

If the draft goes Bedard-Fantill as everyone expects, you might say the intrigue starts at No. 3, and it helps that Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen is not afraid to buck convention. Will Smith has been made a late charge up the draft board, and the Blue Jackets were watching closely when he had a tremendous U18 tournament. Yes, we know Leo Carlsson is on the board, but Smith makes elite-level plays at high speed. The Jackets will have to wait at least a year as Smith is headed to Boston College next fall. —Aaron Portzline

NHL Mock Draft: Connor Bedard to Blackhawks as we pick for every lottery team

The Athletic's NHL writers make the first 16 picks in the draft order. Then, Corey Pronman has NHL scouts audit the picks.

theathletic.com

Just filed this story with the athletic, so there is some smoke there. Would much prefer carlsson go to Columbus and not the Pacific division.

 

[stevo61]

He could be being used to put false information out there, but that high in the draft it doesn't seem all that useful.

I dont think hes that connected. I dont think its anymore than Friedmans thoughts and has to be taken with a grain of salt. They probably do like him but doesnt mean they like him in the top 3.

 

[Static]

I dont think hes that connected. I dont think its anymore than Friedmans thoughts and has to be taken with a grain of salt. They probably do like him but doesnt mean they like him in the top 3.

Could be, we will see how loud this talk gets in the next six weeks.

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

If you thought Habs fans were insufferable with Lane Hutson this year, just wait if we somehow, inexplicably land Leo Carlsson at 5....

Not getting my hopes up but with the CBJ love of Will Smith that Portzline keeps talking about and the looong game the Sharks are playing...

 

[VictorLustig]

Assistant GM for Sweden at the WC is Josef Boumedienne, chief pro scout for CBJ.