Draft Q&A with NHL.com's Mike Morreale

It's almost time for NHL general managers to put the pencils down and turn in their tests, with the 2023 NHL Entry Draft now less than two weeks away.

Armed with the third Top-2 pick in franchise history and seven selections within the first 100, the Ducks will have a chance to add one of the draft's premier talents early in Round 1 and multiple potentially key pieces to their developing young core throughout the annual two-day event.

In preparation for the big days, we caught up with NHL.com's Mike Morreale for his thoughts on the No. 2 pick, Anaheim's recent draft success and his favorite late-round targets who could one day complete the climb to the NHL.

*Please note some of the questions and answers have been lightly edited for clarity.

Heading into the NHL Draft, where would you rank the Ducks prospect pool across the NHL?

Mike Morreale, NHL.com: Oh man, I would definitely have them top five. I love Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger. Nathan Gaucher just won a Memorial Cup. They have Lukas Dostal already [in the NHL]. There are some really high-end guys there.

The Ducks are big believers in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). They've drafted 10 players from that league since 2016.

So between, Mintyukov, Zellweger, Gaucher, Dostal, Luneau and others, I would probably actually say top three as far as NHL clubs go. It's a big time system.

It's, of course, nearly a foregone conclusion the Chicago Blackhawks will select Connor Bedard first overall, which would leave the Ducks with a few options at the No. 2 pick. Starting with University of Michigan center Adam Fantilli, what are the hallmarks of his game and what kind of player do you see him eventually becoming at the NHL level?

MM: To me, the Ducks need to start filling their pipeline with, with tougher, gritty forwards, and Fantilli fills that. He's a player that has got better at the thing he needed to get better at every year and that reminds me of a lot of great pros.

Adam is one of these competitive players who has all the tools to improve every year he needs to get better. He could easily be the number one overall pick in any other draft, no question about it, with everything that he's done.

He can play at his game at the next level and we've learned teams had to adjust to him throughout the course of the season at Michigan. He was the guy that was dictating how Michigan was going to play their game and how everyone else had to play against him. He's a real special player.

Who would you compare Fantilli to in terms of his playing style?

MM: The first name that comes to mind is Nathan MacKinnon. You know he's strong on the puck. The funny thing is, if [Fantilli] wasn't playing NCAA hockey, if he were in the Canadian Hockey League or some other major junior level, he would probably have five or six fighting majors because he would get into scrums in corners and on the ice. Teams are going after him, but he knew when to pick his spots to maybe make a big hit or retaliate against players. Teams were all over him almost every game. He gets into the corners, he'll go in front of the net, he'll drive the net when he needs to and he's real good on the power play. And he's got that size at 6-foot-2, 195 lbs. So yeah, I would say like a Nathan McKinnon or even if you're looking at it like an old school type player, maybe a mid-career Mike Modano. Two strong, strong guys, McKinnon and Modano, obviously, but also guys with a well-rounded skillset in terms of their ability to finish and distribute. I think can Fantilli's trajectory can get to that level.

With that in mind, where does Fantilli need to improve to reach his NHL potential?

MM: I think just his overall, all-around game. It's tough to say. He played wing at World Juniors and he's said he wants to improve a little bit of his defensive zone coverage. Things of that sort.

When you ask these prospects, most of the elite guys that are going to go higher the first round, where they need to improve, they'll always say the little things you can always improve in every area of your game. For Fantilli, it's tough to gauge because he had so much success and he's just 18 as a freshman in college.

So things that you and I see with him as an 18-year-old in college that maybe he's not that good at, well maybe when he's playing against his peers as he matures and grows, it's going to increase and it's going to grow. He's going to mature and develop even more. I would just say, you know, and I think he would say this too, just his overall approach and what he needs to do to be successful. The mentality it takes prior to going out to a game, knowing what he needs to do and maybe just being disciplined out there. He's gonna be a player that opposing players and coaches are going to want to take advantage of. They're gonna want him off the ice and in the penalty box. So he's gonna have to remain disciplined and show discipline in order to remain on the ice and help his team.

READ MORE: NHL.com's Positional Rankings

Pivoting across the pond here, Leo Carlsson has excelled in the Swedish Hockey League against professionals and offers a unique blend of size and skill. How do you see his game translating to the NHL?

MM: When I watch Carlsson, I see a left-handed Mats Sundin or another Ryan O'Reilly type of player. There's a heaviness to his game in certain areas of the ice. He's a competitive two-way guy, who has all those tools needed to be a star. He can shoot a variety of ways, releases it really well. He can play on or off the park effectively and create offense in many ways, constantly reading and identifying options. He can also really beat defenders one on one. He is able to get by them, skate by or go push his way towards the net to get done when he needs to get done.

I thought it was impressive he was second in playoff points with nine in 13 games for his hometown team in Sweden as they reached the semi-final round. He was playing a bottom six role there and he scored a lot of points. He wasn't really getting the ice time that he'll probably get next year if he returns to Sweden and he didn't get a chance to play center with his, with that hometown club, so he probably wasn't putting into a position to have the best year, but he was good despite that fact. He has the sense and vision you want. Big frame and his potential is up there with the elite guys of this class. No doubt about it.

You touched on Carlsson playing wing much of the last two years in the SHL, but he seemed to impress at center in last month's IIHF World Championship in Latvia and Finland. Is there any question in your mind that Carlsson is a center long term?

MM: No. I think he is a center. There's always that chance that when he first steps into the league maybe the coaching staff feels like putting him on wing to start and there are a lot of elite centers who were were drafted high and started on Wing before eventually moving to their primary position. I cover the Devils and Jack Hughes is one I always I always use as an example.

It's similar here in Anaheim with with Trevor Zegras and Mason McTavish.

MM: Exactly. There you go. Carlsson is a lot bigger than all of those guys too. He's 6-foot-3, 198 lbs. So maybe he starts on the wing without a lot of pressure there but he can do all the things to play center. I see him there because of the size, the ability on faceoffs and he's strong on the puck. So with that, I think he's going to be a strong pivotman in the big leagues.

Where do you see room for growth in Carlsson's game?

MM: I actually asked him that at the combine and he said he wants to work more on one-timers. Leo felt like he's watched these NHL players today and the one timer is an area that has really improved in a lot of players. You see a lot of goals scored or at least chances develop by one timers from either circle or from the point, wherever it may be. So Leo said that he's working on his one timer, the quick release. Getting it off the stick real quickly is something he really wants to improve wherever he is next year.

For me, personally as he didn't really say this, but for a player of that size, I would just want to see a little bit more feistiness, a little bit more greediness. If he's able to generate a little bit more physicality, he'll be dominant at the next level.

And that's something that can be taught and learned. We've seen it over time. Look at Alexander Barkov for instance. He wasn't a player that's gonna go out there and bang and hit or do all that, but he's learned how to play off the boards, how to maybe push guys off pucks and do it in a way that you're not gonna go to the penalty box either. I think once Leo gets that and can maybe finesse like Barkov does, he's gonna be really, really good.

It seems like most draft experts have pegged those two as the most likely options at No. 2, but United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP) forward Will Smith has shot up the rankings after an excellent pre-draft season. Do you think he's worthy of consideration alongside Carlsson and Fantilli?

MM: Definitely. When I watch Smith, I see Mitch Marner, with what he's able to do in terms of elite hockey sense and skills. It makes him an easy player to notice. The thing about Smith too, is there were a lot of games this year where he didn't get on the score sheet, no assist, not even a a plus-minus, and he was still the best player on the ice. Just by doing the things that he does out there to kind of work his way into the offensive zone, get the puck in, create offense for that dynamic line he was on. He's real crafty and he has good hands. He moves well with the puck. I've said this before but he has a little Trevor Zegras in him. He'll make some of those quick plays here and there if he has an opportunity to do it.

READ MORE: NHL.com's Latest Mock Draft

He's a right-handed shot with real good size, about 6-foot-1, 180 lbs. He can backcheck, too. This is a kid that's a solid two-way player and that's why a lot of people like his game. There's a lot of intensity and a lot of effort here. Plus, he showed up in the U-18's too when the U.S. needed him most.

The last of those top prospects appears to be Russian winger Matvei Michkov, who of course is signed to play in the KHL through the 2025-26 season. If it weren't for that contract, where would you have Michkov slotted in this draft class?

MM: I would have him slotted second. I love Adam Fantilli and Leo Carlsson and this would be a tough call for me, I'd really have to think about it. But a year and a half ago, I had Michkov almost even with Bedard in terms of pure talent and what he was able to do. But the war provides a major challenge and he's signed for three more years in the KHL, and some teams picking that high will want assurances that the player will come over and play.

Last year, we saw two top-10 Russian picks fall to 20 and 24, Ivan Miroshnichenko to the Capitals and Danila Yurov to the Wild, but neither of those guys carry the same cache Michkov does. Whoever is picking in the top-five likely needs a player of this caliber sooner rather than later, which is why I think he may slip a bit.

Looking at the draft class as a whole, what positions look particularly strong and what, if any, effect do you see that having come June 28 and 29?

MM: I think center is a good position in this draft. I think, defensively is probably not as strong as it has been in previous years but you may get a strong defenseman later on in the draft. I don't think there's a preeminent No. 1 defenseman in the draft class this year. I mean, not on the level of Bedard, Fantilli, Carlsson or Michkov. There are good defensemen, David Reinbacher comes to mind, and he could probably be the first guy off the board, but I feel like you'd be getting a No. 2 or No. 3, which is why I don't think you'll hear a defenseman being called until outside the top 10 or top 15.

Moving into the crease, what does the goalie market look like this year and do you think any netminders could sneak into the first round?

MM: That's the million dollar question right now. I think there is a chance that a goalie maybe goes near the bottom of the first round.

I look at

Carson Bjarnason from Brandon

, a real high-end player. It's funny, the kid actually started playing goalie six years ago when his brother put him in the net. He was a defenseman for most of his bantom years, but he started playing goalie and had a love for it. Brandon had a tough season. They didn't qualify for playoffs, but he really stood out.

Michael Hrabal, another good goalie, university of Massachusetts commit. The numbers might not look like much in the USHL, but he did a lot of load carrying this year. His international play (for Czechia) was solid. They had an early exit at the U-18's but he gave his team a fighting chance there. He's also 6-foot-6 and moves like a smaller, more agile type netminder. So, Hrabal is a guy that I think could go ahead of Bjarnason.

Trey Augustine, another good one for the USNDP. He's got real good rebound control that he's shown this year. And then the kid, Jacob Fowler, from Youngstown. Youngstown won the Clark Cup, the USHL championship, and he put up real big numbers there. In the three games he played in the cup final, he had a 0.64 goals against average (GAA) and a .976 save percentage, and was named the Clark Cup Most Outstanding Player.

One interesting thing about all the goalie pool is some of these goalies in this year draft were skipped or passed over in previous drafts. Adam Gajan from Chippewa (NAHL) played with Green Bay in the USHL and he was passed over last year. He was with Slovakia at the World Juniors last year, got a late call to go there and he was just outstanding. He beat the US in preliminary round and he narrowly beat Canada in the semifinals for Slovakia. He has a good compete level. There were a few other goalies that were passed over last year too, the Czech goalie Thomas Suchanek from Tri-City in the Western Hockey League (WHL) and then Thomas Milic, who played for Canada in the World Juniors and then for Seattle (WHL).

So those three goalies right there have another year of experience under their belt. A year older, a year wiser and year closer to the AHL.

DUCKS DRAFT CENTRAL

With the Ducks armed with three second-round picks and also the first selection of the third round, what sort of chance does that give them to add to this young core? And who are some of your favorite options likely available on Day 2?

MM: Anaheim has done a fabulous job with their drafting, no doubt about that. They have loaded up defensively and when you look at this draft, there's a great opportunity here to grab some more forwards.

I like

. He may drop a little but he is the best Canadian Junior-A player on the board. He had 113 points, third among U-18 BCHLers since 2000.

There's Carey Terrance, another center from Erie (OHL). This kid is one of the best skaters in the draft, kind of like Oliver Moore (USNTDP). Just a dynamic mover. Now, the interesting thing about Terrance, he played with Erie all season long and they failed to make the playoffs. Then, USA Hockey called him (he's from upstate New York), and asked if he could join them at the U-18's. So he joined the team, not knowing any of the guys and he was a major contributor. When I watch him, I see a lot of Anthony Cirelli. Who wouldn't want that? If you're able to get that player in the second round? Absolutely.

And then this kid Nick Lardis from Hamilton. He started the season with Peterborough and was traded at the deadline to Hamilton. Before the trade he had put up just 19 points in 36 games and after it he had 46 points in the next 33 games before going on a tear in the playoffs. Really good skater and really hockey smart.

On defense, there's Dmitry Simashev, a Russian from Yaroslavl. He's about 6-foot-4, 198 lbs, lefty and plays that finesse style of game, but can be aggressive and physical when needed.

Finally, there's Tom Willander from Sweden. He was probably the most impressive kid that came into our room at the combine and I was getting flashbacks to [Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel] Landeskog. He's really well-spoken. He's going to Boston University next year, has real good mobility and is a skilled defenseman.

How about some late sleepers who could still available in the final rounds of the draft?

MM: I like Danil But, another Russian player who plays left wing, goes about 6-foot-5, 203 lbs. He's a skilled winger who was a point per game player in the MHL (Russian Junior League). He's a real tower on the ice and moves well. For a big guy, he can bring a lot out there.

I also like Beckett Hendrickson, a center from USNTDP. He goes about 6-foot-1, 174 lbs. He started slowly this year with an injury but his game kept getting better and better. I think someone is going to get a real nice two-way player there.

Another Youngstown player, Clark Cup champion Brandon Svoboda. He's about 6-foot-3, 205 lbs. He doesn't have the numbers that maybe some of the top guys on Youngstown do but he has good size and can really skate. He's going to be a nice find for someone.

Lastly, someone way down the rankings, Chase Cheslock. He's a defenseman at 6-5, 208 and played at Rogers High School in Minnesota. He played 15 games with Omaha (USHL) too, when his high school season ended and he opened a lot of eyes because he can really skate. His draft stock keeps rising.

Disclaimer: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer(s) and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization.