As the 2022-23 season wraps up, hockey fans, and Wild fans in particular, turn to the 2023 NHL Draft which is seen by many as the start of a new season. With a new season comes new prospects.
The Wild has one selection in the first round at no. 21 overall with five subsequent picks in the second round (no. 53, no. 64 acquired from VGK), the fifth round (no. 149), the sixth round (no. 181) and the seventh round (no. 213). The Wild has never had a 21st overall pick before.
The first round will be held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on June 28 (6 p.m. CT; ESPN, SN, TVAS). Rounds 2-7 will be June 29 (10 a.m. CT; NHLN, SN, TVAS).
Following the NHL Scouting Combine presented by adidas on Saturday, June 10, NHL.com writers Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale made their predictions for how the first round of the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft could turn out.
21. Minnesota Wild
Otto Stenberg, C, Vastra Frolunda Jr. (Swe-Jr)
5'11" - 180 pounds - 05/29/2005 - Stenungsund, SWE
NHL Central Scouting rank: 6th among international skaters
"The Wild have depth issues at center, and Stenberg has the skill set to relieve a lot of those issues. His first-three-step quickness powers a top-end offensive game, and he doesn't need much room to get his shot off." - Adam Kimelman, NHL.com.
Samuel Honzek, LW, Vancouver (WHL)
6'4" - 186 pounds - 11/12/2004 - Trencin, SVK
NHL Central Scouting rank: 9th among North American skaters
"Honzek is a power forward with good hands and skating ability. He had 56 points (23 goals, 33 assists) in 43 games to become the third-highest Vancouver rookie scorer in a single season after Fabian Lysell (62 points, 2021-22) and Gilbert Brule (60 points, 2003-04)." - Mike G. Morreale, NHL.com
As with every draft, the unpredictability and the unknown adds to the excitement as the future of young hockey stars and hockey clubs are written. The previous names have been highlighted for Wild fans to keep an eye on, but any talented prospect could find his name being called by Minnesota.
For complete coverage of the Minnesota Wild at the 2023 NHL Draft, visit wild.com/draft
