NHL.com's Final Mock Draft

The first day of the 2023 NHL Draft is finally here. The stage is set in Nashville at Bridgestone Arena and the town is buzzing with hockey fans. Tonight will decide the future of many NHL prospects, including projected 1st overall pick Connor Bedard by the Chicago Blackhawks.

While the first four picks seem to be locked, there is always the unknown. Front offices have been known to have a "change of heart" in the days, minutes and moments leading up to a team's pick.

NHL.com writers are no different. In a previous Mock Draft, Adam Kimelman suspected the Wild would select center Otto Stenburg from Vastra Frolunda Jr. (Swe-Jr.) and Mike G. Morreale thought the Wild would lean toward left winger Samuel Honzek from Vancouver (WHL). This time around, the two found consensus in center Calum Ritchie.

21. Minnesota Wild

Kimelman -- Calum Ritchie, C, Oshawa (OHL): The Wild lack a legitimate No. 1 center and Ritchie (6-2, 184) has that kind of upside. He had 59 points (24 goals, 35 assists) in 59 OHL games and nine points (three goals, six assists) in seven games to help Canada finish third at the 2023 IIHF Under-18 World Championship, despite playing through a season-long shoulder injury that required surgery. He is expected to be fully healed for training camp, when his full skill set should really be on display, including a top-end skating that powers a strong offensive game.

Morreale -- Calum Ritchie: Ritchie excelled all season, including helping Canada to a bronze medal at the World U-18s despite his shoulder injury. He can play in traffic and manages that with good hands and hockey sense.

Of course, there's no way to know until it happens when the first round starts tonight at 6 p.m. CT (ESPN, SN, TVAS). Rounds 2-7 will be held tomorrow (10 a.m. CT; NHLN, SN, TVAS).

For complete coverage of the Minnesota Wild at the 2023 NHL Draft, visit wild.com/draft