2023-06-28 04:33:00
They’ve been rubbing their hands in Chicago for a long time, they must be sore by now. The Blackhawks’ excitement for this year’s NHL draft knows no bounds. The reason: Connor Bedard, the exceptional ice hockey talent, is predicted to have a great career. It is already agreed that the 17-year-old will go to Chicago. After all, the six-time Stanley Cup winner gets to vote first.
In any case, the vintage has it all. Experts compare it to 2015, when Connor McDavid was selected first and Jack Eichel second. The German talents, on the other hand, threaten to go away empty-handed in Nashville in the US state of Tennessee.
After the strong vintages in 2019 with Moritz Seider (6th) and especially in 2020 with Tim Stützle in third position as well as Lukas Reichel (17th) and John-Jason Peterka (34th), the Germans are hardly given any chances this time. In order to land with a team on the night from Wednesday to Thursday (02.00 a.m. CET), a lot has to fit.
Strikers Kevin Bicker and Linus Brandl are considered candidates. Attacker Bennett Roßmy, who made a positive impression as a training guest with the Los Angeles Kings last year at Junior Camp, might also be lucky. In 2022, two Germans were selected in Julian Lutz (2nd round) and Maksymilian Szuber (6th round) – both from the Arizona Coyotes.
But anyone who thinks the draft would be over following Bedard is wrong. Behind the attacker, center forwards Adam Fantilli, Leo Carlsson and Will Smith are also considered to be influential players of the future. The Anaheim Ducks have the second pick, followed by the Columbus Blue Jackets and the San Jose Sharks, for whom runner-up Nico Sturm plays.
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