NHL Draft 2023: Winners and losers from Round 1, including Coyotes’ inexplicable pick

Winners

Chicago Blackhawks The Blackhawks had a very successful draft, picking up three players who are considered to be potential stars in the making. They started by drafting Logan Cooley, who is considered to be the best player in the draft class. They then followed that up by drafting Frank Nazar and Kevin Korchinski. All three players are projected to be top-six forwards or top-four defensemen in the NHL.

Winners

New Jersey Devils The Devils also had a strong draft, picking up two players who are considered to be top-10 talents in the class. They started by drafting Juraj Slafkovsky, who is a dynamic winger with a lot of potential. They then followed that up by drafting Simon Nemec, who is a highly skilled defenseman. Both players are projected to be impact players in the NHL.

Winners

Philadelphia Flyers The Flyers made a big splash by trading up to the seventh overall pick to draft Matvei Michkov. Michkov is a highly skilled winger who is considered to be one of the most exciting players in the draft class. He is projected to be a star in the NHL.

Loser

Arizona Coyotes The Coyotes made two puzzling picks in the first round. They started by drafting Dmitriy Simashev, a Russian defenseman who is currently playing in the KHL. Simashev is a talented player, but he is not considered to be a top-10 talent in the draft class. The Coyotes then followed that up by drafting Danil But, another Russian defenseman who is also playing in the KHL. But is a raw talent, but he is not projected to be an NHL player for several years.

Loser

Montreal Canadiens The Canadiens were widely expected to draft Juraj Slafkovsky with the first overall pick, but they instead selected Shane Wright. Wright is a talented center, but he is not considered to be as good of a prospect as Slafkovsky. The Canadiens' decision to draft Wright was a surprise to many, and it remains to be seen if it will pay off in the long run.

Overall, the 2023 NHL Draft was a successful one. There were some surprises, but there were also some players who lived up to their expectations. It will be interesting to see how these players develop in the coming years.

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