Thursday’s Dump & Chase: Headed for the Future

This will double as your draft open thread for the day, as we get ready to discuss today’s picks and get to work on draft analysis.

In case you missed it, the Preds selected forward Matthew Wood 15th overall, then reached a bit on defender Tanner Molendyk at 24th. We’ve got the instant reactions there and will have more in-depth analysis later.

2023 NHL Draft Blog: Who are the best prospects left for the start of Round 2?

The first round of the NHL Draft went down on Wednesday night, and though there weren’t any trades, there was plenty of surprise after Connor Bedard went first overall to Chicago.

Sportsnet| June 28, 2023, 6:04 PM

There are some excellent players still on the board.

2023 NHL Draft 1st-round results, analysis

The first round of the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville is in the books. It was an incredible night with some surprise picks and NHL.com deputy managing editor Adam Kimelman was there to provide analysis of all 32 picks made.

NHL.com

NHL dot com takes a look at the picks made so far…

NHL draft live updates: Analysis for all 32 first-round picks

Follow along as all 224 picks are made, including scouting notes and team fits for all first-round picks.

ESPNESPN staff

…as does ESPN…

Winners and losers from the first round of the NHL Draft

From an early gasp at second overall to finally finding out where the Russian wild card was going to be dealt, the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft had some breathtaking moments. With that in mind, let’s sing the praises of some picks while also getting a little skeptical about others.

Sportsnet| June 28, 2023, 11:27 PM

…while Sportsnet opts for winners and losers.

Ducks surprise, get Carlsson over Fantilli at No. 2

The Ducks threw an early curve in Thursday night’s draft, using the No. 2 overall pick on Leo Carlsson over Adam Fantilli.

ESPNRyan S. Clark

Things first got a little odd when the Ducks made an unexpected choice, though–as is usual for the NHL draft–they stayed odd after that.

Coyotes discussing 6 sites for arena in East Valley

The Arizona Coyotes are discussing a new arena at six sites in the East Valley and confident they will have a plan to present to the NHL by Jan. 1, president Xavier Gutierrez said Wednesday.

NHL.com

Good luck to them.

Juuse Saros and the missing Vezina Trophy

Did the Preds’ failure to make the playoffs cost Juuse Saros a spot at the NHL Awards?

On the ForecheckKatherine Theyson

In case you missed it in yesterday’s flurry of draft profiles and actual draft picks, Katherine took a look at how important a playoff berth is to a goalie’s Vezina chances.

NHL salary cap increased to $83.5 million for 2023-24 season

NASHVILLE — The NHL salary cap for the 2023-24 season will be $83.5 million, the League and NHL Players’ Association announced Wednesday. The lower limit will be $61.7 million.

NHL.com

And hey, the salary cap’s inching up again!

That’s it for now, but we’ll be back very soon with more.