Leo Carlsson, the hulking Swedish center who the Anaheim Ducks drafted with the second overall pick in June, is expected to make his NHL debut Thursday against the Dallas Stars.
If Carlsson does debut against the Stars at Honda Center, he will be the fourth member of the 2023 draft class to play in the NHL. It's a group led by Chicago Blackhawks center and No. 1 pick Connor Bedard, along with Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli and Buffalo Sabres winger Zach Benson.