The Stanley Cup playoffs remain in full swing, but for a majority of the NHL, the next big event on deck is the 2023 NHL Draft.
The first 16 picks of the draft were determined on Monday night with the results of the draft lottery. The Blackhawks won the first overall selection and with it, the ability to select star prospect Connor Bedard.
The 2023 draft class is considered to be one of the deepest in ages. Even after Bedard, the talent at the top of this group is at an elite level. Several clubs are going to get the chance to add a high-end player to their organization.
While half of the league will know where they are selecting, the other 16 picks won't be finalized until after the conclusion of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Sporting News has more information about when the 2023 NHL Draft is.
MORE: Connor Bedard stats, awards, records broken by top 2023 NHL Draft prospect
When is the 2023 NHL Draft?
- Day 1 date: Wednesday, June 28
- Day 1 start time: TBD
- Day 2 date: Thursday, June 29
- Day 2 start time: TBD
The 2023 NHL Draft will span two days. The first round will take place Wednesday, June 28, with representatives from all 32 teams in Nashville.
On Thursday, June 29, the picks in Rounds 2-7 will be made.
Where is the 2023 NHL Draft?
- Venue: Bridgestone Arena
- City: Nashville, Tenn.
Bridgestone Arena, home of the Predators, will be the location of the 2023 NHL Draft.
This is the second time that Nashville will host a draft. The city was the site of the 2003 draft.
2023 NHL Draft order
The first 16 picks of the 2023 NHL Draft have been finalized. The Blackhawks won the draft lottery and own the No. 1 pick in the draft.
Pick Nos. 17-32 will be decided after the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.
| Pick | Team |
| No. 1 | Chicago Blackhawks |
| No. 2 | Anaheim Ducks |
| No. 3 | Columbus Blue Jackets |
| No. 4 | San Jose Sharks |
| No. 5 | Montreal Canadiens |
| No. 6 | Arizona Coyotes |
| No. 7 | Philadelphia Flyers |
| No. 8 | Washington Capitals |
| No. 9 | Detroit Red Wings |
| No. 10 | St. Louis Blues |
| No. 11 | Vancouver Canucks |
| No. 12 | Arizona Coyotes (from Ottawa Senators) |
| No. 13 | Buffalo Sabres |
| No. 14 | Pittsburgh Penguins |
| No. 15 | Nashville Predators |
| No. 16 | Calgary Flames |
Top 2023 NHL Draft prospects
Connor Bedard, C, Regina (WHL)
There hasn't been a draft prospect with this much hype since Connor McDavid in 2015, and Bedard has earned every bit of it.
Bedard ended the 2022-23 WHL season with 143 points in 57 games, leading the league by a wide margin. He also was first in the league in goals with 71, marking only the second time this century that a WHL skater scored at least 70 goals in a single season. He broke five World Juniors records in December, helping Canada to a bronze medal.
At 17 years old, Bedard already owns one of the best releases in the world. He is an elite goal scorer and playmaker, who doesn't shy away from the physical components of the game either. Bedard has proven that he is levels above the kids in his age group and above.
Adam Fantilli, C, Michigan (NCAA)
Fantilli was the best skater in the NCAA this season. The native of Nobelton, Ont. won the 2023 Hobey Baker as the top player in college hockey. He also was named the Tim Taylor National Rookie of the Year and the Big Ten Rookie of the Year.
In his freshman year at Michigan, Fantilli led the NCAA with 65 points in 36 games and finished tied for first in goals with 30. His 1.81 points-per-game average was also the best in the nation.
MORE: Who will be the No. 2 pick at the 2023 NHL Draft after Connor Bedard?
The forward has size, speed and a heck of a shot. It was also nice to see his versatility at the 2023 World Juniors, where he was tasked with playing on a checking line rather than the top six for a loaded Canada squad. Fantilli seems like he has an edge over the others to go No. 2, but he's not a lock.
Leo Carlsson, C, Örebro HK (SHL)
Carlsson is the No. 1 rated international skater by NHL Central Scouting for the 2023 draft class. The big center for Örebro HK played his first full season in the SHL, Sweden's top professional league. In 44 games, he recorded 10 goals and 25 points.
The Swede had a strong showing at the 2023 World Juniors, helping his country to a fourth-place finish. He recorded three goals and three assists in seven games and was one of the few consistent players for a Sweden team that underwhelmed.
Carlsson is a talented playmaker who carries a high hockey IQ. He makes a lot of plays look effortless and never seems to be phased, no matter the competition. His size (6-3, 194 lbs) is also eye-catching for NHL scouts.
Matvei Michkov, RW, HK Sochi (KHL)
A couple of years ago, the conversation surrounding the 2023 NHL Draft was always between Bedard and Michkov. The Russian was considered a threat to potentially upend the Canadian for the No. 1 pick, but Bedard's stock skyrocketed ahead of Michkov, knocking him out of the No. 1 conversation.
After seeing action in just three games with SKA St. Petersburg, the club loaned Michkov to HK Sochi, where he immediately saw more ice time and as a result, more production. Michkov finished the season with nine goals and 20 points in 27 games with Sochi.
Michkov is a bit undersized, but he is overflowing with elite skill. He's been a consistent producer no matter where he has played. The concern with Michkov is the fact that he is signed with SKA St. Petersburg until 2026, so likely won't come over to North America for a few years. That may deter certain clubs from selecting the talented winger.
Will Smith, C, USA U18 (USHL)
There's an argument to be made that no one has raised their draft stock as much as Smith has over the last few months. Entering the 2022-23 season, he was considered a mid-to-late first-round pick. Now, Smith has solidified himself as a top-10 selection and has a good shot at being one of the first five names off the board.
Smith played on a dominant line with Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault on the U18 team at the U.S. National Team Development Program. He was second on the team in points behind Perreault with 127 in 60 games. He also recorded 51 goals, tied with Leonard for second on the squad.
He's coming off a terrific showing at the U18 Worlds with nine goals and 20 points in seven games, helping the USA to a gold medal. The Boston College commit has first-line offensive potential, as he owns a great release and pairs it with a silky set of hands.
