Who will go No. 2 at the NHL Draft? Adam Fantilli, Leo Carlsson top 2023 draft prospects after Connor Bedard

Everyone knows Connor Bedard is going first overall at the 2023 NHL Draft. But who will be the second name off the board on draft night?

With the draft lottery set for Monday night, one team is going to win the Bedard sweepstakes. The others might be disappointed, but considering the depth at the top level of this draft class, there will be plenty of "consolation prizes" for teams to pick from. 

There are strong arguments to be made that two or three 2023 prospects would be considered No. 1 picks if they were a part of a different draft class. This is considered to be one of the deepest drafts in recent history, especially at the forward position. 

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Bedard has all the makings of a generational talent. But it's going to be hard for teams to dwell too much on missing out on Bedard when the other elite prospects can also be cornerstones for a rebuilding franchise.

The Sporting News takes a look at which prospects might go No. 2 overall at the 2023 NHL Draft. 

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Who will be selected No. 2 in the 2023 NHL Draft?

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 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 Division I 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. 

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 that 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. 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. 

2023 NHL Draft odds for the No. 2 pick 

According to Sports Interaction, Fantilli has the best odds of being selected with the second pick. He is -261 for the No. 2 pick. 

Here is a look at all of the available odds for who will be picked after Bedard. 

Odds provided by Sports Interaction.