Nashville, Tenn. (WGR 550) - The 2023 NHL Draft is in the books from Nashville, as 32 prospects will now forever hold the distinction as first-round picks at the NHL level.
The draft opened with the expected first overall selection of the next "generational" prospect to enter the NHL, Connor Bedard. The Chicago Blackhawks land the next superstar forward with the No. 1 pick after winning the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery a couple of months back.
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Then the 2023 draft got interesting at No. 2 overall, as the Anaheim Ducks surprised many with the selection of Swedish center Leo Carlsson. That allowed the 2022-23 Hobey Baker Award winner Adam Fantilli to fall in the laps of the Columbus Blue Jackets with the third overall selection.
Perhaps the biggest question heading into the 2023 NHL Draft was surrounding Russian prospect Matvei Michkov, and where he would land in Round 1 of this class of prospects. Heading into the 2022-23 season, Michkov was widely seen as the second-best prospect in the class to Bedard, even as high as a 1B prospect to Bedard's 1A status.
That question was finally answered when the Philadelphia Flyers stepped to the podium, as Michkov went off the board with the seventh overall selection.
Wednesday's draft in Nashville was a unique event of sorts, as it was the first time since the 2007 NHL Draft that did not feature a single trade in the draft order when festivities began at 7 p.m. ET.
Be sure to check out every pick from Wednesday's first round of the 2023 draft available in our tracker below:
1.) Chicago Blackhawks
SELECTION: Connor Bedard - Center - Regina Pats (WHL)
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2.) Anaheim Ducks
SELECTION: Leo Carlsson - Center - Örebro HK (SHL)
3.) Columbus Blue Jackets
SELECTION: Adam Fantilli - Center - University of Michigan (NCAA)
4.) San Jose Sharks
SELECTION: Will Smith - Center - U.S. National Team Development Program
5.) Montreal Canadiens
SELECTION: David Reinbacher - Defense - EHC Kloten (NLA)
6.) Arizona Coyotes
SELECTION: Dmitri Simashev - Defense - Yaroslavl Jr. (Russia)
7.) Philadelphia Flyers
SELECTION: Matvei Michkov - Right Wing - SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)
8.) Washington Capitals
SELECTION: Ryan Leonard - Center - U.S. National Team Development Program
9.) Detroit Red Wings
SELECTION: Nate Danielson - Center - Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
10.) St. Louis Blues
SELECTION: Dalibor Dvorsky – Center – AIK (HockeyAllsvenskan)
11.) Vancouver Canucks
SELECTION: Tom Willander - Defense - Rögle BK (J20 Nationell)
12.) Arizona Coyotes (from Ottawa Senators)
SELECTION: Daniil But - Left Wing - Yaroslavl Jr. (Russia)
13.) Buffalo Sabres
SELECTION: Zach Benson - Left Wing – Winnipeg Ice (WHL)
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14.) Pittsburgh Penguins
SELECTION: Brayden Yager - Center - Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
15.) Nashville Predators
SELECTION: Matthew Wood - Left Wing - University of Connecticut (NCAA)
16.) Calgary Flames
SELECTION: Samuel Honzek - Left Wing - Vancouver Giants (WHL)
17.) Detroit Red Wings (from Vancouver Canucks via New York Islanders)
SELECTION: Axel Sandin Pellikka - Defense - Skellefteå AIK (J20 Nationell)
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18.) Winnipeg Jets
SELECTION: Colby Barlow - Left Wing - Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
19.) Chicago Blackhawks (from Tampa Bay Lightning)
SELECTION: Oliver Moore - Center - U.S. National Team Development Program
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20.) Seattle Kraken
SELECTION: Eduard Sale - Right Wing – HC Kometa Brno (Czechia)
21.) Minnesota Wild
SELECTION: Charlie Stramel - Center - University of Wisconsin (NCAA)
22.) Philadelphia Flyers (from Los Angeles Kings via Columbus Blue Jackets)
SELECTION: Oliver Bonk - Defense - London Knights (OHL)
23.) New York Rangers
SELECTION: Gabriel Perreault - Right Wing – U.S. National Team Development Program
24.) Nashville Predators (from Edmonton Oilers)
SELECTION: Tanner Molendyk - Defense - Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
25.) St. Louis Blues (from Toronto Maple Leafs)
SELECTION: Otto Stenberg - Center - Frölunda HC (J20 Nationell)
26.) San Jose Sharks (from New Jersey Devils)
SELECTION: Quentin Musty - Left Wing - Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
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27.) Colorado Avalanche
SELECTION: Calum Ritchie - Center - Oshawa Generals (OHL)
28.) Toronto Maple Leafs (from Washington Capitals via Boston Bruins)
SELECTION: Easton Cowan - Right Wing - London Knights (OHL)
29.) St. Louis Blues (from New York Rangers via Dallas Stars)
SELECTION: Theo Lindstein - Defense - Brynäs IF (SHL)
30.) Carolina Hurricanes
SELECTION: Bradley Nadeau - Left Wing - Penticton Vees (BCHL)
31.) Colorado Avalanche (from Montreal Canadiens via Florida Panthers)
SELECTION: Mikhail Gulyayev – Defense – Omsk Jr. (Russia)
32.) Vegas Golden Knights
SELECTION: David Edstrom - Center - Frölunda HC (J20 Nationell)
