The 2023 NHL Draft began on Wednesday evening in Nashville. After weeks of anticipation, the Chicago Blackhawks finally made it official and selected Regina Pats (WHL) star forward Connor Bedard.
Bedard has drawn comparisons to Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid due to his playmaking abilities. The Blackhawks were able to select the franchise-altering talent in the midst of a rebuild that has seen Chicago trade away former top pick Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat and several others.
With Bedard going to Chicago being a foregone conclusion, the 2023 Draft really began at the No. 2 pick. With that selection, the Anaheim Ducks elected to take center Leo Carlsson, who starred in the Swedish Hockey League this past season.
The Columbus Blue Jackets followed that up by selecting Michigan standout Adam Fantilli. Fantilli comes with a very high pedigree as he won the Hobey Baker Trophy as the nation's top collegiate player. It's an honor that has been won by the likes of Cale Makar, Cole Caufield, Johnny Gaudreau and Jack Eichel in recent years.
The 2023 NHL Draft continues with Round 2-7 on Thursday at 11 a.m.
Round 1
1. Chicago Blackhawks -- Connor Bedard, C, Regina (WHL)
2. Anaheim Ducks -- Leo Carlsson, C, Orebro (SHL)
3. Columbus Blue Jackets -- Adam Fantilli, C, Michigan (NCAA)
4. San Jose Sharks -- William Smith, C, USA U-18 (NTDP)
5. Montreal Canadiens -- David Reinbacher, D, Kloten (SUI)
6. Arizona Coyotes -- Dmitriy Simashev, D, Yaroslavl Jr. (RUS)
7. Philadelphia Flyers -- Matvei Michkov, RW, St. Petersburg (KHL)
8. Washington Capitals -- Ryan Leonard, RW, USA U-18 (NTDP)
9. Detroit Red Wings -- Nate Danielson, C, Brandon (WHL)
10. St. Louis Blues -- Dalibor Dvorsky, C, AIK (SWE)
11. Vancouver Canucks -- Tom Willander, D, Rogle Jr. (SWE-JR)
12. Arizona Coyotes (from Senators) -- Daniil But, LW, Yaroslavl Jr. (RUS)
13. Buffalo Sabres -- Zach Benson, LW, Winnipeg (WHL)
14. Pittsburgh Penguins -- Brayden Yager, C, Moose Jaw (WHL)
15. Nashville Predators -- Matthew Wood, RW, UConn (NCAA)
16. Calgary Flames -- Samuel Honzek, LW, Vancouver (WHL)
17. Detroit Red Wings (from Islanders via Canucks) -- Axel Sandin Pellikka, D, Skelleftea Jr. (SWE)
18. Winnipeg Jets -- Colby Barlow, LW, Owen Sound (OHL)
19. Chicago Blackhawks (from Lightning) -- Oliver Moore, C, USA U-18 (NTDP)
20. Seattle Kraken -- Eduard Sale, LW, Brno (CZE)
21. Minnesota Wild -- Charlie Stramel, C, Wisconsin (NCAA)
22. Philadelphia Flyers (from Kings via Blue Jackets) -- Oliver Bonk, D, London (OHL)
23. New York Rangers -- Gabriel Perreault, RW, USA U-18 (NTDP)
24. Nashville Predators (from Oilers) -- Tanner Molendyk, D, Saskatoon (WHL)
25. St. Louis Blues (from Maple Leafs) -- Otto Stenberg, C, Frolunda Jr. (SWE)
26. San Jose Sharks (from Devils) -- Quentin Musty, LW, Sudbury (OHL)
27. Colorado Avalanche -- Calum Ritchie, C, Oshawa (OHL)
28. Toronto Maple Leafs (from Bruins via Capitals) -- Easton Cowan, RW, London (OHL)
29. St. Louis Blues (from Stars via Rangers) -- Theo Lindstein, D, Brynas (SWE)
30. Carolina Hurricanes -- Bradly Nadeau, LW, Penticton (BCHL)
31. Colorado Avalanche -- Mikhail Gulyayev, D, Omsk Jr. (RUS)
32. Vegas Golden Knights -- David Edstrom, C, Frolunda Jr. (SWE)