2023 NHL Draft Tracker: Pick-by-pick for the first round
After months and months of preparation, the 2023 NHL Draft is finally here.
Considered to be one of the most exciting drafts in recent NHL history, the opening night in Nashville will see 32 players realize their dream of getting selected to the big leagues. Connor Bedard is the ultimate prize after pulling off one of the most incredible seasons by a draft-eligible prospect we’ve ever seen, and the rest of the first round is set up to be quite deep, too.
If this crop will have any legacy, it’s the number of top-end players and future NHL all-stars that’ll be taken in the early portions of the draft.
Follow along with the selections all night long below:
1. Chicago Blackhawks: Connor Bedard, C (Regina Pats, WHL, 57GP, 71G, 72A, 143P)
2. Anaheim Ducks: Leo Carlsson, C (Orebro HK, SweHL, 44GP, 10G, 15A, 25P)
3. Columbus Blue Jackets: Adam Fantilli, C (U. of Michigan, Big-10, 36GP, 30G, 35A, 65P)
4. San Jose Sharks: Will Smith, C (U.S. National Development Team, 20GP, 15G, 27A, 42P)
5. Montreal Canadiens: David Reinbacher, D (Kloten HC, Swiss-A, 46GP, 3G, 19A, 22P)
6. Arizona Coyotes: Dmitry Simashev, D (Yaroslavl Loko Jr., Rus-MHL, 29GP, 1G, 9A, 10P)
7. Philadelphia Flyers: Matvei Michkov, RW (Sochi HC, KHL, 27GP, 9G, 11A, 20P)
8. Washington Capitals: Ryan Leonard, RW (U.S. National Development Team, 17GP, 11G, 9A, 20P)
9. Detroit Red Wings: Nate Danielson, C (Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL, 68GP, 33G, 45A, 78P)
10. St. Louis Blues: Dalibor Dvorsky, C (AIK, Swe-1, 38GP, 6G, 8A, 14P)
11. Vancouver Canucks: Tom Willander, D (Rogle BK Jr., Swe-Jr, 39GP, 4G, 21A, 25P)
12. Arizona Coyotes (from OTT): Daniil But, LW (Yaroslavl Loko Jr., Rus-MHL, 26GP, 15G, 11A, 26P)
13. Buffalo Sabres: Zach Benson, LW (Winnipeg Ice, WHL, 60GP, 36G, 62A, 98P)
14. Pittsburgh Penguins: Brayden Yager, C (Moose Jaw Warriors, WHL, 67GP, 28G, 50A, 78P)
15. Nashville Predators: Matthew Wood, RW (U. of Connecticut, H-East, 35GP, 11G, 23A, 34P)
16. Calgary Flames: Samuel Honzek, LW (Vancouver Giants, WHL, 43GP, 23G, 33A, 56P)
17. Detroit Red Wings (from NYI via VAN): Axel Sandin-Pellika, D (Skelleftea AIK Jr., Swe-Jr., 31GP, 16G, 20A, 36P)
18. Winnipeg Jets: Colby Barlow, LW (Owen Sound Attack, OHL, 59GP, 46G, 33A, 79P)
19. Chicago Blackhawks (from TB): Oliver Moore, C (U.S. National Development Team, 23GP, 8G, 17A, 25P)
20. Seattle Kraken: Eduard Sale, LW (Brno Kometa, Czech, 43GP, 7G, 7A, 14P)
21. Minnesota Wild: Charlie Stramel, C (U. of Wisconsin, Big-10, 33GP, 5G, 7A, 12P)
22. Philadelphia Flyers (from LA via CBJ): Oliver Bonk, D (London Knights, OHL, 67GP, 10G, 30A, 40P)
23. New York Rangers: Gabriel Perreault, RW (U.S. National Development Team, 23GP, 19G, 26A, 45P)
24. Nashville Predators (from EDM): Tanner Molendyk, D (Saskatoon Blades, WHL, 67GP, 9G, 28A, 37P)
25. St. Louis Blues (from TOR): Otto Stenberg, C (Vastra Frolunda Jr., Swe-Jr., 29GP, 11G, 15A, 26P)
26. San Jose Sharks (from NJ): Quentin Musty, LW (Sudbury Wolves, OHL, 53GP, 26G, 52A, 78P)
27. Colorado Avalanche: Calum Ritchie, C (Oshawa Generals, OHL, 59GP, 24G, 35A, 59P)
28. Toronto Maple Leafs (from BOS via WSH): Easton Cowan, RW (London Knights, OHL, 68GP, 20G, 33A, 53P)
29. St. Louis Blues (from DAL via NYR): Theo Lindstein, D (Brynas IF Gavle, SweHL, 32GP, 1G, 1A, 2P)
30. Carolina Hurricanes: Bradley Nadeau, LW (Penticton Vees, BCHL, 54GP, 45G, 68A, 113P)
31. Colorado Avalanche (from FLA via MTL): Mikhail Gulyayev, D (Omskie Yastreby, Rus-MHL, 22GP, 2G, 23A, 25P)
32. Vegas Golden Knights: David Edstrom, C (Vastra Frolunda Jr., Swe-Jr., 28GP, 15G, 13A, 28P)
For bios on the top prospects, check out Steven Ellis’ top 150 list here.