With the 2023 NHL Draft kicking off on Wednesday, generational prospect Connor Bedard can finally, officially call Chicago home after the Blackhawks took him with the first overall pick.
There were a few surprises after that, with the Anaheim Ducks, who were widely expected to take Canadian center Adam Fantilli with the No. 2 pick, instead selecting Swedish pivot Leo Carlsson second. The Blue Jackets jumped at the chance to take Fantilli with the third selection before the Sharks took USNTDP star Will Smith at No. 4.
With the draft’s mystery man, Russian phenom Matvei Michkov, still available at No. 5, the Canadiens threw a curveball and took the draft’s first defenseman in David Reinbacher before the Flyers took Michkov with the seventh selection. Talented WHL center Zach Benson was the first-round’s most notable slider, dropping to the Sabres at No. 13.
Here’s a round-by-round recap of this week’s festivities in Nashville.
2023 NHL Draft results
Round 1
1. Chicago Blackhawks – Connor Bedard, C, Regina Pats (WHL)
2. Anaheim Ducks – Leo Carlsson, C, Orebro HK (SHL)
3. Columbus Blue Jackets – Adam Fantilli, C, University of Michigan (NCAA)
4. San Jose Sharks – Will Smith, C, United States National Team Development Program
5. Montreal Canadiens – David Reinbacher, D, EHC Kloten (Swiss National League)
6. Arizona Coyotes – Dmitri Simashev, D, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)
7. Philadelphia Flyers – Matvei Michkov, F, SKA Saint Petersburg (KHL)
8. Washington Capitals – Ryan Leonard, F, USNTDP
9. Detroit Red Wings – Nate Danielson, C, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
10. St. Louis Blues – Dalibor Dvorsky, F, IK Oskarshamn (SHL)
11. Vancouver Canucks – Tom Willander, D, Rogle BK (SHL)
12. Arizona Coyotes (from OTT) – Danil But, F, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)
13. Buffalo Sabres – Zach Benson, C, Winnipeg Ice (WHL)
14. Pittsburgh Penguins – Brayden Yegar, C, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
15. Nashville Predators – Matthew Wood, F, University of Connecticut (NCAA)
16. Calgary Flames – Samuel Honzek, C, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
17. Detroit Red Wings (from NYI via VAN) – Axel Sandin Pellikka, D, Skelleftea AIK (SHL)
18. Winnipeg Jets – Colby Barlow, F, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
19. Chicago Blackhawks (from TB) – Oliver Moore, C, USNTDP
20. Seattle Kraken – Eduard Sale, F, HC Kometa Brno (Czechia)
21. Minnesota Wild – Charlie Stramel, C, University of Wisconsin (NCAA)
22. Philadelphia Flyers (from LA via CBJ) – Oliver Bonk, D, London Knights (OHL)
23. New York Rangers – Gabriel Perreault, F, USNTDP
24. Nashville Predators (from EDM) – Tanner Molendyk, D, Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
25. St. Louis Blues (from TOR) – Otto Stenberg, C, Frolunda HC Jr. (Sweden)
26. San Jose Sharks (from NJ) – Quentin Musty, F, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
27. Colorado Avalanche – Calum Ritchie, C, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
28. Toronto Maple Leafs (from BOS via WSH) – Easton Cowan, F, London Knights (OHL)
29. St. Louis Blues (from DAL via NYR) – Theo Lindstein, D, Brynas IF (Allsvenskan)
30. Carolina Hurricanes – Bradly Nadeau, F, Penticton Vees (BCHL)
31. Colorado Avalanche (from FLA via MTL) – Mikhail Gulyayev, D, Omsk Jr. (KHL)
32. Vegas Golden Knights – David Edstrom, C, Frolunda Jr. (Sweden)
Round 2
33. Ducks – Nico Myatovic, F, Seattle (WHL)
34. Blue Jackets – Gavin Brindley, C, Michigan (NCAA)
35. Blackhawks – Adam Gajan, G, Chippewa (NAHL)
36. Sharks – Kasper Halttunen, F, HIFK (Finland)
37. Lightning – Ethan Gauthier, F, Sherbrooke (QMJHL)
38. Coyotes – Michael Hrabal, G, Omaha (USHL)
39. Sabres – Anton Wahlberg, C, Malmo Jr. (Sweden)
40. Capitals – Andrew Cristall, F, Kelowna (WHL)
41. Red Wings – Trey Augustine, G, USNTDP
42. Red Wings – Andrew Gibson, D, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
43. Predators – Felix Nilsson, C, Rogle Jr. (Sweden)
44. Blackhawks – Roman Kantserov, F, KHL
45. Sabres – Maxim Strbak, D, Sioux Falls (USHL)
46. Predators – Kalan Lind, F, Red Deer (WHL)
47. Red Wings – Brady Cleveland, D, USNTDP
48. Flames – Etienne Morin, D, Monton, QMJHL
49. Islanders – Danny Nelson, C, USNTDP
50. Kraken – Carson Rehkopf, F, Kitchener (OHL)
51. Flyers – Carson Bjarnason, G, Brandon (WHL)
52. Kraken – Oscar Fisker Molgaard, C, HV 71 (Sweden)
53. Wild – Rasmus Kumpulainen, C, Pelicans Jr. (finland)
54. Kings – Jakub Dvorak, D, Liberec (Czech.)
55. Blackhawks – Martin Misiak, F, Youngstown (USHL)
56. Oilers – Beau Akey, D, Barrie (OHL)
57. Kraken – Lukas Dragicevic, D, Tri-City (WHL)
58. Devils – Carey Terrance, F, Assat (Finland)
59. Ducks – Carey Terrance, C, Erie (OHL)
60. Ducks – Damian Clara, G, Farjestad (Sweden)
61. Stars – Tristan Bertucci, D, Flint (OHL)
62. Hurricanes – Felix Unger Sorum, F, Leksand Jr. (Sweden)
63. Panthers – Gracyn Sawchyn, C, Seattle (WHL)
64. Wild – Riley Heidt, C, Prince George (WHL)
Round 3
65. Ducks – Coulson Pitre, F, Flint (OHL)
66. Blue Jackets – William Whitelaw, F, Youngstown (USHL)
67. Blackhawks – Nick Lardis, F, Hamilton (OHL)
68. Predators – Jesse Kiiskinen, F, Pelicans Jr. (Finland)
69. Canadiens – Jacob Fowler, G, Youngstown (USHL)
70. Coyotes – Jonathan Castagna, C, St. Andrews College (HIGH-ON)
71. Sharks – Brandon Svoboda, C, Youngstown (USHL)
72. Coyotes – Noel Nordh, F, Brynas Jr. (Sweden)
73. Red Wings – Noah Dower Nilsson, F, Frolunda Jr. (Sweden)
74. Blues – Quinton Burns, D, Kingston (OHL)
75. Canucks – Hunter Brzustewicz, D, Kitchener (OHL)
76. Blues – Juraj Pekarcik, F, Nitra (Slovakia)
77. Golden Knights – Mathieu Cataford, C, Halifax (QMJHL)
78. Kings – Koehn Ziemmer, F, Prince George (WHL)
79. Stars – Brad Gardiner, C, Ottawa (OHL)
80. Flames – Aydar Suniev, F, Penticton (BCHL)
81. Coyotes – Tanner Ludtke, C, Lincoln (USHL
82. Jets – Zach Nehring, F, Shattuck St. Mary’s (Prep)
83. Predators – Dylan Mackinnon, D, Halifax (QMJHL)
84. Kraken – Caden Price, D, Kelowna (WHL)
85. Ducks – Yegor Sidorov, F, Saskatoon (WHL)
86. Sabres – Gavin Mccarthy, D, Muskegon (USHL)
87. Flyers – Egor Zavragin, G, Russian Jr.
88. Coyotes – Vadim Moroz, F, Minsk (Russia)
89. Canucks – Sawyer Mynio, D, Seattle (WHL)
90. Rangers – Drew Fortescue, D, USNTDP
91. Penguins – Emil Pieniniemi, Karpat Jr. (Finland)
92. Bruins – Christopher Pelosi, C, Sioux Falls (USHL)
93. Blackhawks – Jiri Felcman, C, Langnau Jr. (Switzerland)
94. Hurricanes – Jayden Perron, F, Chicago (USHL)
95. Flyers – Denver Barkey, C, London (OHL)
96. Golden Knights – Arttu Karki, D, Tappara Jr. (finland)
Round 4
97. Ducks – Konnor Smith, D, Peterborough (OHL)
98. Blue Jackets – Andrew Strathmann, D, Youngstown (USHL)
99. Blackhawks – Alex Pharand, C, Sudbury (OHL)
100. Hurricanes – Alexander Rykov, F, Chelmet (Russia)
101. Canadiens – Florian Xhekaj, F, Hamilton (OHL)
102. Coyotes – Terrell Goldsmith, D, Prince Albert (WHL)
103. Flyers – Cole Knuble, C, Fargo (USHL)
104. Capitals – Patrick Thomas, C, Hamilton (OHL)
105. Canucks – Ty Mueller, C, UNO (NCAA)
106. Blues – Jakub Stancl, C, Vaxjo Jr. (Sweden)
107. Canucks – Vilmer Alriksson, F, Djurgarden Jr. (Sweden)
108. Senators – Hoyt Stanley, D, Victoria (BCHL)
109. Sabres – Ethan Miedema, F, Kingston (OHL)
110. Canadiens – Bogdan Konyushkov, D, Russia
111. Predators – Joey Willis, C, Saginaw (OHL)
112. Flames – Jaden Lipinski, C, Vancouver (WHL)
113. Islanders – Jesse Nurmi, Kookoo Jr. (Finland)
114. Blue Jackets – Luca Pinelli, C, Ottawa (OHL)
115. Lightning – Jayson Shaugabay, F, Warroad (Minnesota High School)
116. Kraken – Andrei Loshko, C, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
117. Red Wings – Larry Keenan, D, Culver Academy
118. Kings – Hampton Slukynsky, G, Warroad (Minnesota High School)
119. Canucks – Matthew Perkins, C, Youngstown (USHL)
120. Flyers – Alex Ciernik, F, Sodertalje (Sweden)
121. Predators – Juha Jatkola, G, Kalpa (Finland)
122. Devils – Cam Squires, F, Cape Breton (QMJHL)
123. Sharks – Luca Cagnoni, D, Portland (WHL)
124. Bruins – Beckett Hendrickson, C, USNTDP
125. Stars – Aram Minnetian, D, USNTDP
126. Hurricanes – Stanislav Yarovoi, F, Vityaz (Russia)
127. Panthers – Albert Wikman, D, Farjestad Jr. (Sweden)
128. Canadiens – Quentin Miller, G, Quebec (QMJHL)
Round 5
129. Ducks – Rodwin Dionicio, D, Windsor (OHL)
130. Sharks – Axel Landen, D, HV 71 Jr. (Sweden)
131. Blackhawks – Marcel Marcel, F, Gatineau (QMJHL)
132. Sharks – Eric Pohlkamp, D, Cedar Rapids (USHL)
133. Canadiens – Sam Harris, F, Sioux Falls (USHL)
134. Coyotes – Melker Thelin, G, Sweden U18
135. Flyers – Carter Sotheran, D, Portland (WHL)
136. Capitals – Cameron Allen, D, Guelph (OHL)
137. Red Wings – Jack Phelan, D, Sioux Falls (USHL)
138. Blues – Paul Fischer, D, USNTDP
139. Hurricanes – Charles-Alexis Legault, D, Quinnipiac (NCAA)
140. Senators – Matthew Andonovski, D, Kitchener (OHL)
141. Sabres – Scott Ratzlaff, G, Seattle (WHL)
142. Penguins – Mikhail Ilyin, F, Russian Jr.
143. Predators – Sutter Muzzatti, C, RPI (NCAA)
144. Canadiens – Yevgeni Volokhin, G, Russian Jr.
145. Islanders – Justin Gill, C, Sherbrooke (QMJHL)
146. Jets – Jacob Julien, C, London (OHL)
147. Red Wings – Kevin Bicker, F, Manheim Jr. (Germany)
148. Kraken – Kaden Hammell, D, Everett (WHL)
149. Wild – Aaron Pionk, D, Waterloo (USHL)
150. Kings – Matthew Mania, D, Sudbury (OHL)
151. Jets – Thomas Milic, G, Seattle (WHL)
152. Rangers – Rasmus Larsson, D, Vasteras Jr. (Sweden)
153. Leafs – Hudson Malinoski, C, Brooks (AJHL)
154. Devils – Chase Cheslock, D, Rogers (Minnesota High School)
155. Avalanche – Nikita Ishimnikov, D, Russian Jr.
156. Blue Jackets – Melvin Strahl, G, Modo Jr. (Sweden)
157. Stars – Arno Tiefensee, G, Manheim (Germany)
158. Hurricanes – Ruslan Khazheyev, G, Russian Jr.
159. Panthers – Olof Glifford, G, HV 71 U18 (Sweden)
160. Coyotes – Justin Kipkie, D, Victoria (WHL)
Round 6
161. Ducks – Vojtech Port, D, Edmonton (WHL)
162. Coyotes – Samu Bau, C, Ilves (Finland)
163. Hurricanes – Timur Mukhanov, F, Russian Jr.
164. Devils – Cole Brown, F, Hamilton (OHL)
165. Canadiens – Filip Eriksson, C, Vaxjo Jr. (Sweden)
166. Coyotes – Carsen Musser, G, USNTDP
167. Blackhawks – Milton Oscarson, C, Orebro (Sweden)
168. Kraken – Visa Vedenpaa, G, Karpta Jr. (Finland)
169. Red Wings – Rudy Guimond, G, Taft School
170. Blues – Matthew Mayich, D, Ottawa (OHL)
171. Canucks – Aiden Celebrini, D, Brooks (AJHL)
172. Flyers – Ryan Macpherson, C, Leamington (ON Jr. B)
173. Sabres – Sean Keohane, D, Dexter School
174. Penguins – Cooper Foster, C, Ottawa (OHL)
175. Predators – Austin Roest, C, Everett (WHL)
176. Flames – Yegor Yegorov, G, Russian Jr.
177. Islanders – Zachary Schulz, D, USNTDP
178. Rangers – Dylan Roobroeck, C, Oshawa (OHL)
179. Lightning – Warren Clark, D, Steinbach (MJHL)
180. Kraken – Zeb Forsfjall, C, Skelleftea Jr. (Sweden)
181. Wild – Kalem Parker, D, Victoria (WHL)
182. Kings – Ryan Conmy, F, Sioux City (USHL)
183. Rangers – Ty Henricks, F, Muskegon (USHL)
184. Oilers – Nathaniel Day, G, Flint (OHL)
185. Leafs – Noah Chadwick, D, Lethbridge (WHL)
186. Devils – Daniil Karpovich, D, Russian Jr.
187. Avalanche – Jeremy Hanzel, D, Seattle (WHL)
188. Bruins – Ryan Walsh, C, Cedar Rapids (USHL)
189. Stars – Angus Macdonell, C, Mississauga (OHL)
190. Hurricanes – Michael Emerson, F, Chicago (USHL)
191. Panthers – Luke Coughlin, D, Rimouski (QMJHL)
192. Golden Knights – Tuomas Uronen, F, HIFK Jr. (Finland)
Round 7
193. Lightning – Jack Harvey, C, Chicago (USHL)
194. Blue Jackets – Oiva Keskinen, C, Tappara Jr. (Finland)
195. Blackhawks – Janne Peltonen, D, Karpat Jr. (Finland)
196. Sharks – David Klee, C, Waterloo (USHL)
197. Canadiens – Luke Mittelstadt, D, Minnesota (NCAA)
198. Panthers – Stepan Zvyagin, F, Russian Jr.
199. Flyers – Matteo Mann, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
200. Capitals – Brett Hyland, C, Brandon (WHL)
201. Red Wings – Emmitt Finnie, Kamloops (WHL)
202. Blues – Nikita Susuyev, F, Russian Jr.
203. Sharks – Yegor Rimashevskiy, F, Russian Jr.
204. Senators – Owen Beckner, C, Salmon Arm (BCHL)
205. Sabres – Norwin Panocha, D, German Jr.
206. Capitals – Antoine Keller, G, Geneve Jr. (Switzerland)
207. Senators – Vladimir Nikitin, G, Kazakhstan U-20
208. Flames – Axel Hurtig, D, Rogle Jr. (Sweden)
209. Islanders – Dennis Good Bogg, D, AIK Jr. (Sweden)
210. Jets – Connor Levis, F, Kamloops (WHL)
211. Lightning – Ethan Hay, C, Flint (OHL)
212. Kraken – Zaccharya Wisdom, Cedar Rapids (USHL)
213. Wild – James Clark, F, Green Bay (USHL)
214. Bruins – Casper Nassen, F, Vasteras Jr. (Sweden)
215. Senators – Nicholas Vantassell, F, Green Bay (USHL)
216. Oilers – Matt Copponi, C, Merrimack (NCAA)
217. Penguins – Emil Jarventie, F, Ilves Jr. (Finland)
218. Predators – Aiden Fink, F, Brooks (AJHL)
219. Avalanche – Maros Jedlicka, C, Zvolen (Slovakia)
220. Bruins – Kristian Kostadinski, D, Frolunda Jr. (Sweden)
221. Stars – Sebastian Bradshaw, F, Elite Hockey Academy 18U
222. Hurricanes – Yegor Velmakin, G, Voronezh (Russia)
223. Penguins – Kalle Kangas, D, Jokerit Jr. (Finland)
224. Blue Jackets – Tyler Peddle, F, Drummondville (QMJHL)
