Comprehensive guide to the 2023 NHL Draft

The NHL offseason kicks into high gear this week, beginning with the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Here's what you need to know before the Chicago Blackhawks are on the clock.

When

• Wednesday, June 28 at 7 p.m. ET (Round 1)
• Thursday, June 29 at 11 a.m. ET (Rounds 2-7)

Where

• Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee

How to watch

Canada

U.S.

Round 1 draft order

1. The Avalanche acquired pick No. 31 on Tuesday from the Canadiens, along with pick No. 37 and defense prospect Gianni Fairbrother, in exchange for the restricted free-agent rights to forward Alex Newhook.

Player features

• Beyond Bedard, Western prospects will be coveted in the NHL draft
• Draft survey: Prospects discuss NHL comps, best trash talk, and more
• Family affair: 2023 draft class rich with NHL bloodlines
• For one hockey family, the NHL draft is a reminder of what was lost, gained
• Tantalizing yet divisive: Andrew Cristall is motivated to 'prove people wrong'
• A legendary NHL draft unearthed these hidden gems

Final mock draft

• 2023 NHL mock draft: Top 4 is locked in, but who follows?

Betting insights

• NHL draft betting preview: Finding value after Connor Bedard
• NHL draft best bets: 3 players worth targeting

Top prospects

Connor Bedard - Center, Regina Pats (WHL)

Barring a draft day shock the likes of which we've never seen, the Blackhawks will make Bedard the first overall pick Wednesday night.

Bedard has decimated every level he's played en route to becoming the most hyped hockey prospect since Connor McDavid in 2015. He's the first Western Canadian player to receive exceptional status from Hockey Canada and play a full CHL season as a 15-year-old. Bedard scored 71 goals and 143 points with the Regina Pats this past regular season and added another 10 goals and 20 points in the first round of the playoffs.

But what Bedard did on the international stage truly captivated the hockey world. He tallied nine goals and 23 points in seven games at the 2023 world juniors to set the record for U18 scoring at the tourney. He also broke the records for single-tournament and all-time points by a Canadian, as well as the nation's all-time goal record.

Possessing an already top-tier arsenal of shots, immense puck skills, and competitiveness off the charts, Bedard will immediately enter the league and be must-watch TV.

Adam Fantilli - Center, Michigan Wolverines (NCAA)

Fantilli is far from a typical consolation prize if he goes second overall to the Anaheim Ducks.

The Toronto native dominated the NCAA as a freshman with the Michigan Wolverines. He scored 30 goals and 65 points in 36 games last season, joining Paul Kariya and Jack Eichel as the only freshmen to ever win the Hobey Baker as the top men's collegiate player.

Bringing speed, physicality, and a relentless compete level as a 6-foot-2 center, Fantilli would be a strong contender for first overall in most drafts.

Matvei Michkov - Right wing, HK Sochi (KHL)

Michkov is the biggest wild card we've seen in the draft in years. On pure talent, he's a serious contender to be the second-best prospect in the class. But circumstances around the player have put into question whether he'll go in the top five at all.

He's signed through 2025-26 with SKA St. Petersburg. With no transfer agreement between the NHL and KHL, there's no way to get Michkov to North America before that contract expires. It's one thing to wait years for a mid-round selection like Kirill Kaprizov, but it's a very different situation when using a premium draft pick.

Then there's the unknown regarding the Russia-Ukraine war and what the state of affairs will be when trying to get Michkov to North America in three years.

Whichever team weighs the risks and is willing to take the swing on Michkov could become the winner of the draft in a decade.

Leo Carlsson - Center, Orebro HK (SHL)

A 6-foot-3 playmaking center, Carlsson excelled wherever he suited up this season. He was a mainstay in the SHL, ranking second on his team in postseason scoring. Only the Sedin twins, Elias Lindholm, and Nicklas Backstrom tallied more than his 25 points in Sweden's top league as a draft-eligible prospect.

Carlsson was a top-line player at both the world juniors and World Championships for Sweden. Prior to this year, Daniel Sedin was the lone draft-eligible Swede to have registered a point at Worlds. Carlsson also became the first 18-year-old ever to score three goals for Sweden at the tournament. He added two assists as well.

His strong showing on the international stage to cap the campaign has some wondering if he can challenge Fantilli at second overall. But he could fall as far as No. 5 on draft day.

Will Smith - Center, U.S. National Team Development Program

On the heels of a dominant season as the USNTDP's top-line pivot, Smith solidified his position in the top five of the draft with a special performance at the U18s.

His 20 points in seven games matched Jack Hughes' record for points at the tournament by an American player and trailed Nikita Kucherov's all-time mark by one. The performance came after he tallied 127 points in 60 contests with the USNTDP. Smith's spectacular end to the campaign vaulted him into the conversation with the Blue Jackets at third overall.

Hailing from Massachusetts, Smith was coached by Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes while playing for the Boston Jr. Eagles. If Michkov goes in the top four, a reunion with his former coach could be in the cards.

David Reinbacher - Defense, EHC Kloten (NL)

Reinbacher has a chance to become just the second Austrian player ever selected in the top five. The Buffalo Sabres drafted Thomas Vanek fifth overall in 2003.

The 6-foot-2 defenseman played in the top Swiss league this season with EHC Kloten, producing 22 points in 46 games. The National League isn't typically known for featuring draft-eligible prospects but has risen in quality over the past decade. Only Auston Matthews has scored more points than Reinbacher entering the draft out of the league, and no blue-liner comes particularly close.

Reinbacher has a high floor, but the question remains whether he has true top pairing upside that would make him a worthwhile bet over the abundant high-end forwards available. Look for him to be discussed as an option beginning with the Sharks at No. 4 and as a legitimate contender to go to the Canadiens at No. 5.

Ryan Leonard - Right wing, U.S. NTDP

Teams salivate at the idea of adding a player like Matthew Tkachuk, especially after his postseason run this spring. They want someone who brings goal-scoring and tenacity and thrives in the big moments. No prospect matches those qualities quite like Leonard in this draft.

The Amherst, Massachusetts, native featured on the USNTDP's historic top line this season on the right wing. He potted 51 goals in 57 games, none bigger than his gold-medal-winning overtime goal against Sweden at the U18s.

Leonard will likely be the second USNTDP player off the board after Smith and in discussion for Montreal at No. 5.