NHL draft 2023: First round order, TV, streaming information as Connor Bedard is selected
Connor Bedard has been touted for years as a generational prospect, but the first round and beyond of this year's deep draft class have the potential to be special.
Dan Marr, director of NHL Central Scouting, said at the recent combine that Regina Pats center Bedard and Hobey Baker Award winner Adam Fantilli could end up having the same impact in the NHL as Edmonton Oilers stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
"In the top 10 to 15, depending on whose list you’re going to look at, there’s some very unique players that really are true stars if they reach their potential," he said. "But in that next 15, there’s also going to be some players who probably will play ahead of some of those in the top 15."
NHL MOCK DRAFT 1.0: Who is taken after consensus No. 1 pick Connor Bedard?
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Bedard (143 points in 57 games) will go No. 1 overall to the draft lottery winner Chicago Blackhawks while Fantilli (65 points in 36 games) is expected to be taken at No. 2 overall by the Anaheim Ducks. Central Scouting's other top prospects include North American forwards Will Smith, Matthew Wood and Ryan Leonard, plus international forwards Leo Carlsson (Sweden) and Matvei Michkov (Russia).
"The top 50 are all going to be pretty good players down the road," Marr said.
What to know about the 2023 NHL draft:
When and where will be the NHL draft be held?
The first round will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 28, at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. The second through seventh rounds will be held on Thursday, June 29, starting at 11 a.m. ET.
How can I watch the NHL draft?
The first day of the NHL draft will be shown on ESPN. The remaining rounds will be shown on NHL Network.
How can I live stream the NHL draft?
Both days of the NHL draft can be live-streamed on ESPN+.
What is the first-round order for the NHL draft?
1. Chicago Blackhawks
2. Anaheim Ducks
10. St. Louis Blues
12. Arizona Coyotes (from Ottawa Senators)
13. Buffalo Sabres
16. Calgary Flames
17. Detroit Red Wings (from New York Islanders via Vancouver Canucks)
18. Winnipeg Jets
19. Chicago Blackhawks (from Tampa Bay Lightning)
20. Seattle Kraken
21. Minnesota Wild
22. Philadelphia Flyers (from Los Angeles Kings via Columbus Blue Jackets)
23. New York Rangers
24. Nashville Predators (from Edmonton Oilers)
25. St. Louis Blues (from Toronto Maple Leafs)
26. San Jose Sharks (from New Jersey Devils)
28. Toronto Maple Leafs (from Boston Bruins via Washington Capitals)
29. St. Louis Blues (from Dallas Stars via New York Rangers)
31. Colorado Avalanche (from Florida Panthers via Montreal Canadiens)
Which NHL draft prospect is a wild card?
Michkov is a top five prospect based on his skill, but he is under contract in the Kontinental Hockey League until 2025-26. He could drop in the draft because of that, but a patient team could take him high.
Which NHL draft prospects have notable bloodlines?
Gabriel Perreault's father, Yanic, played 859 games in the NHL. ... Ethan Gauthier's father, Denis, played 10 NHL seasons. His brother, Julien, plays for the Senators. ... Oliver Bonk's father, Radek, was the No. 3 overall pick in the 1994 draft and played 969 NHL games. ... Luke Mittelstadt's brother, Casey, plays for the Sabres. ... Beckett Hendricksen's father, Darby, played 518 NHL games. ... David Klee's father, Ken, played 934 NHL games. ... Lucas St. Louis' father, Martin, is a Hall of Famer and coach of the Canadiens. ... Cole Knuble's father, Mike, won a Stanley Cup with the Red Wings in 1998 and played in 1,068 NHL games.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL draft 2023: First round order, live stream, TV, prospects
