2023 NHL Draft Order and Rumors
Round 1 Recap
The first round of the 2023 NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville has concluded. The Montreal Canadiens made a significant move, acquiring the Florida Panthers' first-round pick (Ty Smilanic) and a fourth-round pick (2022) in exchange for their No. 1 pick (Connor Bedard).
Draft Lottery
The Chicago Blackhawks won the draft lottery and secured the No. 1 overall pick, giving them the opportunity to select Bedard, the consensus top prospect in the draft.
Draft Order
The entire first-round draft order is as follows:
- Chicago Blackhawks
- Montreal Canadiens (from Florida Panthers)
- Columbus Blue Jackets
- Buffalo Sabres
- Chicago Blackhawks (from Arizona Coyotes)
- Ottawa Senators
- Detroit Red Wings
- San Jose Sharks
- Anaheim Ducks
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Tampa Bay Lightning (from New York Islanders)
- Vancouver Canucks
- Winnipeg Jets
- St. Louis Blues
- Nashville Predators
- New York Rangers
- Toronto Maple Leafs
- New York Rangers (from Columbus Blue Jackets)
- Detroit Red Wings (from New York Islanders)
- Toronto Maple Leafs (from San Jose Sharks)
- Seattle Kraken
- Colorado Avalanche
- Vegas Golden Knights
- Arizona Coyotes
- Edmonton Oilers
- Philadelphia Flyers (from Pittsburgh Penguins)
- Washington Capitals
- Minnesota Wild
- New Jersey Devils
Colorado Avalanche Rumors
The Colorado Avalanche, who own the 22nd overall pick, are rumored to be interested in trading up for a higher pick. Potential targets include Shane Wright (Seattle Kraken) and Adam Fantilli (Chicago Blackhawks).
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