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:

1. Chicago Blackhawks
2. Montreal Canadiens (from Florida Panthers)
3. Columbus Blue Jackets
4. Buffalo Sabres
5. Chicago Blackhawks (from Arizona Coyotes)
6. Ottawa Senators
7. Detroit Red Wings
8. San Jose Sharks
9. Anaheim Ducks
10. Philadelphia Flyers
11. Tampa Bay Lightning (from New York Islanders)
12. Vancouver Canucks
13. Winnipeg Jets
14. St. Louis Blues
15. Nashville Predators
16. New York Rangers
17. Toronto Maple Leafs
18. New York Rangers (from Columbus Blue Jackets)
19. Detroit Red Wings (from New York Islanders)
20. Toronto Maple Leafs (from San Jose Sharks)
21. Seattle Kraken
22. Colorado Avalanche
23. Vegas Golden Knights
24. Arizona Coyotes
25. Edmonton Oilers
26. Philadelphia Flyers (from Pittsburgh Penguins)
27. Washington Capitals
28. Minnesota Wild
29. 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).