NHL Draft 1st-Round Recap: Blackhawks Take Bedard No. 1 Overall; Flyers Select Michkov With 7th Pick
The 2023 NHL Draft took over Nashville on Wednesday night. The first four picks and six of the top-10 were centers, which was not a surprise. Neither was the No. 1 overall pick. The Chicago Blackhawks selected Connor Bedard — a teenage phenom who is the most-hyped prospect since another Connor (McDavid, 2015). Bedard led major junior hockey in goals and assist in the 2022-23 season, and he’s widely regarded as a generational talent, offensively. He’s undersized at 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, but he’s only 17 years old. The Blackhawks might have a skater to build around for the next two decades. Here’s a look at the top-10 picks:
NHL Draft (Top-10)
1. Blackhawks: C Connor Bedard (WHL/Canada)
2. Ducks: C Leo Carlsson (Sweden)
3. Blue Jackets: C Adam Fantilli (Michigan, NCAA)
4. Sharks: C William Smith (USA-18/NTDP)
5. Canadiens: D David Reinbacher (Switzerland)
6. Coyotes: D Dimitriy Simashev (Russia)
7. Flyers: RW Matvei Michkov (Russia)
8. Capitals: RW Ryan Leonard (USA-18/NTDP)
9. Red Wings: C Nate Danielson (WHL/Canada)
10. Blues: C Dalibor Dvorsky (Sweden)
Full NHL Draft 1st Round Picks & Analysis
Blackhawk History at #1: The Blackhawks had the No. 1 selection just once in franchise history (2007) when they selected Patrick Kane. He won three Stanley Cups, one Conn Smythe and one Hart Trophy.
Philly Takes a Flyer: The Flyers took the biggest risk of the draft by selecting RW Matvei Michkov with the seventh pick. The 18-year-old Russian was potentially the second-best player in the draft, but he’s on contract in the KHL through 2025-26. The Flyers won’t have his services for three seasons.
NHL Draft Schedule
Rounds 2-7 (Today, 11:00 am ET)
Read More
Video: Connor Bedard Talks About Being Drafted No. 1 Overall to Blackhawks
ESPN: Ducks Surprise, Take Carlsson Over Fantilli With No. 2 Pick
The Athletic: Flyers’ Matvei Michkov Pick is Boldest Sign About ‘New Era’