Ice hockey players born between January 1, 2003, and September 15, 2005, are eligible for selection in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Additionally, un-drafted, non-North American players born in 2002 are eligible for the draft; and those players who were drafted in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, but not signed by an NHL team and who were born after June 30, 2003, are also eligible to re-enter the draft.[2]
Beginning with the 2014–15 NHL season the NHL changed the weighting system that was used in previous years. Under the new system the odds of winning the draft lottery for the four lowest finishing teams in the league decreased, while the odds for the other non-playoff teams increased.[3] As the league reduced the number of lottery drawings before the 2021–22 season, the first two picks overall are awarded after two rounds starting with the 2021 draft, and since the 2022 lottery, the teams winning one of the two drawings are allowed to move up a maximum of ten spots in the draft order and a team is only allowed to win the lottery twice in a five-year period.[4]
The Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks won the two draft lotteries that took place on May 8, 2023, giving them the first and second picks overall. Chicago moved up two spots to receive the first pick, while Anaheim and Columbus each moved down one spot.[5][6] During the broadcast ESPN analyst Kevin Weekes revealed that the Columbus Blue Jackets had received the third overall pick before the top three picks were officially revealed, which was attributed to a teleprompter mistake.[7]
The Ottawa Senators' first-round pick went to the Arizona Coyotes as the result of a trade on March 1, 2023, that sent Jakob Chychrun to Ottawa in exchange for Washington's conditional second-round pick in 2024, a second-round pick in 2026 and this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[9] The condition – Arizona will receive a first-round pick in 2023 if Ottawa's first-round pick in 2023 is outside of the top five selections[9] – was converted when Ottawa did not win either draw in the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery on May 8, 2023.
The New York Islanders' first-round pick went to the Detroit Red Wings as the result of a trade on March 1, 2023, that sent Filip Hronek and a fourth-round pick in 2023 to Vancouver in exchange for a second-round pick in 2023 and this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[10] The condition – Detroit will receive the Islanders' first-round pick in 2023 if the Islanders' first-round pick in 2023 is outside of the top twelve selections[11][10] – was converted when the Islanders qualified for the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs on April 12, 2023.[12]
Vancouver previously acquired this pick in a trade on January 30, 2023, that sent Bo Horvat to New York in exchange for Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Raty and this conditional pick.[11]
The Tampa Bay Lightning's first-round pick went to the Chicago Blackhawks as the result of a trade on March 18, 2022, that sent Brandon Hagel and a fourth-round pick in 2022 and 2024 to Tampa Bay in exchange for Boris Katchouk, Taylor Raddysh, a conditional first-round pick in 2024 and this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[13] The condition – Chicago will receive a first-round pick in 2023 if Tampa Bay's first-round pick in 2023 is outside of the top ten selections[13] – was converted when the Lightning qualified for the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs on April 1, 2023.[14]
Columbus previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on March 1, 2023, that sent Joonas Korpisalo and Vladislav Gavrikov to Los Angeles in exchange for Jonathan Quick, a third-round pick in 2024 and this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[16] The condition – Columbus will receive a first-round pick in 2023 if the Kings qualify for the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs[16] – was converted when the Kings qualified for the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs on April 2, 2023.
Washington previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on February 23, 2023, that sent Garnet Hathaway and Andrei Svetlakov to Boston in exchange for Craig Smith, a third-round pick in 2024, a second-round pick in 2025 and this pick.[22]
The Dallas Stars' first-round pick went to the St. Louis Blues as the result of a trade on February 9, 2023, that sent Vladimir Tarasenko and Niko Mikkola to New York in exchange for Sammy Blais, Hunter Skinner, a conditional fourth-round pick in 2024 and this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[23] The condition – St. Louis will receive the later of the Rangers' or Stars' first-round picks in 2023[23] – was converted when the Rangers were eliminated from the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs ensuring that the Stars' first-round pick would be lower on May 1, 2023.
The Rangers previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on September 19, 2022, that sent Nils Lundkvist to Dallas in exchange for a conditional fourth-round pick in 2025 and this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[24] The condition – New York will receive a first-round pick in 2023 if the Stars' first-round pick in 2023 is outside of the top ten selections[24] – was converted when the Stars qualified for the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs on April 3, 2023.
Montreal previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on March 16, 2022, that sent Ben Chiarot to Florida in exchange for Ty Smilanic, a conditional fourth-round pick in 2022 and this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[26] The condition – Montreal will receive a first-round pick in 2023 if Florida's first-round pick in 2022 is outside of the top ten selections[27] – was converted when the Panthers qualified for the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs on April 3, 2022.[28]
Colorado previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on June 27, 2023, that sent Alex Newhook to Montreal in exchange for Gianni Fairbrother, Florida's first-round pick in 2023 and this pick.[25]
The Vancouver Canucks' second-round pick will go to the Detroit Red Wings as the result of a trade on March 1, 2023, that sent Filip Hronek and a fourth-round pick in 2023 to Vancouver in exchange for the Islanders' conditional first-round in 2023 and this pick.[10]
The Ottawa Senators' second-round pick will go to the Chicago Blackhawks as the result of a trade on February 22, 2023, that sent future considerations to Ottawa in exchange for Nikita Zaitsev, a fourth-round pick in 2026 and this pick.[32]
The Winnipeg Jets' second-round pick will go to the Seattle Kraken as the result of a trade on July 28, 2021, that sent Vitek Vanecek to Washington in exchange for this pick.[34]
Washington previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on July 26, 2021, that sent Brenden Dillon to Winnipeg in exchange for a second-round pick in 2022 and this pick.[35]
The New York Rangers' second-round pick will go to the Chicago Blackhawks as the result of a trade on February 28, 2023, that sent Cooper Zech to New York in exchange for Andy Welinski, a fourth-round pick in 2025 and this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[37] The condition – Chicago will receive a second-round pick in 2023 if the Rangers do not advance to the 2023 Eastern Conference Final[37] – was converted when the Rangers were eliminated from the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs on May 1, 2023.
Buffalo previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on November 4, 2021, that sent Jack Eichel and a conditional third-round pick in 2023 to Vegas in exchange for Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs, a conditional first-round pick in 2022 and this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[42] The condition – Buffalo will receive a second-round pick in 2023 if Vegas' first-round pick in 2022 is outside of the top ten selections[43] – was converted when the Golden Knights did not win either draw in the 2022 draft lottery on May 10, 2022.
The Philadelphia Flyers' third-round pick will go to the Carolina Hurricanes as the result of a trade on July 8, 2022, that sent Tony DeAngelo and a seventh-round pick in 2022 to Philadelphia in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2022, a second-round pick in 2024 and this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[45] The condition – Carolina will receive the highest of the Flyers', Rangers' or Panthers' third-round picks in 2023[45] – was converted when the Rangers and Panthers both qualified for the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, ensuring that the Flyers' third-round pick would be the highest, on March 27, 2023, and April 11, 2023, respectively.
Toronto previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on July 11, 2022, that sent future considerations to Ottawa in exchange for Matt Murray, a seventh-round pick in 2024 and this pick.[47]
The Buffalo Sabres' third-round pick will go to the Vegas Golden Knights as the result of a trade on November 4, 2021, that sent Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs, a conditional first-round pick in 2022 and a conditional second-round pick in 2023 to Buffalo in exchange for Jack Eichel and this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[48] The condition – Vegas will receive a third-round pick in 2023 if Vegas' first-round pick in 2022 is outside of the top ten selections[49] – was converted when the Golden Knights did not win either draw in the 2022 draft lottery on May 10, 2022.
The Pittsburgh Penguins' third-round pick will go to the Los Angeles Kings as the result of a trade on April 12, 2021, that sent Jeff Carter to Pittsburgh in exchange for a conditional third-round pick in 2022 and this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[50] The condition – Los Angeles will receive a third-round pick in 2023 if Carter plays in 50 or more games for Pittsburgh during the 2021–22 NHL season – was converted on March 3, 2022.
New Jersey previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on June 9, 2023, that sent Damon Severson to Columbus in exchange for this pick.[52]
Columbus previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on July 22, 2022, that sent Oliver Bjorkstrand to Seattle in exchange for Winnipeg's fourth-round pick in 2023 and this pick.[53]
Seattle previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on March 16, 2022, that sent Calle Jarnkrok to Calgary in exchange for Florida's second-round pick in 2022, a seventh-round pick in 2024 and this pick.[54]
The New York Islanders' third-round pick will go to the Arizona Coyotes as the result of a trade on July 17, 2021, that sent future considerations to New York in exchange for Andrew Ladd, Colorado's second-round pick in 2021, a conditional second-round pick in 2022, and this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[55] The condition – Arizona will receive a third-round pick in 2023 if Ladd failed to play in at least one professional game while under contract to the Coyotes during the 2022–23 season[56][57] – was converted when Ladd failed his physical and was placed on long-term injured reserve on September 22, 2022.[58]
The Tampa Bay Lightning's third-round pick will go to the Nashville Predators as the result of a trade on February 26, 2023, that sent Tanner Jeannot to Tampa Bay in exchange for Cal Foote, a conditional first-round pick in 2025, a second-round pick in 2024, a fourth and fifth-round pick both in 2023 and this pick.[59]
The Dallas Stars' third-round pick will go to the Chicago Blackhawks as the result of a trade on July 8, 2022, that sent Edmonton's third-round pick in 2022 to Arizona in exchange for this pick.[67]
Arizona previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on March 20, 2022, that sent Scott Wedgewood to Dallas in exchange for this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[68] The condition – Arizona will receive a third-round pick in 2023 if Dallas qualifies for the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs[68] – was converted on April 27, 2022.
The Carolina Hurricanes' third-round pick will go to the San Jose Sharks as the result of a trade on July 13, 2022, that sent Brent Burns and Lane Pederson to Carolina in exchange for Steven Lorentz, Eetu Makiniemi and this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[69] The condition – San Jose will receive the lowest of the Flyers' or Hurricanes' third-round picks in 2023[69] – was converted when Carolina qualified for the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, ensuring that their third-round pick would be the lowest, on March 23, 2023.
The Detroit Red Wings' fourth-round pick will go to the Vancouver Canucks as the result of a trade on March 1, 2023 that sent the Islanders' conditional first-round pick and a second-round pick both in 2023 to Detroit in exchange for Filip Hronek and this pick.[10]
The Winnipeg Jets' fourth-round pick will go to the Columbus Blue Jackets as the result of a trade on July 22, 2022, that sent Oliver Bjorkstrand to Seattle in exchange for Calgary's third-round pick in 2023 and this pick.[53]
Seattle previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on March 20, 2022, that sent Mason Appleton to Winnipeg in exchange for this pick.[72]
The Tampa Bay Lightning's fourth-round pick will go to the Nashville Predators as the result of a trade on February 26, 2023, that sent Tanner Jeannot to Tampa Bay in exchange for Cal Foote, a conditional first-round pick in 2025, a second-round pick in 2024, a third and fifth-round pick both in 2023 and this pick.[59]
The Toronto Maple Leafs' fourth-round pick will go to the Nashville Predators as the result of a trade on July 8, 2022, that sent Toronto's fourth-round pick in 2022 to Toronto in exchange for this pick.[76]
The Colorado Avalanche's fourth-round pick will go to the San Jose Sharks as the result of a trade on February 5, 2023, that sent Jaycob Megna to Seattle in exchange for this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade.[77] The condition – San Jose will receive either the Avalanche's or Kraken's fourth-round pick in 2023, at Seattle’s choice[77] – the date of conversion is unknown.
Seattle previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on July 27, 2021, that sent Kurtis MacDermid to Colorado in exchange for this pick.[78]
The Vegas Golden Knights' fourth-round pick will go to the Montreal Canadiens as the result of a trade on July 8, 2022, that sent Tampa Bay's fourth-round pick in 2022 to Vegas in exchange for this pick.[79]
The Columbus Blue Jackets' fifth-round pick will go to the San Jose Sharks as the result of a trade on July 8, 2022, that sent Buffalo's fifth-round pick in 2022 to Columbus in exchange for this pick.[80]
The Tampa Bay Lightning's fifth-round pick will go to the Nashville Predators as the result of a trade on February 26, 2023, that sent Tanner Jeannot to Tampa Bay in exchange for Cal Foote, a conditional first-round pick in 2025, a second-round pick in 2024, a third and fourth-round pick both in 2023 and this pick.[59]
The New York Rangers' fifth-round pick will go to the Winnipeg Jets as the result of a trade on March 21, 2022, that sent Andrew Copp and a sixth-round pick in 2023 to New York in exchange for Morgan Barron, two conditional second-round picks in 2022 and this pick.[83]
The Chicago Blackhawks' sixth-round pick will go to the Carolina Hurricanes as the result of a trade on July 8, 2022, that sent a sixth-round pick in 2022 to Chicago in exchange for this pick.[89]
The Winnipeg Jets' sixth-round pick will go to the New York Rangers as the result of a trade on March 21, 2022, that sent Morgan Barron, two conditional second-round picks in 2022 and a fifth-round pick in 2023 to Winnipeg in exchange for Andrew Copp and this pick.[83]
The Anaheim Ducks' seventh-round pick will go to the Tampa Bay Lightning as the result of a trade on March 24, 2021, that sent Alexander Volkov to Anaheim in exchange for Antoine Morand and this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[93] The condition – Tampa Bay will receive a seventh-round pick in 2023 if the pick is available at the time of the selection – was converted when the pick became available after earlier conditional trades with Columbus and Edmonton were resolved on April 8, 2021.[93]
The Vancouver Canucks' seventh-round pick will go to the San Jose Sharks as the result of a trade on July 8, 2022, that sent a seventh-round pick in 2022 to Arizona in exchange for this pick.[95]
The Pittsburgh Penguins' seventh-round pick will go to the San Jose Sharks as the result of a trade on March 3, 2023, that sent Tony Sund to Pittsburgh in exchange for a conditional fifth-round pick in 2024 and this pick.[97]
The Los Angeles Kings' seventh-round pick will go to the Boston Bruins as the result of a trade on July 8, 2022, that sent a seventh-round pick in 2022 to Los Angeles in exchange for this pick.[99]
The New York Rangers' seventh-round pick will go to the Ottawa Senators as the result of a trade on February 19, 2023, that sent Tyler Motte to New York in exchange for Julien Gauthier and this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[100] The condition – Ottawa will receive a seventh-round pick in 2023 if the Rangers do not advance to the Second Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs[100] – was converted on May 1, 2023.
The Florida Panthers' seventh-round pick will go to the Pittsburgh Penguins as the result of a trade on July 8, 2022, that sent a seventh-round pick in 2022 to Florida in exchange for this pick.[102]
Draftees based on nationality
As of the first round
Rank
Country
Selections
Percent
Top selection
North America
18
56.3%
1
Canada
12
37.5%
Connor Bedard, 1st
2
United States
6
18.8%
Will Smith, 4th
Europe
14
43.8%
2
Sweden
6
18.8%
Leo Carlsson, 2nd
4
Russia
4
12.5%
Dmitriy Simashev, 6th
5
Slovakia
2
6.3%
Dalibor Dvorsky, 10th
6
Austria
1
3.2%
David Reinbacher, 5th
Czechia
1
3.2%
Eduard Sale, 20th
North American draftees by state/province
Rank
State/province
Selections
Percent
Top selection
1
Ontario
5
15.6%
Adam Fantilli, 3rd
2
British Columbia
4
12.5%
Connor Bedard, 1st
3
Massachusetts
2
6.3%
Will Smith, 4th
Minnesota
2
6.3%
Oliver Moore, 19th
5
Alberta
1
3.2%
Nate Danielson, 9th
Saskatchewan
1
3.2%
Brayden Yager, 14th
Illinois
1
3.2%
Gabe Perreault, 23rd
New York
1
3.2%
Quentin Musty, 26th
New Brunswick
1
3.2%
Bradly Nadeau, 30th
Broadcasting
In Canada, coverage of the opening round of the draft is scheduled to be televised on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.
In United States, coverage of the opening round of the draft is scheduled to be televised on ESPN.
Connor Bedard