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 the2021 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 the2014–15 NHL seasonthe 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 the2021–22 season,this resulted in two lotteries being held instead of three. Since the 2022 draft 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]
TheChicago BlackhawksandAnaheim Duckswon 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 analystKevin Weekesrevealed that theColumbus Blue Jacketshad received the third overall pick before the top three picks were officially revealed, which was attributed to a teleprompter mistake.[7]
TheOttawa Senators' first-round pick went to theArizona Coyotesas the result of a trade on March 1, 2023, that sentJakob Chychrunto Ottawa in exchange for Washington's conditional second-round pick in 2024, a second-round pick in2026and 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.
TheNew York Islanders' first-round pick went to theDetroit Red Wingsas the result of a trade on March 1, 2023, that sentFilip Hronekand 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 the2023 Stanley Cup playoffson April 12, 2023.[12]
Vancouver previously acquired this pick in a trade on January 30, 2023, that sentBo Horvatto New York in exchange forAnthony Beauvillier,Aatu Ratyand this conditional pick.[11]
TheTampa Bay Lightning's first-round pick went to theChicago Blackhawksas the result of a trade on March 18, 2022, that sentBrandon Hageland a fourth-round pick in2022and2024to Tampa Bay in exchange forBoris 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 the2023 Stanley Cup playoffson April 1, 2023.[14]
Columbus previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on March 1, 2023, that sentJoonas KorpisaloandVladislav Gavrikovto Los Angeles in exchange forJonathan Quick,a third-round pick in2024and 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 the2023 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 sentGarnet HathawayandAndrei Svetlakovto Boston in exchange forCraig Smith,a third-round pick in2024,a second-round pick in2025and this pick.[22]
TheDallas Stars' first-round pick went to theSt. Louis Bluesas the result of a trade on February 9, 2023, that sentVladimir TarasenkoandNiko Mikkolato New York in exchange forSammy Blais,Hunter Skinner,a conditional fourth-round pick in2024and 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 the2023 Stanley Cup playoffsensuring 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 sentNils Lundkvistto Dallas in exchange for a conditional fourth-round pick in2025and 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 the2023 Stanley Cup playoffson April 3, 2023.
Montreal previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on March 16, 2022, that sentBen Chiarotto Florida in exchange forTy Smilanic,a conditional fourth-round pick in2022and 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 the2022 Stanley Cup playoffson April 3, 2022.[28]
Colorado previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on June 27, 2023, that sentAlex Newhookto Montreal in exchange forGianni Fairbrother,Florida's first-round pick in 2023 and this pick.[25]
TheVancouver Canucks' second-round pick went to theNashville Predatorsas the result of a trade on June 29, 2023, that sent a second-round pick and Tampa Bay's fifth-round pick both in 2023 (47th and 147th overall) to Detroit in exchange for this pick.[32]
Detroit previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on March 1, 2023, that sentFilip Hronekand a fourth-round pick in 2023 to Vancouver in exchange for the Islanders' conditional first-round in 2023 and this pick.[10]
TheOttawa Senators' second-round pick went to theChicago Blackhawksas the result of a trade on February 22, 2023, that sent future considerations to Ottawa in exchange forNikita Zaitsev,a fourth-round pick in2026and this pick.[33]
TheNashville Predators' second-round pick went to theDetroit Red Wingsas the result of a trade on June 29, 2023, that sent Vancouver's second-round pick in 2023 (43rd overall) to Nashville in exchange for Tampa Bay's fifth-round pick in 2023 (147th overall) and this pick.[32]
Washington previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on July 26, 2021, that sentBrenden Dillonto Winnipeg in exchange for a second-round pick in2022and this pick.[36]
TheTampa Bay Lightning's second-round pick went to thePhiladelphia Flyersas the result of a trade on June 29, 2023, that sent a sixth-round pick in 2023 (167th overall) and Los Angeles' second-round pick in2024to Chicago in exchange for this pick.[37]
Chicago as the result of a trade on July 27, 2021, that sentBrent Seabrookto Tampa Bay in exchange forTyler Johnsonand this pick.[38]
TheNew York Rangers' second-round pick went to theChicago Blackhawksas the result of a trade on February 28, 2023, that sentCooper Zechto New York in exchange forAndy Welinski,a fourth-round pick in 2025 and this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[39]The condition – Chicago will receive a second-round pick in 2023 if the Rangers do not advance to the2023 Eastern Conference Final[39]– 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 sentJack Eicheland a conditional third-round pick in 2023 to Vegas in exchange forAlex Tuch,Peyton Krebs,a conditional first-round pick in2022and this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[44]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[45]– was converted when the Golden Knights did not win either draw in the 2022 draft lottery on May 10, 2022.
ThePhiladelphia Flyers' third-round pick went to theSan Jose Sharksas the result of a trade on June 29, 2023, that sent Carolina's third-round pick and a fourth-round pick both in 2023 (94th and 100th overall) to Carolina in exchange for this pick.[47]
Carolina previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on July 8, 2022, that sentTony DeAngeloand a seventh-round pick in2022to Philadelphia in exchange for a fourth-round pick in2022,a second-round pick in2024and this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[48]The condition – Carolina will receive the highest of the Flyers', Rangers' or Panthers' third-round picks in 2023[48]– was converted when the Rangers and Panthers both qualified for the2023 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 forMatt Murray,a seventh-round pick in2024and this pick.[50]
TheBuffalo Sabres' third-round pick went to theVegas Golden Knightsas the result of a trade on November 4, 2021, that sentAlex Tuch,Peyton Krebs,a conditional first-round pick in2022and a conditional second-round pick in 2023 to Buffalo in exchange forJack Eicheland this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[51]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[52]– was converted when the Golden Knights did not win either draw in the 2022 draft lottery on May 10, 2022.
ThePittsburgh Penguins' third-round pick went to theLos Angeles Kingsas the result of a trade on April 12, 2021, that sentJeff Carterto Pittsburgh in exchange for a conditional third-round pick in2022and this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[53]The condition – Los Angeles will receive a third-round pick in 2023 if Carter plays in 50 or more games for Pittsburgh during the2021–22 NHL season– was converted on March 3, 2022.
TheNashville Predators' third-round pick went to theDallas Starsas the result of a trade on June 29, 2023, that sent a third and sixth-round pick both in2024to Nashville in exchange for this pick.[54]
New Jersey previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on June 9, 2023, that sentDamon Seversonto Columbus in exchange for this pick.[56]
Columbus previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on July 22, 2022, that sentOliver Bjorkstrandto Seattle in exchange for Winnipeg's fourth-round pick in 2023 and this pick.[57]
Seattle previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on March 16, 2022, that sentCalle Jarnkrokto Calgary in exchange for Florida's second-round pick in2022,a seventh-round pick in2024and this pick.[58]
TheNew York Islanders' third-round pick went to theArizona Coyotesas the result of a trade on July 17, 2021, that sent future considerations to New York in exchange forAndrew Ladd,Colorado's second-round pick in2021,a conditional second-round pick in2022,and this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[59]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 the2022–23 season[60][61]– was converted when Ladd failed his physical and was placed on long-term injured reserve on September 22, 2022.[62]
TheTampa Bay Lightning's third-round pick went to theNashville Predatorsas the result of a trade on February 26, 2023, that sentTanner Jeannotto Tampa Bay in exchange forCal Foote,a conditional first-round pick in2025,a second-round pick in2024,a fourth and fifth-round pick both in 2023 and this pick.[63]
TheNew Jersey Devils' third-round pick went to theNew York Rangersas the result of a trade on June 29, 2023, that sent Colorado's third-round pick in 2023 (91st overall) and a seventh-round pick in2024to Pittsburgh in exchange for this pick.[69]
Pittsburgh previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on July 16, 2022, that sentJohn Marinoto New Jersey in exchange forTy Smithand this pick.[70]
TheColorado Avalanche's third-round pick went to thePittsburgh Penguinsas the result of a trade on June 29, 2023, that sent New Jersey's third-round pick in 2023 (90th overall) to New York in exchange for a seventh-round pick in2024and this pick.[69]
The Rangers previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on July 7, 2022, that sentAlexandar Georgievto Colorado in exchange for a third and fifth-round pick both in2022and this pick.[71]
TheDallas Stars' third-round pick went to theChicago Blackhawksas the result of a trade on July 8, 2022, that sent Edmonton's third-round pick in2022to Arizona in exchange for this pick.[72]
Arizona previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on March 20, 2022, that sentScott Wedgewoodto Dallas in exchange for this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[73]The condition – Arizona will receive a third-round pick in 2023 if Dallas qualifies for the2022 Stanley Cup playoffs[73]– was converted on April 27, 2022.
TheCarolina Hurricanes' third-round pick was re-acquired as the result of a trade on June 29, 2023, that sent Philadelphia's third-round pick in 2023 (71st overall) to San Jose in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2023 (100th overall) and this pick.[47]
San Jose previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on July 13, 2022, that sentBrent BurnsandLane Pedersonto Carolina in exchange forSteven Lorentz,Eetu Makiniemiand this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[74]The condition – San Jose will receive the lowest of the Flyers' or Hurricanes' third-round picks in 2023[74]– was converted when Carolina qualified for the2023 Stanley Cup playoffs,ensuring that their third-round pick would be the lowest, on March 23, 2023.
TheSan Jose Sharks' fourth-round pick went to theCarolina Hurricanesas the result of a trade on June 29, 2023, that sent Philadelphia's third-round pick in 2023 (71st overall) to San Jose in exchange for Carolina's third-round pick in 2023 (94th overall) and this pick.[47]
TheDetroit Red Wings' fourth-round pick went to theVancouver Canucksas 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 forFilip Hronekand this pick.[10]
Seattle previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on March 20, 2022, that sentMason Appletonto Winnipeg in exchange for this pick.[77]
TheTampa Bay Lightning's fourth-round pick was re-acquired as the result of a trade on June 29, 2023, that sent Chicago's fourth-round pick in2024to Tampa Bay in exchange for this pick.[78]
Nashville previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on February 26, 2023, that sentTanner Jeannotto Tampa Bay in exchange forCal Foote,a conditional first-round pick in2025,a second-round pick in2024,a third and fifth-round pick both in 2023 and this pick.[63]
TheToronto Maple Leafs' fourth-round pick went to theNashville Predatorsas the result of a trade on July 8, 2022, that sent Toronto's fourth-round pick in2022to Toronto in exchange for this pick.[82]
TheColorado Avalanche's fourth-round pick went to theSan Jose Sharksas the result of a trade on February 5, 2023, that sentJaycob Megnato Seattle in exchange for this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade.[83]The condition – San Jose will receive either the Avalanche's or Kraken's fourth-round pick in 2023, at Seattle’s choice[83]– the date of conversion is unknown.
Seattle previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on July 27, 2021, that sentKurtis MacDermidto Colorado in exchange for this pick.[84]
TheVegas Golden Knights' fourth-round pick went to theMontreal Canadiensas the result of a trade on July 8, 2022, that sent Tampa Bay's fourth-round pick in2022to Vegas in exchange for this pick.[85]
TheColumbus Blue Jackets' fifth-round pick went to theSan Jose Sharksas the result of a trade on July 8, 2022, that sent Buffalo's fifth-round pick in2022to Columbus in exchange for this pick.[86]
TheTampa Bay Lightning's fifth-round pick went to theDetroit Red Wingsas the result of a trade on June 29, 2023, that sent Vancouver's second-round pick in 2023 (43rd overall) to Nashville in exchange for a second-round pick in 2023 (47th overall) and this pick.[32]
Nashville previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on February 26, 2023, that sentTanner Jeannotto Tampa Bay in exchange forCal Foote,a conditional first-round pick in2025,a second-round pick in2024,a third and fourth-round pick both in 2023 and this pick.[63]
TheNew York Rangers' fifth-round pick went to theWinnipeg Jetsas the result of a trade on March 21, 2022, that sentAndrew Coppand a sixth-round pick in 2023 to New York in exchange forMorgan Barron,two conditional second-round picks in2022and this pick.[89]
TheChicago Blackhawks' sixth-round pick went to theCarolina Hurricanesas the result of a trade on July 8, 2022, that sent a sixth-round pick in2022to Chicago in exchange for this pick.[95]
ThePhiladelphia Flyers' sixth-round pick went to theChicago Blackhawksas the result of a trade on June 29, 2023, that sent Tampa Bay's second-round pick in 2023 (51st overall) to Philadelphia in exchange for Los Angeles' second-round pick in2024and this pick.[37]
TheWinnipeg Jets' sixth-round pick went to theNew York Rangersas the result of a trade on March 21, 2022, that sentMorgan Barron,two conditional second-round picks in2022and a fifth-round pick in 2023 to Winnipeg in exchange forAndrew Coppand this pick.[89]
TheAnaheim Ducks' seventh-round pick went to theTampa Bay Lightningas the result of a trade on March 24, 2021, that sentAlexander Volkovto Anaheim in exchange forAntoine Morandand this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[99]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.[99]
TheVancouver Canucks' seventh-round pick went to theSan Jose Sharksas the result of a trade on July 8, 2022, that sent a seventh-round pick in2022to Arizona in exchange for this pick.[101]
ThePittsburgh Penguins' seventh-round pick went to theWashington Capitalsas the result of a trade on June 29, 2023, that sent a seventh-round pick in2025to San Jose in exchange for this pick.[103]
San Jose previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on March 3, 2023, that sentTony Sundto Pittsburgh in exchange for a conditional fifth-round pick in2024and this pick.[104]
TheLos Angeles Kings' seventh-round pick went to theBoston Bruinsas the result of a trade on July 8, 2022, that sent a seventh-round pick in2022to Los Angeles in exchange for this pick.[106]
TheNew York Rangers' seventh-round pick went to theOttawa Senatorsas the result of a trade on February 19, 2023, that sentTyler Motteto New York in exchange forJulien Gauthierand this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[107]The condition – Ottawa will receive a seventh-round pick in 2023 if the Rangers do not advance to the Second Round of the2023 Stanley Cup playoffs[107]– was converted on May 1, 2023.
TheNew Jersey Devils' seventh-round pick went to theNashville Predatorsas the result of a trade on June 29, 2023, that sent a seventh-round pick in2024to New Jersey in exchange for this pick.[109]
TheFlorida Panthers' seventh-round pick went to thePittsburgh Penguinsas the result of a trade on July 8, 2022, that sent a seventh-round pick in2022to Florida in exchange for this pick.[110]
In United States, coverage of the opening day of the draft was televised onESPNandESPN+.Coverage of the second day of the draft was televised onNHLNand ESPN+.
Connor Bedard
Gary Bettman conducts the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery,NHL's official YouTube channel.May 8, 2023.
Leo Carlsson(C)
Matvei Michkov(RW)
William Smith(C)
Dalibor Dvorsky(C)
Eduard Sale(LW)
David Reinbacher(D)
Lenni Hameenaho(RW)
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