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The 2023 NHL draft begins next Wednesday (June 28th), a two-night event in Nashville. This doesn’t seem to draw as much attention as the selections in other sports, but still an important day throughout the league.
There’s little drama surrounding the top overall choice in the draft, as the Chicago Blackhawks are set to take 17-year-old Western Hockey league standout Connor Bedard after winning the lottery. Bedard is considered to be one of the best prospects in the history of the draft.
Who’s After Bedard?
The Chicago Blackhawks had a three-Stanley-Cup dynasty during the 2010 decade, but fell on tough times since, both on and off the ice. Chicago was a big rebuild heading into the 2022-23 season, hoping to get some luck in the lottery.
Alas, the hockey gods did shine down on the ‘Hawks, as the ping pong balls aligned to give the team the top choice in the draft. With that comes the opportunity to select Connor Bedard, all set to make an immediate impact on Chicago and the league.
If you’re a Blackhawk believer with Bedard, they’re listed at 200-1 (+20000) to win the next title, according to Stanley Cup odds.
You won’t even find odds on the board as to the first choice in the draft. Chicago isn’t going to make a mistake here. So, the real unknown is which player gets chosen after Bedard.
“Number two” odds find Adam Fantilli, out of the University of Michigan, at -800, as per NHL draft odds. Sweden’s Leo Carlsson is next, priced at +550.
The woebegone Anaheim Ducks are on the clock with the second selection, plenty of time to focus on players not named Bedard. Choosing someone besides Fantilli could lead to some serious drama and surprises.
Rest of Top 10
The Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks are going to get great prospects with the first two selections, while the experts peg this class as very deep. There were a number of teams “tanking” in the hope of landing Bedard last season, but there are other solid players to be had.
Here is a look at the rest of the teams selecting in the top 10 of the NFL Draft:
3. Columbus Blue Jackets
4. San Jose Sharks
5. Montreal Canadiens
6. Arizona Coyotes
7. Philadelphia Flyers
8. Washington Capitals
9. Detroit Red Wings
10. St. Louis Blues
Top draft prospects have been meeting with teams throughout the past weeks. Teams will have some sort of idea as to their selections before they get on the clock.
Expect Some Trades
While the NHL draft doesn’t seem to be as wild as some of the other selection soirees, do not discount the possibility of trades. There isn’t as much roster flexibility as with some leagues, and teams are trying to put themselves in a better position against the cap. Hence, they could be looking to unload some veterans in a package.
It doesn’t appear the Anaheim Ducks are moving off of the number two spot, but there could be some teams that are looking to advance/descend the ladder. Fantilli falling past number two could lead to a flurry of moves, in that scenario.
Usually, the real trades happen in the later rounds, and there always seem to be goalies rerouted during the draft. It’s two of the more intriguing days in the NHL, as both teams and fans are anxious to see which players are “theirs.”
- Ean Lamb, Gambling911.com
