Ice hockey players born between January 1, 2003, and September 15, 2005, are eligible for selection in the 2023 NHL 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 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, 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]
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).[10] 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[10] – 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).[11] 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[12][11] – was converted when the Islanders qualified for the
2023 Stanley Cup playoffs on April 12, 2023.[13]
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.[12]
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).[14] 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[14] – was converted when the Lightning qualified for the
2023 Stanley Cup playoffs on April 1, 2023.[15]
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).[17] The condition – Columbus will receive a first-round pick in 2023 if the Kings qualify for the
2023 Stanley Cup playoffs[17] – 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.[23]
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).[24] The condition – St. Louis will receive the later of the Rangers' or Stars' first-round picks in 2023[24] – 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).[25] 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[25] – 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).[27] 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[28] – was converted when the Panthers qualified for the
2022 Stanley Cup playoffs on April 3, 2022.[29]
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.[26]
The
Vancouver Canucks' second-round pick went to the
Nashville Predators as 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.[33]
Detroit previously acquired this pick 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.[11]
The
Ottawa Senators' second-round pick went 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.[34]
The
Nashville Predators' second-round pick went to the
Detroit Red Wings as 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.[33]
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.[37]
The
Tampa Bay Lightning's second-round pick went to the
Philadelphia Flyers as 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 in
2024 to Chicago in exchange for this pick.[38]
Chicago as the result of a trade on July 27, 2021, that sent
Brent Seabrook to Tampa Bay in exchange for
Tyler Johnson and this pick.[39]
The
New York Rangers' second-round pick went 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).[40] The condition – Chicago will receive a second-round pick in 2023 if the Rangers do not advance to the
2023 Eastern Conference Final[40] – 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).[45] 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[46] – 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 went to the
San Jose Sharks as 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.[48]
Carolina previously acquired this pick 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).[49] The condition – Carolina will receive the highest of the Flyers', Rangers' or Panthers' third-round picks in 2023[49] – 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.[51]
The
Buffalo Sabres' third-round pick went 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).[52] 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[53] – 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 went 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).[54] 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.
The
Nashville Predators' third-round pick went to the
Dallas Stars as the result of a trade on June 29, 2023, that sent a third and sixth-round pick both in
2024 to Nashville in exchange for this pick.[55]
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.[57]
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.[58]
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.[59]
The
New York Islanders' third-round pick went 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).[60] 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[61][62] – was converted when Ladd failed his physical and was placed on long-term injured reserve on September 22, 2022.[63]
The
Tampa Bay Lightning's third-round pick went 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.[64]
The
New Jersey Devils' third-round pick went to the
New York Rangers as 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 in
2024 to New York in exchange for Colorado's third-round pick in 2023 and this pick.[70]
Pittsburgh previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on July 16, 2022, that sent
John Marino to New Jersey in exchange for
Ty Smith and this pick.[71]
The
Colorado Avalanche's third-round pick went to the
Pittsburgh Penguins as 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 in
2024 and this pick.[70]
The Rangers previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on July 7, 2022, that sent
Alexandar Georgiev to Colorado in exchange for a third and fifth-round pick both in
2022 and this pick.[72]
The
Dallas Stars' third-round pick went 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.[73]
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).[74] The condition – Arizona will receive a third-round pick in 2023 if Dallas qualifies for the
2022 Stanley Cup playoffs[74] – was converted on April 27, 2022.
The
Carolina 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.[48]
San Jose previously acquired this pick 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).[75] The condition – San Jose will receive the lowest of the Flyers' or Hurricanes' third-round picks in 2023[75] – 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
San Jose Sharks' fourth-round pick went to the
Carolina Hurricanes 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 Carolina's third-round pick in 2023 (94th overall) and this pick.[48]
The
Detroit Red Wings' fourth-round pick went 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.[11]
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.[78]
The
Tampa 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 in
2024 to Tampa Bay in exchange for this pick.[79]
Nashville previously acquired this pick 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.[64]
The
Toronto Maple Leafs' fourth-round pick went 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.[83]
The
Colorado Avalanche's fourth-round pick went 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.[84] The condition – San Jose will receive either the Avalanche's or Kraken's fourth-round pick in 2023, at Seattle’s choice[84] – 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.[85]
The
Vegas Golden Knights' fourth-round pick went 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.[86]
The
Columbus Blue Jackets' fifth-round pick went 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.[87]
The
Tampa Bay Lightning's fifth-round pick went to the
Detroit Red Wings as 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.[33]
Nashville previously acquired this pick 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.[64]
The
New York Rangers' fifth-round pick went 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.[90]
The
Chicago Blackhawks' sixth-round pick went 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.[96]
The
Philadelphia Flyers' sixth-round pick went to the
Chicago Blackhawks as 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 in
2024 and this pick.[38]
The
Winnipeg Jets' sixth-round pick went 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.[90]
The
Anaheim Ducks' seventh-round pick went 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).[100] 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.[100]
The
Vancouver Canucks' seventh-round pick went 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.[102]
The
Pittsburgh Penguins' seventh-round pick went to the
Washington Capitals as the result of a trade on June 29, 2023, that sent a seventh-round pick in
2025 to San Jose in exchange for this pick.[104]
San Jose previously acquired this pick 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.[105]
The
Los Angeles Kings' seventh-round pick went 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.[107]
The
New York Rangers' seventh-round pick went 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).[108] 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[108] – was converted on May 1, 2023.
The
New Jersey Devils' seventh-round pick went to the
Nashville Predators as the result of a trade on June 29, 2023, that sent a seventh-round pick in
2024 to New Jersey in exchange for this pick.[110]
The
Florida Panthers' seventh-round pick went 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.[111]
The
Vegas Golden Knights' seventh-round pick went to the
Columbus Blue Jackets as the result of a trade on June 29, 2023, that sent a seventh-round pick in
2024 to Vegas in exchange for this pick.[112]
Draftees based on nationality
Rank
Country
Selections
Percent
Top selection
North America
136
60.7%
1
Canada
86
38.3%
Connor Bedard, 1st
2
United States
50
22.3%
Will Smith, 4th
Europe
87
38.8%
3
Sweden
25
11.2%
Leo Carlsson, 2nd
4
Russia
20
8.9%
Dmitriy Simashev, 6th
5
Finland
15
6.7%
Kasper Halttunen, 36th
6
Slovakia
8
3.6%
Dalibor Dvorsky, 10th
7
Czech Republic
7
3.1%
Eduard Sale, 20th
8
Belarus
4
1.8%
Yegor Sidorov, 85th
9
Germany
3
1.3%
Kevin Bicker, 147th
10
Austria
1
0.4%
David Reinbacher, 5th
Denmark
1
0.4%
Oscar Fisker Molgaard, 52nd
Italy
1
0.4%
Damian Clara, 60th
Switzerland
1
0.4%
Rodwin Dionicio, 129th
France
1
0.4%
Antoine Keller, 206th
Asia
1
0.4%
10
Kazakhstan
1
0.4%
Vladimir Nikitin, 207th
North American draftees by state/province
Rank
State/province
Selections
Percent
Top selection
1
Ontario
36
16.1%
Adam Fantilli, 3rd
2
British Columbia
19
8.5%
Connor Bedard, 1st
3
Minnesota
15
6.7%
Oliver Moore, 19th
4
Alberta
8
3.6%
Nate Danielson, 9th
Saskatchewan
8
3.6%
Brayden Yager, 14th
6
Quebec
7
3.1%
Ethan Gauthier, 37th
7
New York
6
2.7%
Quentin Musty, 26th
8
Illinois
5
2.2%
Gabe Perreault, 23rd
Michigan
5
2.2%
Trey Augustine, 41st
10
Massachusetts
4
1.8%
Will Smith, 4th
11
Manitoba
3
1.3%
Carson Bjarnason, 51st
New Brunswick
3
1.3%
Bradly Nadeau, 30th
New Jersey
3
1.3%
Christopher Pelosi, 92nd
14
Florida
2
0.9%
Gavin Brindley, 34th
Prince Edward Island
2
0.9%
Cam Squires, 122nd
California
2
0.9%
Sam Harris, 133rd
17
Wisconsin
1
0.4%
Brady Cleveland, 47th
Pennsylvania
1
0.4%
Brandon Svoboda, 71st
North Dakota
1
0.4%
Zach Nehring, 82nd
Arizona
1
0.4%
Jaden Lipinski, 112th
Ohio
1
0.4%
Matthew Mania, 150th
Virginia
1
0.4%
Ryan Conmy, 182nd
Colorado
1
0.4%
David Klee, 196th
Nova Scotia
1
0.4%
Tyler Peddle, 224th
Broadcasting
In Canada, coverage of the opening round of the draft was televised on
Sportsnet and
TVA Sports.
In United States, coverage of the opening round of the draft was televised on
ESPN.