2023 NHL Draft

Connor Bedard Is The Chicago Blackhawks' No.1 Pick: NHL Draft Reactions

Connor Bedard Is The Chicago Blackhawks' No.1 Pick: NHL Draft Reactions

The Chicago Blackhawks selected Connor Bedard in the first round of the NHL Draft 2023 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

Jun 28, 2023 by Martina Gil
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The Chicago Blackhawks selected Connor Bedard in the 2023 NHL Draft

It’s no surprise that the Blackhawks went with Bedard as the first overall pick. If you’ve been keeping up with any NHL Mock Drafts, you’ll notice it's hard to find a prediction that doesn't place Bedard as No.1. 

The first round will be completed Wednesday and the remaining rounds continue tomorrow at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

FloHockey Mock Draft 2.0

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Bedard is one of hockey's most anticipated prospects since the Oilers picked Connor McDavid in 2015.

This is the second time the Chicago Blackhawks had the first pick since Patrick Kane in 2007. Kane led the team to three consecutive victories for that season and hopefully Bedard will  follow suit. 

Connor Bedard Is Officially a Chicago Blackhawk!

Fans Welcome Connor Bedard To The Chicago Blackhawks Family

Scouting Report: No. 1 Chicago Blackhawks Select: Connor Bedard, C

The No. 1 prospect from wire to wire this season, Bedard possesses an elite level of skill and is one of the best pure shooters we've seen come through the draft. Thanks to elite hockey sense and tremendous hands, Bedard scores at will. He had 71 goals in the WHL this season and posted 143 points with the Regina Pats. He has a high-end motor and engages physically despite not being a big player. While generational prospect may be too lofty a title, generational scorer might be apt. He's probably the best goal scorer we've seen come through the NHL Draft since Alex Ovechkin. He has the chance to change a franchise's future.

-Chris Peters

2023 NHL Draft Order

  1. Chicago Blackhawks - Connor Bedard
  2. Anaheim Ducks
  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
  11. Vancouver Canucks
  12. Arizona  Coyotes (from Ottowa)
  13. Buffalo Sabres
  14. Pittsburgh Penguins
  15. Nashville Predators
  16. Calgary Flames
  17. Detroit Red Wings (from New York)
  18. Winnipeg Jets
  19. Chicago Blackhawks (from Tampa Bay) 
  20. Seattle Kraken
  21. Minnesota Wild
  22. Philadelphia Flyers(from Los Angeles) 
  23. NY Rangers
  24. Nashville  Predators (from Edmonton)
  25. St. Louis Blues (from Toronto)
  26. San Jose Sharks(From New Jersey)
  27. Colorado Avalanche
  28. Toronto Maple Leafs (From Boston)
  29. St. Louis Blues (From Dallas)
  30. Carolina Hurricanes
  31. Montreal Canadiens (from Florida) 
  32. Vegas Golden Knights

How to Watch the NHL Draft 2023

The NHL draft first round will air on ESPN, ESPN+ and the rest on the NHL Network.

FloHockey’s podcast, Talking Hockey Sense, is providing breakdowns before and during the draft.