The 2023 NHL Draft is headed to Nashville
The NHL draft is moving to Music City.
The Nashville Predators will host the 2023 NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena next June, the League announced last week.
The Predators will also will host the 2023 NHL Awards on June 26.
“We are thrilled to bring two of our marquee events, the 2023 NHL Awards and the 2023 NHL Draft, to Nashville, a special city that certainly knows how to throw a great party,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said.
The first round will be hosted on Wednesday, June 28.
Rounds 2-7 will be held on Thursday, June 29.
Connor Bedard is the early projected No. 1 pick for the 2023 draft. He recorded 100 points (51 goals, 49 assists) in 62 games with the Regina Pats last season in one of the Western Hockey League’s most explosive seasons by a 16-year-old. Bedard also had seven points (six goals, one assist) in four games at the 2022 IIHF World Under-18 Championship last spring, and eight points (four goals, four assists) in seven games at the 2022 World Junior Championship earlier this month.
Matvei Michkov is another challenger for the first overall position in 2023. Michkov had 38 points (22 goals, 16 assists) in 22 games with SKA-1946 St. Petersburg in the MHL and five points (two goals, three assists) in 13 games with SKA St. Petersburg last season.
Adam Fantilli is a third contender to go No. 1. Fantilli, who is committed to the University of Michigan this fall, had 74 points (37 goals, 37 assists) in 54 games with the Chicago Steel in the United States Hockey League in 2021-22.