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Post-lottery 2023 NHL Mock Draft: Blackhawks land Connor Bedard

Now that the lottery teams have been drawn, we’re going over our latest 2023 NHL Mock Draft.

By Benjamin Zweiman Updated
Conner Bedard #98 of the Regina Pats during a break in play against the Calgary Hitmen in second period at Scotiabank Saddledome on February 01, 2023 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Photo by Leah Hennel/Getty Images

The 2023 NHL Draft Lottery took place on Monday night and now we have some idea of what the first round will look like come June in Nashville. Now that the Chicago Blackhawks have been awarded the first pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, we’re going to take a look at the lottery and do a quick mock.

We’ll talk a bit about the top of the draft, which works out for all parties really. People forget that while Bedard is a generational talent, Fantilli isn’t that far off. The Michigan center goes No. 2 to the Ducks and they get a franchise center who is NHL-ready and has tons of upside playing with Troy Terry and Trevor Zegras.

The Blackhawks get Bedard but still have a TON of work to do on the roster. Kevin Korchinski really needs to pan out as a top-pairing defenseman but playing with Bedard will boost his dynasty stock. Bedard basically has no one to play with right now. Lukas Reichel has some upside and could project as a top-line wing. But really this feels like the first step in a multi-draft process for Chicago. Bedard is the Sidney Crosby. Now they need to go out and get their Malkin and Fleury. Korchinski could be the Letang in this formula.

2023 NHL Mock Draft 2.0: Post-lottery

  1. Chicago Blackhawks — Connor Bedard, C, Regina
  2. Anaheim Ducks — Adam Fantilli, C, Michigan
  3. Columbus Blue Jackets — Matvei Michkov, RW, KHL
  4. San Jose Sharks — Will Smith, C, USNTDP
  5. Montreal Canadiens — Leo Carlsson, C/W, SHL
  6. Arizona Coyotes — Oliver Moore, C, USNTDP
  7. Philadelphia Flyers — Zach Benson, C/W, Winnipeg
  8. Washington Capitals — Axel Sandin Pellikka, D, SHL
  9. Detroit Red Wings — Eduard Sale, RW, Czech Rep.
  10. St. Louis Blues — Ryan Leonard, C, USNTDP
  11. Vancouver Canucks — Andrew Cristall, LW, Kelowna
  12. Arizona Coyotes (via Ottawa) — Brayden Yager, C, Moose Jaw
  13. Buffalo Sabres — Matthew Wood, RW, UConn
  14. Pittsburgh Penguins — Gabe Perrault, C, USNTDP
  15. Nashville Predators — David Reinbacher, D, Austria
  16. Calgary Flames — Dalibor Dvorsky, C, Slovakia

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