Tag: 2023 NHL Draft

Ranking the top-32 hockey prospects ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft

Who are the top prospects heading into the 2023 NHL Draft?

The 2023 NHL Draft is set for Wednesday and many across the hockey world are excited for the proceedings.

Now that the Stanley Cup has been awarded, the NHL offseason is set to kick into high gear. And the first of these events before the long summer break is the draft, which will see the future of hockey come together on one of the biggest nights in the sport. Hope is in the air for all 32 of the NHL’s teams, as the decisions made over the course of the draft will shape a franchise’s future.

The 2023 NHL Draft, in particular, is of high importance to fans, given the wealth of talent on display. With that being said, you may be wondering who the top prospects are ahead of one of the deepest drafts in recent memory. After all, if your favorite team has a high draft pick this year, you might be curious as to which players are on their radar.

If so, you’re in luck! Ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft, let’s take a look at the top 32 prospects to keep an eye on during the event.

Predicting the top-5 picks at the 2023 NHL Draft

Who will be at the top of the 2023 NHL Draft class this summer?

Summer is officially here and that means it’s time for the NHL Draft!

The first round of the 2023 NHL Draft gets underway on Wednesday, June 28 and all eyes will be on the proceedings from across the hockey world. After all, the draft is a place of new beginnings for teams, where hope for the future is high and the possibilities for success are nearly endless.

The 2023 NHL Draft may be the deepest one we’ve had in some time. There’s a reason why the draft lottery was so highly contested this year, as every team wanted the chance to pick high given the talent available this summer.

MORE NHL: Where each NHL team will pick in the first round.

Ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft, let’s take a look at how we here at ForTheWin believe the first five picks of the night will shake out.

NHL fans were furious after the Blackhawks won the NHL Draft Lottery (and Connor Bedard)

This feels all kinds of wrong

The Chicago Blackhawks are still reeling from a sexual assault cover-up that forever tainted their Stanley Cup dynasty and cost the jobs of general manager Stan Bowman and head coach Joel Quenneville.

The Hawks spent all of last season openly tanking, trading away stars like Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat and pretty much every player any opposing team even looked at.

It was all rewarded on Monday night as Chicago won the NHL Draft lottery and the right to select generational talent Connor Bedard No. 1 overall.

It all felt gross.

For NHL fans, it was also infuriating. The Blackhawks were hockey’s golden child throughout the 2010s and have barely paid for the crimes committed while atop the league.

The internet did not take kindly to Monday’s development.

NHL Draft Lottery odds: Which team has the best shot at the No. 1 pick in 2023?

These NHL teams have the best odds at the No. 1 pick this year.

The upcoming 2023 NHL Draft is a big one for the hockey world.

While the fight for the Stanley Cup is still ongoing between the top teams, the 16 clubs that make up the league’s worst will be hoping the lottery balls break their way. On May 8 at 8 p.m. ET, the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery will get underway in an event that will determine the fates and futures of many franchises.

Led by wunderkind Connor Bedard, this year’s NHL draft class is as deep as we’ve seen in years. Unfortunately, not every team entered into the lottery will have a chance at snagging the No. 1 overall pick. Much like last year, teams can only move up to 10 spots and only the first two spots in the lottery are up for grabs. The remaining teams will then be sorted by inverse order of regular-season points to determine the rest of the field.

The decision to change how the NHL Draft Lottery works will benefit teams like the Anaheim Ducks and Columbus Blue Jackets, who both had miserable seasons and are guaranteed at least a top-four pick because of it.

Here’s the full 16-team list of the odds for the upcoming 2023 NHL draft lottery.

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