As he had the previous year, Kent Hughes approached the NHL Draft ready to turn draft capital into already developed NHL players. In 2022, it was Kirby Dach joining the Montreal Canadiens’ roster. In 2023, it’s Alex Newhook, acquired for picks 31 and 37.
The move made the start of the draft a bit less interesting for Montreal Canadiens fans with now just a single selection to make in the opening two rounds, but that pick is for fifth overall, and there is a high level of talent available at the top of this year’s class.
Jared Book
The quality of prospects available is leading to more chatter about which teams are interested in which players than we usually hear. There are several reports of teams hoping to land a particular player – whether those are legitimate desires or a tactic to raise the trade value of their picks. Regardless of where they end up, the top players will be joining NHL organizations today, several of whom are poised to become star players in the league.
How to watch
Round 1
Date: Wednesday, June 28
Start time: 7:00 PM EDT / 4:00 PM PDT
TV Channel: Sportsnet, TVA Sports (Canada), ESPN (USA)
Online stream: ESPN+, Sportsnet Now
Rounds 2-7
Date: Thursday, June 29
Start time: 11:00 AM EDT / 8:00 AM PDT
TV Channel: Sportsnet, TVA Sports (Canada), NHL Network (USA)
Online stream: ESPN+, Sportsnet Now
First round order
1. Chicago Blackhawks
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 OTT)
13. Buffalo Sabres
14. Pittsburgh Penguins
15. Nashville Predators
16. Calgary Flames
17. Detroit Red Wings (from NYI via VAN)
18. Winnipeg Jets
19. Chicago Blackhawks (from TB)
20. Seattle Kraken
21. Minnesota Wild
22. Philadelphia Flyers (from LA via CBJ)
23. New York Rangers
24. Nashville Predators (from EDM)
25. St. Louis Blues (from TOR)
26. San Jose Sharks (from NJ)
27. Colorado Avalanche
28. Toronto Maple Leafs (from BOS via WSH)
29. St. Louis Blues (from DAL via NYR)
30. Carolina Hurricanes
31. Colorado Avalanche (from FLA via MTL)
32. Vegas Golden Knights
