The wait is over. On Wednesday night, the first 32 players were selected in the 2023 NHL Draft, making their dreams of reaching the NHL come true.
There was a ton of high-end talent available this year. As expected, Connor Bedard, who has been discussed in the same category as Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, went No. 1 overall to the Blackhawks.
MORE: Watch the 2023 NHL Draft on Fubo (free trial)
While no trades happened on draft day, a few surprises did occur in the first round. A number of prospects fell further than expected and a couple other players had their names called earlier.
The Sporting News handed out grades for all 32 picks made in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft.
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NHL Draft grades 2023: Expert analysis for Round 1
1. Chicago Blackhawks: Connor Bedard, C, Regina (WHL)
- Grade: A+
The Blackhawks aced this pick simply by winning the draft lottery. Connor Bedard is a generational talent who will single-handedly reshape this organization going forward. His shot release is already elite and will be among the best in the NHL, and he has a silky set of mitts to match. Bedard is a franchise-altering player who arrives in Chicago at the perfect time. He should speed up the club's rebuild by a couple of years.
2. Anaheim Ducks: Leo Carlsson, C, Orebro (SHL)
- Grade: A-
Right away, Pat Verbeek shakes things up by taking Leo Carlsson over Adam Fantilli. He's a big, dynamic center who has an immense amount of skill. The Swede plays a similar game to Fantilli, but he's less physical and doesn't possess nearly as much speed. Regardless, Anaheim is adding a high-end player to its already overflowing prospect pool, joining a young core of Trevor Zegras, Mason McTavish, Jamie Drysdale, Olen Zellweger and Nathan Gaucher.
3. Columbus Blue Jackets: Adam Fantilli, C, Michigan (NCAA)
- Grade: A+
It's doubtful that the Blue Jackets thought Adam Fantilli would be available at No. 3, but with the Ducks taking Carlsson at No. 2, Columbus lands the Michigan product. The 2023 Hobey Baker Award winner possesses an excellent shot, he has a ton of speed, and he uses his size to his advantage along the walls. Fantilli is big, he's skilled and is the No. 1 center that Columbus desperately needed.
4. San Jose Sharks: Will Smith, C, USA U18 (NTDP)
- Grade: A
The Sharks take a fourth high-end center off the board, selecting Will Smith from the national program. The Boston College commit is one of the most versatile players in the draft and he owns one of the silkiest pairs of mitts you will find. He dominates in tight areas with his crafty hands and is a creative playmaker. San Jose may have to wait a bit before he arrives in the NHL, but that works out considering where the club is in its rebuild.
MORE: Will Smith wins fans over at NHL Draft with 'Fresh Prince' walkup
5. Montreal Canadiens: David Reinbacher, D, Kloten (Swiss National League)
- Grade: B
Montreal deviates from the centers and goes to the blue line with David Reinbacher. The Austrian is considered the top defense prospect in the draft, but he wasn't viewed as a top-five pick. He's a steady, two-way blue liner who has already shown he can eat up minutes. It's a bit of a reach at No. 5, but the Canadiens get a boost on the blue line with the intelligent Reinbacher.
MORE: Carey Price forgets David Reinbacher's name in announcing Canadiens' pick
6. Arizona Coyotes: Dmitri Simashev, D, Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)
- Grade: C
The Coyotes reach and go with Dmitri Simashev at No. 6. The Russian has size at 6-4 and can cover a ton of ice. He's mobile for his height and has shown flashes of offensive potential, but he projects to be a physical, stingy defender. He wasn't worthy of the No. 6 pick, though, especially considering who else was on the board, such as Matvei Michkov and Ryan Leonard.
7. Philadelphia Flyers: Matvei Michkov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)
- Grade: A+
The Matvei Michkov fall ends at No. 7 as the Flyers take the highly talented Russian forward. He is the second-best player in this class with his superb scoring ability. His contract situation in the KHL caused him to drop; he's signed with SKA St. Petersburg through the 2025-26 season, so he won't be in North America anytime soon. But the Flyers are rebuilding and most certainly can wait three years for Michkov.
8. Washington Capitals: Ryan Leonard, RW, USA U18 (NTDP)
- Grade: A
One of several prospects from the national program, Ryan Leonard did the dirty work on a line with the skilled Will Smith and Gabe Perreault. He gets to the front of the net to wreak havoc in the crease, has a strong shot that can beat goalies from distance and carries playmaking skill. The Boston College commit has a similar style to Washington winger Tom Wilson, but doesn't nearly have the over-the-top edge that Wilson has displayed. This is a great pick for Washington at No. 8.
9. Detroit Red Wings: Nate Danielson, C, Brandon (WHL)
- Grade: B+
The Red Wings' top need was a center. They get a responsible one in Nate Danielson. He's an all-situation player who does everything well. He plays a smart, two-way game and is very efficient off the puck as well. He was viewed as the "safe" pick of this draft class: he's not too flashy on offense, but he's versatile and is considered to be closer to NHL-ready than other prospects. It's a good get for Detroit.
10. St. Louis Blues: Dalibor Dvorsky, C, AIK (HockeyAllsvenskan)
- Grade: A
The Blues take the best player still on the board with Dalibor Dvorsky. The Slovak center possesses a strong, well-rounded game and can drive the play on offense. He has a high compete level and excellent vision with the puck. Like Danielson, he's not necessarily flashy, but he's an impressive player who can be deployed in all situations. St. Louis needed to add a high-end prospect down the middle and it gets one with the first of their three first-round picks.
11. Vancouver Canucks: Tom Willander, D, Rögle BK J20 (J20 Nationell)
- Grade: B+
Vancouver desperately needed to rebuild its back end, so it's no surprise to see the Canucks go to the blue line at No. 11 and draft Tom Willander. The Swedish prospect is a confident, two-way defender who is excellent in his own zone. He is also poised with the puck and doesn't panic under pressure. The Boston University commit may be viewed as a reach at No. 11, but his fit makes too much sense for Vancouver, which didn't have another pick until the third round.
MORE: Full rundown of Canucks' picks in the 2023 NHL Draft
12. Arizona Coyotes (from Ottawa Senators): Daniil But, LW, Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)
- Grade: C+
The Coyotes use their second pick in the first round on another Russian. This time, it's Daniil But. The intriguing forward is 6-5 and already over 200 pounds, so he has the size to play in the NHL. His shot is what scouts are drawn to, but he is also a force along the boards and down low. He needs to work on skating. But is viewed as a longer-term project, but the Coyotes can afford to wait for him to develop. Still, it's another reach by Arizona.
13. Buffalo Sabres: Zach Benson, LW, Winnipeg (WHL)
- Grade: A+
Zach Benson is a top-10 talent in this draft class. He fell simply because of his lack of size (5-10, 170). The Sabres take advantage and snag him at No. 13. Benson carries a high hockey IQ and is a threat both to shoot and pass efficiently. He's overflowing in skill and has a ton of upside. He fits exactly into the mold of the smaller, skilled forwards that Buffalo has taken in recent drafts.
14. Pittsburgh Penguins: Brayden Yager, C, Moose Jaw (WHL)
- Grade: A-
Pittsburgh needed to draft its future No. 1 center, and it takes one in Brayden Yager. He plays a strong two-way game while owning one of the best shots in the draft class. His release is quick, the puck gets on goaltenders at a high speed and, most importantly, it's accurate. Yager will have high expectations to eventually take over for Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin down the line, but there's a lot of potential.
15. Nashville Predators: Matthew Wood, RW, UConn (NCAA)
- Grade: A-
The Predators add size and smarts with the selection of Matthew Wood. He's a big power forward who has high-end scoring ability and skill despite standing 6-4. Barry Trotz wanted his scouts to take big swings on elite talent, and they certainly did that with the UConn forward. It may take a bit for him to develop, and he does need to work on his skating, but the Predators appear to be trending more toward a rebuild, so Nashville can afford to wait on Wood.
16. Calgary Flames: Samuel Honzek, LW, Vancouver (WHL)
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Grade: B-
The Flames use their first-round pick on a winger in Samuel Honzek. He's a well-rounded prospect who has the skills to make plays and can be a nuisance in front of the net. The Slovak is a bigger winger and will be a nice complement playing alongside more skilled forwards. Given the Flames' needs and the players left on the board, the pick is a bit underwhelming, but Honzek is a solid option given his upside.
MORE: Full details of the Flames-Devils Tyler Toffoli trade
17. Detroit Red Wings (from New York Islanders): Axel Sandin Pellikka, D, Skelleftea (SHL)
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Grade: A
The Red Wings sure do love their Europeans. Detroit adds another Swedish prospect to its club by selecting Axel Sandin Pellikka. Some regarded him as the best defensemen in the class, but he is surely the most skilled player on the back end. He's mobile, can generate offense and has the makings of a potential power play quarterback in the NHL. Between Simon Edvinsson, Mo Seider and now Sandin Pellikka, the Red Wings' blue line is going to be lethal for years.
18. Winnipeg Jets: Colby Barlow, RW, Owen Sound (OHL)
- Grade: B+
The Jets take a natural goal scorer in Colby Barlow. His shot is what stands out the most, especially his one-timer, but the winger also has a ton of speed. Barlow isn't afraid to play physically, either. It would have been better for Winnipeg to select a defenseman, considering the lack of prospects on the back end, but four were already off the board so the Jets opted to take a scoring wing.
19. Chicago Blackhawks (from Tampa Bay Lightning): Oliver Moore, C, USA U18 (NTDP)
- Grade: A
The Blackhawks took the best overall player earlier with Bedard. Now they get the best skater in Oliver Moore. His speed is an absolute problem for defenses. Whether it's carrying the puck on the rush or coming down on the forecheck, his motor is constantly going, which makes him effective all over the ice. The University of Minnesota commit also plays responsibly in his own zone. There is a ton to like about this pick for Chicago.
20. Seattle Kraken: Eduard Sale, RW, HC Kometa Brno (Czech Extraliga)
- Grade: B-
The Kraken don't draft for need; instead, they take one of the better players available in Eduard Sale. The Czech winger's play has consistency concerns, but when Sale is on, he's on. He's an all-offensive threat with a knack for playmaking and scoring. Seattle doesn't have any high-end defensive prospects, so the thought was the club would go to the blue line here, but instead, the Kraken take a swing on Sale's high ceiling.
21. Minnesota Wild: Charlie Stramel, C, Wisconsin (NCAA)
- Grade: C-
A year ago, taking Charlie Stramel at No. 21 would have been a no-brainer, but after a tough draft year, the Wild selecting Stramel this early is definitely a reach. He's a power forward who already has NHL size to go with a high hockey IQ and solid vision with the puck. Minnesota is betting on Stramel bouncing back and progressing along like he appeared to be before joining the NCAA ranks, but it's a risky choice.
22. Philadelphia Flyers (from Los Angeles Kings via Columbus Blue Jackets): Oliver Bonk, D, London (OHL)
- Grade: B-
After taking Michkov at No. 7, the Flyers take a defenseman at No. 22 in Oliver Bonk. The two-way talent is mobile and defensively sound. His passing is crisp and there is plenty of offensive potential in his game, but he hasn't quite tapped into it yet. Philadelphia does need defensemen in its prospect system, and so it takes a swing on the son of former NHLer Radek Bonk, but there were plenty of better players available.
23. New York Rangers: Gabe Perreault, LW, USA U18 (NTDP)
- Grade: A
Gabe Perreault's free fall out of the top 10 stops at No. 23. The Rangers take the dynamic national program product and son of former NHLer Yanic Perreault. He is coming off a historic season with the U.S. U18 team, where he set the single-season points record for the program. The Boston College commit is constantly creating offensive chances for himself, mainly due to his extremely high hockey IQ. The Rangers have struggled to develop their forward prospects in recent years; they're hoping they can buck that trend with Perreault.
24. Nashville Predators (from Edmonton Oilers): Tanner Molendyk, D, Saskatoon (WHL)
- Grade: B-
The Predators reach a bit Tanner Molendyk with No. 24. The defenseman has elite skating ability which allows him to be a threat in the transition game. He also uses his skating to his advantage when gapping up on opponents. Nashville definitely needed to take a defenseman high in this draft, and, considering it's the team's second pick of the first round, the Predators could afford to take a swing on Molendyk.
25. St. Louis Blues (from Toronto Maple Leafs): Otto Stenberg, C, Frölunda HC J20 (J20 Nationell)
- Grade: A-
With their second pick in the first round, the Blues make a safe decision by taking Otto Stenberg. The Swedish center is a crafty stickhandler with an accurate shot. He is a smooth skater who has a knack for creating space for himself, while he also plays hard and with pace. He has to produce on a more consistent basis, but it's another strong pick by St. Louis.
26. San Jose Sharks (from New Jersey Devils): Quentin Musty, LW, Sudbury (OHL)
- Grade: A
The Sharks take a versatile winger in Quentin Musty at No. 26. The forward plays hard; he's not afraid to throw the body around on the forecheck and muck it up in front of the net. But he also can beat defenders one-on-one with skill. There is a ton of potential here with Musty, who has proven he can play a variety of different types of games when asked.
27. Colorado Avalanche: Calum Ritchie, C, Oshawa (OHL)
- Grade: A-
The Avalanche desperately needed to add forwards to its prospect pool. They add an appealing option in Calum Ritchie. The 6-2 center is more than capable of making an impact as both a scorer and a passer. He plays a responsible, two-way game and likely would have been drafted higher if not for playing through a shoulder injury all season.
28. Toronto Maple Leafs (from Boston Bruins): Easton Cowan, RW, London (OHL)
- Grade: D+
Easton Cowan wasn't on many people's radar to start this season. A strong second half of the year raised his stock, but to be frank, he shouldn't have been selected in the first round. He plays with a great motor and makes an impact on both ends of the ice with a high compete level. It is absolutely a reach for the Leafs, who were rumored to potentially move their pick for immediate help. Instead, they hang onto the selection and take someone many thought would still be available in the second or third round.
29. St. Louis Blues (from Dallas Stars): Theo Lindstein, D, Brynäs IF (SHL)
- Grade: B
After taking two forwards, the Blues use their final pick on a defenseman, taking Theo Lindstein. The Swede is a complete player with superb passing ability. He is a great decision-maker with the puck. St. Louis needed to add a puck-moving defender to its system and it gets one in Lindstein.
30. Carolina Hurricanes: Bradly Nadeau, LW, Penticton (BCHL)
- Grade: B
The Hurricanes need scorers. Bradly Nadeau is just that. The BCHL's leading scorer was the top player in Junior A hockey in North America this season. The winger is very well-rounded, but his shot and his skating stand out. The University of Maine commit is an excellent project pick, which fits well for Carolina given where it is right now.
31. Colorado Avalanche (from Florida Panthers via Montreal Canadiens): Mikhail Gulyayev, D, Omskie Yastreby (MHL)
- Grade: B-
The Avalanche really didn't need to take a defensemen, but they opt to go to the blue line with their second selection in the first round and pick Mikhail Gulyayev. The Russian profiles as a smooth distributor of the puck who can generate offense on the back end. He's a poised defender who has a high ceiling, which likely is the appeal for the Avs. Gulyayev also would fit in very well with Colorado's style of play.
32. Vegas Golden Knights: David Edstrom, C, Frölunda HC J20 (J20 Nationell)
- Grade: B-
I'm not as high on David Edstrom as others, but he was viewed as a fringe first-round pick. He sneaks in at No. 32 with the Golden Knights. The Swede is another center with size who can carry the puck with poise. Edstrom wins tons of puck battles and uses his build to his advantage. He's a threat to score, or he make a play to his teammates.