Will Connor Bedard be the next Connor McDavid? That question won't be answered on draft night, but Bedard will likely join McDavid as a former No. 1 pick in the NHL Draft. 

The 2023 NHL Draft's first round begins on June 28 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. The remaining rounds will continue on June 29.

It will be the second time the Chicago Blackhawks have the No. 1 overall pick, and the first time since 2007, when they chose Patrick Kane.

Kane went on to be an all-time great, leading the Blackhawks to three Stanley Cup victories in 2010, 2013, and 2015. This year's first pick is likely to be Bedard, one of the most exciting prospects in recent years. 

We've seen some players like McDavid, Owen Power and Alexis Lafrenière emerge as stars after being picked No. 1. But who else went first? Here is every No. 1 draft pick of the last 10 years. 

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Here is how to watch the 2023 NHL Draft

Juraj Slafkovsky, Montreal Canadiens, No. 1 Pick In 2022 NHL Draft

In 2022, the Montreal Canadiens picked Juraj Slafkovsky, making him the first Slovakian-born player to ever be the No. 1 overall pick at an NHL Draft.

Young but mighty, the 19-year-old winger stands at 6-foot-3, 238 pounds. Slafkovsky broke more records at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics when he earned Most Valuable Player award. He was the first Slovakian-born player to earn an Olympic medal in ice hockey.

Owen Power, Buffalo Sabres, No. 1 Pick In 2021 NHL Draft

Canadian Owen Power plays defenseman for the Buffalo Sabres and was drafted as the first pick for the Sabres in 2021. Power played for the University of Michigan and he joined 2006 No. 1 pick Erik Johnson as former Michigan Wolverines to go No. 1. 

In his first year, he racked up some impressive numbers: 24 assists for 27 points in 29 games. He is currently expecting a contract extension from the Sabres for the 2023-24 season.

Alexis Lafrenière, New York Rangers, No. 1 Pick In 2020 NHL Draft 

A global pandemic left the NHL no choice but to host a virtual draft. 

The New York Rangers chose Alexis Lafrenière as their first pick. The Canadian left winger won Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year back-to-back in 2019 and 2020. He finished the season with 39 points and a plus-10 rating in 81 games this year.

Alexis Lafrenière just wrapped up his three-year contract with the Rangers and now stands as a restricted free agent ahead of next season.

Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils, No. 1 Pick In 2019 NHL Draft

The New Jersey Devils drafted American Jack Hughes No. 1 in 2019 when he was widely regarded as a top prospect for that year’s draft. After completing his entry-level contract in 2021, the Devils extended his deal for eight more years and $64 million. 

Hughes, now a captain of the team, had an impressive 2022-23 season with the Devils by leading a new 99-point season team record.

Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres, No. 1 Pick In 2018 NHL Draft

Swedish defenseman Rasmus Erik Dahlin was drafted in 2018 and was the first Swedish player drafted first overall since Mats Sundin in 1989. 

Dahlin was speculated to be the first pick in 2018 after the IIHF World Junior Championship, when he led Sweden to a silver medal and won Best Defenseman. That year, Dalhin was the highest-scoring under-18 defenseman in the Swedish Hockey League.

In 2021, Dhalin extended his original three-year contract with the Sabres for another three years and $18 million.

Nico Hischier, New Jersey Devils, No. 1 Pick In 2017 NHL Draft

Nico Hischier is a captain and center for the New Jersey Devils. 

In 2017, he earned the CHL Rookie of the Year award and became the first-ever Swiss player drafted as the first overall pick. 

Hischier suffered a leg injury in 2020 but quickly returned by February 2021 when he the Devils announced him as captain. At 22 years old he became the youngest captain in the league at the time.

Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs, No. 1 Pick In 2016 NHL Draft

Auston Matthews became the first U.S.-born player to be picked no. 1 overall since Patrick Kane in 2007.

His debut for the Toronto Maple Leafs left fans in awe when he scored four goals against the Ottawa Senators, making him the first player to ever score four goals in a debut game.

Now a captain, Matthews continues to break records as he became the fastest Toronto player to reach 500 NHL points on January 3, 2023.

Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, No. 1 Pick In 2015 NHL Draft

In 2015, Connor McDavid was one of the most celebrated prospects ice hockey had seen in years. He is now considered to be one of the best players in the world - often compared to Sidney Crosby and Wayne Gretzky.

Like Gretzky, McDavid's career has started with the Edmonton Oilers, who selected him No. 1 overall in 2015. 

McDavid has won some impressive awards, such as, the Art Ross Trophy five times and the Ted Lindsay Award three times. Most recently, McDavid won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy for 2022–23 as the league's leading goal-scorer. He is one of only two players – after Wayne Gretzky in 1982 – to win the Hart Memorial Trophy unanimously as the league's most valuable player.

McDavid is also known as a skillful leader. At only 19 years old, he became the youngest captain in NHL history.

Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers, No. 1 Pick In 2014 NHL Draft

Defenseman Aaron Ekblad entered the NHL as the first overall pick in 2014 for the Florida Panthers. Leading up to the draft, Ekblad caught the public's attention when he won the OHL’s Most Outstanding Defenseman award during the 2013-2014 season. 

Ekblad kicked off his rookie season with the Panthers with 39 points, 12 goals, 27 assists, and 81 games.

Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche, No. 1 Pick In 2013 NHL Draft

Nathan MacKinnon joined the ranks of fellow Nova Scotia-native Sidney Crosby when the Colorado Avalanche chose him as their first pick in 2013. After his initial entry-level contract ended, he re-signed to a seven-year, $44.1 million contract. 

Later, he was announced as a captain. MacKinnon re-signed one more time in 2022 for an eight-year, $100.8 million contract extension, the highest annual contract value in league history.

NHL Mock Draft Projections 

Chicago Blackhawks get the first pick of the night and according to FloHockey’s mock draft, this will likely be Bedard. The 17-year-old played center with the Regina Pats in the 2022-23 season.  

During the year, Bedard racked up 71 goals and 143 points in 57 WHL regular season games. 

The Anaheim Ducks will go second and are likely to draft Adam Fantilli of the University of Michigan. 

Take a look at the rest of the predictions for the night on FloHockey’s 2023 NHL Draft Mock 1.0

Take a look at some of FloHockey’s Draft Profiles So Far: 

• Adam Fantilli, C, University of Michigan
• Will Smith, C, U.S. National Under-18 Team
• Ryan Leonard, RW, U.S. National Under-18 Team
• Gabe Perreault, LW, U.S. National Under-18 Team
• Oliver Moore, C, U.S. National Under-18 Team
• Gavin Brindley, C/W, University of Michigan
• Trey Augustine, G, U.S. National Under-18 Team

Where is the NHL Draft?

The 2023 NHL Draft will be held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee; it will be the 61st NHL Entry Draft.

When is the NHL Draft? 

The 2023 NHL Draft starts on June 28  and ends on June 29 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. The first round is Wednesday, June 28 at 7 p.m. EST; Rounds 2-7 are Thursday, June 29 at 11 a.m. EST.  

Chris Peters' Final Top 100 Prospects For The 2023 NHL Draft (June 1)

2023 NHL Draft Order 

Here is the first-round draft order. 

1. Chicago
2. Anaheim
3. Columbus
4. San Jose
5. Montreal
6. Arizona
7. Philadelphia
8. Washington
9. Detroit
10. St. Louis
11. Vancouver
12. Arizona (from Ottawa)
13. Buffalo
14. Pittsburgh
15. Nashville
16. Calgary
17. Detroit (from New York)
18. Winnipeg
19. Chicago (from Tampa Bay) 
20. Seattle
21. Minnesota
22. Philadelphia (from Los Angeles) 
23. NY Rangers
24. Nashville (from Edmonton)
25. St. Louis (from Toronto)
26. San Jose (From New Jersey)
27. Colorado
28. Toronto (From Boston)
29. St. Louis (From Dallas)
30. Carolina
31. Montreal (from Florida) 
32. Vegas