The 2023 NHL Draft began Wednesday at the Bridgeport Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. After months of anticipation and selection predictions, the results are finally in. The eighth pick of the night for Washington Capital goes to Ryan Leonard. 

The top three choices of the night went to Connor Bedard, Leo Carlsson, and Adam Fantilli. It’s no surprise that the Chicago Blackhawks claimed  Bedard, the consensus first pick of the 2023 Draft. 

The excitement only built as the night continued.

FloHockey predicted  Leonard to be the fifth pick for the Montreal Canadiens in the 2023 Mock Draft. But the Canadiens took David Reinbacher instead. Leonard currently plays right wing for the U.S. National Under-18 Team. His teammate, Will Smith, who plays center was selected by the San Jose Sharks earlier in the draft. 

FloHockey Mock Draft 2.0

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WATCH: Ryan Leonard Announce No. 8 For Washington Capitals At NHL Draft 

The Washington Capitals pick Ryan Leonard with the 8th selection of the draft!#ALLCAPS | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/NQvRrrKZy2

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) June 29, 2023

Fans Predict Leonard Will Be A Strong Addition to the Capitals

Ryan Leonard is a fantastic player who I believe could make an immediate impact for the Capitals. Despite all the Michkov drama, I am really happy with this pick. #ALLCAPS

— travis tuthill (@capstrav1s) June 29, 2023

NHL Draft 2023 Order

1. Chicago Blackhawks- Connor Bedard
2. Anaheim Ducks - Leo Carlsson 
3. Columbus Blue Jackets - Adam Fantilli
4. San Jose Sharks - Will Smith 
5. Montreal Canadiens - David Reinbacher
6. Arizona Coyotes - Dmitri Simashev
7. Philadelphia Flyers - Matvey Michikov
8. Washington Capitals - Ryan Leonard
9. Detroit Red Wings - 
10. St. Louis Blues - 
11. Vancouver Canucks
12. Arizona  Coyotes (from Ottawa)
13. Buffalo Sabres
14. Pittsburgh Penguins
15. Nashville Predators
16. Calgary Flames
17. Detroit Red Wings (from New York)
18. Winnipeg Jets
19. Chicago Blackhawks (from Tampa Bay) 
20. Seattle Kraken
21. Minnesota Wild
22. Philadelphia Flyers(from Los Angeles) 
23. NY Rangers
24. Nashville  Predators (from Edmonton)
25. St. Louis Blues (from Toronto)
26. San Jose Sharks(From New Jersey)
27. Colorado Avalanche
28. Toronto Maple Leafs (From Boston)
29. St. Louis Blues (From Dallas)
30. Carolina Hurricanes
31. Montreal Canadiens (from Florida) 
32. Vegas Golden Knights

How to Watch the NHL Draft 2023

The NHL draft first round will air on ESPN, ESPN+ and the rest on the NHL Network.

FloHockey’s podcast, Talking Hockey Sense, is providing breakdowns before and during the draft.