Connor Bedard, widely regarded as the frontrunner for the coveted No. 1 pick in the upcoming 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft, is eagerly awaiting the outcome of the highly anticipated 2023 NHL Draft Lottery, scheduled to take place on May 8 at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. Hockey enthusiasts can catch the thrilling event on ESPN, SN, and TVAS.
The Anaheim Ducks, who found themselves at the bottom of the NHL standings with a disappointing record of 23-47-12, hold the highest probability of securing the coveted top pick, standing at an impressive 18.5 percent.
Meanwhile, the Columbus Blue Jackets (25-48-9), ranked 31st in the standings, closely trail with the second-best odds at 13.5 percent. Following them are the Chicago Blackhawks (26-49-7), with an 11.5 percent chance.
The NHL Draft Lottery will involve the 16 teams that failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Scroll down to read more.
Notably, the Arizona Coyotes possess two picks, their selection and the Ottawa Senators’ pick acquired through the trade involving defenseman Jakob Chychrun on 1st March. However, if the Senators’ pick lands in the top five, it will remain with Ottawa, and Arizona will instead receive the Senators’ unprotected first-round choice in the 2024 NHL Draft.
With the potential to advance up to 10 spots, only the teams occupying the bottom 11 positions in the final standings will have a shot at claiming the coveted No. 1 pick. A second drawing will determine the team securing the No. 2 pick among the remaining 15. Subsequently, the remaining teams will be assigned draft positions from Nos—3 to 16 based on the inverse order of their final standings.
Anticipation is building for the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft, which is set to take place on June 28-29 at the illustrious Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
Connor Bedard, standing at an impressive 5-foot-10 and weighing 185 pounds, showcased his remarkable talents throughout the Western Hockey League season. Leading the league with a staggering 143 points, comprising 71 goals and 72 assists in just 57 games with the Regina team, Bedard left spectators in awe.
Even during Regina’s unfortunate seven-game defeat to Saskatoon in the first round of the WHL playoffs, Bedard contributed significantly, accumulating 20 points, including 10 goals and 10 assists. This achievement marked him as the first WHL player since 2012 to score double-digit goals in a playoff series.
Adding to his list of accolades, Bedard played a pivotal role in Canada’s triumph at the January 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship. With an outstanding tally of 23 points, consisting of nine goals and 14 assists, in just seven games, Bedard secured the tournament’s highest point total ever recorded by a Canadian player and the fourth-highest in the history of the World Junior Championship.
Describing Bedard’s exceptional abilities, NHL Central Scouting’s Vice President, Dan Marr, remarked, “Bedard possesses the elite skills and attributes that are reminiscent of the NHL’s most accomplished players.
What truly sets him apart is his astute reading of the game, his uncanny ability to position himself perfectly, and his remarkable execution and capitalization of crucial plays. His instincts and presence of mind propel him to dominate when his team needs it most, placing him in the exclusive realm of players like Connor McDavid.”
While the team securing the No. 1 pick will undoubtedly have the privilege of drafting Bedard, the remaining teams will still have many exceptional talents. Among these prospects is Adam
