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- What: 2023 NHL Entry Draft
- Date: June 28-29, 2023
- Location: Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN.
- Time: Day 1: 7:00 p.m. ET, Day 2: 11 a.m. ET.
- How to Watch: ESPN, NHLN, SN, TVAS
With the Vegas Golden Knights capturing the 2023 Stanley Cup with a 4-1 series win over the Florida Panthers, the hockey world’s attention turns to the next big event on the NHL calendar. That event is the 2023 NHL Entry draft, which starts on June 28 and takes place at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. ESPN will broadcast the first round of the event on that day. The next day, rounds 2-7 occur at the same location. Day 2 of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft begins at 11:00 a.m. ET.
Barring one of the most surprising developments in the history of the NHL entry draft, Connor Bedard will go first overall to the Chicago Blackhawks. Oddsmakers are so sure that Bedard will be the first pick that most are not offering odds on that pick. With that, we will look at the players who are in the mix to go second overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
Before we look at the picks, odds, and predictions for the second overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, check out our tips on betting on the NHL Draft and our list of the best NHL betting sites for the upcoming 2023-24 NHL season.
2023 NHL Entry Draft second overall pick betting picks
| To Go Second in 2023 NHL Entry Draft |  |  |  |
| Adam Fantilli | -1000 | -700 | -700 |
| Leo Carlsson | +500 | +600 | +550 |
| Matvei Michkov | +900 | +1600 | +1000 |
| Will Smith | +1800 | +2500 | +1800 |
| Andrew Cristall | +3300 | TBA | +4000 |
Adam Fantilli
Adam Fantilli isn’t a lock like Connor Bedard, but the chances are very good that he will go second overall to the Anaheim Ducks. Fantilli led all NCAA players in points (65) and tied for the lead in goals (30). The Michigan freshman was the third player in the school’s history to win the Hobey Baker Award, which annually goes to the best college hockey player. Fantilli was one of the reasons the Wolverines made it to the Frozen Four.
The 18-year-old forward is 6-2 and checks in at 195 pounds. He scored at least one point in 33 of the 36 games he played for Michigan this past season.
Leo Carlsson
Eighteen-year-old Leo Carlsson played for Team Sweden in both the World Junior tournament and the IIHF World Championship contests this year. The top prospect among international hockey players headed into the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Carlsson, played 44 games for the Orebro HK of the Swedish Hockey League. During his time with that club, he had 10 goals and 15 assists. During the World Junior event, he had six points (3 goals, 3 assists) in seven games. The Swedish team won the bronze medal.
A left-shooting forward, Carlsson is 6-foot-3 and weighs 198 pounds.
Matvei Michkov
The big “if” on Matvei Michkov is his contract. The 18-year-old Russian is signed with his KHL team through 2026. With that, whoever drafts him is going to need patience. Michkov is likely worth the wait. From a talent standpoint, he’s second only to Beddard. He is a bit undersized at 5-10 and 172 pounds, but he has skills, confidence, grit, and speed. He will be a first line forward for whatever team picks him, but again, he won’t be eligible to play in the NHL until his KHL deal expires and that could make some teams who need to improve right now reluctant to pick him.
2023 NHL NHL Entry Draft First Round Order
- Chicago Blackhawks
- Anaheim Ducks
- Columbus Blue Jackets
- San Jose Sharks
- Montreal Canadiens
- Arizona Coyotes
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Washington Capitals
- Detroit Red Wings
- St. Louis Blues
- Vancouver Canucks
- Arizona Coyotes (from Ottawa Senators)
- Buffalo Sabres
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- Nashville Predators
- Calgary Flames
- Detroit Red Wings (from New York Islanders via Vancouver Canucks)
- Winnipeg Jets
- Chicago Blackhawks (from Tampa Bay Lightning)
- Seattle Kraken
- Minnesota Wild
- Columbus Blue Jackets (from Los Angeles Kings)
- New York Rangers
- Nashville Predators (from Edmonton Oilers)
- St. Louis Blues (from Toronto Maple Leafs)
- San Jose Sharks (from New Jersey Devils)
- Colorado Avalanche
- Toronto Maple Leafs (from Boston Bruins via Washington Capitals)
- St. Louis Blues (from Dallas Stars via New York Rangers)
- Carolina Hurricanes
- Montreal Canadiens (from the Stanley Cup runner-up Florida Panthers)
- Vegas Golden Knights (Stanley Cup winner)
Best betting pick to go second in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft
Again, Connor Bedard is essentially a lock to go first in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. That leaves every other draft-eligible player fighting for second overall. The best bet is to go with Adam Fantilli to the Anaheim Ducks with the second pick in the NHL Entry Draft. While he is not as talented as Bedard, he will be a difference-maker for his team, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him playing on the first line as a rookie.
Betting pick to go second overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft: Adam Fantilli
See below a list of reliable sportsbooks and choose the best one for you.
