2023 NHL Draft Odds: Who will be the first center to follow in Connor Bedard’s footsteps onto the stage?

On Wednesday night, all eyes will be on Nashville as the hockey world eagerly anticipates the 2023 NHL Draft. According to the latest NHL odds from our top sports betting apps, Canadian center Connor Bedard is the clear favorite to be selected first overall. Let’s take a closer look at the draft predictions.

For a significant amount of time now, Canadian center Connor Bedard has been widely regarded as the top pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. It has been so long since there was a betting market open to wager on him being selected first overall.

Since gaining exceptional status to the WHL during the 2020-21 season, he has been touted as a franchise-altering, generational talent, and Bedard only solidified those claims this year.

The up-and-coming player carried Team Canada in the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship and had an impressive total of 71 goals and 72 assists in 57 games for the Regina Pats. Despite Regina’s limited playoff success, Bedard managed to score an additional 10 goals and provide 10 assists in seven postseason games.

Now that Bedard is confirmed to be joining the Chicago Blackhawks, we turn our focus to the next prospects. Check out the different NHL draft markets offered on our top sports betting websites.

Chances of being drafted No. 2 in the NHL in 2023

Bedard and Fantilli are increasingly likely to be chosen first and second overall in the 2023 NHL Draft. The Anaheim Ducks, who already boast a skilled young roster, are in need of a top center to complete their lineup.

Fantilli fits the bill.

Matvei Michkov, the Russian winger, is sure to add excitement to this draft.

He achieved record-breaking statistics for a draft-eligible player in the KHL and possesses elite offensive skills. While he is expected to score points in the NHL, it may be a while before he makes his debut. His contract with SKA St. Petersburg is valid until the end of the 2025-26 season.

Swedish center Leo Carlsson and American center Will Smith are also contenders to be chosen second overall, but it is unlikely that either will surpass Fantilli.

Chances of being selected third overall in the 2023 NHL draft

The 2023 NHL Draft is kicking off right here, backed by the odds on our top live betting platforms.

While Carlsson is a popular choice for the third overall selection, the Columbus Blue Jackets are known for making unpredictable moves under general manager Jarmo Kekalainen. With the recent additions of head coach Mike Babcock and defensemen Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson, it is clear that the Blue Jackets are aiming for immediate improvement and are in search of a franchise center with their No. 3 pick.

Smith is also a factor in the equation, having ties to the Blue Jackets. However, he is currently committed to playing for Boston College during his freshman season, meaning he is further away from reaching the NHL compared to Carlsson.

2023 NHL Draft Odds: Fourth Overall Pick

The San Jose Sharks have the 4th pick in the NHL Draft, giving them the opportunity to choose from a pool of talented prospects or potentially trade the pick, according to general manager Mike Grier.

The Sharks may not be on track for immediate contention, making it a good time to consider taking a risk with Michkov. This could also be a great chance for Grier to trade down.

There is a highly sought-after prospect who is still available, which is why the odds from our top sportsbooks show several players in contention to be chosen as the fourth overall pick.

NHL Draft best bets

Ethan Gauthier is favored at -120 according to DraftKings in his matchup against Lukas Dragicevic, earning a three-star rating.

This is solely a wager on the scouting staff and general manager making a safe choice by selecting Gauthier first, before considering the riskier option of Dragicevic.

Gauthier meets all the criteria and is expected to excel as a secondary scorer who can play a smart game while maintaining his competitive edge. With his father, Denis Gauthier, having played 554 NHL games, the second-generation forward is poised to seamlessly transition to the top level of competition.

I predict that Dragicevic will primarily focus on offense as a defenseman, with questionable skating skills and average defensive abilities. However, in the 2022-23 season, his offensive production significantly improved, and he has now become a well-rounded defenseman who excels in both offense and defense, with strong skating abilities.

Pick: Oliver Moore to be drafted under 14.5 (-115 on DraftKings) ⭐⭐

FanDuel is offering a prop bet with Moore at -125 to be selected before the 15th overall pick, so I prefer the -115 odds on DraftKings. Additionally, bet365 is also offering -120 odds for the same bet.

Moore is an elite skater with exceptional skills on both ends of the ice and a promising offensive potential. He is projected to have a successful career in the NHL, and I expect him to be selected by a team within the top 10 picks due to his high floor and high ceiling.

Gavin Brindley’s draft position is under 29.5, with odds of -110 on DraftKings.

Brindley’s impressive defensive skills, suitable for the NHL, are a perfect match for his speed and competitive nature. As he rose through the ranks at Michigan University, his offensive abilities also flourished, dispelling any doubts about his smaller stature of 5-foot-7, 170 pounds and proving he is a well-rounded player.

Brindley may not be the top scorer at the highest level, but his skills are enough to make an impact in a middle-six role with his other strengths carrying the load. With another season in the NCAA, he could be ready for the NHL, making him a valuable late first-round pick for a team looking to win now.

Adam Fantilli is the No. 2 overall pick, favored at -310 according to FanDuel.

This is an unusual price for Fantilli to be selected second overall, and I suggest taking advantage of it.

The market has shifted at several of our top live betting sites, with Fantilli’s odds dropping as low as -600 on PointsBet to be selected second on Tuesday.

The Anaheim Ducks continue to lack the ideal two-way No. 1 center needed to lead their young team in the right direction. Fantilli fits the bill perfectly and more.

Recent No. 1 picks

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NHL betting odds pages

NHL draft FAQs

When is the NHL draft scheduled to take place?

The NHL Draft kicks off on Wednesday, June 28th, 2023, with the first round airing live on ESPN, ESPN+, and Sportsnet at 7 p.m. ET. Rounds 2 through 7 will take place the following day on Thursday, June 29th.

Who is the favorite to be selected as the first overall draft pick?

Connor Bedard, a Canadian center, is heavily favored to be chosen as the first overall pick by the Chicago Blackhawks. He tallied an impressive 71 goals and 143 points in just 57 games for the Regina Pats in the Western Hockey League.

Who was selected as the number one overall pick in the 2022 draft?

The Montreal Canadiens selected Slovakian winger Juraj Slafkovsky first overall in the 2022 NHL Draft. In his rookie season, he played 39 games, scoring four goals and tallying 10 points. Unfortunately, Slafkovsky was sidelined for the second half of the season due to a lower-body injury.

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