2023 NHL Draft Odds and Prop Bets

The 2023 NHL Entry Draft is scheduled for June 28-29 at the Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville. The NHL Entry Draft is a celebration of the top hockey prospects in the world getting drafted to the NHL.

We are taking a deep dive into the latest NHL Draft odds, courtesy of the best NHL betting sites. If you are expecting drama with the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, then think again. As is the case in the 2023 NBA Draft, there should be no suspense to open the NHL Draft.

The Chicago Blackhawks won the NHL Draft Lottery, which gives them permission to draft Vancouver’s Connor Bedard. On Wednesday, June 28, Bedard will officially be announced as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks with the No. 1 overall pick.

Bedard is as much of a lock as Victor Wembanyama at No. 1 to the San Antonio Spurs. This is for certain. In fact, the top sports betting sites do not even have NHL Draft prop bets for the first pick.

Currently, you cannot bet on Bedard to go to the Blackhawks, but the odds would be astronomical as Wembanyama’s -20000 to go to the Spurs.

How To Watch The 2023 NHL Draft

The NHL Entry Draft covers seven rounds across two days on June 28 and June 29. The first round will be completed on June 28, and then the following six rounds will take place the next day at Bridgestone Arena.

In the United States, the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft can be watched on ESPN. Meanwhile, Canadians can watch the first round on Sportsnet. The first round of the NHL Draft is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. EST.

For the second day of the NHL Draft, fans in the US can turn to the NHL Network. In Canada, Sportsnet will have continuing coverage. The second round begins much earlier in the day, with coverage starting at 11 a.m. EST¹.

NHL Draft Odds 2023

The following NHL Draft odds and prop bets are courtesy of BetUS:

NHL Draft 2023 2nd Overall Pick

Connor Bedard is a lock to the Blackhawks, but is Adam Fantilli a lock to the Ducks? The Ducks probably can’t go wrong with Leo Carlsson or Fantilli.

Fantilli is another promising prospect to come out of Michigan over the last decade. He joins Kyle Weresnki and Kyle Conner as top talent to come out of the Michigan hockey program.

The Nobleton, Ontario, native would likely be the clear No. 1 choice if it wasn’t for Bedard in the 2023 NHL Draft. If you are betting on the Calder Trophy prop bet, Fantilli might be able to steal one over Bedard.

Adam Fantilli just won the Hobey Baker Award 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙝𝙢𝙖𝙣 〽️

▫️ 36 games played
▫️ 30 goals
▫️ 65 points

He joins Paul Kariya and Jack Eichel as the only freshman to ever win the award 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3HswQP8JoG

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 7, 2023

In his final season at Michigan, he scored 30 goals and recorded 35 assists in 36 games to win the Hobey Baker Award. The center finished with an incredible +/- of 31. However, with 67 penalty minutes in just 36 games, Fantilli has to clean things up in the NHL².

Regardless, Fantilli isn’t scared of getting physical and winning battles for pucks. On a Ducks team that needs more of an edge, Fantilli should be the perfect fit in Anaheim.

Fantilli hasn’t always been viewed as the second-best player in the 2023 NHL Draft pool, though. Matvei Michkov was expected to be in this spot before Carlsson and Fantilli expedited their development this past year.

The best fit for the Ducks appears to be Fantilli. Laying -700 odds too often isn’t a recipe as a successful NHL betting strategy. However, Fantilli looks like the clear pick at No. 2 to the Ducks.

Get Exclusive Access to Winning Sports Betting Picks for Free

NHL Draft 2023 3rd Overall Pick

The 3rd overall pick of the 2023 NHL Draft is the biggest unknown of the Top 3 selections. Bedard is off to Chicago, while there is strong reason to believe that Fantilli is a Duck.

However, Leo Carlsson and Will Smith are both in decent standing for the 3rd pick. There isn’t a bad choice to be had with any of these centers. Carlsson, Smith, and Fantilli should instantly contribute early in their careers.

The safest pick with Bedard and Fantilli off the board is likely Carlsson. The Swedish star is coming off two years against men in the Orebro HK league in Sweden. Playing against professionals in the Swedish Hockey League accounts for something.

While Carlsson doesn’t have the same stats as his fellow draftees at the 2023 NHL Draft, he has been playing against much tougher competition. In 44 games, Carlsson scored 10 goals and 15 assists. With only six penalty minutes, he has avoided going to the box despite being a big center³.

Smith is a game-breaker, but the ceiling is likely higher for Carlsson to get better in the NHL. The Blue Jackets can’t go wrong with Smith or Carlsson.

However, Carlsson likely gets the nod at No. 3 to Columbus for his high hockey IQ and two-way abilities.

David Reinbacher NHL Draft Position

Defenseman David Reinbacher has been the biggest riser over the last month. The 18-year-old Austrian product has solidified himself as the top defenseman in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Any team that needs defensive help should be looking at Reinbacher as their first choice. The Philadelphia Flyers at No. 7 looks like a good landing spot for Reinbacher.

However, the Flyers might be disappointed to find that his draft stock has been rising just a bit too much for their liking. Reinbacher is creeping close to being a Top 5 selection on the first night of the NHL Draft.

David Reinbacher is so good at gapping, guiding, and absolutely destroying attackers in transition. #2023NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/uvB0KL4PeJ

— Daniel Gee (@DanielGScouting) June 17, 2023

If Reinbacher does slip out of the Top 5, it will likely be to the Arizona Coyotes at No. 6. In fact, that is most likely his landing spot. The one potential issue preventing this from happening is if Will Smith slips to No. 6.

The Coyotes would probably jump on Smith in this instance. That said, he is unlikely to make it this far down the draft board. A month ago, it looked so, but Reinbacher is on the way up in Nashville at the 2023 NHL Draft.

He is another player that has pro experience for EHC Sloten of the National League in Switzerland. Expect Reinbacher to be on his way to Montreal or Arizona after leaving Nashville.

Ryan Leonard NHL Draft Position

Ryan Leonard is a strong forward that always goes at full speed and intensity. Whoever drafts Leonard will not be disappointed by the energy that he brings to the ice.

The BC Eagle is another rising prospect as we approach the first round. After two successful years with the U.S. National Development Team, Leonard is off to Boston College next year.

It shouldn’t take long for Leonard to get the call up to the pros as he continues to progress as a dangerous playmaker. In 17 games, Leonard has notched 11 goals and nine assists for the U.S. National Development Team⁴.

🇺🇸🇸🇪 RYAN LEONARD SCORES THE GOLD WINNING GOAL FOR THE USA! 🥇 #u18mensworlds #USASWE @usahockey pic.twitter.com/hOP27JydWZ

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) April 30, 2023

Boston College has produced some of the best American players in the NHL. Leonard should be in line to be the next big thing out of BC.

In addition to having a high-end motor, Leonard can easily play right wing if need be. He is a versatile player that can provide speed from the wing or as a center.

Leonard isn’t all about speed despite that being his most noticeable trait. His shot is above average and physical enough to force turnovers and win puck battles.

The Canadiens would be smart to consider Leonard with the 5th overall selection. Making it past the Capitals at No. 8 doesn’t seem realistic. Leonard should be gone before then, which makes this a strong NHL Draft prop bet at Under 8.5.