NHL - With the 2023 NHL Draft kicking off on Wednesday, generational prospect Connor Bedard can finally officially call Chicago home after the Blackhawks took him with the first overall pick.

There were a few surprises after that, with the Anaheim Ducks, who were widely expected to take Canadian center Adam Fantilli with the No. 2 pick, instead selecting Swedish pivot Leo Carlsson second. The Blue Jackets jumped at the chance to take Fantilli with the third selection before the Sharks took USNTDP star Will Smith at No. 4.

With the draft’s mystery man, Russian phenom Matvei Michkov, still available at No. 5, the Canadiens threw a curveball and took the draft’s first defenseman in David Reinbacher before the Flyers took Michkov with the seventh selection. Talented WHL center Zach Benson was the first round’s most notable slider, dropping to the Sabres at No. 13.

With the first 32 picks in the book and rounds two through seven set to go down on Thursday, here are the top 20.

2023 NHL Draft results First round 1. Chicago Blackhawks - Connor Bedard, C, Regina Pats (WHL) 2. Anaheim Ducks - Leo Carlsson, C, Orebro HK (SHL) 3. Columbus Blue Jackets - Adam Fantilli, C, University of Michigan (NCAA) 4. San Jose Sharks - Will Smith, C, United States National Team Development Program 5. Montreal Canadiens - David Reinbacher, D, EHC Kloten (Swiss National League) 6. Arizona Coyotes Dmitri Simashev, D, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL) 7. Philadelphia Flyers - Matvei Michkov, F, SKA Saint Petersburg (KHL) 8. Washington Capitals - Ryan Leonard, F, USNTDP 9. Detroit Red Wings Nate Danielson, C, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) 10. St. Louis Blues Dalibor Dvorsky, F, IK Oskarshamn (SHL) 11. Vancouver Canucks - Tom Willander, D, Rogle BK (SHL) 12. Arizona Coyotes (from OTT) - Danil But, F, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL) 13. Buffalo Sabres Zach Benson, C, Winnipeg Ice (WHL) 14. Pittsburgh Penguins - Brayden Yegar, C, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL) 15. Nashville Predators - Matthew Wood, F, University of Connecticut (NCAA) 16. Calgary Flames Samuel Honzek, C, Vancouver Giants (WHL) 17. Detroit Red Wings (from NYI via VAN) - Axel Sandin Pellikka, D, Skelleftea AIK (SHL) 18. Winnipeg Jets Colby Barlow, F, Owen Sound Attack (OHL) 19. Chicago Blackhawks (from TB) - Oliver Moore, C, USNTDP 20. Seattle Kraken - Eduard Sale, F, HC Kometa Brno (Czechia)