NHL Draft: Second & Third Overall Picks
Who's Going #2 and # 3 in Nashville Next Weekend

National Hockey League Draft – Second and Third Overall Picks
With the National Hockey League Draft just a week away on June 28th, it’s nearly a foregone conclusion that the Number One Overall pick in this year’s draft event in Nashville, Tennessee will be young star forward Connor Bedard.
The 18-year old Vancouver native scored 143 points (71 goals and 72 assists) in just 57 regular season games with the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League, along with 10 more goals and 10 more assists in seven playoff contests. In addition to taking home a Gold Medal with Team Canada at this year’s World Junior Championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, Bedard also won CHL Top Scorer, Top Draft Prospect and Player of the Year honors.
His position to go Number One to the Chicago Blackhawks is so solidified that no sportsbook on Earth has odds for the Number One Overall Pick, which brings us to looking at positions Two and Three on the draft board. Let’s Preview some of the players that we could see picked up after Mr. Bedard in Nashville with this NHL Draft Second and Third Overall Pick Preview.
Odds for Second Overall Pick in 2023 NHL Draft
- Adam Fantilli -800
- Leo Carlsson +550
- Matvei Michkov +1000
- Will Smith +2000
- Andrew Cristall +3500
Odds for Third Overall Pick in 2023 NHL Draft
- Leo Carlsson -160
- Matvei Mitchkov +650
- Will Smith +190
- Adam Fantilli +700
- Andrew Cristall +4000
Player Profiles
Adam Fantilli (Center – University of Michigan)
Age: 18 (10/12/04) Height: 6’2″ Weight: 195 lbs
22-23 Stats: 36 GP, 30 Goals, 35 Assists, 65 Points.
The Nobleton, Ontario native won the Hobey Baker Award as the best player in NCAA College Hockey this year after a stellar freshman season at Michigan. Fantilli led the nation in Goals, Assists and Points per Game as the Wolverines won the Big Ten Tournament along with reaching the Frozen Four.
Fantilli still has some size to fill with his frame, but with many projecting him to be picked second overall to the Anaheim Ducks, his skill would match perfectly with talented wingers like Trevor Zegras and Troy Terry. Fantilli would be a #1 pick in most drafts, and will certainly be a strong selection at #2.
Leo Carlsson (Center – Orebro HK – Sweden)
Age: 18 (12/26/04) Height: 6’3″ Weight: 198 lbs
22-23 Stats: 44 GP, 10 Goals, 15 Assists, 25 Points.
One of the two European skaters in this elite group, Leo Carlsson is a solid, left-shooting, two-way forward that already has decent size at 6’3″ and nearly 200 pounds. Carlsson has proved his game will translate well from Europe to North America, which is why he is currently a -160 favorite to be chosen third overall, which would see him land with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
This would be a strong building piece for fellow Scandinavian in General Manager Jarmo Kekäläinen as the Blue Jackets look to make big improvements in the Eastern Conference after a couple of down seasons.
Matvei Michkov (Right Wing – HK Sochi/SKA St. Pete’s)
Age: 18 (12/9/04) Height: 5’10” Weight: 148 lbs
22-23 Stats: 37 GP, 19 Goals, 15 Assists, 34 Points.
There’s been a lot of talk about this small Russian player with hands lighter than feathers when he handles the puck. Matvei Michkov is projected to be one of those elusive type forwards like Theo Fleury or Martin St. Louis but with even more offensive creativity.
Of course, there are some concerns about when he can come to North America, between the on-going war issues with Russia and Ukraine and his club SKA St. Petersburg still holding his rights, loaning him for a handful of games to KHL squad HK Sochi to give his some playoff experience. Any team looking to pick him up will be looking long term before he crosses the pond to play.
Will Smith (Center – U.S National Development Team)
Age: 18 (3/17/05) Height: 6’0″ Weight: 181 lbs
22-23 Stats: 26 GP, 18 Goals, 29 Assists, 47 Points.
Playing for the United States National Developmental Team last season, centerman Will Smith dazzled scouts with his speed and off-puck play, along with his scoring prowess, with 18 goals and 47 points in just 26 games, mostly played against Division I NCAA opponents.
Smith is committed to Boston College, so any team that looks to draft the Lexington, Massachusetts native will be looking at the slim center playing one, possibly two years at the collegiate level for more development, especially with size and strength.
Andrew Cristall (Left Wing – Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
Age: 18 (2/4/05) Height: 5’10” Weight: 167 lbs
22-23 Stats: 54 GP, 39 Goals, 56 Assists, 95 Points.
The Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada native had an impressive 95 points in 54 games for the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League last season. Normally, those high water marks would lead a league in scoring but of course, the WHL also had Connor Bedard around. Nonetheless, Cristall is a smart player with great offensive vision and skill.
He could work on his skating a bit more and add some size at under 170 pounds, but this kid is certainly a Top-10 talent, if not Top-5 in what looks to be a talent-laden National Hockey League draft on deck.
This Concludes the National Hockey League Draft Second and Third Overall Pick Preview. Check out all the updated NHL Lineups, NHL Standings, NHL Season, future odds, team stats, recent news, picks and parlays and betting tips, right here at Point Spreads.
Follow us on TwitterCan’t get enough? Here’s more!
- 2023-24 Stanley Cup Opening Odds: Can Golden Knights Defend Crown?
- Ryan Huska Will Lead The Calgary Flames in 23-24
- Golden Knights Future Odds: Knights Took Care of Biz & Never A Doubt
- 2023 Florida Panthers Betting Line Breakdown: Where Were the Wins and Losses…
- Golden Knights vs Panthers: Panthers: Put Up, Shut Up, or See Ya…