Leading into the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft, #NHLStats has broken down the historical draft picks by each team in their current drafting position (as of June 22, 2023).
The Blackhawks hold the first-overall selection for just the second time in the 60 years of the NHL Draft and will become the 18th franchise to choose from the top spot multiple times. The other instance in which they held the No. 1 pick, Chicago drafted Patrick Kane from the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League who went on to capture three Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe Trophy, Hart Memorial Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award and Calder Memorial Trophy with the franchise.
The Ducks have selected in the No. 2 slot twice previously, drafting defenseman Oleg Tverdovsky (1994) and Bobby Ryan (2005). Tverdovsky, one of only two defensemen in Ducks history with multiple 50-point seasons, ranks fifth on the franchise’s all-time points list by a blueliner. Ryan had three 30-goal seasons with the franchise before turning 25, tied with Paul Kariya for the most in Ducks history.

The Blue Jackets hold a top-three pick for the fourth time and will select from the No. 3 spot for the second time after choosing Pierre-Luc Dubois in 2016. Dubois held the single-season goals record by a Blue Jackets rookie until 2022-23 and still stands as the only player in franchise history to score a hat trick in the playoffs (Game 3 of 2020 SCQ).

The 2023 NHL Draft will mark the first time the Sharks will select from the No. 4 slot. It would be their sixth top-four pick in franchise history and first since 1998 when the club selected Brad Stuart (No. 3). Stuart was the first rookie defenseman in franchise history to score 10 goals in a single season.
The Canadiens, after selecting Juraj Slafkovsky with the No. 1 selection in front of their fans at Bell Centre in 2022, are set to have a top-five pick in the NHL Draft in consecutive seasons for the first time since selecting Hall of Fame members Guy Lafleur (No. 1 in 1971) and Steve Shutt (No. 4 in 1972) – winners of five Stanley Cups together. Montreal has picked in the No. 5 slot six times, most recently selecting the franchise’s all-time wins leader, Carey Price in that spot.

The Coyotes franchise has held the No. 6 pick once before, selecting Oliver Ekman-Larsson in 2009. Ekman-Larsson spent 11 seasons with the club en route to establishing a franchise record for goals by a defenseman as well as sitting second in assists and points. This year’s selection will mark the 11th time in franchise history the club will be making a top-six pick.
The Flyers have held the No. 7 pick four times prior to 2023, most recently selecting defenseman Ivan Provorov (2015) in that spot. The first time the club held this position in the NHL Draft, Philadelphia chose Bill Barber (1972) – a Hockey Hall of Fame forward who guided the club to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975 while also establishing the record for career goals with the franchise.

The 2023 NHL Draft marks the first time the Capitals will be selecting eighth overall. The team has had three top-10 picks in the past 25 years: Alex Ovechkin (No. 1 in 2004), Nicklas Backstrom (No. 4 in 2006) and Karl Alzner (No. 5 in 2007).
The Red Wings will be picking ninth overall for the fifth time following Michael Rasmussen (2017), Willie Huber (1978), Bill Lochead (1974) and Ron Barkwell (1967). The 2023 NHL Draft marks the seventh straight year Detroit holds a top-10 pick dating to 2017. The Red Wings selected Marco Kasper (No. 8) in 2022, who became the second-highest Austrian-born player selected in NHL Draft history behind Thomas Vanek (No. 5 in 2003 by BUF).

The Blues have held the No. 10 pick once prior, selecting Jocelyn Lemieux (1986). Apart from Lemieux, the franchise has chosen within the first 10 selections in the NHL Draft four other times in the past 40 years: Alex Pietrangelo (No. 4 in 2008) – who captained the franchise to its first Stanley Cup in 2019 – Erik Johnson (No. 1 in 2006), Jason Marshall (No. 9 in 1989) and Rod Brind’Amour (No. 9 in 1986).
The Canucks are set to pick 11th overall for just the second time after selecting Michel Petit in 1982. Vancouver was the first of 10 franchises Petit skated with during his career and he became the first player in NHL history to play with as many throughout his time in the NHL. This will mark Vancouver’s highest pick since 2019, when the club selected Vasily Podkolzin (No. 10). Nine of 10 Canucks first-round selections in the NHL Draft in the past 10 years have played at least one career game with the franchise (Jonathan Lekkerimaki: No. 15 in 2022 is the only exception).

The franchise holds the No. 12 pick in the NHL Draft for the fourth time following 2014 (Brendan Perlini), 2013 (Max Domi) and 1982 (Jim Kyte w/ WIN). The Coyotes, who also own the No. 6 pick in 2023, hold multiple picks in the opening 12 selections for the second time in franchise history and second consecutive year (2022: Logan Cooley at No. 3 & Conor Geekie at No. 11).
The Sabres will be selecting within the first 15 picks of the NHL Draft for the 12th straight year. The NHL Draft marks the seventh time Buffalo will hold the No. 13 spot following 2009 (Zack Kassian), 2005 (Marek Zagrapan), 2004 (Drew Stafford), 1991 (Philippe Boucher), 1988 (Joel Savage) and 1978 (Larry Playfair). Playfair (577 GP) and Stafford (563 GP) each played 500+ games with the franchise.

The Penguins hold the No. 14 pick in the NHL Draft for the first time. Pittsburgh holds at least one of the first 14 picks for the ninth time in 35 years following 2003 (No. 1: Marc-Andre Fleury), 2005 (No. 1: Sidney Crosby), 2004 (No. 2: Evgeni Malkin), 2006 (No. 2: Jordan Staal), 1988 (No. 4: Darrin Shannon), 2002 (No. 5: Ryan Whitney), 1990 (No. 5: Jaromir Jagr) and 2012 (No. 8: Derrick Pouliot).
The Predators own the No. 15 selection in the NHL Draft for the second time in franchise history after previously taking Alexander Radulov in that slot in 2004. Radulov set franchise records for goals (18) and points (37) in a season by a rookie in 2006-07, though both marks were later topped by Filip Forsberg (2014-15) and Tanner Jeannot (2021-22). The 2023 NHL Draft marks Nashville’s highest selection since 2020 (No. 11: Iaraslov Askarov).

The Flames franchise have held the No. 16 pick three other times: 2017 (Juuso Valimaki), 1986 (George Pelawa) and 1973 (Vic Mercredi). Valimaki scored his first NHL goal Oct. 17, 2018, doing so at 20 years and 11 days. He was the youngest defenseman to score a goal for the Flames in more than two decades and first since Robyn Regehr (19, 205 on Nov. 10, 1999).
The Red Wings will pick in the No. 17 slot for the fifth time (also 1988, 1982, 1968 & 1967).  Also picking at No. 9, Detroit owns multiple selections in the first round for just the fourth time following 2021 (No. 6: Simon Edvinsson & No. 15: Sebastian Cossa), 2018 (No. 6: Filip Zadina & No. 30: Joe Veleno) and 1978 (No. 9: Willie Huber & No. 12: Brent Peterson).

The Jets will be selecting 18th overall for the third time following 2021 (Chaz Lucius) and 2016 (Logan Stanley). Lucius potted 5-2—7 in seven games during the 2023 World Junior Championship, which included completing a hat trick in overtime, to lift the United States to a bronze medal.

The Blackhawks own multiple first-round picks for the second consecutive year after making three top-25 selections in 2022 (No. 7: Kevin Korchinski, No. 13: Frank Nazar & No. 25: Sam Rinzel). This marks the second time Chicago has held the No. 19 pick, following 1995 (Dmitri Nabokov). Nabokov, with 2-0—2 on Dec. 20, 1997, was the fourth player to score multiple goals in his NHL debut with the franchise.

The Kraken will be making their third-ever first-round pick after taking Shane Wright (No. 4 in 2022) and Matty Beniers (No. 2 in 2021), with the latter named a Calder Trophy finalist in 2022-23 after finishing the season with the most points and tied for most goals among rookies (24-33—57 in 80 GP).
The 2023 NHL Draft marks the first time the Wild will select at No. 21. It is the fifth time in six years Minnesota holds a first-round pick in the 20s following 2022 (No 24: Danila Yurov), 2021 (No. 20: Jesper Wallstedt & No. 26: Carson Lambos) and 2018 (No. 24: Filip Johansson).

The Flyers have had the No. 22 pick seven times prior to 2023: 2016 (German Rubtsov), 2006 (Claude Giroux), 1999 (Maxime Ouellet), 1998 (Simon Gagne) 1995 (Brian Boucher), 1984 (Greg Smythe) and 1979 (Blake Wesley). Giroux played parts of 15 seasons with Philadelphia, captaining the franchise for 10, and owns the second-most games played, assists and points in franchise history (291-609—900 in 1,000 GP).
The 2023 NHL Draft will mark the second time the Rangers will select with the No. 23 pick following 1969, when they chose Bert Wilson from the London Nationals of the OHA. New York returns with an opening-round pick in 2023 after an absence in 2022. In 2021, the club selected Brennan Othmann (No. 16) from the Flint Firebirds of the OHL. He went on to capture the J. Ross Robertson Cup in 2022-23 with the Peterborough Petes as League champions.

The Predators, also selecting at No. 15, will choose from the No. 24 shot as well and will do so for the second time following 2019 (Philip Tomasino). Nashville is set to become the ninth host team to have multiple picks in the first round; they would join Montreal (3 in 1981, 2 in 2022 & 1984), Pittsburgh (2 in 2012), Minnesota (2 in 2011), Florida (2 in 2001), Quebec (2 in 1993) and Vancouver (2 in 1990).
The Blues own the No. 25 overall pick for the fifth time in franchise history after previously taking Dominik Bokk (2018), Jordan Schmaltz (2012), Patrik Berglund (2006) and John Smrke (1976). Also selecting at No. 10 and No. 29, St. Louis owns multiple first-round picks for the fifth time following 2017 (No. 20: Robert Thomas & No. 31: Klim Kostin), 2010 (No. 14: Jaden Schwartz & No. 16: Vladimir Tarasenko), 2007 (No. 13: Lars Eller, No. 18: Ian Cole & No. 26: David Perron) and 2006 (No. 1: Erik Johnson & No. 25: Berglund).

The Sharks will select at No. 26 in an NHL Draft for the first time in franchise history. The last time San Jose, which also selects at No. 4 in 2023, had multiple first-round picks was in 2007 when they selected current captain and 300-goal scorer Logan Couture (No. 9) with the first of two choices (also No. 28: Nick Petrecki).

The 2022 Stanley Cup champion Avalanche will make their first selection of the 2023 NHL Draft at No. 27 – the club’s highest pick since 2020 when they chose Justin Barron (No. 25). The franchise, set to use pick No.27 for the first time, has only had two later first-round picks in their history, both coming at No. 28 (Oskar Olausson in 2021 & Jonas Johansson in 2002).

The Maple Leafs own the No. 28 pick in the NHL Draft for the third time following 1987 (Daniel Marois) and 1983 (Jeff Jackson). Marois, who found the back of the net on Oct. 6 and Oct. 8, 1988, was the fifth player to score in each of their first two games with the franchise and first since Wally Boyer (2 GP from Dec. 11-12, 1965).
The Blues will make their third selection of the 2023 First Round at No. 29. Following three first-round picks in 2007, St. Louis is set to become the eighth franchise in NHL Draft history to have three or more picks in the opening round multiple times. Montreal (6x), Boston (3x), Buffalo (3x), Toronto (2x), Washington (2x), Ottawa (2x) and Columbus (2x) have all done so to date.

Carolina will select at No. 30 for the first time, marking the franchise’s latest first-round pick. The Hurricanes/Whalers have selected at No. 25 or later in the opening round three times previously: 2019 (No. 28: Ryan Suzuki), 2009 (No. 27: Philippe Paradis) and 2002 (No. 25: Cam Ward). Ward leads the franchise in career games played, wins, shutouts and helped the Hurricanes capture its first Stanley Cup as a rookie in 2006.
The Canadiens (also No. 5) hold two first-round picks for the second straight draft after selecting Juraj Slafkovsky (No. 1) and Filip Mesar (No. 26) in 2022. They will occupy the No. 31 selection for the fifth time and first since 2021. The 2023 NHL Draft marks the fifth time the franchise has had multiple picks in the first round in consecutive years following 1974-78 (5 years), 2000-01 (2 years), 1984-85 (2 years) and 1971-72 (2 years).

The Golden Knights will have the No. 32 pick for the first time. The 2023 NHL Draft is set to be the second time Vegas owns a first-round pick in the 30s following 2021 (No. 30: Zach Dean). Prior to Dean, the franchise has had five other selections in the opening round: 2017 (No. 6: Cody Glass, No. 13: Nick Suzuki & No. 15: Erik Brannstrom), 2019 (No. 17: Peyton Krebs) and 2020 (No. 29: Brendan Brisson).

COURTESY NHLmedia.com