Matvei Michkov had one wish granted when the Philadelphia Flyers selected him seventh overall in the 2023 NHL draft Wednesday night. But he has another wish for his NHL career: To honor his late father by lifting the Stanley Cup.

Michkov's father, Andrei, died in April at the age of 51, according to the Russian Hockey Federation.

Matvei Michkov, an 18-year-old right wing who played for the Russian national team, was thinking about his late father as he wore a Flyers jersey for the first time.

"Right now, it's important for me to finish the goal that my dad had for me, and that's winning the Stanley Cup," he said through an interpreter.

The Anaheim Ducks made it known they were going to take a center with the second pick of Thursday night's NHL draft, but they kept whom they were going to select a secret.

Many considered University of Michigan freshman Adam Fantilli the favorite, but the Ducks instead opted to take Orebro HK center Leo Carlsson, presenting the first bit of intrigue on draft night after the Chicago Blackhawks used the No. 1 overall pick on Regina Pats center Connor Bedard.

"I had a meeting with the Ducks yesterday," Carlsson told reporters after he was drafted. "I had a good feeling."

The Chicago Blackhawks made the obvious official Wednesday night, selecting Regina Pats center Connor Bedard with the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL draft.

Bedard, 17, has been called a generational talent thanks to his shooting ability and puck possession skills. The North Vancouver native was the most hyped prospect since Connor McDavid was drafted first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 2015.

From banner raising to outdoor games to a full plate on the Friday after Thanksgiving, NHL fans can plan their season after Tuesday's release of the 2023-24 league schedule.

The Stanley Cup champion Las Vegas Golden Knights face the Seattle Kraken on Oct. 10 to round out the opening-day slate.

Connor Bedard, this year's projected No. 1 overall pick in the NHL draft, might play his first NHL game that night. Chicago -- which owns the first pick in Wednesday's opening round -- is scheduled to play Pittsburgh, and most believe Bedard is NHL-ready.

Connor Bedard still isn't ready to admit what the rest of the hockey world has long assumed: that he'll be selected No. 1 overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in this month's NHL draft.

"If they decide to take me, that would be unbelievable," the 17-year-old forward told reporters Monday ahead of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. "But we'll see what happens."

Business is booming in Chicago, thanks to Connor Bedard.

The Blackhawks told ESPN on Tuesday morning that they have made $5.2 million in ticketing revenue in less than a day after the team won the 2023 NHL draft lottery. Bedard, a 17-year-old center from Canada, is the projected No. 1 pick in June's draft. A rival general manager told ESPN that Bedard is "the best NHL prospect since Connor McDavid" while a rival scout told ESPN "he's a generational talent who can change the complexion of a franchise."

Nashville has been named host of the 2023 NHL draft and NHL awards, it was announced Thursday.

The awards are set for June 26. Regular-season accolades will be doled out across a number of categories, including the Hart Trophy for most valuable player, Vezina Trophy for outstanding goaltender and Norris Trophy for outstanding defenseman.

The Nashville Predators will then host the draft at Bridgestone Arena over two days. The first round is scheduled for Wednesday, June 28, with rounds 2-7 following on Thursday, June 29.

Slovakian left winger Juraj Slafkovsky was selected No. 1 overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft on Thursday.

Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes announced the surprising pick before a packed house in Montreal's own rink. It was the first time since 1985 the NHL draft's host city has also held the first selection. The news of Slafkovsky being chosen was met with visible shock -- and some resounding cheers -- from the assembled fans.

The New Jersey Devils used the second pick on defenseman Simon Nemec. Logan Cooley of the U.S. National Development Program went to the Arizona Coyotes with the No. 3 pick.

Shane Wright wants to be the first overall pick taken by the Montreal Canadiens in next month's NHL draft. He also knows it's not his call.

"I have my own opinion on where I believe I should go, but at the end of the day, it's out of my control now. What my opinion is, what I say, what I think, it doesn't matter now. It's in the hands of Montreal and their management," Wright said in a meeting with media before Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Saturday. "Obviously, I'd like to be the first overall pick. But at the end of the day, it's not my decision."

The Montreal Canadiens secured the first overall pick in the NHL draft lottery on Tuesday, becoming the first team since 1985 to host the draft and own the top pick.

It marks the first time in 42 years that the Canadiens, who made the Stanley Cup Final last season, will select first overall, having last selected forward Doug Wickenheiser with the top pick in 1980.