Plenty of NHL talent available after Bedard in deep 1st round of Wednesday draft

Connor Bedard and the 2023 NHL draft were mentioned in the same breath long before the phenom played a single shift in junior hockey.

The 17-year-old's path to the stage at Bridgestone Arena has been dotted by big goals, clutch performances and memorable moments in a young career poised to enter its next phase.

The draft in Nashville — Wednesday's made-for-TV first round at 7 p.m. ET followed by six more Thursday — is all but assured of being his coronation story as the first overall pick by Chicago.

In many ways, the real action and drama starts at No. 2.

And the teams that don't end up with Bedard should still be pleased with their consolation prize.

"There are some very unique players who are going to be true stars if they reach their potential," NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr said. "This is a really deep draft class in the first round."

WATCH | Bedard 'thinks 2 steps ahead' of opposition:

The Anaheim Ducks hold the second overall selection, followed by the Columbus Blue Jackets, San Jose Sharks and Montreal Canadiens.

An impressive array of talent at the forward position – even after Bedard -- is led by No. 2 North American skater Adam Fantilli and top-ranked European counterpart Leo Carlsson, who both would be in the conversation as the top pick almost any other year.

All told, the first 17 players on NHL's Central Scouting list of North American skaters are forwards.

The European skater list has a wrinkle because sitting at No. 2 is Matvei Michkov, a player mentioned in the same breath as Bedard at one point, but also one likely to slide down the draft board because of his contract in the Russian-based KHL that could delay his NHL arrival by a few years.

"These trends go in cycles," Marr said of the