The 2023 NHL Draft will take place at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville from Wednesday, June 28, to Thursday, June 29. You can watch it all unfold across ESPN and NHL Network, with ESPN+ streaming every round.
Keep reading to learn more about this year’s entry draft—including a complete schedule of draft events.
What channel is the NHL Draft on?
The first round of the 2023 NHL Draft will air on ESPN and ESPN+. Rounds two through seven will air on NHL Network and ESPN+ the following day.
If you have a TV plan that includes ESPN, you can stream the draft’s first round on the ESPN app. ESPN+ subscribers can also use the app to stream every round of the draft.
Pro tip: Viewers located in Canada can watch the draft’s first round on Sportsnet, while TVA Sports will provide Canadian French–language coverage.
2023 NHL Draft schedule
Leading up to the NHL Draft are the NHL Draft Lottery and NHL Scouting Combine. Both events play a role in how the draft will unfold in June, and you can watch coverage on TV.
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for watching the NHL Draft
Because the NHL Draft takes place across two days on different channels, you’ll want a TV plan that matches the rounds you want to see. Fortunately, ESPN+ will stream every draft round—meaning you don’t need a costly TV plan to tune in. With its out-of-market NHL coverage, the $9.99-a-month streaming service is already essential for hockey fans.
If you prefer to watch the draft on ESPN and NHL Network, we recommend Sling TV as the cheapest option. Its Sling Orange plan ($40.00 a month) with the Sports Extra add-on ($11.00 a month) is around $15.00 cheaper than any live TV streaming service. Plus, it’s an inexpensive way to watch other leagues like MLB and NBA, and you can cancel anytime.
In case you prefer a TV plan with more meat on its bones than ESPN+ or Sling TV, we’ve listed several other options in the table below.
| Provider | Type | Price | ESPN | NHL Network | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | Cable | $61.00–$152.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | Satellite | $69.99–$159.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV Read DIRECTV review |
| DIRECTV STREAM | Streaming | $69.99–$159.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM Read DIRECTV STREAM review |
| DISH | Satellite | $84.99–$114.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DISH Read DISH review |
| fuboTV | Streaming | $32.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for FuboTV Read fuboTV review |
| Hulu + Live TV | Streaming | $76.99–$89.99/mo. | ✔ | — |
View Plans for Hulu Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | Cable | $35.00–$125.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Optimum Read Optimum review |
| Philo | Streaming | $25.00/mo. | — | — |
View Plans for Philo Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | Streaming | $40.00–$55.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Sling TV Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | Cable | $69.99–$74.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Spectrum Read Spectrum review |
| Vidgo | Streaming | $69.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Vidgo review |
| Xfinity | Cable | $20.00–$80.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Xfinity Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | Streaming | $72.99/mo. | ✔ | — |
View Plans for YouTube TV Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
How to watch the NHL Draft for free
You can stream the NHL Draft without paying a dime. All you need to do is sign up for a free trial to a live TV streaming service that offers ESPN and NHL Network.
Not every live TV streaming service has a free trial, but fuboTV and YouTube TV consistently offer trial periods. Just remember to cancel before the trial ends.
What is the NHL Draft?
The annual NHL Entry Draft is an event where NHL teams take turns selecting the playing rights of eligible hockey players. The draft eligibility guidelines are a bit wordy, but basically, North American players aged 18 to 20 and international players aged 18 or older can enter the draft.
Like the NFL Draft, the NHL Draft contains seven rounds. A combination of the previous season’s standings, the results of the NHL Draft Lottery, and draft-related trades determine the order of each round.
Not all draftees make the cut. Because team rosters feature up to 23 active players, draftees must prove themselves during the NHL preseason. But it’s always exciting to see a drafted player make a splash on the big stage.
Final take
ESPN and ESPN+ are where you’ll find round one TV coverage of the 2023 NHL Draft, while NHL Network and ESPN+ will have you covered for the remaining rounds.
At $9.99 a month, ESPN+ offers the cheapest plan for watching the NHL Draft. Otherwise, Sling TV is the most inexpensive way to get ESPN and NHL Network. The live TV streaming service carries ESPN in its Sling Orange plan ($40.00 a month) and NHL Network in its Sports Extra add-on ($11.00 a month).
If you’re only considering a TV plan to watch the two-day event, you may want to look into a service that offers a free trial.
How to watch the NHL Draft FAQ
Can I stream the NHL Draft?
Yes, you can stream the entire 2023 NHL Draft on ESPN+. The draft is also accessible on any live TV streaming service that offers ESPN and NHL Network, like fuboTV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV.
Where is the NHL Draft located?
The 2023 NHL Entry Draft will take place at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Round 1 will occur on June 28, with Rounds 2–7 happening on June 29.
Methodology
Our sports experts researched the best ways to watch the NHL Draft by examining the channel lineups and pricing of the most popular TV providers. We based our viewing recommendations around this year’s draft channels and focused on provider pricing and ease of use.
Visit our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
