Chicago Blackhawks land No. 1 pick in NHL draft lottery, Connor Bedard

We finally have the answer. Connor Bedard is all but guaranteed to be a member of the Chicago Blackhawks. The Hawks, who lost Patrick Kane at the trade deadline, officially won the NHL draft lottery.

“I’m feeling a little bit stunned, to be honest,” said general manager Kyle Davidson on the NHL’s post-lottery broadcast. “It’s a monumental thing, it’s extremely exciting. In the end, it’s one piece, it’s a big piece, but it’s one piece that will go into building this organization down the road.”

The Anaheim Ducks went into the lottery with the highest odds of winning, but the Blackhawks, who ended up in the second lowest spot in the league, topped them in the draw. They are expected to draft young phenom Connor Bedard, who lit up the junior leagues for the first time since fellow Canadian Connor McDavid made the entire world take notice.

“I think, for the lottery, I’ll watch it as a fan. If I am fortunate enough to go No. 1, that’s awesome,” he said. “But there are so many great players in the draft and I’m sure the team that gets that spot or the top pick will be looking at a bunch of guys and have a tough decision with this talent in the draft.”

The Anaheim Ducks will select second in the NHL draft lottery, and the Columbus Blue Jackets will select third.