NHL Draft Lottery 2023 results: Blackhawks receive top pick after leapfrogging Ducks; Blue Jackets at No. 3
We now know where Connor Bedard will likely end up
The last time the Chicago Blackhawks had the No. 1 pick, they selected a franchise-changing talent in the form of Patrick Kane. The Blackhawks will have that opportunity again this summer after the team won the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery on Monday, as they now own the top pick.
The Columbus Blue Jackets had the second-highest odds of winning the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery but were leapfrogged by the Blackhawks to have a chance at the No. 1 pick. As a result of the Blackhawks winning the draft lottery, the Anaheim Ducks, who had the highest odds, dropped to the No. 2 spot in a jarring twist of fate.
The Blackhawks had the third-best odds in the draft lottery, and this will mark just the second time in their history that they've owned the No. 1 pick. Chicago hasn't had a top-three pick since the 2019 NHL Draft when the franchise nabbed center Kirby Dach, who has since been traded to the Montreal Canadiens.
Now the Blackhawks can select star center Connor Bedard, who is widely viewed as a generational talent. Bedard spent this past season playing for the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League and recorded a league-leading 143 points (71 points & 72 assists).
The 17-year-old Bedard has already drawn comparisons to the likes of Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby before even skating inside an NHL rink.
The 2023 NHL Draft is on June 28-29 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The opening round will happen on June 28, while Rounds 2-7 will occur on June 29.
2023 NHL Draft Order
- 1. Chicago Blackhawks
- 2. Anaheim Ducks
- 3. Columbus Blue Jackets
- 4. San Jose Sharks
- 5. Montreal Canadaiens
- 6. Arizona Coyotes
- 7. Philadelphia Flyers
- 8. Washington Capitals
- 9. Detroit Red Wings
- 10. St. Louis Blues
- 11. Vancouver Canucks
- 12. Arizona Coyotes (Ottawa Senators send pick to Coyotes due to Jakub Chychrun trade)
- 13. Buffalo Sabres
- 14. Pittsburgh Penguins
- 15. Nashville Predators
- 16. Calgary Flames
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The Chicago Blackhawks win the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery and will receive the No. 1 pick. The Blackhawks will pick No. 1 for the first time since selecting Patrick Kane with the first overall pick back in 2007. With that being said, the Anaheim Ducks will receive the second pick.
The Columbus Blue Jackets receive the No. 3 pick, which means that the Anaheim Ducks or Chicago Blackhawks will land the No. 1 pick. The Blue Jackets had the second-highest odds entering Monday's Draft Lottery.
The San Jose Sharks will be picking fourth in the 2023 NHL Draft with general manager Mike Grier running his second consecutive draft.
The Arizona Coyotes will pick sixth in the 2023 NHL Draft.
The 8th overall pick will be owned by the Washington Capitals.
The St. Louis Blues land the 10th overall pick and will own three first round picks this year.
The Ottawa Senators get the 12th overall pick, but it'll go to the Arizona Coyotes due to the Jakub Chychrun trade.
The 14th overall pick will be owned by the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins saw their 14-year postseason streak snapped this season.
The 16th overall pick goes to the Calgary Flames. The Flames just missed the postseason this past season.
Connor Bedard will most likely join the Anaheim Ducks or Columbus Blue Jackets as those two teams have the highest odds to win the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery. Bedard could join a Ducks roster that includes young talent such as Troy Terry and Trevor Zegras at the forward position. Meanwhile, Bedard could also be playing alongside Johnny Gaudreau in Columbus after the Blue Jackets just finished up their first season with the star winger in the fold. Teams like the Chicago Blackhawks or Philadelphia Flyers could also very much use a player of Bedard's caliber as neither really has any star players to rebuild around.
For the team that lands the No. 1 pick, they'll also acquire the opportunity to select Canadian star Connor Bedard with that draft choice. Bedard recorded 143 points (71 goals & 72 assists) and lead the Western Hockey League's Regina Pats to the postseason. The 17-year old is expected to join the NHL ranks right away and has been compared to the likes of Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid and Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby, who were franchise-changing players.
