NHL draft: Chicago Blackhawks hold No. 1 pick for 2nd time

The 2023 NHL draft begins Wednesday at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., and the Chicago Blackhawks are on the clock.

The Hawks, who finished last season with the league’s third-worst record, defied the 11.5% lottery odds and secured the No. 1 pick for the second time in franchise history. And it’s no secret: They’re expected to select Connor Bedard, widely considered a generational talent.

In 2007 the Hawks won the lottery despite having the fifth-best odds and spent the No. 1 pick on Patrick Kane, winner of three Stanley Cups in Chicago. They traded him to the New York Rangers on Feb. 28 after nearly 16 seasons in a Hawks sweater.

Here’s what to know about the draft.

When is the draft, and how can I watch?

The first round begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday on ESPN. Rounds 2-7 start at 10 a.m. Thursday on NHL Network.

How many picks do the Blackhawks have?

Kyle Davidson, who took over as general manager on March 1, 2022, has lined up an impressive draft haul. The Hawks have 11 picks, including six in the first 55 selections and nine in the top 99.

Round 1, No. 1 overall
Round 1, No. 19
Round 2, No. 35
Round 2, No. 44
Round 2, No. 51
Round 2, No. 55
Round 3, No. 67
Round 3, No. 93
Round 4, No. 99
Round 5, No. 131
Round 7, No. 195

What’s so special about Connor Bedard?

Canada's Connor Bedard shoots against Latvia during the second period of an IIHF junior world hockey championships game Aug. 10, 2022, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press)

Bedard, 17, had 143 points (71 goals, 72 assists) in 57 games last season for the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League. He added 10 goals and 10 assists in a seven-game first-round playoff loss to Saskatoon.

Bedard on June 19 was honored as the International Ice Hockey Federation’s first male player of the year. He helped Canada win the last two world junior championships and was MVP of the most recent tournament after leading all players in scoring.

Bedard, who will turn 18 on July 17, became the first player in Canadian Hockey League history to sweep the Player of the Year, Top Prospect and Top Scorer awards.

He also made a splash on the international stage. Bedard led Canada with nine goals and 23 points at the world juniors last winter, and his combined production of 17 goals and 36 points in just 16 games ranks fourth on the career tournament list.

“Yeah, it’d be awesome,” Bedard said of the possibility of the Blackhawks selecting him at No. 1. “The history of that organization, that city with sports would be unbelievable. We’ll see what happens, but to be selected, that would be a huge honor.”

Who are the other top prospects?

University of Michigan’s Adam Fantilli is second among North American skaters on Central Scouting’s final list, followed by top American prospect William Smith, who played for USA Hockey’s developmental program.

The top two European skaters are also considered in the mix: Sweden’s Leo Carlsson and Russia’s Matvei Michkov.

The Anaheim Ducks are scheduled to pick at No. 2, followed by the Columbus Blue Jackets, San Jose Sharks and Montreal Canadiens. Check out the full draft order here.

Have the Blackhawks had the No. 1 pick before?

No. 1 pick Patrick Kane tries on his new Blackhawks sweater while standing with then-general manager Dale Tallon as he is introduced on June 25, 2007, at the United Center. (Charles Cherney / Chicago Tribune)

Only one other time since the team was founded in May 1926 have the Hawks had the first pick in the draft. In 2007, they selected forward Kane at No. 1, and he helped the Hawks win Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013 and 2015.

Kane scored 446 goals and had 1,225 points in 1,161 games over nearly 16 seasons in Chicago before being traded to the Rangers in February. He ranks second on the franchise assists and points lists and third in goals and games played.

Patrick Kane, Derrick Rose and more: Nine No. 1 draft picks made by Chicago’s professional sports teams

Who was the Hawks’ first pick last year?

The Hawks took defenseman Kevin Korchinski with the No. 7 pick in the 2022 draft, the first of three first-round selections. They picked Frank Nazar at No. 13 and Sam Rinzel at No. 25. They chose two centers — Paul Ludwinski and Ryan Greene — in the second round.

Keep in mind: Unlike the NBA, in which first-round picks typically play right away, most NHL draft picks need time to develop. Of the Hawks’ 19 selections over the last two years, not one has played in an NHL game. Their 2020 first-round pick, Lukas Reichel, has seven goals and nine assists in 34 games with the Hawks.

Blackhawks prospect watch: Can these players break out next season— likely with Connor Bedard by their side?

How did the Hawks end up with No. 1 pick?

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Center Jonathan Toews warms up for his final game as a Blackhawks player on April 13, 2023, at the United Center. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

After finishing with the third-worst record in 2022-23, the Hawks had an 11.5% chance at the No. 1 pick and defied the odds, winning the draft lottery.

Still, even with the expected pick of Bedard, they face an uphill climb to relevance after ridding themselves of elite talent over the last few years. In addition to dealing Kane, they informed longtime captain Jonathan Toews — the No. 3 pick in the 2006 draft who also won three Cups — that they would not be re-signing him.

“Tonight will be the final game in a Blackhawks jersey for Jonathan Toews because we will not be re-signing him in the summer,” Davidson told reporters April 13 at Fifth Third Arena.

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For the first time since 2007-08, neither Toews nor Kane will be wearing a Blackhawks sweater.

Bedard likely will take over as the face of the franchise.

Watch parties

The Blackhawks are holding watch parties in Chicago and Nashville on the night of the draft.

A free event at the Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave., begins at 3 p.m. Wednesday. Former Hawks players and current and former broadcasters — including Bryan Bickell, Adam Burish, Ben Eager, Steve Larmer, Denis Savard, Caley Chelios, Pat Foley, Darren Pang and Chris Vosters — will be on hand signing autographs.

According to the Hawks website, all free tickets for the event have been claimed, though a limited number of walk-up tickets might be available if capacity allows. The day will include live performances from Rod Tuffcurls and The Bench Press, DJ Oreo and Jim Cornelison.

The team also is hosting a predraft gathering and after-party in Nashville at the Skydeck at Assembly Food Hall rooftop, featuring giveaways, appearances from team alumni and live entertainment.

Associated Press and Tribune news services contributed.

Originally Published: Jun 27, 2023 at 5:52 am

2023 NHL draft: Chicago Blackhawks are expected to select Connor Bedard with No. 1 pick. Here’s what else to know.