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After the departure of their two biggest superstars, it didn't take long for the Chicago Blackhawks to find their next big star.
The NHL Draft Lottery came to an end on May 8, 2023, and the Blackhawks who entered the lottery as holding the third overall pick, jumped to first place, winning the 2023 Draft Lottery.
The Blackhawks will get the first overall pick during the NHL Draft, meaning they have locked the opportunity to pick Connor Bedard. Within 1.5 hours after winning the #1 pick, the Chicago Blackhawks already sold $2.5 million worth of season-ticket plans, per Ben Pope.
"The Blackhawks have already sold $2.5 million worth of season-ticket plans for 2023-24 in the 1.5 hours since winning the #1 pick — including more than 500 new full-season plans."
The Chicago Blackhawks jumped from the third position to the top
Coming into the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery, the Chicago Blackhawks had an 11.6% chance of winning the draft lottery and were placed behind the Anaheim Ducks and the Columbus Blue Jackets but the odds were in their favor.
They jumped over both the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Anaheim Ducks to secure the first overall pick. With the top selection, the Blackhawks will pick Bedard as the #1 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, a dynamic forward who has been widely regarded as one of the most promising prospects in recent years.
While losing the overall #1 pick can be considered a disappointment however, the picks that the Blue Jackets and the Ducks received are quite impressive. Apart from Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, Leo Carlsson, and Will Smith are all thought to be among the elite hockey talents.
The Chicago Blackhawks' selection of Bedard will undoubtedly be a major boost to their roster, which has struggled in recent years. The team missed the playoffs in both the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, leading to a number of changes in the front office and coaching staff. With Bedard in the fold, however, the team will have a talented young player to build around for years to come.
The remaining 16 slots (from 17-32) will be determined following the result of the 2023 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. Overall, this year's Draft Lottery was full of surprises and excitement with the Blackhawks coming out at the top. It will be interesting to see how Connor Bedard will shape his career in the Blackhawks jersey.
