BEDARD GOING TO BLACKHAWKS
SECAUCUS, N.J. (AP) – Connor Bedard is going to the Chicago Blackhawks thanks to a big win in the NHL draft lottery that could alter the future of the storied Original Six franchise.
The Blackhawks won the lottery Monday night for the right to choose Bedard, the league’s most anticipated drawing since Connor McDavid in 2015. Bedard as a generational talent has drawn comparisons to McDavid and three-time Stanley Cup champion and two-time playoff MVP Sidney Crosby, whom he idolized growing up.
Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly unveiled a placard featuring the Blackhawks logo at 8:22 p.m. EDT, signifying they had gotten the No. 1 pick and setting off a wild celebration among fans at a watch party. Chicago had the third-highest odds of winning the lottery at 11.5 per cent, behind Anaheim’s 25.5 per cent and Columbus’ 13.5 per cent.
“I think I just said, `Wow’ because you understand the impact that a first overall pick can have – and having a first overall pick in the right year,” Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said at a news conference in Chicago.
“Hopefully that’s what we’ve got here. It can change a franchise, it can change a city and it can change an era in a team’s history. There’s a lot of weight to that and lot of significance to that.”
League-worst Anaheim won the lottery for the second pick and will get to choose among a trio of talented forwards: Canadian Adam Fantilli, Russian Matvei Michkov and Swede Leo Carlsson.
Bedard has been the presumptive top pick in the 2023 draft for several years, considered the best prospect available since McDavid – and before that, Crosby.
A native of North Vancouver, B.C., Bedard led all junior players across Canada with 72 goals and 143 points this past season while playing for the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League. He doesn’t turn 18 until July.
In a pre-taped TV interview, Bedard said of his future being determined: “There’s different emotions watching, but I think we’re all just watching as fans. It’s more for the teams.”
(Canadian Press)
Not to speak for Pats fans or even real hockey fans but….this is a good thing. To see him buried onto some of these non descript bottom feeder franchises no thanks.
He played junior for an iconic CHL franchise and now takes his place on an Original 6 that actually has a chance to eventually win again.
It all worked out.
That’s proof that there is no ‘Hockey Gods” because Chicago doesn’t deserve that break over the crap they pulled on Kyle Beach.