The Chicago Blackhawks won the No. 1 pick in the lottery ahead of the upcoming NHL Draft and will be able to pick sensation Connor Bedard. Disappointment, therefore, on the side of the Canadian: the Montreal team obtains the fifth place.
The Anaheim Ducks were the favorites to get the first pick, with a 25.5% chance of getting it, including an 18.5% chance of winning the draw, ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets (13.5%) and the Blackhawks (11.5%).
The Ducks will have to settle for talking second and the Blue Jackets third.
The winning teams of the two draws could move up a maximum of 10 ranks, which means that the teams in ranks 12 to 16 could not win the first right to speak.
After trading forward Patrick Kane to the New York Rangers and learning that Jonathan Toews won’t be back with the team, the Blackhawks will be able to get their hands on a generational talent in Bedard.
Bedard is considered the best prospect available since Connor McDavid in 2015. He had a sensational campaign with 143 points, including 71 goals, in 57 games with the Regina Pats.
A native of suburban Vancouver, Bedard also shone at the World Junior Hockey Championship, breaking a Team Canada Junior record with 23 points, including nine goals, in just seven games.
Ontario forward Adam Fantilli is considered the second-best prospect available, but the gap between him and other prospects is less than that between Bedard and everything else.
Swedish center Leo Carlsson, American striker Will Smith and Russian winger Matvei Michkov are also among the best prospects available this year.
Fifth place for Montreal
The Habs had an 8.5% chance of winning the draw for first place after compiling a 31-45-6 record.
The Canadiens earned the No. 1 pick last year, after finishing the campaign last in the NHL’s overall standings. He selected forward Juraj Slafkovsky during the session, which took place at the Bell Centre.
It was the first time since 1980 that the Canadiens had spoken first in the NHL Draft. He had then chosen Doug Wickenheiser.
The draft will take place on June 28 and 29 in Nashville.