The Montreal Canadiens came very close to getting their hands on the first choice of the next draft, a certain Connor Bedard.
On the night of Monday to Tuesday, the National Hockey League (NHL) revealed the combinations of the draw that led to the triumph of the Chicago Blackhawks. The organization won the draw with balls 4, 5, 9 and 13.
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The Sainte-Flanelle had the following combination: 4, 5, 9 and 11. A single ball therefore made the difference.
The Vancouver Canucks and Columbus Blue Jackets were also within single digits of getting their hands on the player considered by many to be a generational talent. These two teams will finally speak eleventh and third in the first round of the next Bettman circuit auction.
Moreover, the Bedard effect has already been felt among the Blackhawks. The organization revealed that $1.9 million in season tickets had been sold an hour after the team won the lottery.