The Chicago Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman knew Saturday he was guaranteed at least a top 10 draft pick next month. And he left the draft lottery in Toronto with the No. 8 overall pick for this year’s NHL draft in Dallas.
Chicago entered the draft lottery with the seventh-best odds at winning the No. 1 overall pick, but slipped one spot to No. 8. The top three are the Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens.
It’s the highest draft pick Bowman has ever had as GM. Bowman’s previous highest selection to date is at No. 18 in 2011 and 2012 with forwards Mark McNeill and Teuvo Teravainen. Bowman has since traded both players.
Chicago has drafted at No. 8 three times in franchise history: Jimmy Waite (‘87), Jeremy Roenick (‘88) and Mark Bell (‘98).
Recent No. 8 picks:
2017: Lias Andersson (NYR)
2016: Alex Nylander (BUF)
2015: Zach Werenski (CBJ)
2014: William Nylander (TOR)
2013: Rasmus Ristolainen (BUF)
2012: Derrick Pouliot (PIT)
2011: Sean Couturier (PHL)Pretty good track record.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) April 28, 2018
Chicago has two first-round picks and two third-round picks in this year’s draft, which is June 22-23 at American Airlines Center.
Draft lottery results
- Buffalo Sabres
- Carolina Hurricanes
- Montreal Canadiens
- Ottawa Senators
- Arizona Coyotes
- Detroit Red Wings
- Vancouver Canucks
- Chicago Blackhawks
- New York Rangers
- Edmonton Oilers
- New York Islanders
- New York Islanders (from Calgary Flames)
- Dallas Stars
- Philadelphia Flyers (from St. Louis Blues)
- Florida Panthers