For the first time since 2006 the Blackhawks will have the No. 3 overall pick in the NHL draft. Chicago selected North Dakota freshman Jonathan Toews back then and he turned into one of the top 100 players in NHL history and a three-time Stanley Cup champion.
The Blackhawks will make their selection Friday at Rogers Arena in Vancouver. The draft will be split into two days with the first round happening at 7 p.m. Friday and the second through seventh rounds starting at noon Saturday.
The Devils won the NHL draft lottery and are predicted to take American center Jack Hughes of the United States National Team Development Program with the top overall pick. The Rangers are up next at No. 2 and are expected to take Finnish winger Kaapo Kakko of TPS in Liiga.
The Blackhawks, Avalanche and Kings round out the top five.
[MORE: Blackhawks fan draft guide]
Chicago has six picks in this year’s draft, including two in the fourth round.
How to watch NHL draft
Time: 7 p.m. Central time
When: Friday
Where: Rogers Arena, Vancouver
TV: NBC Sports Network
Live stream: NBCSports.com.
Draft order
Round 1
1. New Jersey
2. NY Rangers
3. Chicago
4. Colorado (from OTT)
5. Los Angeles
6. Detroit
7. Buffalo
8. Edmonton
9. Anaheim
10. Vancouver
11. Philadelphia
12. Minnesota
13. Florida
14. Arizona
15. Montreal
16. Colorado
17. Vegas
18. Dallas
19. Ottawa (from CBJ)
20. Winning (from WPG via NYR)
21. Pittsburgh
22. Los Angeles (from TOR)
23. NY Islanders
24. Nashville
25. Washington
26. Calgary
27. Tampa Bay
28. Carolina
29. Anaheim (from SJS via BUF)
30. Boston
31. Buffalo (from STL)