With a 13.5% shot at the No. 1 pick, can Chicago land another franchise-altering talent like Connor Bedard in the 2025 NHL Draft? Explore the odds and top prospects.

The Chicago Blackhawks’ 2024-25 season may have ended with a 25-46-11 record and another playoff miss, but the offseason offers a glimmer of hope through the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery. With a 13.5% chance at securing the first overall pick, second only to the San Jose Sharks’ 25.5%, the Hawks are positioned for another potential franchise-altering selection. After landing Connor Bedard in 2023, can GM Kyle Davidson strike gold again to further accelerate the rebuild? Let’s dive into the odds, the stakes, and the prospects who could shape Chicago’s future.

Understanding the Blackhawks’ Lottery Position

Finishing near the bottom of the NHL standings has its silver lining: strong lottery odds. The Blackhawks’ 13.5% chance at No. 1 is significant, though they’re more likely to pick somewhere between 2-4, depending on the bounce of the ping pong balls. The draft lottery, set for May 5, will determine their fate. Just like 2023, when they jumped to first overall to snag Bedard, the competition for the top spot is fierce, with San Jose holding the edge after mathematically clinching last place.

The stakes are high for Chicago and Kyle Davidson. Another high pick could pair a dynamic talent with Bedard, mirroring successful rebuilds like the Edmonton Oilers’ pairing of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, or the Blackhawks’ own Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. For a team already boasting young stars like Artyom Levshunov and Frank Nazar, this draft is less about starting over and more about adding the next key piece.

Top Prospects to Watch for the 2025 NHL Draft

While the 2025 draft class specifics are still unfolding, early projections highlight a crop of talent that could complement the Blackhawks’ core. Here are four names generating buzz among scouts, any of whom could be transformative if Chicago lands a top pick:

James Hagens (Center, Boston College) – Hagens is a playmaking wizard with elite vision. His ability to control the game from the middle would give Bedard a perfect linemate, creating a one-two punch at center. Stats from the USHL and international play suggest he’s already dominating against older competition.
Porter Martone (Right Wing, Mississauga Steelheads, OHL) – A power forward with scoring touch, Martone brings size and grit, qualities the Blackhawks could use on the wing. Pairing his physicality with Bedard’s finesse could balance Chicago’s top-six for years.
Matthew Schaefer (Defenseman, Erie Otters, OHL) – If the Hawks aim to bolster their blue line, Schaefer’s two-way game and puck-moving skills stand out. With Levshunov and Sam Rinzel already in the fold, adding another top-tier defenseman could further solidify the backend through the rebuild. However, a deep pool of defensive prospects already exists in Chicago’s prospect pipeline, and may push the Hawks brass to lean towards a forward in this year’s draft. 
Michael Misa (Center/Left Wing, Saginaw Spirit, OHL) – Projected as a top-5 pick, Misa led the OHL in scoring with 134 points (62 goals, 72 assists) in 65 games during the 2024-25 season. Granted exceptional player status in 2022, his elite skating, hockey IQ, and offensive playmaking, often compared to greats like Patrick Kane, could make him a perfect complement to Bedard on Chicago’s top line. Scouts praise his two-way game and transition play, projecting him as a future NHL star.

Davidson’s draft philosophy, evident from picks like Levshunov (No. 2 in 2024), leans toward high-skill, high-ceiling players regardless of position. Landing any of these prospects could fast-track Chicago’s timeline to contention.

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Why Another Top Pick Matters to the Blackhawks’ Rebuild

Kyle Davidson’s rebuild, arguably formalized in 2022 with the drafting of Kevin Korchinski and Nazar, hinges on stockpiling elite talent through the draft. The Blackhawks have made strides; six first-round picks skated together on March 30, 2025, against Utah, a rare milestone, but they’re still years from consistent playoff runs. Another top-5 pick would deepen an already promising prospect pool, giving Chicago trade flexibility or a quicker path to competitiveness.

Financially, a high draft pick also means cost-controlled talent. With Bedard’s extension looming (potentially this summer), adding a star on an entry-level contract keeps payroll manageable while veterans like Seth Jones (traded in March 2025) come off the books or are replaced by younger options like Spencer Knight in net.

What If They Don’t Win the Lottery?

Even if the Blackhawks don’t land the first overall pick, their 13.5% odds still guarantee a decent shot at a top-3 selection, and they’re assured a top-4 pick at worst. Last year’s No. 2 pick, Levshunov, proved that missing the jackpot doesn’t mean missing talent; his NHL-ready play this season exceeded expectations. Davidson’s scouting team has a track record of finding value, as seen with Nazar (13th overall in 2022) emerging as a key piece.

The bigger risk isn’t missing No. 1; it’s failing to capitalize on high-end talent during this draft window before the roster ages out of lottery territory. If Bedard and company push Chicago into mid-tier standings soon, high picks become harder to come by. This could be one of the last chances to add an elite prospect without trading assets.

Fan Stakes and Lottery Watch Party Buzz

Blackhawks fans, weary of five straight playoff absences, are pinning hopes on this lottery as a turning point. Social media is already abuzz with mock drafts and wish lists as Michael Misa already seems like a fan favorite to pair with Bedard. 

The lottery draw itself, televised on ESPN, will be must-watch drama for Hawks fans. Will Chicago leapfrog San Jose for the top spot, or settle for another strong consolation prize?

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