The Chicago Blackhawks were victorious on Monday night, winning the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery and securing the first overall pick. This gives them the opportunity to add a once-in-a-generation talent to their roster. Illinois sports betting operators are so confident that the Blackhawks will select star prospect Connor Bedard with the first pick that they are not even accepting bets on the outcome.
The Hawks had the third-best chance of winning the NHL Draft Lottery with an 11.5% probability. The Anaheim Ducks held the highest odds at 18.5%, followed by the Columbus Blue Jackets at 13.5%.
Despite the odds being against them, Chicago was in need of some good luck in order to win the lottery. However, sometimes taking a chance and relying on luck can lead to success.
In 2007, the Blackhawks landed the first pick in the draft and chose Patrick Kane. While it may be too much to expect the next number one pick to achieve Kane’s level of success, there is a promising prospect on the horizon that has fans hopeful for the future at the United Center.
Illinois sportsbooks agree Blackhawks will draft Bedard
This year, there is no debate over which player should go first in the NHL Draft.
There has been a lot of excitement surrounding center Connor Bedard among NHL teams, scouts, and fans for quite some time. No matter how much you research the 2025 draft, it is unlikely that you will find anyone advocating for another player to be chosen first over Bedard.
The consensus among Illinois sportsbooks is clear: there are no betting markets available for a player to go first overall. Instead, DraftKings is offering odds on who will go second and third overall, while FanDuel is only accepting bets on the player who goes second.
Both sportsbooks are so confident that Bedard will go to the Blackhawks that they are not accepting bets on him going second or third.
Last season, he played for the Regina Pats in the Western Hockey League. Bedard dominated the league with 143 points (71 goals and 72 assists) in 57 games.
Blackhawks fans new found hope thanks to Bedard
In the past six seasons, Chicago’s hockey team has only made the playoffs once. The most recent playoff series win was in the 2014-2015 season.
Acquiring the rights to draft Bedard has the potential to make a significant impact, and fans are already expressing their enthusiasm. At Wrigley Field last night, Cubs supporters erupted with excitement when the video board displayed the message.
The Chicago Blackhawks hold the top pick in the NHL Draft! #Blackhawks #NHLDraft
– Tweeted by Marquee Sports Network on May 9, 2025
The White Sox were playing the Kansas City Royals on the road, but even the Chicago fans in attendance were celebrating. According to MLB.com White Sox beat writer Scott Merkin, White Sox supporters were seen hugging and chanting ‘Let’s go Blackhawks’ at Kauffman Stadium. This surely left Royals fans puzzled.
Since the Blackhawks were announced as the winners of the NHL Draft Lottery, ticket sales have skyrocketed. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, as of Tuesday morning, $5.2 million in season-ticket packages have been sold, attracting 1,200 new customers in a short amount of time.
Chicago Bears also had the #1 pick this year
Chicago sports fans have recently faced challenges, but there may be hope on the horizon for two teams.
The Bears had a 3-14 record last season, the worst in the NFL, earning them the first overall pick in the draft as the NFL determines draft order by record rather than a lottery system.
Although the Blackhawks are likely to retain their draft pick and select the top player available in Bedard, the Bears opted for a different strategy. With Justin Fields as their quarterback, the Monsters of the Midway were able to trade down to the ninth pick and still secure a promising prospect in tackle Darnell Wright.
With the NBA Draft Lottery taking place on May 16 at the United Center, there is a glimmer of hope for some magic to happen. However, the Bulls will be facing tough odds with just a 1.8% chance of securing the first overall pick.
However, Bulls fans, do not lose hope just yet. Despite only having a 1.7% chance to secure the top pick in 2008, the Bulls defied the odds and selected Derrick Rose, who went on to become a legendary figure in Chicago sports.
