Blackhawks win NHL draft lottery, Connor Bedard sweepstakes - ESPN

The Chicago Blackhawks won the NHL draft lottery on Monday night, earning the right to draft phenom Connor Bedard.

The Blackhawks last selected first overall in 2007 when they selected winger Patrick Kane. Chicago had the third best odds to win the first overall pick at 11.5%.

Chicago fully committed to a rebuild this season, which included a trade that sent Kane to the New York Rangers and a parting of ways with free-agent captain Jonathan Toews. That rebuild got a major boost with the potential to draft Bedard, the 17-year-old Canadian junior center whom many believe is a generational talent.

«I'm a little bit speechless to be honest, but really, really excited,» Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson aid. «Anytime you can add elite talent like we'll be able to add in this draft with the first overall selection, it's a monumental thing. I've really excited for the fan base and the city. But in the end, it's one piece. It's a big piece, but it's one piece that will go into building this team.»

The Anaheim Ducks had the best odds at (18.5%) after finishing in the bottom of the NHL standings. They secured the second overall pick. The Ducks have never selected first overall, but picked Bobby Ryan (2005) and Oleg Tverdovsky (1994) second overall. They're in line to select center Adam Fantilli of the University of Michigan, considered the second best prospect in the draft.

«You never want to move down in the draft and not retain the first spot, but the top players this year give us an opportunity to select an elite player with the second overall pick,» Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said. «We are now in the unique position to draft one of the best players available and add to the exciting young players already in our organization.»