Chicago selects Connor Bedard 1st overall in NHL draft

Chicago selected Connor Bedard with the first pick in the NHL draft on Wednesday night, kick-starting a hopeful new era with a highly skilled offensive forward who's drawn comparisons to Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby.

Bedard became the second No. 1 pick in Chicago history, joining Patrick Kane, who went first overall in 2007 and helped form the core of a team that won three Stanley Cups from 2010 to 2015.

The intrigue of the draft begins with which players round out the top five selections, and questions over when a team picks Matvei Michkov, who is under contract to play in his native Russia through the 2025-26 season.

The Anaheim Ducks held the second pick, followed by the Columbus Blue Jackets, San Jose Sharks and Montreal Canadiens.

A large contingent of Chicago fans were in attendance, with an exceptionally loud cheer going up during the pre-draft roll call of teams when it came Chicago's turn.

Weeks shy of his 18th birthday, Bedard has spent much of the past two years projected as this year's top draft prospect. From North Vancouver, Bedard has done nothing to give pause to the high projections after posting 100-point seasons in back-to-back years with the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League.

Chicago has already begun refitting their roster to help Bedard's development by acquiring veterans Taylor Hall (the first pick in the 2010 draft) and Nick Foligno in a trade with Boston this week.

Davidson spent much of the past year tearing his roster down, dating to last year's draft when Chicago stockpiled picks by trading Alex DeBrincat and Kirby Dach on consecutive days. The overhaul continued when Chicago traded Kane to the New York Rangers in February and closed the year by parting ways with longtime captain