Draft Day Special: Bedard A Done Deal?

It’s draft day in Chicago, Blackhawks fans!

In just a few short hours, Commissioner Gary Bettman will take the stage in Nashville and likely announce Connor Bedard’s official move to Chicago. He’s one of the best prospects ever, he’s a generational talent, we’ve never seen anything like him… we get the picture.

Of course, we all know Bedard is going first overall. Blackhawks fans have already purchased jerseys with his name on the backs, and the team can’t possibly pass him up.

But do we KNOW know?

No one has confirmed anything outside of the expected speculation. There hasn’t been a confirmed report from GM Kyle Davidson, Bedard hasn’t donned a Blackhawks sweater (although that would be pretty cool), and “nothing has happened yet,” says Bedard:

“Nothing’s happened yet. I’ve said that 100 times. … if they take me that would be unbelievable.”

—Connor Bedard after being asked whether it has dawned on him that he’ll possibly soon be drafted by the Blackhawks and playing with Taylor Hall pic.twitter.com/wg50Nl49mp
— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) June 27, 2023

However, the apparent lack of action is just another respectable strategy from Davidson. According to Blackhawks insider Charlie Roumeliotis, Davidson wants Bedard to be able to have his moment:

#Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson on being secretive over No. 1 pick: "I respect the function of the draft and the ceremony of the draft and what that means for the families, the league and the organization. There’s a place to announce those things and that’s on stage at the draft."
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) June 27, 2023

Davidson and his staff have been raving about the 17-year-old phenom both on the ice and off it, commenting on his “maturity beyond his years” in the process leading up to the draft. When he’s playing, there’s no question he’s worthy of the first pick. He tallied 143 points in just 57 regular-season games for the Regina Pats of the WHL and won several awards, including the CHL Top Scorer Award, CHL Top Draft Prospect Award, and CHL Player Of The Year honors.

The Blackhawks can’t possibly pass up his talent, and it doesn’t seem like anyone thinks they will. In fact, those looking to gamble on the NHL Draft tonight can’t even place a bet on the first overall pick. The selection is practically set in stone already.

Yes, we all know Bedard is going to the Blackhawks at number one. While there hasn’t been anything “official” yet, Davidson wants Bedard to be able to have his moment at the draft tonight. Meanwhile, Bedard seems to be playing it cool, staying humble in what appears to be a growing theme for the kid. If sportsbooks around the country are any indication, Chicago sports fans need not be worried about what would certainly be the biggest draft-day fumble of all time.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy it, Blackhawks fans, because in a few short hours, Bedard will be a Blackhawk.