The Blue Jackets ' hopes of winning the draft lottery for the first time in franchise history were dashed on Monday night.
In Monday's draft lottery, which determines the order of the first 16 picks in the 2023 NHL draft, the Blue Jackets had the second-best odds of earning the No. 1 overall selection — and with it, the right to draft Connor Bedard, a potentially franchise-changing talent.
But rather than winning the lottery and getting the top pick, the Blue Jackets slid one spot and received the third pick in the draft. The Chicago Blackhawks , who finished 30th and had an 11.5% chance of winning the lottery, won the No. 1 overall pick. The Anaheim Ducks will draft second.
"I always try to remain optimistic, but I look at the odds and you know that the odds are not great when you have 13.5% chance of winning the lottery," Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. "That's just the reality of it. It's out of our control. You hope for the best and keep your fingers crossed, and then the results are here now. We're going to get a real good player at three."
In a gaffe by ESPN's Kevin Weekes, the Blue Jackets were announced as having the third overall selection prior to a commercial break — before NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly turned over the card with the Blue Jackets' logo, after the presentation came back from the break, and officially revealed their fate.
Kekalainen and Blue Jackets president of hockey operations John Davidson were watching the ESPN broadcast, so the news was spoiled for them just as it was for the TV audience.
"I think it was pretty evident what was going to happen," Kekalainen said. "Spoiled the moment, I guess."
The Blue Jackets entered Monday's drawing 0-for-9 in the history of the franchise in draws for the first overall pick, and they're now 0-for-10. According to Tankathon, the Blue Jackets had a 13.5% chance of picking first, a 14.1% chance of picking second, a 30.7% chance of picking third and a 41.7% chance of picking fourth. The Blue Jackets finished 31st of 32 teams in the NHL standings as they dragged through a disappointing season to a total of 59 points.
With Bedard off the table as the first pick, and Michigan center Adam Fantilli widely expected to be the No. 2 overall selection, the Blue Jackets have a decision to make at No. 3. The good news for the Blue Jackets, who drafted two defensemen in the first round last year and have needed a top-line center for much of the franchise's existence, is that this year's draft is expected to be heavy on centers.
"When you look at the public rankings, there's not too many defensemen very high in the draft this year," Kekalainen said. "We just drafted two very good defensemen last year. I think that our future is pretty bright on that side. Center ice, we've talked about enough, that we need to strengthen that position. I think there will be a great (center) available at three."
Centers Will Smith and Leo Carlsson and winger Matvei Michkov are the consensus next three prospects after Bedard and Fantilli, though their order shuffles depending on the ranking.
Smith was recently named the MVP of the U18 World Championships as he lead the United States to the gold medal. At the U.S. National Team Development Program, Smith racked up the second-most points in NTDP history with 191 in 123 career games, behind only 2019 No. 1 overall pick Jack Hughes ' 228 points.
Carlsson began playing in the SHL at just 16 years old; he scored eight points in his first four games with Orebro's U20 team before being promoted to the professional level as the youngest full-time player in the league. This past season, he tallied 25 points in 44 games — the fifth-most productive season ever by a draft-eligible player in the SHL.
Michkov is under contract in the KHL through 2026, but possesses game-breaking skill that would make him worth the wait for the team that selects him. He recorded 20 points in 30 KHL games this season, which is the highest points-per-game rate for a draft-eligible skater in KHL history.
"I can't emphasize it enough, I guess I've repeated myself quite a few times now, but we're going get a difference-maker," Kekalainen said. "We're going to get a player that's going to change the direction of the franchise. Everybody is obviously hoping for number one, but we're going to get a great piece that's going to help us get to the next level."
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets will pick third in 2023 NHL draft after lottery
