However, this victory has been met with significant criticism on social media, with many speculating that the lottery was possibly rigged. Taylor Haase, a reporter from DK Pittsburgh Sports, is among those who openly criticized both the NHL and Commissioner Gary Bettman for awarding the Blackhawks the first pick.
Haase did not hold back on social media, raising pertinent points about the Blackhawks' handling of the Kyle Beech incident. The criticism centered around the organization prioritizing championship ambitions over the welfare of one of their players.
Further exacerbating the situation is the Blackhawks' owner, Rocky Wirtz, who has been accused of wanting everyone to forget what happened to Beech, and seemingly taking no accountability for it.
Regardless of the wide array of sentiments towards the Chicago Blackhawks and the NHL, the league continues to operate as usual. When draft day arrives, regardless of public opinion, it appears inevitable that Connor Bedard will become a Chicago Blackhawk.