Finishing last in the NHL in 2022-23 would guarantee the Blackhawks a top-three draft pick. Even if neither their 25.5% chance of winning the lottery for the first overall pick nor their 18.8% chance of gaining the second pick hit, they couldn’t fall further than third.
General manager Kyle Davidson likely won’t outright declare that his goal for the season, but the organization would be pleased if it happened. Regardless of one’s opinions about the ethics of tanking and whether the draft system encourages it, the Hawks clearly are committed to this route.
