Chicago Blackhawks Snag the Third Overall Pick in 2025 NHL Draft Lottery
The Chicago Blackhawks will choose third in the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft, a position that’s sparked both excitement and a tinge of frustration among fans. The lottery, held May 6, handed the top pick to the New York Islanders, while the San Jose Sharks were awarded the second pick, despite finishing last for the second year in a row. Chicago—who entered with the second-highest chance (18.5%) after the Sharks (25.5%)—ended up just shy of the prize at stake: the coveted first selection.
This isn’t new territory for Chicago. In fact, it’s become something of a pattern: this will be the seventh time the Blackhawks pick third overall in franchise history. Throwback names like Kirby Dach in 2019 and Jonathan Toews back in 2006 underline that a third pick can radically reshape a team’s future.
Draft Implications and Top Prospects for 2025
Now, what does this mean for Chicago? Having the third overall pick in a draft like 2025 means the front office can still grab a headline player, but this year’s class isn’t loaded with obvious superstars. It’s not being called a weak draft, but after a couple of standout years, there’s a drop-off in consensus about the top talent. Scouts have been keeping a close eye on players like Porter Martone and James Hagens—both dynamic, creative forwards who could thrive in the Hawks’ mix. Matthew Schaefer, a fluid-skating defenseman, and center Michael Misa are also drawing plenty of buzz as projected front-runners among North American skaters.
The Blackhawks’ staff must weigh team needs against available talent. For fans dreaming about a dynamic one-two punch behind Connor Bedard, who the team took first in 2023, this pick could be huge. A player like Hagens, whose playmaking has stood out in junior leagues, or Martone, known for his net presence and energy, could slide right into the top six—and contribute sooner rather than later. But there’s pressure: Blackhawks history means high expectations for any top-three choice. Past picks like Toews have become club legends, so whoever lands in Chicago this summer will be looking to meet that sky-high bar.
As for the teams that finished ahead, the Sharks may have missed out on the chance to go back-to-back at number one, but their GM, Mike Grier, was already looking ahead, saying second is still a great launching pad for their rebuild. The Islanders, meanwhile, get the rare chance to turn the first pick into a franchise-altering moment—a high-pressure scene if ever there was one.
With the 2025 draft set for late June, every move will be under the microscope, and all eyes in Chicago will be on what happens with that third overall pick. There’s potential to grab a cornerstone player and push the reset button on their fortunes—something Blackhawks fans are more than ready for.
