For the third straight year, the Chicago Blackhawks find themselves in familiar territory: holding the second-best odds in the NHL Draft Lottery. The big event airs Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN and Sportsnet, with only the Vancouver Canucks sitting ahead of them in the race for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
After a tough finish to the 2025-26 regular season—losing 13 of their final 17 games—the Blackhawks are guaranteed a top-four selection. Here's how the odds break down: a 13.5% chance at the top pick, a 14.1% chance of staying at No. 2, a 30.7% chance of dropping to No. 3, and a 41.7% chance of falling two spots to No. 4.
History offers a mixed bag for Chicago. In 2024, with identical odds, they lost the "Macklin Celebrini Sweepstakes" to the San Jose Sharks and settled for the second overall pick, which they used on defenseman Artyom Levshunov. Last year, they slid one spot to third overall and drafted forward Anton Frondell—a move that's already looking like a smart one.
This time around, GM Kyle Davidson and the front office are hoping Tuesday's lottery delivers another top-two pick, which would mark their third in four years. That would likely land them either Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg, widely considered the consensus top-two prospects in the 2026 class. If Chicago wins the lottery, the choice between these two talented youngsters will be one of the most intriguing decisions of the draft.
McKenna, an 18-year-old forward, had a freshman season at Penn State filled with both highs and lows, including some off-ice controversy. Despite the challenges, he posted an impressive 51 points (15 goals, 36 assists) in 35 games for the Nittany Lions, one of the top teams in the nation. He also shined on the international stage, notching 14 points (4 goals, 10 assists) in seven games for Team Canada at the U20 World Junior Championship.
Stenberg, also 18, brings his own elite skill set to the table, making this a potential franchise-altering decision for the Blackhawks. Whether you're stocking up on new gear for draft day or just dreaming of the next star in a Chicago sweater, this is a moment every Hawks fan will want to watch.