However, many questioned the validity of the Lottery after Kevin Weekes announced the Columbus Blue Jackets draft spot before it was unveiled by NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly.
This has many thinking NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman had the Lottery rigged knowing how much more money Bedard would bring in to Chicago rather then smaller markets like Anaheim or Columbus.

The Blackhawks notably paid a $2-million fine for the cover up of the Kyle Beach scandal.
It's safe to say the NHL hasn't punished them further as they've recouped their assets.
It's disappointing to see Bettman and the NHL fill their pockets up more.
| POLL | ||
MAI 9 | 853 ANSWERS Further Proof that Gary Bettman Rigged the Draft Lottery Has Been Revealed Did Chicago Deserve Connor Bedard? | ||
| Yes | 256 | 30 % |
| No | 597 | 70 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
|
YESTERDAY
NOVEMBER 15, 2025
| ||||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Jason Robertson | 3 | - | 3 | |
| Connor McDavid | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Leon Draisaitl | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Roope Hintz | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Lucas Raymond | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Chandler Stephenson | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Alex DeBrincat | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Jaden Schwartz | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Matthew Boldy | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Matthew Coronato | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Josh Doan | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Luke Hughes | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Connor McMichael | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Alexander Ovechkin | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Jack Roslovic | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Tyler Seguin | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Tage Thompson | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Kyle Connor | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Rasmus Dahlin | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Pavel Dorofeyev | - | 2 | 2 | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||
| 2025-2026 NHL STANDINGS | ||||||
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Bruins | 20 | 12 | 8 | - | 24 | |
| Canadiens | 18 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 22 | |
| Senators | 19 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 22 | |
| Red Wings | 18 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 21 | |
| Lightning | 17 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 20 | |
| Panthers | 18 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 19 | |
| Maple Leafs | 19 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 18 | |
| Sabres | 18 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 16 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Devils | 18 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 27 | |
| Hurricanes | 18 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 25 | |
| Penguins | 18 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 22 | |
| Islanders | 18 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 22 | |
| Rangers | 19 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 22 | |
| Flyers | 18 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 21 | |
| Blue Jackets | 18 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 20 | |
| Capitals | 18 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 18 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Avalanche | 18 | 12 | 1 | 5 | 29 | |
| Stars | 19 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 27 | |
| Jets | 18 | 11 | 7 | - | 22 | |
| Blackhawks | 18 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 22 | |
| Mammoth | 18 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 21 | |
| Wild | 19 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 20 | |
| Blues | 19 | 6 | 9 | 4 | 16 | |
| Predators | 19 | 6 | 9 | 4 | 16 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Kings | 19 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 24 | |
| Ducks | 18 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 23 | |
| Kraken | 18 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 23 | |
| Oilers | 20 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 22 | |
| Golden Knights | 17 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 21 | |
| Sharks | 19 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 19 | |
| Canucks | 19 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 18 | |
| Flames | 20 | 5 | 12 | 3 | 13 | |
COMPLETE STANDINGS | ||||||