Draft lottery, draft, development camp, rookie camp and general 2024-25 training camp dates announced. Specifics on a draft watch party for fans to come.

Will the Chicago Blackhawks host a "Celebrini Celebration" after last year's "Bedard Blowout?"

The scope of the Blackhawks offseason activities figure to be keyed by where the club lands in the NHL Draft Lottery on Tuesday, May 7.

It's expected that team personnel and guests will be at the United Center that evening. We'll cover it live there and will talk to general manager Kyle Davidson after the event.

Davidson and staff were happily stunned by winning the lottery and the right to draft Connor Bedard last year. Team chairman Danny Wirtz said he "left his body" after NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly flipped a card with the team's logo indicating Chicago had netted the top pick.

Can It Happen Again?

The Blackhawks, who finished in 31st place with a 23-53-6 record, have 13.5% odds of winning the lottery and the first overall pick in 2024. That player is expected Boston University forward Macklin Celebrini.

Should the Blackhawks win the No. 1 pick for the second straight season, the team likely will boost the buildup to the NHL Draft as in 2023. The last team with back-to-back top selections was the Edmonton Oilers, who had three in a row in 2010, 2011 and 2012. The Oilers took current Blackhawks forward Taylor Hall in 2010. 

In 2022, the NHL changed the rules: No team can win the top pick more than twice in five years.

The Draft in Vegas

The first round of the league's final centralized draft will be on Friday, June 28 at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Rounds 2 through 7 will follow on Saturday.

The NHL season awards will be presented shortly before the draft. Bedard and Minnesota defenseman Brock Faber are the frontrunners for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year.

Last season, the Blackhawks hosted an elaborate and boozy watch party at the Salt Shed entertainment venue on Chicago's North Side as they selected Bedard with the No. 1 pick. About 5,000 fans attended a raucous event with the draft televised in from Nashville. 

The Blackhawks have not yet announced if they're planning something similar, even if they get the rights to draft Celebrini. See a recap of last year's event in the link.

Between the lottery and the draft, the NHL will hold its annual scouting combine in Buffalo, New York on June 2-8.

Immediately following the draft, the Blackhawks will hold their prospect development camp at the Fifth Third Arena, on June 30 through July 5. As last year, it's expected to include off-ice training only for younger players.

Canada Day = NHL Free Agent Day

NHL free agency opens again on Canada Day, Monday, July 1. The Blackhawks are expected to be active in the market, but need to find players who fit their rebuilding and salary cap management strategies. 

Remember: Connor Bedard, Kevin Korchinski and other top young players will graduate from entry-level contracts to much larger ones over the next two seasons. 

Additionally, not every established free agent wants to play for a rebuilding team, regardless of compensation and contract terms. Chicago is not a big-time destination for most NHLers right now.

The Blackhawks will hold their rookie camp Sept. 11-15 in St. Louis in conjunction with Blues and Minnesota Wild prospects.

Chicago's overall training camp will open on Sept. 18 at Fifth Third Arena.