The idea for the 2020 NHL Draft lottery was to ensure that a team could not win the Stanley Cup and also receive a superior draft pick. In doing so, the league decided to allow the eight losing teams from the qualifying round to participate in the lottery, even though those teams have yet to be determined.
If any team deserved the first general election, it would be the Detroit Red Wings or the Ottawa Senators.
The Red Wings won just 17 games during the regular season, adding just 39 points (61 points less than the league-leading Bruins with 100). If the idea of the draft is to give the worst teams the best players, then Detroit was by far the most deserving team.
Second, the Ottawa Senators won just 25 games this season as the second worst team in the league in terms of positions. They also had a 25% chance of getting the first overall pick because they had their own pick, and a choice from San Jose as a result of Erik Karlsson’s trade.
How did the Red Wings and Senators fare in the draft? The Red Wings received the fourth pick, as the senators received the third and fifth picks.
So who received the first overall pick? We do not know yet.
To be determined…
The NHL has been working diligently to get teams back on ice to end the 2019-20 season and award the Stanley Cup. No one can beat your efforts. They are in daily conversations with owners, teams, players, and health officials. In addition to that, the league is working tirelessly to decide on two cities to host the postseason games, ensuring that protocols and infrastructure exist for the success and safety of the players.
The NHL was doing everything right, if there is a right way to do something that has never been done. That was until last Friday when the lottery draw was a complete disaster.
Eight teams that got the chance to play for the Stanley Cup, albeit a small chance, had a shot at being selected from the top three in the draft if they were to lose in the qualifying round. While the entire focus was on Detroit or Ottawa hosting a young superstar to straighten their respective franchise ships in the right direction, one team “to be determined” swept up one take. It was the worst possible scenario that could have happened.
Tell the jokes.
Yes, this is not a “laugh out loud” joke, but a joke anyway.
Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek is known for encouraging chaos in the NHL, but I don’t think the league expected this.
And finally, ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski with an absolute stinger.
Phase 2 Lottery Project
What this means is that another lottery will be held after the qualification round. The eight teams that lose their series will have a 12.5% chance of obtaining the first general selection.
Now the discussion has focused on what’s most important to a franchise, winning a “play-in” series for a chance to win a Stanley Cup that many believe will be accompanied by an asterisk, or losing the series and having a great opportunity to land Alexis Lafrenière?
What should the Blackhawks do?
The Blackhawks are specifically in a very unique situation. At the time of the season break, they were last in the Central Division and were out of the playoffs. Then the NHL had to make a decision. Instead of the typical 16 playoff teams, the league decided that 24 teams, 12 from each conference, would compete for the Stanley Cup. The Blackhawks were given a new lease of life and fans were excited about the opportunity to see players like Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews get another shot at the title.
Now with the possibility of a first overall pick also up for grabs, the fan base appears to be broken, but players aren’t.
Professional athletes are the best in their profession because they love to win. Neither player will purposely “tank” for a chance for a top pick and a young prospect who could potentially take his place in the lineup. I hope the Blackhawks play hard and take the series seriously against the Oilers, but if they lose, I don’t think anyone is too upset.
In the words of Jeff Marek, whatever happens will be CHAOS!
