While the Stanley Cup Playoffs have provided plenty of on-ice drama, the teams who didn’t reach the postseason will be sitting on pins and needles next week.
That’s because the annual NHL Draft Lottery will take place on Tuesday evening in New Jersey, and a group of teams will be hoping to land the top selection in this year’s draft, which will take place this summer in Buffalo.
For the second year in a row, the Chicago Blackhawks have the second-best odds of landing the top overall selection, but they’re far from alone in hoping that the lottery balls will fall their way.
Here’s how it all works.
What is the NHL Draft Lottery?
Like the name implies, the lottery is a randomized selection that picks which of the non-playoff teams will land the top overall selection in the draft.
A second lottery will also be held on the same night to determine which team will pick second overall, with the remaining teams slotted in reverse order of their final place in the league’s standings.
According to the rules, each team will be given a set of four-number combinations, and during the draft lottery, four numbered balls will be selected to determine the winner of the lottery.
The top-11 teams in the lottery all have a chance to get the top pick, while the other five teams can only move up a maximum of 10 spots.
Which team has the best odds of winning the top pick?
The team with the worst record in the NHL is given the best odds of winning the first overall pick, and the Vancouver Canucks won that distinction this season, with an 18.5% chance of picking No. 1.
The Blackhawks are in second place, with a 13.5% chance of winning the top pick. They will pick no worse than fourth in the first round.
The New York Rangers, Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs round out the top-five.
When will the lottery take place?
The 2026 NHL Draft Lottery will take place on Tuesday night in New Jersey.
The actual selection of the lottery balls will take place live on television, and fans will be able to follow along to see if their team lands the top pick.
Who are the top prospects in this year’s draft?
Penn State winger Gavin McKenna has largely been considered the top overall prospect in this year’s class, and he was ranked as the top player in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings.
Ivar Stenberg is the top international skater, and could very well be among the first few players taken, along with Caleb Malhotra.
There are also a group of talented blue liners that could be taken early in the draft, including Chase Reid and Keaton Verhoeff.
When is the NHL Draft?
The 2026 NHL Draft will take place in Buffalo, with the first round occurring on June 26. The second through seventh rounds will take place the next day, according to the league.
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