The draft lottery scenarios for 5 teams with best odds
There's no superstar in the making available in this year's draft class, and no catchy "Fail for Nail" campaign either.
But the 2017 entry draft still presents some interesting scenarios for the teams at the top, who, if lucky enough to win Saturday's lottery, will likely use the first pick to select Brandon Wheat Kings center Nolan Patrick or Halifax Mooseheads winger Nico Hischier.
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche were the worst of the worst this season, ending the year with just 48 points. It was the poorest finish since the Atlanta Thrashers pieced together a 39-point campaign in their inaugural season in 1999.
The addition of either Patrick or Hischier would spark a new beginning in Denver, where the rumor mill is already in full swing in regards to wholesale changes this offseason.
The possibility exists the Avalanche could deal center Matt Duchene, a one-time third overall pick, or captain Gabriel Landeskog to bring in the pieces needed to fix their ailing roster, particularly on the blue line.
Related: Your guide to the NHL Draft Lottery and the top 2 projected picks
A top pick would have someone to compare notes with in Colorado, as the Avalanche selected forward Nathan MacKinnon first overall in 2013.
Vancouver Canucks
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Earlier this week, Canucks president of hockey operations Trevor Linden begrudgingly admitted his club is rebuilding. Kicking things off with a first overall pick would make the transition much smoother.
The Canucks have never drafted first overall in their 47-year history, with their most recent high pick coming in 1999, when they selected Daniel Sedin at No. 2.
The Sedin twins have one year remaining on their contracts, and the addition of Patrick - a potential successor to Henrik Sedin at center - or Hischier would usher in a new era in Vancouver.
"I think the top two players in this draft have the potential to maybe step in and play next year and be productive players at the NHL level," Canucks general manager Jim Benning told the team's website.
Vegas Golden Knights
What better way to jump-start a new franchise than a top pick?
Here's how the recent expansion clubs fared at their first entry draft:
| Team | Year | Pick | Player |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild | 2000 | 3rd overall | Marian Gaborik |
| Blue Jackets | 2000 | 4th overall | Rostislav Klesla |
| Thrashers | 1999 | 1st overall | Patrik Stefan |
| Predators | 1998 | 2nd overall | David Legwand |
| Mighty Ducks | 1993 | 4th overall | Paul Kariya |
| Panthers | 1993 | 5th overall | Rob Niedermayer |
| Lightning | 1992 | 1st overall | Roman Hamrlik |
| Senators | 1992 | 2nd overall | Alexei Yashin |
| Sharks | 1991 | 2nd overall | Pat Falloon |
The inkling here is the Golden Knights would use the top pick on Patrick. The team's assistant general manager, Kelly McCrimmon, is the longtime owner of the Wheat Kings, for whom he also served as GM and head coach, and had countless opportunities to scout Patrick.
He'd be the second player from the Wheat Kings to join the Golden Knights, after the club signed Brandon free-agent forward Reid Duke on March 6.
The Golden Knights could make their debut in style with a lottery win. After all, winning and Las Vegas are synonymous.
Arizona Coyotes
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
The Coyotes haven't had a top center in 17 years - since the days of Jeremy Roenick. Here's a snapshot of the team's top producers up the middle over the past decade:
| Season | Player | GP | G | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | Christian Dvorak | 78 | 15 | 18 | 33 |
| 2015-16 | Martin Hanzal | 64 | 13 | 28 | 41 |
| 2014-15 | Sam Gagner | 81 | 15 | 26 | 41 |
| 2013-14 | Mike Ribeiro | 80 | 16 | 31 | 47 |
| 2012-13 | Martin Hanzal | 39 | 11 | 12 | 23 |
| 2011-12 | Martin Hanzal | 64 | 8 | 26 | 34 |
| 2010-11 | Eric Belanger | 82 | 13 | 27 | 40 |
| 2009-10 | Matt Lombardi | 78 | 19 | 34 | 53 |
| 2008-09 | Olli Jokinen | 57 | 21 | 21 | 42 |
| 2007-08 | Peter Mueller | 81 | 22 | 32 | 54 |
The Coyotes finished with the second-worst record in 2015, but were bumped down to the third pick after the Edmonton Oilers won the lottery for Connor McDavid, while the Buffalo Sabres took Jack Eichel second overall, leaving the Coyotes to draft Dylan Strome at three.
Another top talent was up for grabs a year later in Scottsdale native Auston Matthews, although the Coyotes didn't have great odds. Matthews impressed in his rookie season, potting 40 goals for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
As for Strome, he's come along nicely with the OHL's Erie Otters, with whom he wrapped his draft season with 129 points in 68 games. But he's not on the same generational level as McDavid, Eichel, or Matthews.
Nor is Patrick, the scouts say, but he'd be a nice addition for the crop of young talent GM John Chayka is assembling in the desert, where the Wheat Kings center would have the chance to play alongside not only Strome, but also Dvorak, Max Domi, Brendan Perlini, and Jakob Chychrun.
New Jersey Devils
The rebuild is on in New Jersey, where GM Ray Shero is quietly going about his business to bring the Devils back to respectability.
After capturing three Stanley Cups between 1995 and 2003, and staying in the contenders circle for the following decade, the page has since turned in New Jersey.
In recent seasons, the Devils have pulled off some big moves to boost their young squad, bringing in netminder Cory Schneider from the Canucks in 2013, and last offseason shipping defenseman Adam Larsson to the Oilers for scoring winger Taylor Hall.
Hall is a former top pick himself, chosen first overall in 2010, but he can't do it alone in New Jersey. The Devils finished with just 183 goals this season - third-worst in the NHL. More help could soon be on the way in the form of either Patrick or Hischier.
Success on the draft floor will be a key step as the Devils aim to climb the ranks in their ultra-competitive Metropolitan Division, where four teams cracked the 100-point plateau this season.