Sounds like the McEichel Derby will come to a conclusion in Toronto on Saturday, Apr. 18 -- that’s when the NHL will reportedly host its annual Draft Lottery, according Sportsnet sources.
This year’s draft is one of the most ballyhooed in recent memory with two “generational talents” -- OHL Erie’s Connor McDavid and Boston University’s Jack Eichel -- expected to go No. 1 and No. 2 overall. This year’s draft lottery (which will take place exactly one week after the conclusion of the regular season) will also feature a new wrinkle regarding odds for winning the first overall selection.
More, from NHL.com:
The odds of winning the first overall selection in the NHL Draft for the 14 non-Playoff teams will be adjusted to more appropriately reflect the current state of competitive balance in the League.
This will result in a more evenly-balanced allocation of odds, with the 10 highest-finishing non-Playoff qualifying teams receiving higher (better) Draft Lottery odds than they received previously and the four lowest-finishing teams receiving lower (worse) odds.
The revised set of odds will remain in effect year-to-year in the future.
Heading into tonight’s play, Buffalo sits last in the NHL with 47 points, five back of 29th-place Arizona. The two teams meet twice this week in games that will be key in terms of jockeying for draft lottery odds.
This year’s entry draft will be held June 26-27 in Sunrise, Fla. Beginning in 2016, the lottery will be adjusted again to determine the top three drafting positions, not just the No. 1 pick.