For teams that failed to make the playoffs, the next big date (non-golf-division) on the calendar is April 29. As expected, the NHL will host the draft lottery on that day.
The 2017 NHL Draft is expected to be less bountiful with high-end prospects than recent, robust years. Even so, Nolan Patrick and others could be difference-makers down the line for current cellar-dwellers.
The Colorado Avalanche have the best odds to land the top pick, while the Las Vegas Golden Knights match the Arizona Coyotes’ odds:
The NHL's draft lottery will be held April 29. Here is each team's odds of winning the No. 1 overall pick: pic.twitter.com/BA7JyKpBC5
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) April 11, 2017
Should be interesting. And, hey, the Edmonton Oilers won’t steal the show this year. So there’s that.
Note: the draft lottery drawing likely doesn’t provide dramatic photographs like this post’s main image, but it was fun.