These NHL teams have the best odds at the No. 1 pick.
While the eyes of the hockey world are on the Stanley Cup Playoffs this spring, it’s time for the annual NHL Draft Lottery!
The 2024 NHL Draft Lottery might not have the same draw as last year with Connor Bedard, the event — set for Tuesday, May 7 — will still be highly coveted for the chance to select Boston University forward Macklin Celebrini No. 1 overall. Make no mistake though, Celebrini is billed as a star center with top-line aspirations, a must for any rebuilding team in this day and age.
Thanks to the end of the regular season, we now know what the odds are for that No. 1 overall pick. Unfortunately, not all 16 teams entered into the lottery will have a chance at snagging it. Much like last year, teams can only move up to 10 spots and only the first two spots in the lottery are up for grabs. The remaining teams will then be sorted by inverse order of regular-season points to determine the rest of the field.
The decision to change how the NHL Draft Lottery works will benefit teams like the San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks, who both had miserable seasons and are guaranteed at least a top-four pick because of it. However, that does mean that the five other teams in this lottery — the Philadelphia Flyers, Minnesota Wild, Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings, and St. Louis Blues — will have no shot at the No. 1 overall pick and will thus not be included in this list.
Here’s the full 11-team list of the odds for the No. 1 overall pick for the upcoming 2024 NHL draft lottery.
