NHL aiming to have 2024 NHL Draft lottery in early May
The NHL is getting close to announcing the date for the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery.
On Tuesday, Daily Faceoff insider Frank Seravalli reported that the league is planning on holding the annual event on either May 6 or 7. He says the league is working on finding the right window for the televised event, along with trying to make sure it does not interfere too much with the upcoming playoff schedule.
Still fluid, but sounds like plan is for 2024 #NHLDraft Lottery to be held on May 6 or May 7.#NHL is still working through playoff scheduling and finding appropriate TV window.
Here are the latest Draft Lottery odds:https://t.co/QHvwVi6tAn
With the postseason projected to begin around April 22, the reported dates would put the lottery right between the first and second rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Right now, there are a couple of teams that are leading the charge in the “Slackin’ for Macklin” sweepstakes, as many project Boston University product Macklin Celebrini to be the first-overall pick this summer.
With a 16-46-8 record, the San Jose Sharks have the best odds to obtain the no. 1 pick, as the team with the worst record has a 25.5% chance of winning the lottery.
The other top “contender” is the Chicago Blackhawks (20-46-5), who are still riding the wave of winning the lottery in 2023, before selecting Connor Bedard. Wouldn’t it be something for the team from the Windy City to get future stars in consecutive drafts?
Other organizations that are near the top include the Anaheim Ducks (24-43-3), Columbus Blue Jackets (23-36-12) and Montreal Canadiens (29-37-5). The team with the worst odds of getting the first-overall pick is the 22nd-place Calgary Flames (33-32-5), who would have a 3% chance of winning the lottery if it were held today.
This year’s NHL Draft is going to be special, as it will be held at the Sphere in Las Vegas. This will give the league a chance to provide a unique presentation for the event, which is set to be held on June 28-29. The draft combine is once again going to be held at the LECOM Harborcenter in Buffalo from June 2-8.