San Jose Sharks clinch top odds in NHL draft lottery

For the second straight season, the San Jose Sharks will finish last place in the NHL.

Despite not playing a game on Saturday, the Sharks have clinched last place in the league, which in turn means that they have secured the top spot and the best odds in the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery.

The Sharks clinched last place thanks to the Chicago Blackhawks losing 5-4 in overtime in their Saturday night matchup against the Winnipeg Jets.

The Sharks entered the night needing the Blackhawks to get a win or an overtime loss in their game against the Jets. By getting the overtime loss, it put the Blackhawks six points ahead of the Sharks. With only three games left in the Sharks season, it is no longer possible for San Jose to pass Chicago since the Blackhawks hold all of the tiebreakers.

The result means that the Sharks finish last in the NHL for the second consecutive season, also doing so last season with a 19-54-9 record that had them five points behind the Blackhawks. San Jose went on to win the draft lottery in 2024, and use the first over pick to draft Macklin Celebrini. The pick has worked out so far, as Celebrini is considered to be one of the top contenders for the Calder Trophy with 24 goals and 38 assists for 62 points in 67 games.

The Sharks will enter the lottery with the best odds to win the first overall pick at 25.5%, the second overall pick at 18.8%, and the third overall pick at 55.7%. With only two picks up for grabs for the lottery, the Sharks can only pick as low as third overall.

Erie Otters defenseman Matthew Schaefer was ranked first in Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis’ most recent mock draft. Saginaw Spirit center Michael Misa was ranked second on the list, while Boston College center James Hagens was ranked third.