On Monday, Gary Bettman will gather with a random assortment of accountants and other mysterious unnamed individuals to complete one of the most embarrassing moments in the history of the National Hockey League.
An exaggeration? Almost certainly. But the fact that they have scheduled this event for a Monday at 6:00 PM suggests they aren’t super proud of it either.
That’s right- it’s Phase 2 of the NHL’s Draft Lottery.
For those of you that need or want a recap, which I assume is basically none of you, here’s how it will work. The eight losing teams from the surprisingly entertaining play-in round will be entered into the spinning orb of doom. One of those “definitely not the playoffs but clearly the playoffs” losers will then be selected and will earn (definitely not the right word) the first overall pick in the 2020 Entry Draft.
Dumb, right?!
The New York Rangers and Winnipeg Jets have already entered the aforementioned orb. Edmonton, Pittsburgh, Toronto, Nashville, Minnesota and Florida could all be in there by the end of the day.
Each team will have a 12.5% chance of being selected. Unfortunately for the Leafs, there is no added percentage for losing in a more spectacular fashion. The seven mega-losers (playoff and lottery) will then be assigned draft spots nine through 15 based on points percentages at the time of the NHL’s pause.
Of course this is all very stupid and ultimately has very little impact on the Ottawa Senators.
Although depending on the winner of the lottery, there may be some interesting scenarios available to Pierre Dorion should he want to make a play at the first overall pick.
In a normal year, the idea of a team trading first overall would be completely crazy but this year is anything but normal. When you combine Ottawa’s absurd amount of draft capital with their franchise’s (and maybe more the Owner’s) desperate need for a star with the fact that the team that owns first overall never really expected to have the pick, there are some scenarios where it could make sense.
Teams that think they are “close” to contending, are juggling cap issues or already have a glut of offensive forwards (and especially wingers) may be more open to the idea of moving out of the top spot. Especially with projected top line centres and top pairing defenceman available at the front end of the first round.
It’s a long shot but certainly a discussion that will take place in the days and weeks to come.
As Sens fans, all we can do is wait. Like we have been since March. And like we will do until October.
Alternatively, we can completely ignore this farce of a phase 2 lottery and carry on dreaming about the two high-end prospects we’re about to add at 3rd and 5th overall.
Today feels like a Quinton Byfield/Jake Sanderson kind of day. No Tim Stutzle and Marco Rossi. No…no…Quinton Byfield and Lucas Raymond. No, Tim Stutzle and Jamie Drysdale.
We’ll be fine.
