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A Toronto Maple Leafs Fan Guide to the NHL Draft Lottery

ByKyle Cushman|
WINNIPEG, MB - OCTOBER 24: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs keeps an eye on the play during third period action against the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell MTS Place on October 24, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Leafs defeated the Jets 4-2. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - OCTOBER 24: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs keeps an eye on the play during third period action against the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell MTS Place on October 24, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Leafs defeated the Jets 4-2. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
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MONTREAL, QC – APRIL 06: William Nylander #29 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates a second period goal with teammates on the bench against the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on April 6, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – APRIL 06: William Nylander #29 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates a second period goal with teammates on the bench against the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on April 6, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

15. Colorado via Ottawa (18.5% chance at first overall)

This one was obvious. Although this would only make the Colorado Avalanche better going into the future and a legitimate Cup contender during the Leafs years of contention, it would be too perfect to see the Ottawa Senators lose out on the first overall pick. There are few things as fun as a fan as seeing your rivals make terrible, terrible decisions. While the Senators fan base may not deserve this outcome, it is easily the most enjoyable for Leafs Nation and just about every other fan base.

14. Los Angeles (13.5% chance at first overall)

The Kings are still a fair distance from truly contending for any sort of playoff success. While they have an intriguing base of prospects including two former Leafs picks in Carl Grundstrom and Sean Durzi, Los Angeles still has a boatload of ageing players taking up lots of space. This is a team that needs a significant overhaul. Combined with the fact they are in the Western Conference and have a very low probability of facing the Leafs in a playoff series, a Los Angeles win is among the most favourable outcomes for Toronto.

13. Minnesota (3% chance at first overall)

Although being just outside the playoffs, the Minnesota Wild are a team that feels a long ways from being a contender. Questionable decisions this season, such as trading Nino Niederreiter for Victor Rask, as well as two anchor contracts in Zach Parise and Ryan Suter make the Wild a team that are a ways away from being a threat. While a player like Jack Hughes would help Minnesota immediately and potentially push them back into a wild-card spot, the Wild have a fairly mediocre prospect pool. Even with a lottery win, the Wild seem destined for mediocrity once again.

12. Anaheim (6% chance at first overall)

With Randy Carlyle in the rearview mirror, things are starting to look up for the Ducks after a tire fire of a season. John Gibson showed his quality and prospects such as Sam Steel, Troy Terry, and Maxime Comtois made their NHL debuts. Adding Jack Hughes to their mix of forwards, both current and future, is very intriguing. That being said, they still have a couple of atrocious contracts and management is still somewhat of a question mark. Landing Hughes would accelerate Anaheim’s route back to success, but the Leafs do not have to be too wary of a Ducks victory in the lottery.

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