7. New York (7.5% chance at first overall)
The New York Rangers have executed a very solid rebuild without the benefit of a top selection. The likes of Vitali Kravtsov, Filip Chytil, Lias Andersson, and an emerging Alexandar Georgiev result in a solid core going forward, but adding a talent like Jack Hughes would make the Rangers a dangerous team in the near future. Add in the breakout year Mika Zibanejad had, as well as the potential at landing Artemi Panarin or Erik Karlsson, and New York could be on the fast track to success.
6. Philadelphia (3.5% chance at first overall)
The final Metropolitan team in the lottery, the Flyers have an interesting mix of “win now” players and emerging talent. Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek aren’t getting any younger, while Ivan Provorov and Carter Hart are only getting better. Then there’s the wild card that is Nolan Patrick, who has trailed behind Nico Hischier in terms of production to date. Winning another lottery and landing another top three talent would be a very scary outcome for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
5. Edmonton (6.5% chance at first overall)
Who wants to see Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Jack Hughes all be wasted on the same team? While the pure talent those four possess would be some of the best hockey to watch in the NHL, Oilers management would still find a way to mess it up. Edmonton ranking this high is less about the on-ice product as it is the fact the Oilers would be winning another lottery. This management team being rewarded for their ineptitude would be among the most disappointing outcomes at this year’s lottery.
4. Detroit (9.5% chance at first overall)
We’ve finally reached the Atlantic division. A team in the Leafs division winning the lottery would obviously be among the very worst outcomes from a Toronto perspective, as they would have to face Jack Hughes more often and content with his team for a playoff spot directly.
Of the four candidates out of the Atlantic, the Red Wings are the least worrisome. They are still multiple years away from being any kind of threat to Toronto in the standings, though adding Jack Hughes would accelerate the process. A future trio of Dylan Larkin, Filip Zadina, and Hughes would be nasty to deal with. Of the four Atlantic possibilities, however, it is the least worrying.