3. Florida (2% chance at first overall)
It would be a rough couple of days for the rest of the Atlantic Division if the Florida Panthers manage to add to the addition of Joel Quenneville with the first overall pick.
With a young core of Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau, Vincent Trocheck, Aaron Ekblad, and the progressing Henrik Borgstrom, the Panthers are already on the track towards future success. Adding Jack Hughes would only amplify their potential threat towards the top of the Atlantic Division. Question marks still lie in goal, which is why they rank behind both Montreal and Buffalo in the “worst case scenarios” for the Leafs at the lottery.
2. Montreal (1% chance at first overall)
Do I really need to elaborate on this one? Any scenario where the Habs are able to add a top talent is less than ideal for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Montreal’s future is already bright with the likes of Ryan Poehling, Nick Suzuki, and Josh Brook in the pipeline. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Max Domi, Jonathan Drouin, and Victor Mete make up a strong young contingent in the NHL, plus Carey Price can give any team the ability to win.
The Canadiens are already set up to be successful in a couple of years but lack a game-breaking skater. Jack Hughes would bring that element and immediately enhance Montreal’s shot at jumping into the playoffs once again.
1. Buffalo (8.5% chance at first overall)
Jack Eichel, Rasmus Dahlin, AND Jack Hughes? Unfortunately for Leafs fans, the Sabres catastrophic second half means there’s a legitimate chance Hughes joins Eichel and Dahlin on the same team next season.
Long term, Buffalo is set. They have a top tier centre in Eichel, a future Norris contender in Dahlin, and a solid core of prospects including Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen in goal and Alex Nylander, Tage Thompson, and Casey Mittelstadt up front.
Even without another top-ten pick, the Sabres were set to contend with the top of the Atlantic in short order. Add in another high selection, plus the potential of adding Jack Hughes, Kaapo Kakko, or Bowen Byram through the lottery, and Buffalo could be a serious challenger far sooner than the Toronto Maple Leafs would hope to see.