Duck Tales: 2020 NHL Draft Lottery preview

It has been a long time since we have seen an NHL related event! The league went on hiatus due to the COVID-19 outbreak on March 12.

This could be a franchise altering event for the Anaheim Ducks, who have the fifth-best odds to win the lottery.

Unless something strange happens, the team get that gets the first overall pick will selected left-winger Alexis Lafreniere No. 1 at the 2020 NHL Draft. The 18-year-old is ranked No. 1 by The Hockey News, after putting up 112 points with Rimouski in the QMJHL.

Here is how the rest of the top-10 prospects ranking look:

2) Quinton Byfield - C, Subury OHL

3) Tim Stutzle - LW, Germany

4) Lucas Raymond - LW, Sweden

5) Jamie Drysdale - D, Erie OHL

6) Marco Rossi - C, Ottawa OHL

6) Defenseman: Jake Sanderson - USA NTDP

7) Cole Perfetti - C, Saginaw OHL

8) Alexander Holtz - LW, Sweden

9) Anton Lundell - C, Finland

10) Yaroslav Askarov - G, Russia

Here are how the Ducks’ odds breakdown:

First pick: 8.5%

Second pick: 8.7%

Third pick: 8.9%

Fourth pick: 0%

Fifth pick: 8.4%

Sixth pick: 34.5%

Seventh pick: 26.7%

Eighth pick: 4.3%

Here is how the rest of the odds for the lottery teams look:

Sportsnet Canada

Anaheim’s most likely pick is No. 6. The last time the Ducks picked in the top-six was in 2012, when they took defenseman Hampus Lindholm.

General manager Bob Murray and co. will have plenty of forward options in the top-eight that could potentially join Trevor Zegras as the top prospects in the franchise’s pool. Depending on where the Ducks’ pick falls, Drysdale or Sanderson would be welcome additions to the blue line as well.

The NHL Draft Lottery format is a little different this season due to the shutdown. The seven eliminated teams are all entered in the draw, placeholders will be used for the eight teams that will not make it past the postseason play-in round. Those eight teams will receive the final lottery spots.

For Phase 1, the league will draw for the top-three spots, if one of the eight placeholders wins a top-three selection, then Phase 2 will be held at the conclusion of the play-in matchups, where the eight eliminated teams will have an equal chance to get that pick.

How to watch the NHL Draft Lottery:

Date: Friday, June 26

Time: 5 p.m. PT

Location: NHL studios in Secaucus, N.J.

TV: NBCSN