Bad luck drops Senators at draft lotto
The Ottawa Senators will pick sixth overall in the upcoming NHL entry draft.
The Ottawa Senators will pick sixth overall in the upcoming NHL entry draft.
The Senators finished fifth-last in the league this season, giving them an outside shot at the No. 1 overall pick on June 24 in Minnesota. The lottery ball didn’t fall their way, however, instead sinking them down a spot.
The Edmonton Oilers will have first choice, one year after taking Taylor Hall first. The New Jersey Devils are considered the lotto winner after making the biggest jump (from eighth to fourth).
The top prospect this year is Red Deer centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, with Swedish defenceman Adam Larsson a close second.
These were the odds of the listed teams getting the No. 1 overall pick in the lottery:
EDM 48.2
COL 18.8
FLA 14.2
NYI 10.7
OTT 8.1
Now, speculation about the actual selections begins. Earlier on Tuesday, NHL Central Scouting released its final rankings for the upcoming draft.
Here are the top-Five North American skaters:
1. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C, Red Deer
2. Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Kitchener
3. Jonathan Huberdeau, C, St. John
4. Dougie Hamilton, D, Niagara
5. Nathan Beaulieu, D, St. John
Only one European skater, Larsson, is expected to go in the top five.
We’re unlucky?
Wonder why?
Look at the GM and how he got the job and how he keeps deflecting blame and responsibility away from himself. Once the GM holds himself accountable and stops blaming goalies/coaches/players/previous GMs/the milkman/the federal election/his shoelaces like all us other adults do on a day to day basis then karma will turn.
Until then…I expect more “bad luck” and a ton more mediocrity.
To answer your question, my eyes will be fixed on NYR-WASH (Rangers in 6) and Ducks-Nashville. James, I know the only hardcore Ducks fan in Ottawa! His name is Jia Long (pronounced J-AYE) and he’s been a fan since way back in the day. Not sure how it happened but it’s great to talk hockey with him every Saturday.
He’s an extremely nervous fan though, but loyal!
Thanks for all your coverage of the Sens this season James, Wayne and co. Very much appreciated. I’m less a fan of the team than ever (love the players to death, loathe the GM) but my admiration for the Citizen grows by leaps and bounds every day.
Thank you for your writing, your integrity and your webspace!