With 15 of the 16 playoff teams determined and just two teams (Dallas/Phoenix) fighting for one berth remaining, it's officially that time of year when fans of less fortunate teams root for the tank. Each team has just 2 or 3 games left in the season, so we're getting some clarity in the initial draft order.
1. Buffalo Sabres - Trailing their nearest team by 13 points, they are locked into the worst record in the NHL.
2/3. Florida Panthers/Edmonton Oilers - The two teams responsible for the worst record three of the past four seasons will avoid that dubious honor this year. Instead, they're battling for second worst! Florida has the inside edge on 2nd with one fewer point and the Oilers have the tiebreaker.
4-5. New York Islanders - High hopes came crashing down, but at least the Islanders are getting another high draft pick. They're guaranteed to finish either 4th or 5th. The only team who could finish worse than the Islanders is Calgary.
4-7. Calgary Flames - The Isles would need to pick up at least 5 of 6 points combined with the Flames losing to move into 4th. They currently sit in 5th, but Carolina and Winnipeg are in play.
Highest potential pick:
Carolina/Winnipeg - 5th
Vancouver/Ottawa*/Nashville/Toronto/New Jersey** - 6th
Washington - 7th
Phoenix - 8th
Dallas - 9th
* Anaheim owns Ottawa's first rounder this year.
** New Jersey won't actually pick until 30th regardless of their finish.
All teams who do not qualify for the playoffs (save for New Jersey) will be eligible to pick first via the lottery.
1. Buffalo Sabres - Trailing their nearest team by 13 points, they are locked into the worst record in the NHL.
2/3. Florida Panthers/Edmonton Oilers - The two teams responsible for the worst record three of the past four seasons will avoid that dubious honor this year. Instead, they're battling for second worst! Florida has the inside edge on 2nd with one fewer point and the Oilers have the tiebreaker.
4-5. New York Islanders - High hopes came crashing down, but at least the Islanders are getting another high draft pick. They're guaranteed to finish either 4th or 5th. The only team who could finish worse than the Islanders is Calgary.
4-7. Calgary Flames - The Isles would need to pick up at least 5 of 6 points combined with the Flames losing to move into 4th. They currently sit in 5th, but Carolina and Winnipeg are in play.
Highest potential pick:
Carolina/Winnipeg - 5th
Vancouver/Ottawa*/Nashville/Toronto/New Jersey** - 6th
Washington - 7th
Phoenix - 8th
Dallas - 9th
* Anaheim owns Ottawa's first rounder this year.
** New Jersey won't actually pick until 30th regardless of their finish.
All teams who do not qualify for the playoffs (save for New Jersey) will be eligible to pick first via the lottery.
