Jets could have a shot at No. 1 overall pick at NHL Draft

Article content

Even if they lose, they could win.


Story continues below

Article content

Yes, the Winnipeg Jets could get bounced from the qualifying round of the NHL’s 24-team return-to-play format and still land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.

Or, more specifically, the Jets could get dumped in that best-of-five series against the Calgary Flames and still land Alex Lafreniere.

2020 is a strange one, ain’t it?

The NHL’s Draft Lottery was held on Friday night. With Detroit, Ottawa and several others hoping to win the yearly lottery, it was an unnamed and undetermined ‘Team E’ that went from having 2.5% odds (12th place) of moving into first place heading into the draft to moving all the way up to the coveted No. 1 spot.

‘Team E’ will now be one of the remaining eight teams that fail to win their qualifying round matchups whenever (and if ever) the league manages to resume to the 2019-20 season.


Story continues below

Article content

Each team that fails to win their qualifying round tie will have an equal 12.5% chance of snagging the first overall pick.

While that is still entirely up in the air, if the league doesn’t end up resuming, the Jets would still have a shot at No. 1.

The remaining eight teams would be made up based on points percentage. The Jets pass that test, too.

So, if they end up playing their qualifying round matchup against Calgary, they have a chance. And if the season doesn’t end up resuming, they still have a chance.


1. Placeholder team (Team E)

2. Los Angeles Kings

3. Ottawa Senators

4. Detroit Red Wings

5. Ottawa Senators

6. Anaheim Ducks

7. New Jersey Devils

8. Buffalo Sabres

Something even crazier: If the NHL would have based the draft off of points percentage on the final standings, the Jets would have been in 12th place.

Team E was in 12th place.

The Jets, theoretically, would have won the lottery and moved up to the No. 1 pick.

Twitter: @scottbilleck

Latest National Stories


Story continues below

This Week in Flyers