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The NHL will soon award the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to one of 11 lucky teams.
The Vancouver Canucks, who finished with the worst record last season, hold the best odds to win the top pick at 18.5%. They are followed by the Chicago Blackhawks (13.5%) and the New York Rangers (11.5%).
The Predators (38-34-10) are currently in the No. 10 spot, but are eligible to move up as high as No. 1 in the lottery.
Here's what to know about the NHL draft lottery.
The draft lottery will take place at NHL Network’s studios in Secaucus, N.J. and will be broadcast live.
The NHL has a lottery system to determine the draft order of the bottom 16 teams. The league introduced it in 1995 as a way to prevent teams from intentionally losing games to earn the top pick.
In 2021, the league adjusted the rules so that teams can move up a maximum of 10 spots in the draft. In other words, only the bottom 11 teams have a chance at the No. 1 overall pick. If a team slotted No. 12 to 16 wins the draw, the top pick automatically goes to the No. 1 team.
After the draw for the No. 1 pick, there is a second draw for the No. 2 pick, following the same rules. Any remaining team in the pool can win the No. 2 pick other than teams finishing in slots No. 13 to 16.
Once the top two picks are determined by lottery, the remaining draft order (No. 3 through No. 16) is determined by order of finish in the season.
Nashville is in the No. 10 spot before the draw and are eligible to win either the No. 1 or No. 2 pick. Based on the results, the Predators can finish in one of five spots: 1, 2, 10, 11, or 12.
Here are the Predators' odds of winning each pick:
This year's top pick will likely be either Penn State forward Gavin McKenna or Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg. Most experts give McKenna, who led the Nittany Lions with 51 points last season, the edge.
After the top forwards are a litany of talented defensemen: Chase Reid (Soo Greyhounds), Carson Carels (Prince George Cougars), and Keaton Verhoeff (Univesity of North Dakota).
The Predators are likely to get another good player, regardless of where they pick. Last season, Nashville took center Brady Martin with the No. 5 overall pick, then added defenseman Cameron Reid (No. 21) and winger Ryker Lee (No. 26) later in the first round.
3 MOVES: 3 bold moves for Nashville Predators' new GM, from buyouts to offer sheets
The 2026 NHL Draft is scheduled for June 26-27 in Buffalo.
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at [email protected]. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: When is NHL draft lottery? How to watch, TV channel, Predators' odds
Continue reading...
The Vancouver Canucks, who finished with the worst record last season, hold the best odds to win the top pick at 18.5%. They are followed by the Chicago Blackhawks (13.5%) and the New York Rangers (11.5%).
The Predators (38-34-10) are currently in the No. 10 spot, but are eligible to move up as high as No. 1 in the lottery.
Here's what to know about the NHL draft lottery.
When is the NHL draft lottery? How to watch
- Date: Tuesday, May 5
- Time: 6 p.m. CT
- TV channel: ESPN
The draft lottery will take place at NHL Network’s studios in Secaucus, N.J. and will be broadcast live.
How does the NHL draft lottery work?
The NHL has a lottery system to determine the draft order of the bottom 16 teams. The league introduced it in 1995 as a way to prevent teams from intentionally losing games to earn the top pick.
In 2021, the league adjusted the rules so that teams can move up a maximum of 10 spots in the draft. In other words, only the bottom 11 teams have a chance at the No. 1 overall pick. If a team slotted No. 12 to 16 wins the draw, the top pick automatically goes to the No. 1 team.
After the draw for the No. 1 pick, there is a second draw for the No. 2 pick, following the same rules. Any remaining team in the pool can win the No. 2 pick other than teams finishing in slots No. 13 to 16.
Once the top two picks are determined by lottery, the remaining draft order (No. 3 through No. 16) is determined by order of finish in the season.
What are the Predators' draft lottery odds?
Nashville is in the No. 10 spot before the draw and are eligible to win either the No. 1 or No. 2 pick. Based on the results, the Predators can finish in one of five spots: 1, 2, 10, 11, or 12.
Here are the Predators' odds of winning each pick:
- No. 1 (3.5% chance)
- No. 2 (3.7% chance)
- No. 10 (73.3% chance)
- No. 11 (18.4% chance)
- No. 12 (0.9% chance)
Who are the top prospects in the 2026 NHL Draft?
This year's top pick will likely be either Penn State forward Gavin McKenna or Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg. Most experts give McKenna, who led the Nittany Lions with 51 points last season, the edge.
After the top forwards are a litany of talented defensemen: Chase Reid (Soo Greyhounds), Carson Carels (Prince George Cougars), and Keaton Verhoeff (Univesity of North Dakota).
The Predators are likely to get another good player, regardless of where they pick. Last season, Nashville took center Brady Martin with the No. 5 overall pick, then added defenseman Cameron Reid (No. 21) and winger Ryker Lee (No. 26) later in the first round.
3 MOVES: 3 bold moves for Nashville Predators' new GM, from buyouts to offer sheets
The 2026 NHL Draft is scheduled for June 26-27 in Buffalo.
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at [email protected]. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: When is NHL draft lottery? How to watch, TV channel, Predators' odds
Continue reading...
