Devils win 2019 NHL Draft Lottery, will select No. 1 overall

[Brewin Flames]

Devils win 2019 NHL Draft Lottery, will select No. 1 overall

By Sean Leahy, Apr 9, 2019, 8:55 PM EDT

For the second time in three years, the New Jersey Devils have won the NHL Draft Lottery. With the third-best odds heading into Tuesday night, the Devils will now select No. 1 overall in June’s entry draft and have the opportunity to select either Jack Hughes or Kaapo Kakko. Two years ago they grabbed Nico Hischier with the top pick.

There was plenty of drama in the lottery, with the Rangers and Blackhawks jumping ahead and finishing in the top three with New Jersey.

Here’s how the rest of the top 15 picks landed:

1. New Jersey Devils
2. New York Rangers
3. Chicago Blackhawks
4. Colorado Avalanche (originally owned by Ottawa)
5. Los Angeles Kings
6. Detroit Red Wings
7. Buffalo Sabres
8. Edmonton Oilers
9. Anaheim Ducks
10. Vancouver Canucks
11. Philadelphia Flyers
12. Minnesota Wild
13. Florida Panthers
14. Arizona Coyotes
15. Montreal Canadiens

Three draws were held: The first drawing determined the team picking first overall, the second drawing determined the team picking second overall and the third drawing determined the team picking third overall. Once a team was assigned a pick, it was ineligible for further participation in subsequent drawings.

The remaining positions are determined by the results of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.


Devils general manager Ray Shero said this week he wants to add more talent to his roster. Getting the top pick in the draft is a good start in accomplishing that. It also helped that he employs a special lucky charm.


Taylor Hall
✔
@hallsy09
They talk about Gretzky’s 92 goals or Sittler’s 10 pts in one game as records that may never be broken. But winning 5 draft lotteries in your first 9 years in the league? In 2 different draft lottery eras, no less. That is a record that will stand forever.


Per Sportsnet, here’s a look at some of the top prospects who could land early in the first round:

1. Jack Hughes, C, USNTDP, 5-foot-10, 168 lbs.
2. Kaapo Kakko, RW, TPS (Liiga), 6-foot-2, 194 lbs.
3. Vasily Podkolzin, RW, SKA St. Petersburg (MHL), 6-foot-1, 190 lbs.
4. Dylan Cozens, C, Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL), 6-foot-3, 181 lbs.
5. Bowen Byram, D, Vancouver Giants (WHL), 6-foot, 194 lbs.
6. Alex Turcotte, C, USNTDP, 5-foot-11, 189 lbs.
7. Trevor Zegras, C, USNTDP, 6-foot, 166 lbs.
8. Kirby Dach, C, Saskatoon Blades (WHL), 6-foot-3, 199 lbs.
9. Matthew Boldy, LW, USNTDP, 6-foot-1, 187 lbs.
10. Peyton Krebs, C, Kootenay Ice (WHL), 5-foot-11, 180 lbs.

The Avalanche are preparing for the Stanley Cup Playoffs but owned the Senators’ 2019 first-round pick through the Matt Duchene trade last season. GM Joe Sakic is certainly happy to add No. 4 overall with wherever Colorado lands with their own pick in the final 16 selections in Round 1.

The 2019 NHL Draft will take place at Rogers Arena in Vancouver. The first round will be held Friday, June 21. Rounds 2-7 will take place Saturday, June 22.

[OccamsRazor]

I don't understand why they can't do this so the public can actually see these drawings take place it would be no less suspenseful than it is right now and it would give the fans a feel that it was more legit and not fixed.

 

Not saying it was but it would seem they wouldn't want controversy...or well they wouldn't want more than they already have.

[flyercanuck]

5 hours ago, Brewin Flames said:

Taylor Hall
✔
@hallsy09
They talk about Gretzky’s 92 goals or Sittler’s 10 pts in one game as records that may never be broken. But winning 5 draft lotteries in your first 9 years in the league? In 2 different draft lottery eras, no less. That is a record that will stand forever.


 

 

If there's one thing a 1st overall pick should be proud of, it's getting your team (and that's TWO different franchises) in position to win that many lotteries. While making millions of dollars a year. 

[OccamsRazor]

6 hours ago, flyercanuck said:

 

If there's one thing a 1st overall pick should be proud of, it's getting your team (and that's TWO different franchises) in position to win that many lotteries. While making millions of dollars a year. 

 

It sucks to have Hughes and Kakko in the division now. 

 

 

Hey here to hoping Kakko Simon Bertilsson's the Rangers...

 

Edit: Or Devils whoever's takes him.

 

So does Hughes plan on going to college?

 

 

Edited April 10, 2019 by OccamsRazor

[OccamsRazor]

On 4/10/2019 at 11:23 AM, flyercanuck said:

If there's one thing a 1st overall pick should be proud of

 

I hadn't seen this mentioned anywhere around here but what does anyone here think of Nico's 7 year 50.7 mill contract he signed?

 

I don't think we have any Devil fans here to ask so well you're one of the last on the thread so tag you're it.

[flyercanuck]

58 minutes ago, OccamsRazor said:

 

I hadn't seen this mentioned anywhere around here but what does anyone here think of Nico's 7 year 50.7 mill contract he signed?

 

I don't think we have any Devil fans here to ask so well you're one of the last on the thread so tag you're it.

 

Well he has two more points than Nolan Patrick this season...so they have that going for them!

[Icechipper]

I'm sure the Devils have some rationale but I don't see why they won't release Hughes for world junior competion.