Impact of NHL Draft Lottery result on Islanders division

Did you miss it? You probably did. The NHL Draft Lottery was tonight! You probably weren’t paying attention to it on account of the New York Islanders not being part of the festivities. By virtue of making the postseason, the Isles first-round pick in 2021 wasn’t part of the lottery.

So while the lottery results had no direct impact on the Islanders, teams in their division were still in the mix. So how did they do and do the Isles have to worry about a bunch of top-tier talent clogging their division in 2021-22?

Impact of the draft lottery on New York Islanders division

Assuming the NHL goes back to its pre-pandemic divisions the Isles will once again see themselves in the Metropolitan against the Blue Jackets, Capitals, Devils, Flyers, Hurricanes, Penguins, and Rangers. Four of those teams were in on the lottery.

The Devils had the fourth-best odds (10.3%) to win. Columbus was right behind them with the fifth-best odds (8.5%). Philly had a 1.8% chance of winning and the Rangers were last with 1% to win.

No worries. There won’t be a Ranger’s controversy this year, because the Buffalo Sabres won the right to pick first overall. Expansion franchise Seattle won the right to select second overall.

Unlike most years there is no consensus on who is the lock to be the first overall pick. Owen Power out of the University of Michigan is maybe the closest thing to one. The 6’5″ 214lbs blueliner put up 16 points in 26 games as a freshman last year.

But does Buffalo bring in another top-tier puck-moving D? Remember they drafted one just a few years back with the first overall pick. Who goes first at the 2021 draft is up in the air. Meaning who you think goes first, could very well be up there when New Jersey or Columbus step up to the podium.

So while no team in the Metropolitan Division won the lottery a player who could very well have gone first overall could be headed to the Metro.