
While the hope is for all teams to make the playoffs, there is a big prize this season for finishing low in the standings.
This is a strong draft class, and if a team wins the lottery, it could select a generational talent in Regina (Saskatchewan) Pats center Connor Bedard.
Bedard, 17, who entered the Western Hockey League draft early as a 15-year-old, had 100 points in 62 games last season and is scoring at a faster pace this season with 64 points in 28 games. He has a 27-game hitting streak since being shut out in the opener.
The 5-10, 185-pounder also dominated for gold medal-winning Canada at the World Junior Championships with 23 points in seven games and was named tournament MVP.
ALL-STAR GAMES:The first lists named after the 2023 game
Follow each game: Latest NHL results and schedules
The bottom 11 teams have a chance to land the No. 1 overall pick in the draft lottery. Here’s a look at the teams with the best chances, starting with the last-place team (stats as of January 5th; this file will be updated at various times throughout the season).
Chicago Blackhawks (8-25-4, 20 points)
After a decent start, they are playing as expected after trading Alex DeBrincat and Kirby Dach in the 2022 draft and not qualifying Dylan Strome and Dominik Kubalik. They are 2-20-1 since Nov. 12, including losses to the Columbus Blue Jackets and San Jose Sharks, two other teams on Bedard’s watch. Star Patrick Kane is dealing with a lower body injury. The Blackhawks have plenty of unrestricted free agents who could be moved at the deadline, from Max Domi and Andreas Athanasiou to franchise players Kane and Jonathan Toews.
Columbus Blue Jackets (11-24-2, 24 points)
The team that got the coveted free agent Johnny Gaudreau is not performing as hoped. Defenseman Zach Werenski is out for the season, Patrik Laine has been sidelined twice due to injury and once due to the COVID protocol. The goalkeeper has also struggled. A win on December 31 against the Blackhawks put some distance between them and last place. Bedard wanted to answer the question of who should play between Gaudreau and Laine.
Anaheim Ducks (11-24-4, 26 points)
They added veterans in the offseason to help their talented youngsters, but have gotten off to a slow start. They didn’t get their first regulation win until November 23rd, and it took them until 15-17. December to get two in a row. Defender Jamie Drysdale is likely out for the season. Goalie John Gibson has played well since returning from injury, including his first shutout since November 2021. General manager Pat Verbeek showed his willingness to trade pending UFAs last season, and the roster includes John Klingberg and three other defensemen.
San Jose Sharks (12-20-7, 31 points)
Erik Karlsson’s resurgent Norris Trophy-caliber season keeps the Sharks a little more competitive than expected, but they have just four home wins. Mike Grier is in his first season as a general manager and can continue to rebuild this team, as he did with an offseason trade for Brent Burns. Plus, he’ll need to clear some cap space if he’s going to re-sign pending restricted free agent Timo Meier this summer.
Arizona Coyotes (13-19-5, 31 points)
The schedule didn’t do the rebuilding team any favors, with 20 of the Coyotes’ first 24 games on the road. Of course, that means more games in cozy Mullett Arena down the stretch, and they are 7-3-2 there. A decision must be made on defenseman Jakob Chychrun, who had expressed interest in a trade.
Montreal Canadiens (15-21-3, 33 points)
The Canadiens had the first pick last season and showed strong play early in the first full season under coach Martin St. Louis. But they have been in free fall lately. They also have the first round pick of the Florida Panthers, who currently sit in the bottom 11.
Philadelphia Flyers (15-17-7, 37 points)
Coach John Tortorella has the team playing better than last season, although that hasn’t always translated into wins. The Flyers had a 10-game winless streak after a 7-3-2 start. But they have won their last four and goalkeeper Carter Hart has returned from injury.
Vancouver Canucks (17-18-3, 37 points)
The Canucks have been inconsistent and have lost three in a row. Bo Horvat leads the attack, but is a pending UFA. Goalkeeper No. 1 Thatcher Demko is injured and was not playing well before the injury.
Second team
Panthers (17-18-4, 38): They gave up their first round pick last season for loan defender Ben Chiarot.
Ottawa Senators (18-17-3, 39): They’re not where they want to be after several offseason moves, but they’ve played well lately.
Detroit Red Wings (16-13-7, 39): They have given up at least four goals in six of their last seven games.