Somehow, Penguins could wind up with No. 1 pick in 2020 NHL Draft

So, you’re saying there’s a chance? The Pittsburgh Penguins could end up with the No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2020 NHL draft.

But to do so, they’d need to lose in their play-in round, and then get a little bit of luck on their side.

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In a convoluted method, the NHL allowed for its draft lottery to be won by a placeholder, which would be one of the eight teams that loses in the play-in round of the upcoming NHL playoffs.

That placeholder won the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL draft, triggering a second draft lottery somewhere down the line.

If the Penguins were to lose to the Canadiens in the play-in series, they would be put in a lottery with the seven other teams that lost in the play-in round. One of those eight teams would then be drawn to receive the No. 1 overall pick, expected to be forward Alexis Lafreniere.

But that only happens if the season goes to full completion.

If the season is not completed, the eight “lower-seeded” teams in the play-in round will be put in the draft lottery, leaving the Penguins out of it. They are the overall No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Detroit Red Wings had the best odds of any team to pick No. 1, but ended up drawing the No. 4 overall pick.

NHL Draft Lottery 2020:

1. Placeholder
2. LA Kings
3. Ottawa Senators
4. Detroit Red Wings
5. Ottawa Senators
6. Anaheim Ducks
7. New Jersey Devils
8. Buffalo Sabres

The NHL playoffs are expected to begin on July 30.

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