NHL Lottery | The first choice to the Sharks; the fifth to the Canadian

For the second year in a row, the Canadian finished 28^e rank in the general classification. And for the second year in a row, he got the fifth pick in the NHL draft.

The league organized its traditional lottery this Tuesday determining the order of selection in the draft among the 16 teams that did not reach the playoffs. Given its place in the rankings, the Habs had an 8.5% chance of obtaining the first choice. Only the San Jose Sharks (25.5%), Chicago Blackhawks (13.5%), Anaheim Ducks (11.5%) and Columbus Blue Jackets (9.5%) were in position more advantageous.

The established order was therefore respected, in any case, for the Canadian, who had 24.5% of finishing in fifth place. In this position, last year, he selected David Reinbacher.

It was the San Jose Sharks who won the lottery and the first pick. They can be expected to select Boston University Terriers center Macklin Celebrini. At 17, and in his first season in the NCAA, he amassed 64 points, including 32 goals, in 38 games. This performance earned him the Hobey-Baker Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding American university player. He is, so far, the consensus choice among the most astute observers of the league’s prospects.

The logic was respected for ranks 2 and 3, held by the Chicago Blackhawks and the Anaheim Ducks, respectively.

The 2024 draft will take place on June 28 in Las Vegas.