NHL announces draft lottery — with its new format — will be held May 10

NEW YORK – Shane Wright will soon have a pretty good idea where he’ll start his NHL career.

The league announced Wednesday its draft lottery to determine the order of selection for the first 16 picks will be held May 10.

Participants will include all teams that fail to qualify for the post-season or franchises that have acquired the first-round picks from one of the non-playoff clubs.

Wright, a centre for the Ontario Hockey League’s Kingston Frontenacs, is the top-ranked North American skater according to NHL Central Scouting and the likely No. 1 selection at the draft.

This year’s lottery format includes a number of changes, including a 10-position cap on the total number of picks a team can advance on the board.

That means unlike in years past, only 11 teams will have a shot at grabbing the No. 1 slot.

The club that finishes last in the NHL’s overall standings will have an 18.5 per cent chance of landing the top pick.

The NHL Entry Draft is scheduled for July 7-8 at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

This report by The Canadian Press was firs published April 20, 2022.