NHL GMs call for changes to draft lottery

NHL general managers are calling on the league to once again make tweaks to its draft lottery system. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the request was made during a GM's meeting held Friday.

"There are calls to change the format, to increase the odds for teams that finish lowest," wrote Friedman following the meeting. "While there's a recognition this was a unique year and not the norm, Detroit was incredibly upset with dropping to fourth after a season where it was clear the Red Wings were not tanking."

"The league last tinkered with the odds in 2015, dropping the last-place finisher's chances of winning from 25 to 20 per cent," Friedman continued. "Detroit does have support for its position, but the league asked for specific proposals."

The current system was designed to discourage teams from tanking by not guaranteeing the top draft spot to the team that finishes dead last. There is, however, concern that teams that finished in or just outside of the playoffs are getting a crack at 1st overall or other high draft picks.

Sportsnet analyst Brian Burke was particularly critical of this year's draft, arguing that the teams that completed in the play-in round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs should not have had a chance at the first overall pick. It was won by the New York Rangers who took one of the highest rated prospects in a few years, Alexis Lafreniere.

Source: Sportsnet

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