The season is young — for some teams. For others, like the San Jose Sharks, the season feels old. The clear rebuilders like them and the Montreal Canadiens might already be thinking ahead to next summer’s draft.
We know the Sharks are the early favorites to have the most lottery balls for June — but which team would be the most interesting last overall finisher this season?
Over to you, Roundtable.
MATT LARKIN: I’d like to see the Philadelphia Flyers picking first. To me, the NHL is a more exciting place when the Flyers are relevant. That fan base is rabid, and the rivalry with teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers always feels exciting when the Flyers are contending. With Matvei Michkov already in the long-term fold, it would be fun to see Macklin Celebrini or Cole Eiserman added to GM Danny Briere’s foundation.
FRANK SERAVALLI: It feels like a bit of a longshot given the current standings, but it would be cool to provide Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals with a little extra ammunition as the Great Eight chases the Great One’s record. The Caps are caught in a rut. Nicklas Backstrom’s unfortunate withdrawal from the game hurts — and it has left Washington in this awkward spot of trying to decide how to fill the hole in their lineup and the void on their cap sheet. Do they trade future assets to try and load up again? Do they play it patiently and try to stockpile it? Either way, it feels like the Caps are in no-man’s land right now and that’s a tough place to be for a franchise that’s done a whole lot of winning over the last 15 years.
SCOTT MAXWELL: Should they continue on their current trajectory of sub-mediocrity, I’m going to go with the Seattle Kraken. While their offense last season was driven by percentages a decent amount, it was also a lot of fun to watch, and we got to see how potent their depth was when they were all on. They already have Matty Beniers and Shane Wright to look forward to, and adding another top pick either on offense or on the blueline could make them all the more fun to watch when they become a consistently elite team. Now if only they could find a goalie…
STEVEN ELLIS: Give me the Chicago Blackhawks. A 1-2 center duo of Bedard and Celebrini? Eiserman ripping off shots from 98? We could have the next Edmonton Oilers-esque star duo, but potentially with better results. The first pick would be better served going to another team that probably needs the boost more, but I want a pure power duo.
MIKE GOULD: How about the Edmonton Oilers? Just kidding. Let’s say the Calgary Flames, who have never picked first, second, or third in the draft in their 43-year history. Flames ownership has long held a mandate against rebuilding in favor of chasing playoff revenue, but they might be forced into it after a brutal start to this season. The Flames sorely need to add high-end talent by whatever means, and it’d be cool to see a young Canadian star like Celebrini play in his home country. It’d also be nice to see Calgary make a high pick for a change after their provincial rivals have made (and bungled) so many.
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