Carolina Hurricanes: Making the Confusing Draft Scenarios A Lot Simpler

The Carolina Hurricanes are now in the race for the 1st overall pick

One of the play-in losers will get the first overall pick, so how can the Carolina Hurricanes get the 1st overall pick and how can they avoid giving it to the Rangers?

Is this confusing enough for you? We know who will pick 2-8, but we do not know who will get the right to draft 1st overall at the 2020 NHL entry draft. One of the 8 teams that lose in the play-in round will have the right to make the 1st overall pick and in all likelihood draft Alexis Lafreniere. So, how can the Canes land the talented winger?

Well, it’s extremely confusing. Carolina could have no pick in the 1st round, have the 1st overall pick or have its normal pick, or Toronto’s pick. It’s a lot to unfold. There’s a lot of possible scenarios, so let’s start with why these scenarios exist. Simply put, Brady Skjei. Carolina gave up one of it’s 2 1st rounders for Skjei, and it is whichever is later in the draft.

So, how can Carolina draft 1st overall? This is a simple one. Win the lottery. Carolina will have a 12.5% chance to win the 1st overall pick if they lose to the New York Rangers. Toronto’s pick at that point cannot fall below 12 which means that pick would be New York’s. Carolina would then be free to draft whoever they want, or trade it or whatever they like.

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How could they end up with no pick? It’s the absolute polar opposite. Toronto would need to lose their play-in round to the Columbus Blue Jackets and strike lucky on the draft lottery front. In that case, Toronto would keep their pick and Carolina’s 1st rounder would go to New York. Carolina would, however, receive an unprotected 1st rounder from Toronto the year after.

Then there’s the most likely scenario. Neither pick wins the lottery. Carolina and Toronto’s picks both go to Carolina, and the later of the two picks would go to Madison Square Garden for the Rangers to use. Now, regardless of win or lose the play-in series, both picks would go to the Hurricanes front office.

Confused yet? No, cause the NHL has never been confusing right? Not once, not ever!

So… win or lose Carolina could be a much better team in the long run. This is either because of the addition of a very high pick in a very deep draft, or because they topple the Rangers and embark on a deep playoff run. Either way, it will benefit the team in the long run.

Question for Cardiac Cane Readers: Would you rather see the Canes make the playoffs, or have the chance to draft Lafreniere?