The Ottawa Senators will finish with the worst record in the 31-team NHL, thus giving the Avalanche the best odds of obtaining the No. 1 pick in the 2019 draft in next week’s weighted draft lottery in Toronto. The draft is June 21 in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The Avs, who acquired the Sens’ top pick as part of the three-team trade that sent Matt Duchene from Colorado to Ottawa on Nov. 5, 2017, will have a league-best 18.5 percent chance at the No. 1 pick and cannot fall further than the No. 4 pick.
The draft lottery involves the 15 non-playoff teams and will be held Tuesday in Toronto.