Although the NHL has been suspended for more than two months because of the coronavirus pandemic, hockey's comeback appears to be getting closer. The league's return-to-play plan was announced recently, and with it, a firmer timetable for the draft lottery became clear.
For the seven teams that won't be included in the NHL's expanded playoffs, they know their odds for landing the No. 1 overall pick in the draft (which NHL.com's Tom Gulitti listed in his breakdown of the lottery, set for June 26). Not only that, but there could also be two phases of the lottery this season, the second of which could occur after the qualifying round of the playoffs.