U.S. Hockey Center Jack Hughes Expected To Be Top Pick

TORONTO (AP) — The Draft Lottery is set for tonight.

Jack Hughes will have a pretty good idea of where he'll be headed after Tuesday night.

 

VICTORIA , BC - DECEMBER 26: Jack Hughes #6 of United States against Slovakia during the IIHF World Junior Championships at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on December 26, 2018 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images)

 

Expected to be the top pick at June's NHL draft, the 17-year-old center with the U.S. national development team will be on hand when the lottery results are revealed in Toronto.

The 15 teams that failed to qualify for the 2019 playoffs — or franchises that acquired the first-round picks of nonplayoff clubs — will participate in the lottery.

 

VICTORIA , BC - DECEMBER 26: Jack Hughes #6 of United States skates against Slovakia during the IIHF World Junior Championships at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on December 26, 2018 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images)

 

The Colorado Avalanche, who open the postseason Thursday against the Calgary Flames, have the best odds of landing the first pick at 18.5% after acquiring the selection from the Ottawa Senators in the trade for Matt Duchene in November 2017.

Ottawa, which finished 31st in the overall standings, could have sent the team's first pick at last June's draft to Colorado, but decided instead to keep the selection before drafting winger Brady Tkachuk at No. 4.

Tuesday's draft lottery will consist of three separate drawings — for first, second and third overall —meaning the Avalanche can pick no later than fourth.

 

 

VICTORIA , BC - DECEMBER 26: Jack Hughes #6 of Team United States skates behind the net after making a backhand shot on Samuel Hlavaj #2 of Team Slovakia at the IIHF World Junior Championships at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on December 26, 2018 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images)

 

The top-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting, Hughes had 12 goals and 36 assists in 24 games for the USNDT this season.

Finish winger Kappo Kakko, meanwhile, is ranked as the top European skater.

The Los Angeles Kings have the second-best odds at 13.5%, followed by the New Jersey Devils (11.5, Detroit Red Wings (9.5%), Buffalo Sabres (8.5%), New York Rangers (7.5%), Edmonton Oilers (6.5%), Anaheim Ducks (6%), Vancouver Canucks (5%), Philadelphia Flyers (3.5%), Minnesota Wild (3%), Chicago Blackhawks (2.5%), Florida Panthers (2%), Arizona Coyotes (1.5%) and Montreal Canadiens (1%).

The 12 clubs not selected in three lottery draws will be assigned draft selections four through 15, in inverse order of regular-season standings.

This year's draft is set for Vancouver's Rogers Arena on June 21 and 22.

 

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