Following the 2020 NHL draft lottery which saw teams rising and falling multiple spots, the 2021 version could be viewed as a letdown for fans hoping for more of the same. The expansion Seattle Kraken managed to move up one spot from 3rd to 2nd overall (switching spots with the Anaheim Ducks), yet outside that minor move, there wasn’t much action to speak of Wednesday night.
Seattle will complete the 2021 expansion draft on July 21st, days before the NHL Entry Draft takes place in New Jersey. While playoff teams have yet to be assigned their draft slots, those that missed out on the post season will select as follows:
1. Buffalo Sabres
2. Seattle Kraken
3. Anaheim Ducks
4. New Jersey Devils
5. Columbus Blue Jackets
6. Detroit Red Wings
7. San Jose Sharks
8. Los Angeles Kings
9. Vancouver Canucks
10. Ottawa Senators
11. Chicago Blackhawks
12. Calgary Flames
13. Philadelphia Flyers
14. Dallas Stars
15. New York Rangers
Arizona, who was given the 11th best odds to walk away with the number 1 pick, forfeited their draft selection after violating the NHL’s Combine Testing Policy last year. As such, they will have to wait until the 2nd round to begin retooling their team. The first round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft takes place on July 23rd.