If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
The NHL Entry Draft was created decades ago to help the weaker NHL teams get better quicker.
It worked.
Then in 1995 the lottery was introduced in which the lottery winner could move a maximum of 4 spots.
A few years ago the rule where changed again to where any of the lottery picks could win the 1st overall pick.
On April 30th the NHL will do the lottery for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd overall selections.
Why the changes? To prevent tanking.
The feeling is that if you aren’t guaranteed the 1st overall pick it will prevent teams from losing on purpose. This idea was good in theory but history show teams would rather have a 20% chance of being 1st overall than a 3% chance. It’s simple math. The only way to prevent tanking is to give every non-playoff team an equal chance at every pick.
Fans and hockey people were also tired of the Oilers always getting the 1st overall pick. They were in that spot in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Last year, without the lottery, Edmonton would have picked 3rd. The lottery changes actually helped the Oilers.
The only time I would like the lottery system is for the years where there is a once in a decade type player like Connor McDavid, Sydney Crosby and Mario Lemieux. Most years the best player could come from anywhere in the draft.
Having a higher pick doesn’t guarantee getting the best player.
Having a higher pick doesn’t guarantee your scouting staff will make the right decision.
Having a higher pick doesn’t guarantee your team will develop the player into being a star.
The only good thing about the lottery draft is that it’s must see TV.
The old method worked and there was no reason to change it.