The New York Rangers have won the right to select first overall in the 2020 NHL Draft.
This lottery was the league’s second after the first failed to decide the first overall pick.
As part of the NHL’s return to play plan, there was a regular draft lottery for the teams that missed the playoffs. As needed, there was a second lottery for the teams disqualified in the play-in round.
Loyalties were questioned as teams and fanbases had to juggle the pros and cons of winning the play-in round and risking a first-round exit or losing the play-in round and having a 12.5 percent chance of winning the lottery. That worked out well for the New York Rangers as they have won the lottery in a franchise-altering turn of events. They now have won a top-two pick in the draft in back-to-back years.
In 2019, New York landed the second overall pick and ultimately selected Kaapo Kakko.
A team already loaded with young talent, the Rangers will select Alexis Lafreniere, who is a perfect complement for their growing core. New York’s up-and-coming offense coupled with their young and skilled defense will be a threat for a long playoff run year after year.
Add in young goalies Igor Shesterkin and Alexandar Georgiev and you have a perennial contender for the Stanley Cup.
There is, of course, a slim chance that the Rangers will decide to trade the first overall pick to fill a specific need.
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