NHL Released Memo about Potential June Draft

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the NHL released a memo to all 31 teams stating its position on holding the Entry Draft in June. Although nothing is set in stone, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly announced broadcast networks are on board with the schedule that is rumored to set a June 5 draft date, which gives the league one month to prepare.

One key issue would be the draft lottery. Considering the rest of the regular season has not been canceled or played out, the NHL is suggesting using point percentage as the method to determine the order of the draft. The memo outlined that the lottery format would be only adjusted for this season. There would be only one winner with teams being allowed to move up a maximum of 4 spots.

Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston writes that would mean that the Detroit Red Wings with the best opportunity to win the lottery would receive nothing less than the second-overall selection, while the Ottawa Senators would pick no less than the third and fourth overall selections (they presently have San Jose’s lottery selection as well though the 2018 Erik Karlsson trade).

That might cause some ire from general managers who are hoping to get their hands on winger Alexis Lafreniere with the No. 1 overall selection. In spite of having a bigger advantage, Friedman emphasizes that Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman wrote on a Fox News Detroit Facebook Live chat that he’s opposed to the idea.

The NHL league also suggests that teams would get 7 days to deal with conditional trades that may involve draft picks in order that both teams reach a good agreement. Many have sited the James Neal – Milan Lucic trade, having Calgary to receive a conditional selection based on Neal scoring 21 goals and at least 10 more than Lucic. Teams would have an opportunity to renegotiate those deals so that all teams are happy with the result.