The 2026 NHL Draft Lottery could completely reshape the future of the league, with multiple teams competing for the No. 1 overall pick. While some franchises enter as clear favorites, history shows that the lottery often springs surprises.
Here's a full breakdown of the odds heading into one of the NHL's most important nights.
nhl draft lottery odds snapshot 2026
Here are the 2026 draft lottery odds for Tuesday, May 5.
- Vancouver Canucks – 18.5%
- Chicago Blackhawks – 13.5%
- New York Rangers - 11.5%
- Calgary Flames – 9.5%
- Toronto Maple Leafs – 8.5%
- Seattle Kraken – 7.5%
- Winnipeg Jets - 6.5%
- Florida Panthers - 6.0%
- San Jose Sharks – 5.0%
- Nashville Predators - 3.5%
- St. Louis Blues - 3.0%
- New Jersey Devils - 2.5%
- New York Islanders - 2.0%
- Columbus Blue Jackets - 1.5%
- St. Louis Blues (via DET) – 0.5%
- Washington Capitals - 0.5%
The race for the No. 1 pick is wide open, with several teams having realistic chances depending on lottery results.
How does the NHL Draft Lottery work?
The draft lottery determines the order of the first overall pick for non-playoff teams. Only the top-2 picks are selected in the lottery each year.
Main rules:
- Teams are given odds based on regular season standings
- Only a limited number of positions can be added to a draft order
- Lottery determines top picks, not entire draft order
- Results are revealed live during the broadcast program
This system is designed to balance competitiveness while preventing tanking in the NHL.
How to watch the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery
You can watch the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery on Tuesday, May 5 at 7:00 PM ET. The lottery will be broadcast on ESPN, Sportsnet and TVA Sports, as one of 16 teams will earn the first pick in the 2026 NHL Draft this summer.
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