NHL Draft Lottery: May 5th, Shaping Franchises

0:00It's April 18th. Welcome to NHL News Today, AI-powered coverage of your squad. The NHL just set the date for the 2026 draft lottery, Tuesday, May 5th, right from their Sakakis, New Jersey studio. It'll air live on ESPN, sportsnet, and TVA sports, with balls drawn in real time, so everyone watches the odds shift as teams get knocked out. This thing locks in the first 16 picks for non-playoff squads or teams holding their slots. It runs in two phases, one for the top overall selection, another for number two, with a cap so no team jumps more than 10 spots total. Vancouver Connucks hold the best shot at 18.5% odds. Chicago Blackhawks close behind at 13.5, then New York. Rangers at 11.5. For rebuilding crews, this is Maker Break, reshaping rosters for years ahead. NHL Central Scout and drop final rankings, crowning Penn State Wing or Gavin McKenna as top North American skater and for London's Ivar Stinberg, leading internationals.

1:03The full draft hits Buffalo's Keeping Center, June 26th for Round 1, spilling into 27th. Keep eyes peeled as the regular season wraps. Those lottery balls could flip franchises overnight.