Here is when we think Alex Ovechkin will break Wayne Gretzky’s goal record
Mackenzie Salmon looks at the earliest possible time Alex Ovechkin could break Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record.
USA TODAY
The date for the NHL draft lottery has been set for May 8, with generational talent Connor Bedard the prize.
The standings at the bottom of the league got a little closer when the last-place Columbus Blue Jackets beat the 31st-ranked San Jose Sharks 6-5 on Tuesday night. The Sharks earned a point by rallying from a 5-3 deficit to force overtime before Columbus’ Johnny Gaudreau won it with a goal and his fifth point of the game.
San Jose is two points ahead of Columbus, but the Blue Jackets have two games in hand. The teams’ winning percentages are just .004 apart.
The draft lottery winner can move up only 10 spots this year, so the bottom 11 teams have a shot at Bedard.
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Here’s a look at the teams with the best odds (statistics are as of March 14; this file will be updated at various points during the season).
Who’s Connor Bedard?
Bedard, who entered the Western Hockey League draft early as a 15-year-old, has put up big numbers while playing against older players. He has an NHL-level shot and topped North American skaters in Central Scouting’s midseason rankings. The 17-year-old was named world junior championships MVP after getting 23 points in seven games for gold medalist Canada. The Regina (Saskatchewan) Pats 5-10, 185-pound center leads the WHL with 61 goals and 125 points in 51 games, though he has been shut out in two of his last four games. Last season, he had 100 points in 62 games.
What are the draft lottery odds for Connor Bedard?
Columbus Blue Jackets — 66 GP, 21-38-7, 49 pts., .371. Odds: 25.5%
San Jose Sharks — 68 GP, 19-36-13, 51 pts., .375. Odds: 13.5%
Chicago Blackhawks — 67 GP, 23-38-6, 52 pts., .388. Odds: 11.5%
Anaheim Ducks — 67 GP, 22-35-10, 54 pts., .403. Odds: 9.5%
Philadelphia Flyers — 67 GP, 24-32-11, 59 pts., .440. Odds: 8.5%
Montreal Canadiens — 68 GP, 27-35-6, 60 pts. .441. Odds: 7.5%
Arizona Coyotes — 68 GP, 25-32-11, 61 pts., .449. Odds: 6.5%
Vancouver Canucks — 66 GP, 29-32-5, 63 pts., .477. Odds: 6.0%
St. Louis Blues — 66 GP, 29-32-5, 63 pts., .477. Odds: 5.0%
Detroit Red Wings — 67 GP, 30-28-9, 69 pts., .515. Odds: 3.5%
Washington Capitals — 67 GP, 32-29-7, 71 pts., .522. Odds: 3.0%
What’s the biggest recent news among teams in the Connor Bedard watch?
Gaudreau, the NHL’s top free agent last summer, set a season high and tied a franchise record with his five-point game against the Sharks. Patrik Laine improved his point streak to six games with two assists, including on the game-winner after he and Gaudreau had a 2-on-0 breakaway on Sharks goalie Kaapo Kahkonen. Kahkonen made 42 saves but lost for the eighth consecutive appearance. San Jose’s William Eklund, the No. 7 overall pick of 2021, scored his first NHL goal. The Sharks, who traded Timo Meier and other pending free agents, have one win in their last 10 games and have a league-low six wins at home.
What other news is happening among Connor Bedard watch teams?
Blackhawks forward Taylor Raddysh had a hat trick to help upset the No. 1 Bruins 6-3. He has six goals in his last four games. But goalie Petr Mrazek left the game with a groin muscle injury. The team called up Anton Khudobin. … Ducks goalie John Gibson has passed Guy Hebert for most saves in franchise history. He has gone 4-1-3 in his last eight games. … The Flyers lost for the 12th time in their last 14 games. Interim GM Danny Briere said the team needs a rebuild but there won’t be a fire sale. … The Canadiens ended a seven-game winless streak with a 6-4 victory against the Penguins. Trade deadline acquisition Denis Gurianov scored for the third consecutive game and has four goals with Montreal. He had two goals in 43 games with the Stars. The Canadiens announced that forward Christian Dvorak had season-ending knee surgery. … The Coyotes are 4-0-1 in their last four five home games and play their next two at Mullett Arena. Forward Clayton Keller, the No. 1 star of the week, continued his hot streak with two goals in a 4-3 win against the Flames. … The Canucks have won five in a row for the first time since April. J.T. Miller has five goals, including three short-handed goals and an overtime winner, in that stretch. … Blues forward Pavel Buchnevich has four goals and 15 points during a nine-game point streak. … The Red Wings beat the Bruins at home in the second game of a home-and-home set. … Capitals star Alex Ovechkin (lower body), a game-time decision vs. the Sabres, ended up playing.
When is the NHL draft lottery and what will it determine?
The draft lottery is scheduled to be held at 7 p.m. ET on May 8 and will be shown on ESPN. It will determine the first two picks of the NHL draft. University of Michigan forward Adam Fantilli, who’s 6-2, 195, could go No. 2 overall. Swedish forward Leo Carlsson, who’s 6-3, 198, is Central Scouting’s top-ranked international skater.
What happened the last time there was this much excitement about a draft prospect?
That was Connor McDavid’s draft year with the Erie Otters in 2015, when he had 120 points in 47 games. The Sabres finished last with 54 points and the Coyotes had 56, but the Oilers (62) won the draft lottery and chose McDavid. The Sabres drafted Jack Eichel and the Coyotes chose Dylan Strome, both of whom have since been traded.
