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NHL Draft Lottery 2014: the New Jersey Devils can’t win

By Michael Straw

March 9, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; New Jersey Devils right wing Ilya Kovalchuk (17) skates during the 2nd period against the Carolina Hurricanes at the PNC center. The Hurricanes defeated the Devils 6-3. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
March 9, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; New Jersey Devils right wing Ilya Kovalchuk (17) skates during the 2nd period against the Carolina Hurricanes at the PNC center. The Hurricanes defeated the Devils 6-3. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /
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March 9, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; New Jersey Devils right wing Ilya Kovalchuk (17) skates during the 2nd period against the Carolina Hurricanes at the PNC center. The Hurricanes defeated the Devils 6-3. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
March 9, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; New Jersey Devils right wing Ilya Kovalchuk (17) skates during the 2nd period against the Carolina Hurricanes at the PNC center. The Hurricanes defeated the Devils 6-3. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

The NHL Draft Lottery takes place tonight from Toronto, and there will be 13 teams hoping to be that one lucky organization to draft first overall. Now, usually there are 14 teams with the opportunity to select first, but this year is different due to a unique situation.

The New Jersey Devils simply can’t win the lottery. Well they can, but it wouldn’t matter because they will be picking 30th regardless of the outcome.

Back in 2010, the New Jersey Devils attempted to sign Ilya Kovalchuk to a 17-year, $102 million  contract extension that the NHL deemed would circumvent the salary cap. As punishment for this potential contract, the NHL forced the Devils to give up a first round pick in one draft between 2011 and 2014. The team kept deferring until this season where they were supposed to lose their first round pick, ultimately a lottery pick, because of the penalty. However, the NHL decided to then lessen the penalty back in March.

Instead of losing the pick all together, the Devils will be now be picking last in the draft. Should the Devils actually be the team that wins the lottery drawing, a re-draw will take place.

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