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NHL Draft Lottery Results: 4 Reasons Connor McDavid Will Turn Edmonton Oilers Around

By Will Osgood

November 26, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; Edmonton Oilers fans cheer during the second period between the San Jose Sharks and the Calgary Flames at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 26, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; Edmonton Oilers fans cheer during the second period between the San Jose Sharks and the Calgary Flames at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Edmonton Oilers won the NHL Draft Lottery Saturday night, gaining the chance to draft Connor McDavid–thought to be a once-in-a-generation talent. 

The Edmonton Oilers won the NHL draft lottery on Saturday night, after entering the event with an 11.5 chance of earning the rights to draft can’t-miss prospect Connor McDavid.

Unknown to casual hockey fans, the NHL has had a draft lottery system in place since 1995. But it’s only been since 2013 that every non-playoff team actually had a chance at the No. 1 pick. Prior to 2013, teams could move up no more than four slots from their record-induced slot would dictate.

Of course, many probably did not know this because in year prior to this one, gaining the No. 1 pick was not considered such a prize. But in 2015, it means gaining the rights to Erie Otters forward Connor McDavid.

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Entering the draft lottery, the Buffalo Sabres had the best chance at earning the opportunity to draft McDavid at 20.0 percent, followed by the Arizona Coyotes at 13.5 percent.

But it was neither of those two struggling franchises, but another in a great hockey city who earned the rights to the 18-year-old talk of hockey.

Here are just four reasons winning the McDavid sweepstakes is so huge.

1. Connor McDavid is a Unique Player

Whether it was the Boston Bruins, or Los Angeles Kings, who respectively had a one and two percent chance of winning the lottery, or the Sabres, any team would benefit from winning this year’s lottery.

Connor McDavid-type prospects do not come around often. Even though Jack Eichel–the 2015 Hobey Baker award winner–is considered an outstanding prospect as well, McDavid is the prize.

McDavid had 120 points in 47 games for the Otters this season. No matter the level of play, that is otherwordly. Eichel cannot match that. What team couldn’t use a player like that?

Certainly Edmonton could, as it averaged fewer than 2 goals per game a season ago, ranking 26th (out of 30) in scoring.

2. The Edmonton Oilers Are Bound For A Turnaround

Though the Edmonton Oilers finished sixth in the Pacific Division with 62 points on just 24 wins, they improved greatly when Todd Nelson took over in the middle of the season as head coach for Dallas Eakins.

They were a fairly young team by NHL standards that could only go up. McDavid is the prize that could lead the Oilers back to the kind of dominance they once knew upon a time.

He joins a young lineup that can grow together, and perhaps become the next hockey dynasty a la the Oilers with you know who or the New York Islanders in the early 80s.

3. This Could Be Retribution

When superstar players leave a franchise, and there’s a draft lottery in place for that sport, inevitably that team has the gods of the sport reward it. Sure in Edmonton it took more than 25 years, but these things do not have a time limit on them.

Of course the Edmonton Oilers lost The Great One Wayne Gretzky before the 1991-92 season when he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in the biggest blockbuster trade in the sport, and maybe in all of American sports history.

Winning the lottery is akin to the then New Orleans Hornets winning the NBA Lottery to gain the chance to draft sure thing Anthony Davis–who made his NBA Playoffs debut Saturday, or like the Cleveland Cavaliers winning it three times in four years after losing LeBron James to the Miami Heat.

The point is that Edmonton again has a superstar it can call its own.

4. Edmonton Fans Will Embrace McDavid And A Winning Culture

McDavid was asked Friday ahead of the lottery his thoughts on Edmonton. Here’s what he had to say:

"“That’s a great hockey town. They love their hockey. Obviously they’ve been on a bit of a slide the last couple of years. That’s allowed them to get some unbelievably amazing players that play there now. They’re just kind of a young team now, I guess. I’m not quite sure what’s going on (moving forward). That would be an awesome place as well.”"

That statement could be taken as “McDavid is less than excited about playing in Edmonton”. Or it could be thought that he’s understandably apprehensive about playing anywhere that hasn’t had success.

No matter, though. McDavid is the piece that can put the Oilers over the top. The fans in Edmonton want their team to be great. They’ll sell out every game with McDavid in the Oilers’ lineup. He’ll be the piece which helps them gain revenue and possibly build a new state of the art arena.

Hockey will again be big-time in Edmonton. McDavid is that kind of prospect. It may take time, but the Oilers will be back. That’s what winning the lottery ultimately means for the Oilers.

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