Sounds to me like Ek is just angling for a way to increase the Flyers chances of getting the number 1 pick. Best of luck to Buffalo, Edmonton and the Yotes.

How about the team that gets the fewest points the previous year gets the first pick in the draft. It's the only thing that makes any sense at all. It's already bad enough the way they have it now.

EK's idea is not good in many levels. So if a team sucks for many year like the Oilers, their fans should be punished some more by not being aloud to pick first again. Also, it's not every year you get a generational talent like McDavid. You also devalued the pick if they want to trade it. There is nothing that can be done. The odds have been changed this year and I will not be surprised at all if the last place team does not win the lottery.

fix the NHL:

close 2 teams, move 2 more, 1 to Seattle. Get rid of NMC's, drop goalie equipment sizes, all games are playoff rules, drop 10 games out of the season, Cup is won by Memorial Day.
- sammy87

Definitely agree with that.

You are all wrong, not just Ek but everyone who posted any opinion regardless of what it is.

You are all wrong, not just Ek but everyone who posted any opinion regardless of what it is.
- Horseguts

no favourites.
everybodys wrong

no favourites.
everybodys wrong
- Ihateallofu

Exactly, if you visit Hockeybuzz, you're wrong!

That could reward a team who just misses the playoffs though.... That sounds pretty stupid.
- Guile

Just thinking out loud but, if that occurs - equal chance for all non playoff teams, then how about putting a cap hit prorated to the teams position, that way a high finisher has a larger cap hit for the draft pick than a team lower. That way keeping that draft pick may be a little more difficult than not. Obviously not all teams will be hit by cap issues but it may not be so attractive for a team knowing that the pick will cost against their cap?

Thinking that the draft lottery is an issue that needs addressing with the current state of officiating is like patching a screen door in a submarine. Call the game by the rules. Explain to the Refs that the players are the show not them and for the love of all things holy, add a challenge using the same process as a time out for the simple reason that the game is run and played by humans...mistakes are made.

Exactly, if you visit Hockeybuzz, you're wrong!
- Horseguts

So by your logic... you too are wrong...
Which means...?

Just thinking out loud but, if that occurs - equal chance for all non playoff teams, then how about putting a cap hit prorated to the teams position, that way a high finisher has a larger cap hit for the draft pick than a team lower. That way keeping that draft pick may be a little more difficult than not. Obviously not all teams will be hit by cap issues but it may not be so attractive for a team knowing that the pick will cost against their cap?
- Aussiepenguin

NEVER.
That is an awful idea.
That would essentially force the team to use younger, entry level contracts all but exclusively to get under the cap and field a team... making them more likely to have a high pick again after getting thumped. Then, the next year they reduce them again?

As said before in this thread. Everyone who misses the postseason gets a ball in the lottery. Weighting could be introduced; but nowhere near the heavy weighting it is now.

Just have a tournament for all teams that don't make the playoffs. Draft position is determined by how your team finishes in the tournament (ie, first place gets first pick). Give a cash incentive to the players so that they will actually care.

More money for the owners of crappy teams. No incentive for team to be really terrible. Everyone gets in the playoffs.

The way I would do it...

Once a team is mathematically eliminated, he starts competing for the draft position. The team with most points gets first and so on. The quicker you are mathematically eliminated the faster you participate in the draft tourney. It takes away the tanking, and still gives worse teams a better chance because they will have more games to put up points.

Probably makes too much sense? Right?

What about Garnett and Ray Allen? When did the Celtics draft them?
- NEONDOUBLEDION

That was a trade for Garnet after they were somehow able to sign Allen. Getting Allen was the only way Garnet allowed it to happen.

Don't worry he does this to everyone with differing views... Poor buggar has a superiority complex- you either follow his lead and rebuttle as fact or else The sad fact is the Oilers are a mess- so much so that there is no quick fix or answer but time...
- saskoil21

It's a stupid way to get your point across.

So by your logic... you too are wrong...
Which means...?
- mlindsay

WRONG!

Just have a tournament for all teams that don't make the playoffs. Draft position is determined by how your team finishes in the tournament (ie, first place gets first pick). Give a cash incentive to the players so that they will actually care.

More money for the owners of crappy teams. No incentive for team to be really terrible. Everyone gets in the playoffs.
- limestein

I've heard this dozens of times and it gets dumber each time I hear it.

It's a stupid way to get your point across.
- glove_was_stuck

Sask oil is not too bright.

I've heard this dozens of times and it gets dumber each time I hear it.
- ghostofRC

I agree, the Colnel's 11 herbs and spices get it done for me too.

Sask oil is not too bright.
- ghostofRC

Has a dynamite avatar

Just have a tournament for all teams that don't make the playoffs. Draft position is determined by how your team finishes in the tournament (ie, first place gets first pick). Give a cash incentive to the players so that they will actually care.

More money for the owners of crappy teams. No incentive for team to be really terrible. Everyone gets in the playoffs.
- limestein

Yeah, because if there is anything the NHLPA would support it would be exposing players to a higher risk of injury in a tournament that was forced into existence because of irresponsible GM's circumventing the spirit of the game for their own benefit.

Yeah, because if there is anything the NHLPA would support it would be exposing players to a higher risk of injury in a tournament that was forced into existence because of irresponsible GM's circumventing the spirit of the game for their own benefit.
- eichiefs9

You don't have any facts, you're an idiot!

You don't have any facts, you're an idiot!
- glove_was_stuck

Sorry..um, all the GM's from non-playoff teams have to fly to a predetermined gun range to shoot skeet. GM's hitting 25% or fewer of their clays have the highest percentage to win the first overall pick. In the event of a tie, a fox is released into nearby woods and the first GM to come out with it's pelt is awarded the first overall selection.

Sorry..um, all the GM's from non-playoff teams have to fly to a predetermined gun range to shoot skeet. GM's hitting 25% or fewer of their clays have the highest percentage to win the first overall pick. In the event of a tie, a fox is released into nearby woods and the first GM to come out with it's pelt is awarded the first overall selection.
- eichiefs9

- glove_was_stuck

In a shocking turn of events Jay Feaster was the first GM to the fox, but forfeited the first overall pick when, instead of bringing the fox out of the woods, was found ravenously gnawing on it's carcass on a game trail.

Yes, I know Jay Feaster is no longer a GM but shut up and let me have my moment in the sun.