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There are six teams within a single point of each other for last place in the NHL. In this edition of the hotstove, we share our thoughts on which team is most likely to finish 31st and give themselves the best shot of winning the draft lottery.
Todd Cordell
Unless Ottawa parts with Matt Duchene and/or Mark Stone, I think Detroit is the best bet to finish 31st.
They are shallow up front, on defense, and severely lacking in terms of difference makers. They are likely to make the team worse – perhaps significantly so – prior to the deadline as well.
The Wings are reportedly shopping pending UFA Jimmy Howard. Among 35 eligible goaltenders (1000+ 5v5 minutes), Howard ranks 3rd in save percentage and goals saved above average. He has been nothing short of fantastic and the Wings are still a disaster. Imagine if and when they cut him loose.
Gustav Nyquist is also rumored to be available. He leads an offensively starved Red Wings team in 5v5 assists, points, and sits 2nd in Corsi For%. Suffice to say, they'd feel it if he walks out the door.
I think the Red Wings are a legitimate threat to finish last as is and, again, they're likely to make the roster even worse.
Sean Maloughney
It's going to come down to which team has the biggest fire-sale at the trade deadline. LA is a likely candidate, especially if they do trade oft rumoured players Muzzin and Toffoli, however it is Ottawa that gets my vote.
Ottawa is in a world of hurt in too many ways to count, but chief among them is the fact that their lottery selection this season belongs to the Colorado Avalanche. There is no way for Ottawa to dig themselves out of a hole this season so the next best option for them is to acquire first round picks from other teams.
Duchene and Stone who are both UFA after this season are the obvious candidates for acquiring high end picks. The Sens are in negotiations with both players right now and if they cannot come to a long term agreement, the team will move on. A Senators team with a -30 goal differential and missing it's two best offensive players seems like a shoe in for 31st.
Peter Tessier
The "Lose for Hughes" sweepstakes are staring early and basically if you are a fan of a Central Division team then you have to cheer for anyone but Ottawa. Now given the scenarios of tanking to increase odds for winning the draft lottery which team has the most to trade before or at the trade deadline to make themselves bad?
Ottawa has Duchene, Stone and Dzingel
Philadelphia has Simmonds and defense prospects
Detroit has Howard and Kronwall
New Jersey has Johanssen Boyle and Lovejoy
LA has- Hagelin and nothing really
Chicago has Kruger, Kunitz and Ward
There's lots of bad to go around and I think it's likely New Jersey but never underestimate Ottawa for being awful. Losing the first overall pick to Colorado would be the icing on the cake for Dorian and his mess, and someone only Chiarelli is able to out-underperfrom.
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