The Anaheim Ducks host the San Jose Sharks tonight at the Honda Center and it would behoove the home team to start losing some hockey games.

I know, I know. Losing sucks. With the playoffs long out of reach, the best way to cap off the first playoff-less spring in six seasons would be to win the draft lottery.

The Ducks are 6-4 in its last 10 games, and they currently hold a 7.5% chance of winning the coveted first overall pick and a shot at picking a franchise-altering player in Jack Hughes.

I’ve messed with different online simulator several times and the Ducks seems to win the lottery every eight chances. I like those odds, but it can always be better!

At just 17-years-old, Hughes us a dynamic and gifted center. He’s fast a heck and can score in bunches. He would put the Ducks back on the map as a playoff team and must-watch television. (I already bought season tickets).

Anaheim is the NHL’s worst goal-scoring team and a player of Jack's caliber would instantly retool the Ducks up front and seamlessly transition them into a younger more skilled team. Imagine a young core of forwards headlined by Hughes, Rickard Rakell, Ondrej Kase, Troy Terry, Sam Steel, and Max Jones?

That alone should have Anaheim fans salivating.

Sprinkle in the leadership group of Adam Henrique, Jakob Silfverberg, Nick Ritchie, and Ryan Getzlaf. AND a defense that includes Hampus Lindholm, Cam Fowler, and Josh Manson?

All I have to say is #loseforhughes

The Sharks are not going to make it easy for Anaheim to lose. San Jose’s lost four in a row and the goalie situation is a nightmare. The good news is, Anaheim can help its draft positioning with another stinker as they had on Wednesday.

Thanks for reading,
Steve

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