For the second time in three years, the Devils won the NHL’s golden ticket at the 2019 NHL Draft lottery drawing, edging out the rival Rangers and Blackhawks, who finished second and third, respectively. By doing so, the Devils have the rights to choose between two of the world’s premier draft prospects — center Jack Hughes or Finnish sniper Kaapo Kakko. Although the NHL swears its lottery system is designed to limit the tendency of a losing team looking to lose more, simply for the sake of gaining a higher pick, all three of Tuesday’s winners leapfrogged teams that finished lower in the standings. NHL DRAFT BOARD: Ranking the 31 prospects in 2019 class The Blackhawks, who owned the 12th-best odds to land in the top three, became the newest example of the fringe playoff team that jumped a bottom dweller via the luck of the draw. Chicago owned a 13-point advantage over the Kings in the regular season, but come June, it will be the Hawks in possession of the higher pick. Last year, the Hurricanes, ranked 11th in the drawing order and 16 points ahead of the Senators, took home the second overall pick. In 2017, the teams with the highest probability of winning a top-three pick — Colorado, Vancouver and then-expansion Vegas — all were bumped out by lower-ranked teams, including the Devils, who went from fifth all the way to drafting Nico Hischier first overall. To be fair, no club involved in last night’s draft lottery should be considered a candidate on the brink of achieving postseason success of any significance. All 15 teams, including the 96-point Montreal Canadiens, have varying levels of housekeeping to conduct before they can even think about becoming Stanley Cup contenders. THE HYPE ABOUT JACK HUGHES: U.S. NTDP's latest star product has the NHL's attention And although the paths by which each of the teams involved arrived at the drawing certainly differ in scope and scale, the vibrant enthusiasm surrounding the event gave each fanbase something to hope for, even if that one thing — a high first-round pick in the June draft — wasn’t going to be revealed by the broadcasting networks until after a dreadfully misplaced playoff preview. The depth of the top half of this year’s draft crop is noticeably strong, specifically in the form of a half-dozen centers, all with franchise-changing potential. Whether it’s Hughes or Kakko to go first overall, the resumes of the NHL’s two premier draft prospects for 2019 were not only thrust before a national audience, but also increased the intensity of the Hughes-vs-Kakko debate from a low-flame simmer to a rolling boil. Additionally, NHL scouting departments must continue with their evaluation processes to try and determine which players outside of Hughes or Kakko will be the best fit for their respective organizations. With that said, let’s take a stab at figuring out how the top half of the upcoming draft will unfold: (Getty Images) https://images.daznservices.com/di/library/sporting_news/d9/d8/kaapo-kakko-010719-getty-ftrjpg_u6fcym1wgdum1jflscpwa1rd3.jpg?t=699521224&w=500&quality=80 NHL mock draft 2019, version 3.0 1. New Jersey Devils: Jack Hughes, C, U.S. U18 (NTDP) With all due respect to the likes of Kirk Muller and even Nico Hischier, the Devils have never had a center whose skill alone was enough to fill the seats. Hughes is an exceptional playmaker with ridiculous speed who has the potential to become the franchise’s first marketable superstar 2. New York Rangers: Kaapo Kakko, RW, TPS Turku (SM-Liiga) Kakko is exactly what the Rangers want and need — a powerful goal scorer with quickness and strength who can wear down any defender. He’ll be the highest draft pick in Blueshirts history, joining Hall of Fame defenseman Brad Park, who went second overall in 1966. 3. Chicago Blackhawks: Alex Turcotte, C, U.S. U18 (NTDP) Jonathan Toews may have had a career year statistically, but he turns 31 later this month. Turcotte, who grew up just north of Chicago, is fast and an assassin with the puck, but also plays a tough, 200-foot game. He’ll play for the University of Wisconsin next fall. 4. Colorado Avalanche via Ottawa: Trevor Zegras, C, U.S. U18 (NTDP) If you swap jersey numbers between Hughes and this dynamic playmaker, you might have a tough time determining who is who. Zegras, a Boston University recruit, has world-class vision, silky-smooth moves and can enter the offensive zone cleaner than anyone outside of his aforementioned NTDP teammates. 5. Los Angeles Kings: Bowen Byram, D, Vancouver (WHL) Kings GM Rob Blake was a physical puck mover himself during his Hall of Fame career, so you have to think he’s impressed with this rugged point-producing machine who would be the perfect option to groom as Drew Doughty’s eventual replacement. 6. Detroit Red Wings: Dylan Cozens, C, Lethbridge (WHL) Cozens offers the rebuilding Wings everything they would want in a prospect — skill, speed, power and effort. His shift-to-shift consistency and play without the puck is just part of a multi-tool package that should turn him into a productive top-line player in Detroit. 7. Buffalo Sabres: Kirby Dach, C, Saskatoon (WHL) A big-bodied playmaker with exceptional puck skills, Dach can turn just about any linemate into a scoring threat. Few players taller than 6-4 can find a way to be elusive within the tightness of the offensive zone, but Dach consistently spins and pivots away from pressure before threading the needle with an impressive set-up. 8. Edmonton Oilers: Peyton Krebs, C, Kootenay (WHL) As the search for support for Connor McDavid intensifies, the Oilers would be smart in nabbing this toolsy pivot as a legitimate option. Krebs was just as productive as Dach, albeit on a much thinner team. He can win big draws, swiftly move through the zone with his head up and create and finish plays with a high degree of difficulty. A real on-ice leader who plays with an edge. 9. Anaheim Ducks: Matthew Boldy, LW, U.S. U18 (NTDP) One of the draft’s smartest players also is one of its most versatile, as Boldy has worn numerous hats on a stacked NTDP squad that always thinks offense. He is extremely clean with the puck and owns a cannon for a shot, but his powerful stride and anticipation makes him an asset on the backcheck and in coverage. 10. Vancouver Canucks: Vasily Podkolzin, RW, SKA Neva (VHL) The draft’s toughest competitor also has game-breaking skill and the ability to deliver daggers in the clutch. Podkolzin is one of Russia’s most heralded prospects in the last decade or so, and the intensity he plays with cannot be matched by any of his draft peers. He hates to lose and has a long memory, which translates to bad news for his opponents. 11. Philadelphia Flyers: Cole Caufield, RW, U.S. U18 (NTDP) The draft’s purest goal scorer might also possess the best disposition on or off the ice. Caufield is listed at 5-6, but he plays a lot bigger than his measurements. He recently beat Phil Kessel’s NTDP career goal-scoring mark, posting consecutive seasons of 54 goals. 12. Minnesota Wild: Pavel Dorofeyev, LW, Stalnye Lisy (MHL) Why this cerebral dual threat isn’t universally mentioned as a possible top 10 pick — let alone a first rounder — is very surprising. Dorofeyev’s ability to execute odd-man rushes and maximize his time in the offensive zone is advanced for a teenager. It’s not common for a neophyte to earn a regular shift in the KHL, but Dorofeyev certainly earned his ice time. 13. Florida Panthers: Spencer Knight, G, U.S. 18 (NTDP) The Panthers definitely are averse to drafting goalies — only five have been drafted by the organization in the last nine years. Maybe time for a new strategy, no? Knight has drawn comparisons to a young Carey Price, and even a draft deep in netminders should not stop the Cats from adding a much-needed piece to their stacked prospect pool. 14. Arizona Coyotes: Raphael Lavoie, RW, Halifax (QMJHL) A versatile forward with size who is as lethal shooting the puck as he is passing it. Lavoie plays a similar style to Kakko in that he’s a powerful skater who creates time and space with his stickhandling. It also doesn’t hurt having an accurate shot and quick release. 15.<doc-sep>TORONTO — Devils general manager Ray Shero has made it clear his team needs to accumulate more talent. The luck of the draw helped New Jersey take a huge step in that direction Tuesday. The Devils will pick first at June's NHL draft after the lottery balls fell in their favour — bumping the franchise up to the top spot from No. 3. Shero wouldn't tip his hand after the order was revealed, but presumptive No. 1 pick Jack Hughes was already on everyone's mind. "I've seen Jack play a long time," Shero said of the 17-year-old U.S. National Development Team centre. "We recognize Jack's a great young player. "It's just an exciting night." The New York Rangers will choose second at the draft — the team's first top-2 selection since 1966 when they grabbed future Hall of Fame defenceman Brad Park — after moving up from sixth. The night's other big winner was the Chicago Blackhawks, who went from No. 12 to No. 3 despite having just a 2.5 per cent chance of securing the top selection. Speaking with reporters before the lottery order was announced, the five-foot-10, 168-pound Hughes outlined his skill set. "My biggest things are my inner drive, my competitiveness," he said. "I want to score every shift and make a play happen. "I like to say I play like Patrick Kane a little bit, but I feel I'm more of a Mat Barzal in how I carve through the neutral zone, lug the puck, and find my teammates." Tuesday marked the second time in three years the Devils, who had an 11.5 per cent chance of getting the top pick, have won the lottery after moving from fifth to first in 2017 before selection centre Nico Hischier. New Jersey also has three second-round picks and two thirds at the upcoming draft in Vancouver as the club looks to rebound from a disappointing campaign. "Getting Nico was a big step," Shero said. "And doing this again, you have to be lucky, you have to have not a great year, obviously. "We want to fix that." The night's big losers were the Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings. The Avalanche, who open the playoffs Wednesday against the Calgary Flames, had the best odds of landing the first pick at 18.5 per cent after acquiring the selection from the Ottawa Senators in the trade for Matt Duchene in November 2017, but instead fell down to the No. 4 slot. Colorado also dropped from first to fourth three years ago before selecting defenceman Cale Maker. Ottawa, which finished 31st in the overall standings this season, could have sent the team's first pick at last June's draft to the Avalanche, but kept the selection and took winger Brady Tkachuk at No. 4. Los Angeles, meanwhile, had the second-best odds of winning the 2019 lottery at 13.5 per cent, but will pick fifth. The Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers were the only Canadian teams involved in the lottery. Edmonton, which came in with the seventh-best odds, will pick eighth, while Vancouver slipped from ninth to 10th. Montreal remained unchanged and will select 15th. The 15 teams that failed to qualify for the 2019 playoffs — or the franchises that acquired the first-round picks of non-playoff clubs — participated in the lottery. Hughes holds the USNDT record with 197 points (63 goals and 134 assists) over his two seasons after putting up an 86 in 41 games in 2018-19. Asked if he's always wanted to an NHL star, he responded with a smile: "I didn't really dream of being a grinder." Hughes, who was born in Orlando, Fla., but grew up in Mississauga, Ont., skates with Devils winger Taylor Hall in the summer. Hall has had some incredible luck with the lottery balls in his career. Of the nine drafts since he entered the league as the No. 1 pick by the Edmonton Oilers in 2010, his team has picked first five times. "Very excited to welcome our future #1 overall pick to Jersey!" Hall tweeted. "Great start to the summer for the Devils." Hughes could become the second player to be chosen first overall directly out of the USNDT — and the first to go right to the NHL — after the St. Louis Blues took defenceman Erik Johnson at No. 1 in 2006. "I'm focused on playing in the NHL next year," said Hughes, who turns 18 on May 14. "I feel like I could do it. With the way the game is now, how it's speed and skill, I feel like my game translates perfectly." Finish winger Kappo Kakko is ranked as the top European skater and is expected to go No. 2 at the draft. The 18-year-old set a Finnish league record with 22 goals in his rookie season to go along with 16 assists for 38 points in 45 games. He added two goals and three assists in seven games at the world juniors. Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton — who was on the same flight as Shero into Toronto, one that included a fairly bumpy landing — said moving up to No. 2 will help move his team's rebuild along. "My phone's in my back pocket buzzing like crazy," he said. "I haven't been able to look at it, but I can only imagine what people are saying."<doc-sep>Now that the 2019 NHL draft lottery has given us the final draft order for the 15 non-playoff teams, here’s our first 2019 NHL mock draft, which will look at the lottery picks. It’s officially 2019 NHL mock draft season. On Tuesday, April 9, the 2019 NHL Draft Lottery took place. Ping pong balls were inserted into a machine behind closed doors, and fans and execs of the 15 14 non-playoff teams and the Colorado Avalanche (sorry, Ottawa) waited patiently to find out the results. While New Jersey Devils fans were rubbing their lucky Taylor Hall bobbleheads and the rest of the country was patiently watching a brief playoff preview on NBCSN (or Sportsnet, for you Canadian readers), the lottery was drawn. Here’s a video of how the lottery was actually done As Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly revealed the cards one at a time, tension began to build. The first surprise came with Minnesota dropping a spot to number 12, revealing a move up for the Chicago Blackhawks. Next, the New York Rangers moved up, which wasn’t so far out of the realm of possibility. Then, the internet started blowing up Taylor Hall’s Twitter page as New Jersey had yet again won a top three pick. The winners were arranged in the order of Devils, Rangers, Blackhawks at the first three picks, respectively. Jack Hughes was in attendance to watch the lottery and begin imagining himself playing for any of the 15 teams involved. Turns out, he’s ending up on one side of the ever-percolating Hudson River Rivalry. Here, we are going to conduct a mock draft, as we see fit. This is just one view of how things will unfold in Vancouver this coming June and may change completely for some unforeseen reasons. Trades can and will occur to change how even the top 15 picks look. We are going to take that into account, but throw it in as a side point rather than focusing on who that team would take if they choose to hold onto that pick. Also, we will only take the top 15 into consideration. The rest of the draft order will be decided over the course of the playoffs. So here we go. With the first overall pick in the 2019 NHL draft, the New Jersey Devils select…<doc-sep>
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 28: The winning combination of lottery balls that gave the Buffalo Sabres the first pick overall during the NHL Draft Lottery at the CBC Studios on April 28, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images) The 2019 NHL Draft has been shaken up a bit after the draft lottery. Let’s take a look at the updated first-round draft order. The 2019 NHL Draft Lottery didn’t go as expected. We saw two teams jump into the top three, including one of them from the top 10. The other one came from outside the top five. So what does the rest of the first round of the draft order look like? We now know the first 15 picks. The remaining 16 picks will be determined by how the Stanley Cup Playoffs go. Let’s take a look at the updated draft order. First Three Picks New Jersey Devils – For the second time in three years, the Devils have won the draft lottery. Taylor Hall has more than just a rabbit foot. He has a whole darn rabbit farm at this point. The Devils will likely go with Jack Hughes, which, along with 2017 first overall pick Nico Hischier, should give them a great duo down the middle. New York Rangers – Sorry Rangers, only one league is willing to fix a draft lottery to help a struggling New York sports team. Kappo Kakko isn’t Hughes, but he still projects to be a top-notch talent. He’s playing at wing overseas, but it’s worth noting he has experience at center. For what it’s worth, Kakko has been quite good in limited stints at center. Chicago Blackhawks – About time the same team who got Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane in consecutive drafts get a lucky break, huh? The Blackhawks moved all the way up from outside the top 10 to potentially get Vasily Podkolzin or Trevor Zegras. Rest Of The Lottery Picks 4. Colorado Avalanche – Tough break for the Avs, but they’re in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, so it’s hard to feel bad for them. The Matt Duchene trade suddenly doesn’t look historically bad for the Ottawa Senators. Pierre Dorion’s gamble to take Brady Tkachuk over this year’s pick paid off. 5. Los Angeles Kings – The Los Angeles Kings need young talent. Good for them for getting a top five pick. 6. Detroit Red Wings – Let’s be honest, everyone thought the lottery was going to be fixed to get Hughes to the Red Wings. Detroit got a cruel fate because they didn’t lay down and tank in the last weeks like other teams did. Give them credit for that. 7. Buffalo Sabres – The Sabres continue their unfortunate streak. They’ve been in the top eight in every draft since 2013. The Sabres narrowly missed out on getting their favorite draft pick, the eighth overall pick. The seventh overall pick will work for them, though. 8. Edmonton Oilers – People would have rioted if the Oilers had gotten the first overall pick. Still, this is a nice pick to have, as it’s a deep draft. 9. Anaheim Ducks – The Anaheim Ducks have terrible luck in the draft lottery. They dropped one spot to ninth. 10. Vancouver Canucks – Speaking of teams with horrible luck in the draft lottery, how about the Canucks? They’ve got to get a top three pick at some point, right? Then again, with Elias Pettersson, maybe they don’t need one. 11. Philadelphia Flyers – In 2016, the Flyers moved all the way up to number two. They weren’t as fortunate this year. 12. Minnesota Wild – It’s been a while since the Minnesota Wild had a first-round pick this high. They’ve had good luck whenever they’ve had high picks as of late, though. 13. Florida Panthers – Apparently Joel Quenneville’s mustache isn’t good luck. 14. Arizona Coyotes – One day, you know the NHL is going to fix a draft to get the Coyotes a star. It’s going to happen. Won’t be this year, though. 15. Montreal Canadiens – Welcome to purgatory, Canadiens fans. Your team is too good to have a high pick, yet too bad to make the postseason in the NHL’s flawed playoff format.