“It can be confusing and exciting at the same time.” Colin Mayer, NHL VP of Events, could not hide his excitement for the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery. This year, he noted, will be unique due to its live television broadcast. Fans will witness the tension and the experience of how ping pong balls will shape the future of hockey.
Speaking of format, each spring marks the start of the Calder Cup Playoffs following the conclusion of the AHL season. It begins with 23 teams and narrows down to one champion.
So, here’s everything you need to know about the NHL Draft 2025 and how it works:
NHL Draft Lottery: How does it work?
Let’s break down the system piece by piece. The lottery selection will determine the 16 teams that missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This process includes a lottery machine that will draw a four-number combination from a pool of 14 balls, each assigned to a team. Each team will be allocated a certain number of combinations based on the odds, which are weighted by regular-season performance, while the teams that do not perform well in the regular season get a better chance. Two separate draws will decide who receives the first and second overall picks.
Take, for example, if the Columbus Blue Jackets have the 13th-best odds and win the first draw, they can only move to No. 3 as a limited 10-spot. In the same instance, if the San Jose Sharks win the first draw, they would lock in the No. 1 pick, while the Columbus Blue Jackets settle at No. 3. For example, the team finished 14th to 16th in the second draw, with San Jose first, Chicago second, and Columbus third—then Nashville dropped out of the top three to fourth place. However, if Nashville wins the second draw, they could move up to second place, pushing Chicago down two slots to fourth. This may appear confusing, but it will simplify the time, television screening, and a chaotic and exciting shuffle.
OFFICIAL: NHL has announced the 2025 Draft Lottery will occur on Monday, May 5th. It will be broadcasted on ESPN in and Sportsnet/TVA in .
Official odds pic.twitter.com/5gx2Z61N1d
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) April 29, 2025
When the lottery determines the first and second picks, the remaining non-playoff teams are ranked based on their regular-season performance. A team can’t jump more than 10 spots, and no team is allowed to win the lottery twice in five years. Check NHL.com once to get a better idea of the team list—it makes the drafting unpredictable and full of dramatic nights that can shape the future for several NHL teams.
What is new this year in the NHL Draft
In addition to the excitement surrounding the 2025 NHL Draft being broadcast on live television, fans will experience a lottery system that might remind them of a childhood game — Bingo. While many will argue it’s not quite the same, the numbered ball draw closely resembles a classic lottery format. For fans, this means the suspense will unfold in real time, adding a whole new layer of anticipation to the event.
The NHL Draft Lottery takes place on Monday, May 5, with the start time set for 7 pm ET. Fans can tune in to the action on ESPN, Sportsnet, and TVA Sports. It will be the first time the NHL Draft lottery is televised in full, with the entire process being televised. The bright side of this screening is transparency in the system, which usually happens behind the curtains. Adding to the excitement, rising stars like Macklin Celebrini are in the queue with a promising performance.
“There is some risk that if we draw the same team as we drew the first time, we have a redraw. These are the things that we anticipate, we get, and we’ll leave time for. We’ll live and learn a little bit. But at the same time, we do think that this is going to be really cool…we just think that people will like it.” Colin Mayer admitted the freshness and excitement of NHL twists, which have swayed fans toward thrills and filled them with anticipation.
So, whether your team is in the running for a top pick or simply watching the drama unfold, this year’s NHL Draft will be one for the books.
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