Settle in on Cinco de Mayo with a margarita (salt please) and see which NHL franchise's fortunes change on the bounce of ping-pong balls.
The NHL is scheduled to conduct the 2026 Draft Lottery on May 5, sources told Hockey 24/7.
For the second consecutive year, the NHL plans to conduct the actual lottery draw live on-air, with teams finding their fate in real time. Previously, the lottery draw was held in a sterile room and witnesses were sequestered from communication for hours before the show's reveal - with cards being flipped in Round 1 order. But with the help of technology, the NHL added a new layer of drama in 2025 when the odds were calculated live as part of the broadcast showing each of the remaining possibilities ahead of the pull of the last ball in the four-number sequence.
The New York Islanders won the 2025 Draft Lottery despite entering with just a 3.5 percent shot. They selected defenseman Matthew Schaefer, who has changed the entire complexion of the franchise in less than one year's time, now mentioned in the running for the Norris Trophy after a record-setting rookie season with an incredible 20 goals from the backend as an energetic 18-year-old.
Who will win the right to select Gavin McKenna, Keaton Verhoeff or Ivar Stenberg? We'll find out on May 5.
Here are the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery odds, entering action on Thursday March 19:
| Team | Pts % | Odds |
| Vancouver | .373 | 25.1% |
| Calgary | .449 | 13.6% |
| Chicago | .463 | 11.6% |
| N.Y. Rangers | .471 | 9.5% |
| St. Louis | .478 | 8.5% |
| Winnipeg | .500 | 7.5% |
| Toronto (now BOS) | .507 | 6.5% |
| Nashville | .515 | 6% |
| Florida (now CHI) | .515 | 5.0% |
| New Jersey | .529 | 3.5% |
| Los Angeles | .530 | 3% |
The Islanders had the longest odds ever to win, moving from 10th place to first overall. Teams may move up a maximum of 10 spots in the Draft Lottery. Florida's pick, now property of Chicago, is Top 10 protected - while Toronto's pick, now property of Boston, is Top 5 protected.
The 2026 NHL Draft will be held in Buffalo on June 26-27.