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Report: NHL settling on date for draft lottery

The date for the NHL Draft Lottery has reportedly been set. (Getty Images)
The date for the NHL Draft Lottery has reportedly been set. (Getty Images)

The exact date for the night that can make or break an entire franchise is starting to be finalized.

As reported by Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston on Saturday Headlines, it appears that the NHL will be holding the upcoming draft lottery on April 9, the second scheduled day of the playoffs.

“Of course, (this is) pending a lot of the things that we talked about off the top, but it does sound as though that will be when they hold the draft lottery,” Johnston said.

The only issue holding the league back from securing the date is the current flux in scheduling due to the coronavirus outbreak. There are plans in place to postpone games if needed and host games at neutral sites, as reported by Elliotte Friedman, but it appears the draft lottery will still happen during the first week of the postseason, as it has in the past.

One fanbase that will be marking the date on their calendars are the Ottawa Senators. With their own and the San Jose Shark’s unprotected first-round selection, there is a real possibility to have two top-three picks in the upcoming draft.

If the lottery balls go their way, the entire outlook of the franchise could alter given the skillful prospects leading this year’s class.

Be it destined top pick Alexis Lafreniere, NHL-ready Quinton Byfield, or some of the European prospects such as Tim Stutzle and Lucas Raymond, there is certainly a world of potential for any of the teams winning one of the top selections.

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