SPORTSNET.CA

They can’t grab the top pick, but three Canadian teams are still hoping the NHL’s draft lottery is kind to them when the ping pong balls drop Tuesday.

Toronto, Ottawa and Edmonton can all improve their ranking should their number be chosen, but only by four spots from their current ranking. For instance, Toronto sits seventh and could move up to the third pick. Conversely, they can only drop one spot depending on the selection order of the 14 teams that didn’t qualify for the playoffs.

The team with the greatest chance at selecting No. 1 at June’s Entry Draft is the New York Islanders, which finished dead last this season. The Islanders have a 25 per cent chance of getting the top pick. Tampa Bay, which had the top choice a year ago and chose Steve Stamkos, has the second best odds at 18.8%.

John Tavares of the OHL’s London Knights and Swedish defenceman Victor Hedman are considered the favourites to go No. 1.

CURRENT RANKING Pct.

1. NY Islanders 25%

2. Tampa Bay 18.8%

3. Colorado 14.2%

4. Atlanta 10.7%

5. Los Angeles 8.1%

6. Phoenix 6.2%

7. Toronto 4.7%

8. Dallas 3.6%

9. Ottawa 2.7%

10. Edmonton 2.1%

11. Nashville 1.5%

12. Minnesota 1.1%

13. Buffalo 0.8%

14. Florida 0.5%