With an already unusual 2019-20 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic pausing the season, the NHL Draft Lottery on Friday created another unprecedented event: the No. 1-overall pick for the 2020 NHL Draft belongs to team yet to be determined.
There were eight placeholder spots included in the lottery to represent teams who will not make it past the best-of-five series of the NHL’s play-in round if the 2019-20 season resumes. Placeholder Team E had the 12th-best odds at the pick with a 2.5 per cent chance, and ultimately secured the No. 1 spot.
As a result, this already chaotic draft lottery will continue with a Second Phase to determine which team will have the coveted first selection. With prospect Alexis Lafreniere expected to be selected with that top pick, hockey fans will have to wait a little longer to see where the talented winger will end up.
The reality of a placeholder team winning a top-three pick — let alone the first-overall selection — sent shockwaves across social media. Here’s a look at the best of the Twitterverse’s reaction:
https://twitter.com/BizNasty2point0/status/1276673278812155904
https://twitter.com/iancmclaren/status/1276694889980461058
https://twitter.com/spittinchiclets/status/1276683497231593473
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