The NHL announced on Tuesday that the league’s Draft Lottery will be held next Monday, May 5th, to determine the order of selection for the NHL Draft in late June. The Buffalo Sabres have a 6.5% chance at winning the lottery, which will be held at the NHL Network’s studios in Secaucus, N.J, and will be broadcast on ESPN, Sportsnet, and TVA Sports.

The lottery only allows the top 11 seeds to be eligible to receive the first overall draft pick, and is held in two phases: the first to determine the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and the second to determine the second overall pick.

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The San Jose Sharks, who won the Draft Lottery one year ago and selected Macklin Celebrini at the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas last June, have the top odds (18,5%) of selecting first overall this year. The Chicago Blackhawks are second at 13.5%, the Nashville Predators third at 11.5%, the Philadelphia Flyers fourth at 9.5%, Boston fifth at 8.5%, Seattle sixth at 7.5%, and Buffalo seventh at 6.5%.

With only a longshot chance of making the postseason after the trade deadline, the primary focus of Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff and GM Kevyn Adams down the stretch was to establish a winning culture, but that came at the cost of finishing with a top-five draft pick this June. Erie Otters defenseman Matthew Schafer is projected to be the top overall selection, with Saginaw’s Michael Misa, Mississauga’s Porter Martone, James Hagens of Boston College, and Swedish center Anton Frondell expected to go in the top five.

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Since Mike Sullivan parted ways with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday, rumors have linked him to the New York Rangers. 

With the Rangers looking for a new head coach after firing Peter Laviolette, Sullivan has jumped up as a top-tier candidate to get the job. 

Multiple NHL insiders are getting a sense that Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury is intrigued with the chance to bring Sullivan on board. 

Mike Sullivan's Departure From Penguins Paves The Way For Rangers To Swoop In The Pittsburgh Penguins announced on Monday morning that they have parted ways with longtime head coach Mike Sullivan.

“In 2021, when Chris Drury was hired as GM, he didn't hire Gallant until he knew Sullivan was staying [in PIT]...Until someone beats the Rangers out for Sullivan's services, that's who I'm picking...He's their #1,” Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said.

While TSN’s Pierre Lebrun reported that five teams have already inquired about Sullivan, there’s no doubt that the Rangers remain the frontrunners to land the Stanley Cup-winning coach as of right now. 

He has direct ties with Drury from Boston College and USA Hockey. The Rangers’ past interest in Sullivan has also been very well documented. 

NHL general managers have reportedly been wondering if Sullivan could strike a deal with the Rangers over the next 48-72 hours. 

“I cannot imagine [the New York Rangers] allowing anyone to outdo themselves in the pursuit of Sullivan,” Friedman said.

Now, we just have to sit and wait to see how everything unfolds.

Wild head coach John Hynes confirmed this morning that forward Marcus Johansson will return to the lineup tonight. He did not play in Game 4 with a lower-body injury but will play tonight. 

Johansson, 34, has one assist in three playoff games so far. He had 11 goals and 34 points in 72 games during the regular season. 

In nine career playoff games for the Wild, Johansson has two goals and one assist. He is a minus-seven in those nine games as well. 

Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' Minnesota Wild page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.

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Wild Expected To Make Some Changes For Game 5The Minnesota Wild practiced on Monday morning before playing Vegas for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Tuesday. Based on Monday's practice, we could see a few changes for tonight's game against the Golden Knights.  Former Wild Goaltender Named Vezina Trophy FinalistThe NHL announced the three finalists for the 2024-25 Vezina Trophy today. The trophy is awarded to the goaltender adjudged to be the best at his position. Cassidy Hoping Line Changes Spark Golden Knights In Time For Game 5LAS VEGAS -- As the second-seeded Golden Knights saw their opening round series with the Minnesota Wild slipping away, and on the brink of becoming out of hand, coach Bruce Cassidy did what he has done countless times: put his forward lines in a blender.

The NHL has announced that the NHL Draft Lottery will be on May 5th at the NHL Network’s Secaucus, N.J., studio. 

The Columbus Blue Jackets find themselves in unfamiliar territory than they have been in the last few years. That unfamiliar territory would be that they can't win the NHL Draft Lottery. 

Per the NHL: "The 2025 NHL Draft Lottery will determine the order of selection for the first 16 picks in the first round of the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft. Participants are all teams that did not qualify for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs (or the teams that have acquired the first-round drafting positions of those non-playoff teams)."

"The Lottery will be conducted in two phases, the first to determine the first overall pick in the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft and the second to determine the second overall pick. There is a limit on the total number of selections (10) a team participating in the Draft Lottery can “move up” in the event it wins one of the Lottery Draws. Thus, only the top 11 seeds will be eligible to receive the first overall Draft pick."

So what does this mean for the Blue Jackets? The CBJ have a 2% chance of winning the first draw of the lottery, and a 0% chance of winning the second draw. 

Columbus can only move up as far as #3 in the draft. A far cry from the previous season's drafts, but that's because the Jackets defied all expectations and finished just two points shy of a playoff spot. 

The CBJ will have two first-round picks in this year's draft, and many people expect GM Don Waddell to trade one or both picks for roster help. 

What should Don Waddell do?

Let us know what you think below.

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Cleveland Monsters Advance Set To Face Laval Rockets In Second RoundThe Columbus Blue Jackets' AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters, have advanced to the second round of the AHL playoffs. Zach Werenski Nominated For Norris TrophyColumbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski has officially been named a finalist for the 2025 James Norris Memorial Trophy.

The NHL has announced the date for the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery. It will take place on Monday, May 5th, giving the San Jose Sharks a glimpse into what could be a franchise-altering moment.

As it stands, the Sharks hold the best odds of winning the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. After finishing the season with a 20-50-12 record, they have a 25.5% chance of securing the top selection.

NHL Draft Lottery:

1. San Jose Sharks: 18.5%
2. Chicago Blackhawks: 13.5%
3. Nashville Predators: 11.5%
4. Philadelphia Flyers: 9.5%
5. Boston Bruins: 8.5%
6. Seattle Kraken: 7.5%
7. Buffalo Sabres: 6.5%
8. Anaheim Ducks: 6.0%
9. Pittsburgh Penguins: 5.0%
10. New York Islanders: 3.5%
11. New York Rangers: 3.0%

San Jose Barracuda's Advance To Second Round Of AHL PlayoffsThe San Jose Sharks' AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda, have made it to the second round of the AHL's Calder Cup Playoffs.

This year’s draft will also mark a significant change, as it will be the first decentralized NHL Draft in history. It will be held June 27–28 at L.A. Live’s Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

The Sharks picked Macklin Celebrini first overall in 2024. This year, they may have a shot at drafting standout defenseman Matthew Schaefer from the Erie Otters of the OHL.

San Jose Barracuda's Andrew Poturalski Wins AHL MVPSan Jose Barracuda's Andrew Poturalski has won the 2024-25 AHL MVP award (Les Cunningham Award). Sharks' Sam Dickinson Wins OHL Defensemen Of The YearSan Jose Sharks' Sam Dickinson has won the OHL Defenseman of the Year award. 

Sharks hold best No. 1 pick odds in 2025 NHL Draft Lottery, scheduled for May 5 originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

• Editor’s note: Sheng Peng is a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.

The Sharks will know their (2025 NHL Draft) fate next Monday.

The 2025 Draft Lottery will be held on May 5 from the NHL Network studio in Secaucus, N.J. The broadcast time is still to be determined on ESPN, Sportsnet, and TVA Sports.

Because the Sharks had the NHL’s worst record, they will have the best odds to get the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft.

Per the NHL press release: “The Lottery will be conducted in two phases, the first to determine the first overall pick in the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft and the second to determine the second overall pick. There is a limit on the total number of selections (10) a team participating in the Draft Lottery can ‘move up’ in the event it wins one of the Lottery Draws. Thus, only the top 11 seeds will be eligible to receive the first overall Draft pick.”

The Sharks have a 25.5 percent chance of getting the No. 1 overall selection. They can pick no worse than No. 3 in the 2025 draft.

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