EVERYTHING TO KNOW ABOUT THE COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS AND THE 2024 NHL DRAFT
The 2024 NHL Draft Lottery, set to air on ESPN, is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7th, with the exact time pending the Stanley Cup Playoffs’ progress.
Blue Jackets’ Draft Lottery History
The Blue Jackets have historically struggled in draft lotteries, having secured the first overall pick only once in their franchise history. This solitary instance occurred in 2002 when they traded with the Florida Panthers to select Rick Nash.
Past Lottery Misfortunes
In 2012, despite having the best odds, the Blue Jackets were overtaken by the Edmonton Oilers for the top pick, leading to the selection of Nail Yakupov. Columbus settled for Ryan Murray at second overall. The disappointment continued in the previous year’s lottery when they missed out on Connor Bedard, landing Adam Fantilli at third overall.
2024 Draft Lottery Odds
In the upcoming draft lottery, the Blue Jackets hold the fourth-best odds at 9.5% for the top pick, trailing the San Jose Sharks (25.5%), Chicago Blackhawks (13.5%), and Anaheim Ducks (11.5%). They also have a 9.5% chance to move up to the second pick.
Statistical Outlook
With separate lotteries for the first and second picks, statistical probabilities indicate that the Blue Jackets are most likely to pick fifth (44.6%). Surprisingly, they have a higher chance of dropping to sixth (20.8%) than picking fourth (15.4%), showcasing the unpredictable nature of lottery outcomes.
