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Here are NHL draft lottery odds for league's bottom teams. Who will land Macklin Celebrini?

Mike Brehm, USA TODAY
·4-min read

Boston University's stellar freshman center, Macklin Celebrini, the projected No. 1 pick for the 2024 NHL draft, has helped the Terriers reach the Frozen Four in the NCAA men's hockey tournament.

So who is in the best position to draft the Hobey Baker Award finalist?

The current leader with the best odds is the San Jose Sharks, who have never won a draft lottery in team history and sit in last place in the NHL. They trail the Chicago Blackhawks by six points and lost twice to the 31st-place team within a week in March.

The Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Arizona Coyotes round out the bottom five, based on points percentage.

The Ducks, Blue Jackets, Blackhawks and Sharks were the bottom four teams last season. The Blackhawks won the lottery and drafted Connor Bedard and the Ducks (Leo Carlsson) won the second pick.

Teams can move up a maximum of 10 spots in the lottery so only the bottom 11 teams have a chance to gain the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL draft.

Which NHL teams have the best draft lottery odds?

Boston University center Macklin Celebrini celebrates his goal against Northeastern during the Beanpot Tournament.
Boston University center Macklin Celebrini celebrates his goal against Northeastern during the Beanpot Tournament.

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Which NHL teams have the best draft lottery odds?

Odds in parentheses. Standings as of April 10, based on points percentage.

1. San Jose Sharks (25.5%): 78 GP, 45 pts., .288 points percentage

2. Chicago Blackhawks (13.5%): 77 GP, 51, .331

3. Anaheim Ducks (11.5%): 79 GP, 57, .361

4. Columbus Blue Jackets (9.5%): 79 GP, 64, .405

5. Arizona Coyotes (8.5%): 79 GP, 73, .462

6. Montreal Canadiens (7.5%): 78 GP, 72, .462

7. Ottawa Senators (6.5%): 78 GP, 72, .462

8. Calgary Flames (6.0%): 77 GP, 75, .487

9. New Jersey Devils (5.0%): 79 GP, 79, .500

10. Buffalo Sabres (3.5%): 79 GP, 79, .500

10. Seattle Kraken (3.0%): 77 GP, 79, .513

Who is Macklin Celebrini?

The 6-foot, 190-pound center is the top scorer for Boston University as a 17-year-old freshman. He was third in the NCAA in points per game and second in goals per game with 31 goals and 59 points in 35 games before the tournament.

He's one of three finalists for the award for the top men's college hockey player.

Boston University beat RIT 6-3 on Thursday, with Celebrini setting up Lane Hutson's opening goal before scoring the eventual game-winner in the second period. He then had three assists in a 6-3 win against Minnesota on Saturday.

The Terriers will face Denver in the semifinals on April 11.

Celebrini was Canada's leading scorer at the world junior championship with eight points in five games.

NHL Central Scouting, which named Celebrini its top midseason North American prospect, says he plays a complete game and is a strong skater with a fluid stride and top-end NHL speed.

“Macklin plays at a level all his own and it's truly impressive to see how he thrives in every environment he competes in," Dan Marr, vice president of NHL Central Scouting, told NHL.com.

Who are the top prospects in the 2024 NHL draft?

Behind Celebrini, the remaining top five North American skaters in Central Scouting's midseason rankings are Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov, Medicine Hat center Cayden Lindstrom, University of Denver defenseman Zeev Buium and Tri-City (USHL) left wing Trevor Connelly.

The top three international skaters are Finnish center Konsta Helenius and two Russians, 6-foot-7 defenseman Anton Silayev and right wing Ivan Demidov.

How does the draft lottery work?

There are two drawings, first for a chance at the top pick and then for a chance at the second pick. The last-place team can draft no lower than third overall. Beginning with the 2022 lottery, a team cannot win more than twice in a five-year period. There are 14 ping-pong balls in the machine and each team is assigned a series of four numbers. The lower a team is in the standings, the more series of numbers it gets. If a team's numbers are chosen, it wins the lottery. If a team in the 12 to 16 range wins, it moves up 10 spots and the last-place team retains the No. 1 overall pick.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL draft 2024 lottery odds: Who lands top prospect Macklin Celebrini?