There's a good likelihood Connor Bedard will play for an NHL staff within the state of California.
Orange County, to be actual.
It’s nonetheless doable for the San Jose Sharks to win subsequent month’s NHL Draft Lottery and choose Bedard, a superstar-in-waiting. Because the league’s Twenty ninth-place staff that completed the season with 60 factors, the Sharks, as of now, have a 9.5 % likelihood of successful the draft lottery.
The Sharks (22-44-16) ended their season Thursday with a 5-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.
If Columbus beats Buffalo on Friday, the Sharks will drop to thirtieth total and have an 11.5 % likelihood of successful the lottery.
The Anaheim Geese, although, have a 25.5 % likelihood of successful the lottery, because of Thursday’s outcomes, together with their very own. With their 5-3 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, the Geese remained at 58 factors and cemented their spot because the thirty second and last-place staff within the NHL.
For sure, the Sharks wish to see Bedard go to anyplace else however a division rival. The Vancouver Canucks completed twenty second within the NHL’s total standings and have a 3.0 % likelihood of successful the lottery. Bedard is from North Vancouver.
Columbus additionally beat Pittsburgh in extra time to enhance to 59 factors. Chicago earned some extent in its common season finale with an extra time loss to Philadelphia, to finish its season with 59 factors.
In a little bit of a merciless twist for the Sharks, the Blackhawks tied their recreation with the Flyers on an Andreas Athanasiou purpose with two minutes left within the third interval. A Hawks’ win would have pushed them forward of the Sharks within the total standings.
However shortly after Jonathan Toews — taking part in his closing recreation in a Chicago uniform Thursday — was denied by Flyers goalie Felix Sandstrom on a breakaway with about 2:15 remaining in extra time, Ivan Provorov received it for Philadelphia together with his sixth purpose of the season.
Chicago will end thirty first total — and have a 13.5 % likelihood of successful the lottery — if the Blue Jackets earn at the very least one level in opposition to the Sabres. The Blackhawks will end thirtieth if Columbus loses in regulation time, as the primary tie-breaker is regulation wins. Chicago has 18, and Columbus can have 15 with a loss Friday.
If the Sharks end Twenty ninth, they may also have a 9.8 % of drafting at No. 2, a 15.4 % likelihood of drafting fourth total, a 44.9 % likelihood of selecting fifth, and a 20.5 % likelihood of selecting sixth.
If the Sharks end thirtieth, they may have an 11.5 likelihood of drafting second total, a 7.4 % likelihood of drafting third, a 40.7 % likelihood of drafting fourth, and a 28.8 % likelihood of drafting fifth.
Bedard completed his draft-eligible season Monday as his Regina Pats misplaced to the Saskatoon Blades within the WHL playoffs. Bedard completed with 82 objectives and 163 factors in 64 regular-season and playoff video games.
Whereas Bedard is considered a lower above the remaining, the three gamers proper behind him — forwards Adam Fantilli, Matvei Michkov, and Leo Carlsson — are additionally thought of elite skills.
The Sharks haven't chosen No. 6 or greater in any draft since 2003 after they took ahead Milan Michalek sixth total.
Right here’s the place issues stand with someday left within the common season.
STANDINGS
TEAM RECORD PTS REG. WINS GR
San Jose 22-44-16 60 16 0
Columbus 25-47-9 59 15 1
Chicago 26-49-7 59 18 0
Anaheim 23-4-12 58 13 0
REMAINING SCHEDULE (all instances Pacific)
Friday
Buffalo at Columbus, 4:30 p.m.