NHL draft lottery
Definition
An annual event organized by the National Hockey League (NHL) where ping-pong balls determine the draft order for the top 16 picks in the NHL Entry Draft, primarily benefiting non-playoff teams with worse records getting better odds.
A weighted lottery system designed to discourage tanking while giving struggling franchises a chance at the No. 1 overall pick, turning basement-dwellers into potential lottery winners.
Examples
The bottom-feeder Sabres finally struck gold in the NHL draft lottery, proving that misery loves company but occasionally pays off.
GMs across the league glued their eyes to the NHL draft lottery, each one secretly rooting for chaos while pretending to be stoic.
That rogue ping-pong ball in the NHL draft lottery just handed the crosstown rivals the golden ticket, sparking a summer of saltiness.
After a season of epic fails, the lottery gods smiled on the Sharks in the NHL draft lottery, because even fish need a lucky break.