Arizona Coyotes have second-highest odds for No. 1 overall pick
May 3, 2022, 12:25 PM
(L-R) Director of Amateur scouting Darryl Plandowski, general manager Bill Armstrong and Associate Director, Amateur Scouting Ryan Jankowski of the Arizona Coyotes hold the jersey for their ninth overall pick, Dylan Guenther, during the first round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft at Gila River Arena on July 23, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kelsey Grant/NHLI via Getty Images)
(Photo by Kelsey Grant/NHLI via Getty Images)
The Arizona Coyotes have the second-best odds to earn the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft this summer.
The lottery odds solidified following the final regular season game on Sunday, and the Coyotes have a 13.5% chance to pick first in the upcoming draft.
Arizona finished the year with 57 points, two more than the Montreal Canadiens who have the best odds to win the lottery at 18.5%.
The Seattle Kraken, Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils are next in line.
The Coyotes’ season was part of an admitted rebuild by the front office, involving several trades for more draft capital and chances for younger players. Injuries to key starters like Jakob Chychrun and Clayton Keller did not help their win total.
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There were moments of levity, though, including a three-game winning streak to close the season.
Arizona has never picked first in the entry draft since relocating to the Valley in 1996. The franchise had the top choice in 1981 as the Winnipeg Jets.
The highest pick the Coyotes have had was third back in 2007 when they took center Kyle Turris, who only played 137 games with the team.
Arizona picked ninth last year and selected Dylan Guenther.
The Coyotes have three first-round picks in the upcoming entry draft, two they acquired by trading center Christian Dvorak and goalie Darcy Kuemper.
They also have four second-rounders to aid the rebuild and four picks from Rounds 4-7. Arizona even traded a second-rounder during the season for Jack McBain.
The organization acquired several of its picks by taking on contracts other teams wanted to offload like Andrew Ladd’s and Shayne Gostisbehere’s.
The lottery is set for Tuesday, May 10, at 3:30 p.m.
