Surprise in the NHL! The New York Islanders won the first place in the draft lottery, staging a 10-position climb in a televised draw that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.
It was dramatic. It worked as it was supposed to in terms of the process, but the result was unpredictable.
Gary Bettman, NHL commissioner
The Islanders, with only a 3.5% chance, defied the odds. This is the fifth time the New York team will have the first pick, the last time being in 2009, when they chose John Tavares.
The hockey gods smiled upon us. I can’t express how excited I am for the Islanders fans, for our owners, for the entire organization.
Ken Morrow, Islanders director of professional scouting
The Islanders’ jump from tenth to first place is the biggest in lottery history, breaking the trend of recent years where the team with the worst position obtained the first pick.
The 2025 draft, scheduled for Los Angeles, features James Hagens, a Boston College prospect and Long Island native, as one of the most promising players.
The draw, which consisted of two rounds, determined the first two selections. Only the 11 teams with the worst performance had chances of obtaining the first pick, limiting the ascents to a maximum of 10 positions. Combinations of four numbers previously assigned to each team were used, with balls drawn at 30-second intervals, from a total of 1,001 possible combinations.
The San Jose Sharks, with the best odds (18.5%), finished in second place, while the Utah Hockey Club secured the fourth spot, moving up from 14th place. The Chicago Blackhawks obtained the third selection.
The event was broadcast live for the first time, increasing the excitement and interest of the fans. Previously, the draw was held privately. Commissioner Bettman highlighted the importance of maintaining the integrity of the process.
Before the Islanders were the winners, seven teams held hopes. The live draw allowed fans to keep believing until the end.
He gave hope to those teams and their fans by reaching the final. For me, that’s what this was all about: keeping hope alive until the end.
Steve Mayer, NHL Chief Content Officer
Technology also played a crucial role, with real-time odds adjustments after each ball drawn, intensifying the drama. The NHL partnered with SportsMEDIA Technology (SMT) to create these adjustments.
The success of the live event, both in terms of excitement and technology, bodes well for the draft lottery. The league plans to continue with this format next season, which could be even more exciting with the arrival of Gavin McKenna, a 17-year-old prospect.
The NHL reaffirmed the seriousness with which each lottery is treated, ensuring a process with unquestionable integrity.
