The New York Rangers hope that some recent luck continues when they take part in the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery next Monday, May 5.
No, the Rangers didn't have much luck this season. In fact, that's partly why they're in the draft lottery. The Rangers (39-36-7) missed the playoffs for the first time in four seasons and became just the fourth team in NHL history to win the Presidents' Trophy one season and fail to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs the following year.
But they've recently aced the draft lottery, and perhaps more luck will shine on them Monday.
Though the Rangers only have a three percent chance to win the lottery and earn the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, they did have success in the 2019 and 2020 draft lotteries. In 2019 they selected forward Kaapo Kakko with the No. 2 overall pick after moving up four spots in the lottery. The following year, the Rangers won the draft lottery after finishing 18th in the League and selected forward Alexis Lafreniere No. 1 overall.
Since the Rangers finished with the 11th worst record in the NHL this season, they have a shot at the No. 1 pick. NHL Draft Lottery rules state that a team can only move up 10 spots in the lottery, and back two two spots. So, the Rangers could end up with the No. 13 overall pick, too.
If they don't win the lottery, the Rangers must decide if they want to hold on to their 2025 first-round pick or turn it over to the Pittsburgh Penguins . The Rangers traded this pick to the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 31 when they acquired J.T. Miller . The Canucks then flipped it to the Penguins in a deal for defenseman Marcus Pettersson .
Since the pick is top-13 protected, the Rangers can keep it this season and then send an unprotected 2026 first-round pick to the Penguins, or give this year's pick to Pittsburgh and retain their 2026 selection in the first round.
The Rangers have until 48 hours before the draft on June 27 to inform the Penguins of their decision.
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Mathew Schafer – GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The San Jose Sharks have the best odds to win the lottery at 18.5 percent. They were in the same exact position last year, won the lottery and selected forward Macklin Celebrini with the No. 1 overall pick. Celebrini was second among all NHL rookies with 25 goals this season and tied for second with 63 points.
Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman with Erie in the OHL, is projected by many to be the top pick in this year's draft. Forwards James Hagens (Boston College) and Michael Misa (Saginaw) are also in the mix.
The Chicago Blackhawks (13.5 percent), who won the lottery and chose center Connor Bedard with the No. 1 selection in 2023, have the second best odds this year. The Nashville Predators (11.5 percent) own the next best odds.
The lottery on Monday will set the draft order for the first 16 picks in the draft. It will be aired on ESPN at a time to be determined.
