The National Hockey League (NHL) has made multiple changes to its entry draft selection rules over the past decade trying to come up with a solution that is fair. It should come as no surprise to learn that more rule changes will be implemented over the next two years. The NHL, and essentially every other North American professional and junior level sports leagues, continues to use the same methodology to determine the draft order: the standings. However, it has become apparent in March that tanking the season to finish as low as possible is a viable long-term solution when coupled with luck and draft-class depth.
Over the course of the final weeks of the season, Arizona and Buffalo played against each other twice. It was coined the MacDavid Bowl. The game in Buffalo has become infamous as home-team fans, typically rooting for Buffalo, cheered when Arizona won because fans knew that a loss would increase the odds of winning the NHL lottery. Rightfully so, players were upset and frustrated at how their season unfolded.
Athletes do not tank; it is not in their nature. They have a desire to win - to gain valued experience or growth, break personal milestones, and earn a better contract, but management can force coaches to play back up goalies, or trade away assets early enough to finish last. Considering MacDavid is a once-in-a-generation type player, the temptations to lose are there, and that is something the league wants to avoid. So what can the league do to keep its integrity intact?
The solution has been in plain sight for years but the NHL has overlooked its advantages. The NHL has two parts to its draft selection order. 14 non-playoff teams are positioned so that the team with the worst record selects first and uses a reverse standings system to fill the remaining. The 16 playoff teams are then assigned its selection position based on when they are eliminated from the playoffs. Therefore, teams in the playoffs are seeded in the draft on their elimination from winning the Holy Grail. The proposal for the NHL is to expand this to the entire league.
Let me clarify. The moment a team cannot win the Stanley Cup, they would automatically be slotted in the highest possible position in the draft order. That is, a team that is mathematically eliminated from playoff contention has been eliminated from winning the Stanley Cup. This method would remain consistent as teams that are eliminated from the playoffs would continue to be slotted in the draft leaving just the champions to take the 30th spot. This proposal will resolve many potential problems that may or may not exist and add many advantages.
Firstly, it will eliminate season-ending "tanking" and teams being ripped apart to finish last. Instead of battling the remaining games for the best odds at the lottery, teams would have to decide mid-season if they want to make a chase for the playoffs or tank a small number of games and be eliminated. I am to believe all teams will try to make the playoffs if there is a chance - see the Ottawa Senators. With the current format, teams that deliberately tank would have to lose a larger handful of games and this lacks integrity. Imagine playing Buffalo or Arizona for the final two or three games. However unlikely, it is possible that the outcome of the game has been decided before the puck drops as one team fights for a playoff spot while the opponent wants to lose.
Secondly, management would be given their selection order weeks in advance, allowing their post-season work to being sooner. This would give management more time to interview players and make better decisions. Imagine the advantage for Toronto's scouts and management knowing on March 18 instead of April 12 they will select fourth overall. It is almost one month of added time to make decisions for their club.
Thirdly, players can still play for pride and not hurt their team's long-term future. Games can still be exciting between two non-playoff teams because the outcome affects nothing. Fans do not have to take solace in losing, and can enjoy winning and the game as it was meant to be.
Included below is a table that provides the order of the draft selection if this proposal were implemented by the league. What we do see here is that there is almost no change to the draft order. The only change would be to the San Jose Sharks, who move up to the 7th selection instead of their 9th. In essence, San Jose was punished for winning their last game of the year. The consistency of the order, regardless of the system used, is important as it shows that there is little impact to the draft order. However, what occurs is a major shift in the mindset of fans, players, coaches, and management from a "losing is great" to a more positive spirit.
| Date | Games | Team | Pts* |
| Mar 7 | 66 | Buffalo Sabres | |
| Mar 9 | 67 | Edmonton Oilers | |
| Mar 12 | 68 | Arizona Coyotes | |
| Mar 17 | 71 | Toronto Maple Leafs | |
| Mar 23 | 72 | Carolina Hurricanes | |
| Mar 29 | 76 | New Jersey Devils | 74 |
| Mar 30 | 76 | Philadelphia | 77 |
| Mar 31 | 76 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 79 |
| Apr 4 | 79 | Colorado Avalanche | 84 |
| Apr 4 | 79 | Florida Panthers | 87 |
| Apr 6 | 80 | San Jose Sharks | 87 |
| Apr 6 | 80 | Dallas Stars | 88 |
| Apr 9 | 81 | Los Angeles Kings | |
| Apr 11 | 82 | Boston Bruins |
Any drawbacks to this system would be much less significant to the overall health of the game. Therefore, we feel that stating the problems with this plan would be moot as it still occurs in the current system.
