New York, NY – Though the Columbus Blue Jackets finished with the worst record in the NHL, the Edmonton Oilers -- for the third straight year -- will have the honor of making the first overall selection in the upcoming draft.
The club located in Alberta's capital city won the draft lottery on Tuesday, marking the second time in three seasons the franchise was awarded that perk. In 2010, Edmonton finished last and retained the top slot, and last season it also finished in 30th place.
The spoils of those two subpar seasons netted forwards Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (2011) and Taylor Hall (2010).
Columbus had the highest odds of the 15 non-playoff teams, a 25-percent chance to win the lottery. But their Western Conference foes, who stood an 18.8- percent chance, saw luck land on their side.
Still, the Blue Jackets will pick second, followed by Montreal, the New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs.
Under the lottery system, only the five teams with the fewest points had the chance to win the first overall selection.
The top prospect, whom many suspect will be snagged with the number one pick, is forward Nail Yakupov from the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League.
The 2012 NHL Draft will be held June 22-23 at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh.
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