Well that sucked.
In the first ever official competition the Vegas Golden Knights participated in, they came up with the worst possible result. With a 10.3% chance to pick first, and about a 35% chance to pick in the top three, the Golden Knights crapped out and wound up with the 6th pick, the lowest they could get, which had about an 19% chance.
The day started out pretty tough as George McPhee didn’t even make it to Toronto.
Due to travel complications, George McPhee will be unable to attend the 2017 NHL Draft Lottery in person. In his place will be Tom Poraszka.
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) April 29, 2017
The New Jersey Devils won the lottery with their 8.5% chance, Philadelphia hit the second lottery with just a 2.4% shot, and Dallas moved up from 8th to 3rd with their 6.4% chance.
This disaster of a lottery can really be tracked back to one poor decision from the team.
And he decided to leave Stanley the Rooster home rather than try to explain to Canadian Customs officials why the gift given to the team by the Mandarin Oriental in February during Chinese New Year should be allowed into the country as a good luck prop. -Steve Carp, LVRJ
In all seriousness, dropping to the 6th pick isn’t the end of the world, but it does make things a bit more difficult on McPhee. There are two players widely considered to be the cream of the crop in the draft, and with the lottery “loss” it’s highly unlikely the Golden Knight will move up to get either. In fact, McPhee has already ruled it out.
Just spoke with @GoldenKnights GM George McPhee, I asked if he is considering moving the 6th overall pick…”we’re not trading the pick”
— Vince Sapienza (@VinceSapienza) April 30, 2017
Vegas did however almost win the third lottery. If only that 13 were a 14.
One more: Stars got 3rd pick with number combo 2, 6, 8, 13. Coyotes had 2, 6, 8, 12. Vegas Golden Knights had 2, 6, 8, 14. #NHLDraftLottery
— Mike Johnston (@MikeyJ_MMA) April 30, 2017
The NHL has yet to release the video of the actual lottery and the combination guide, but we’ll keep an eye out for it and post it on the site when we find it.
As for now though, after 10 months of existence, the Golden Knights have tasted their first defeat in the NHL, and it came at the hands of some ping pong balls. Hopefully things go better on the ice.
**At least we had fun at Miller’s at our Draft Lottery Party. Thanks to all that came out**
The early @SinBinVegas crowd. Let's pack this place. pic.twitter.com/t6An5KzU9p
— Coach Dave Aikman (@AikmanCMU) April 29, 2017
Winner winner needs to find these first. My choppy artwork btw @SinBinVegas pic.twitter.com/BX0buPyCSY
— Jason R. Pothier (@JRPothier) April 29, 2017
Fans are starting to arrive for the @SinBinVegas Draft Lottery Party. Good luck @GoldenKnights pic.twitter.com/3kLcPoNHBo
— Tony Cordasco (@TonyDasco) April 29, 2017
Pretty good turnout for @SinBinVegas' Lottery Watch Party. #BoldInGold pic.twitter.com/hIc9c9R7uC
— Knights TradeCentral (@knightstradecen) April 29, 2017
Las Vegas @SinBinVegas crew ready for the Draft Lottery #NHLDraftLottery #nhl @GoldenKnights pic.twitter.com/4WJ7SFeMvD
— Trevor Whitehead (@TrevorWhitehead) April 30, 2017
Me and my boy at the @SinBinVegas @GoldenKnights draft lottery party! Great turnout #GoKnights #DraftWasRigged pic.twitter.com/FUogC0ZI2q
— Justin Gannon (@JAGannon) April 30, 2017
Ugh @SinBinVegas @JoeFanShow the #VGK pick 6th what a kick in the pic.twitter.com/5TGdpJ2LDg
— Clayton Hamilton (@Clayton_JoeFan) April 30, 2017
Nice touch @SinBinVegas pic.twitter.com/DvUBcJ5yl0
— Tony Cordasco (@TonyDasco) April 30, 2017
The Vegas Golden Knights suffer their first loss in the NHL with the No. 6 pick in the NHL Draft Lottery. Fans were hoping for a Top 3 pick. pic.twitter.com/TblPa8Y6Ar
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) April 30, 2017
James
All signs point to it being a weak draft class, but I would be disappointed if we don’t end up with a top 6 forward or a top 4 defenseman. Not asking for a franchise player that the team can build their “franchise” around for the foreseeable future. He may be two years away from being an NHLer
Phisig150
I agree there’s going to be solid players to be had most likely even an a future all star or two. There are in every draft even the “weak” draft classes. Now is the time for the front office to step up and start showing how good they really are.
Slack
Glass half full says at least division rivals didn’t move up in the draft either.
Phisig150
Looks like fun wish I could have been there. I’m sure it was better than the T mobile invite only wine and cheese party. I did get to watch at home and flip out when they cut to Raiders coverage for no reason then silently sob into my Coors Light when 3 teams jumped up.
Not the end of the world by any means just disappointing. A top pick would have been that splash this team needs to get some buzz going around town and also a nice building block. Now marketing and our scouts really need to start earning their money.
James
@Phisig150
Last night makes you think twice about tanking a season. For the most part, let the chips fall where they may.
Phisig150
The odds in the NHL lotto are really shitty. The Frozen Process is really more about draft pick and prospect accumaltation. I am coming around more to the idea of signing more seasoned vets and letting the younsters develop in the AHL longer though. If we’re assured lotto appearances next 4 years even if we make the playoffs like Ken in a recent tweet alluded to that also changes my mind a bit about fully going for it. Maybe go for a Half Hinkie on Ice. Still think we need to build this team through the draft but I guess we can win a couple of games too while we’re at it.
James
@Phisig150
‘Still think we need to build this team through the draft but I guess we can win a couple of games too while we’re at it.’
That’s where I’m at. I don’t have a problem with trying to win games for the majority. I am not a fan of winning meaningless games down the stretch.
I think the team will be bad, especially after McPhee wheels and deals for picks and prospects. I think we’re pretty much assured lotto appearances the next 4 years even if Ken is misinformed. I’ve heard the chatter from reliable sources. Never saw it set in stone.
Phisig150
Like you I support going for the playoffs (within reason: no stupid contracts, hold on to valuable draft picks) but once we’ve been eliminated then it’s time to call up the young guys and get them as much ice time as possible. I have a feeling our Knights will give it their all but will still end up in the lotto for a while which I’m ok with. Not sure Foley feels the same way.
Steve T.
Expansion Draft go get the vets,be competive. Young kids play in the AHL for a couple of seasons. Build through the Draft. NHL is a marathon not a sprint.