It is in the NHL's best interest to have the Leafs win the draft lottery.

[DieWilsonDie]

Seriously.  I know this sounds ridiculous, but the NHL has a habit of 'rewarding' teams in financial funks, so why not help out a decaying giant, whose only problems are found in the on ice product? 

Wouldn't it make sense for the League to rig the draft lottery this year so the Leafs could select number 1?  As of now one of the NHL's biggest cash cows is the Winter Classic, and seriously who would want to watch the current Leafs roster slug it out with Detroit next winter?  A new marketable star would make the League even more money, and for once it would give some sort of beneficiary help to a large market team and an economic cornerstone of the league. 

Don't Leaf fans deserve something like this for being so faithful, rather than rewarding poorly run organizations with good calls on the ice and off it?

 

[Kin]

1) I'm not sure that the league has the "habit" you're talking about
2) The Leafs, despite being lousy, still draw well so the League probably isn't too concerned with numbers for the winter classic
3) If the league gave a damn about the health of their big market clubs, we wouldn't have the CBA we have or be hearing rumblings that the League is going to crack down on their advantages even more in the coming negotiations.

 

[McPwnage]

it is called a lottery for a reason

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

With the all-star game embarrassingly in Columbus next year, and their franchise player wanting out, it's arguably in the NHL's best interest to have things look more promising in Columbus than in Toronto. Though no doubt the NHL would be very pleased to see a good Toronto turnaround for the Winter Classic.

 

[Madferret]

A Panthers / Coyotes Cup final would also be in the league's best interests - what do you propose there?
Seriously though - is this what being a Leaf fan has come to for you DWD?

 

[Kin]

A Panthers / Coyotes Cup final would also be in the league's best interests - what do you propose there?

How can you seriously say that the matchup that would probably yield the lowest national ratings would be in the League's best interest?

 

[Tigger]

is this what being a Leaf fan has come to for you DWD?

No sweat, he's actually Ron Wilson and crying for help.

 

[skrackle]

I know it's fashionable to call into question the draft lottery ever since the Penguins, a dying franchise desperately in need of a new arena, were able to 'randomly select' possibly the game's greatest superstar since Gretzky.

But that's just...well...

 

[Madferret]

A Panthers / Coyotes Cup final would also be in the league's best interests - what do you propose there?

How can you seriously say that the matchup that would probably yield the lowest national ratings would be in the League's best interest?

You've got a point

 

[crazyperfectdevil]

okay..so if the leafs do win the lottery then we'll know it's fixed..anyone else wins..business as usual

 

[maplesyrup]

Of course it's fixed. Duh! We're God's team, don't you know? God can't show favoritism. - I fully expect to be drafting 6th.

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

is this what being a Leaf fan has come to for you DWD?

No sweat, he's actually Ron Wilson and crying for help.

I imagine DieWilsonDie as Tom Hanks' character in Cast Away, in a perpetual fit of anger at his friend, Wilson the volleyball.

 

[Tigger]

Now all I can think of is Danny DeVito yelling "I'm sorry, DieRumhamDie!!!"...

 

[nutman]

Of course it's fixed. Duh! We're God's team, don't you know? God can't show favoritism. - I fully expect to be drafting 6th.

As do I.

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

Of course it's fixed. Duh! We're God's team, don't you know? God can't show favoritism. - I fully expect to be drafting 6th.

As do I.

Et tu, nutman?

 

[Zee]

If the draft lottery is truly fixed then somehow Pittsburgh will win it.

 

[Kin]

I know it's fashionable to call into question the draft lottery ever since the Penguins, a dying franchise desperately in need of a new arena, were able to 'randomly select' possibly the game's greatest superstar since Gretzky.

But that's just...well...

Dumb. The word you're looking for is dumb. If the NHL rigged the Crosby draft he'd have been a Ranger. The NHL didn't rig the draft to save the 23rd biggest media market in the US.

 

[rdowdall]

I know it's fashionable to call into question the draft lottery ever since the Penguins, a dying franchise desperately in need of a new arena, were able to 'randomly select' possibly the game's greatest superstar since Gretzky.

But that's just...well...

Dumb. The word you're looking for is dumb. If the NHL rigged the Crosby draft he'd have been a Ranger. The NHL didn't rig the draft to save the 23rd biggest media market in the US.

Or a Leaf, or a King, but yes, rigging it so that he goes to Pittsburgh wouldn't make a whole lot of sense.  Also, they were pretty abysmal up until they got him.

 

[princedpw]

Is there a draft for lottery position today?  Or when is that happening?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Is there a draft for lottery position today?  Or when is that happening?

The lottery is tonight. TSN has coverage at 8pm.