The 2026 NHL Draft Lottery delivered exactly the kind of chaos hockey fans thrive on—and if you've been following the New Jersey Devils' journey, you probably saw this coming from a mile away.
After the Devils secured their guy and the Toronto Maple Leafs made waves that shook up the order, the lottery results felt almost inevitable. No, it's not rigged—but the luck handed to John Chayka and Mats Sundin is nothing short of remarkable.
Here's a quick look at the biggest storylines from last night's lottery:
New Jersey Devils: Staying Put at No. 12
Despite two surprising jumps from other teams, the Devils held steady at the 12th overall pick. While the top of the draft got interesting fast, New Jersey didn't move up—or down. The focus now shifts to what they'll do with that selection. Expect more analysis later today on whether they trade the pick or use it to add another promising piece to their young core.
New York Rangers: A Tough Slide Backwards
The Blueshirts entered the lottery hoping to climb the board, but instead, they fell backward. By the slimmest of margins, they missed out on moving up—and ultimately lost ground. It's a tough break for a team looking to reload quickly.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Luck Strikes Again
The Leafs were the talk of the lottery, landing a surprising boost that could reshape their future. What this means for their draft strategy and roster plans is already generating buzz around the league.
Around the League
- The Pittsburgh Penguins received their final report card for the 2025-26 season, with Dan Kingerski breaking down where they succeeded and where they fell short.
- The Boston Bruins were on the losing end of the lottery results, missing out on key opportunities to improve their draft position.
For Devils fans, there's plenty more to come—including a deeper dive into who New Jersey could target with the 12th pick and whether a trade might be in play. Stay tuned.
Whether you're celebrating a lucky break or licking your wounds from a slide, one thing's for sure: the 2026 draft just got a whole lot more interesting.