The NHL Draft lottery is set for Tuesday night, and while it's usually a time of hope for teams that missed the playoffs, the Detroit Red Wings will be watching with a sense of frustration rather than anticipation. Despite a season that ended without a postseason berth, the Red Wings won't have the chance to secure a top pick in the 2026 NHL Draft—no matter what happens in the lottery.

Detroit currently holds the 15th-best lottery odds, a position that reflects their near-miss of the playoffs. With those odds, the Red Wings have a 1.1% chance at the fourth pick, a 0.1% chance at the sixth, a 97.9% chance of landing the 15th pick, and a 1.1% chance of slipping to 16th. But here's the kicker: none of those picks will belong to Detroit.

The reason lies in a trade made during the season, as the Red Wings pushed hard for a playoff spot. They sent their 2026 first-round pick to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for defenseman Justin Faulk. At the time, the move made sense—Detroit wasn't just in the playoff race at the trade deadline; they were near the top of the Eastern Conference standings. It was a bold, win-now move designed to put the team over the top.

Instead, the Red Wings collapsed down the stretch, missing the playoffs entirely despite Faulk's contributions. The trade now stings even more, as it means they'll watch another team benefit from their draft position. The Blues, who also missed the playoffs, hold the 11th-best lottery odds with their own pick, giving them two chances to strike gold on Tuesday night.

For Red Wings fans, it's a tough reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the NHL. One moment, you're loading up for a deep run; the next, you're watching your future pick slip away. It's a lesson in the high-stakes gamble of trade deadline deals—and a story that adds extra intrigue to this year's draft lottery.