The Alexis Lafreniere Chaos Rankings | Silky N’ Filthy podcast

How do you feel about the draft lotteries?

Well, if you cheer for any of the six teams that just got screwed by the NHL, you’re probably not a fan.

However, if you cheer for any of the 16 teams that now have a legitimate shot at drafting dominant prospect winger Alexis Lafreniere, chances are you might like this draft lottery thing.

To be honest, you should completely embrace the NHL’s hooliganism when it comes to crafting draft lotteries. While it’s probably not fair to the seven worst teams in the league, you could argue that it’s not fair to reward losing either.

And let’s face it, sports is all about the entertainment, after all. Why are we taking it so seriously? Just embrace the chaos.

Speaking of chaos, Kyle Bhawan and I went through some of the possible landing sports for Alexis Lafreniere, both good and bad, on the latest episode of Silky N’ Filthy.

Here are the complete rankings, based on the most chaotic landing spots.

They Deserve It

Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images

16. Winnipeg Jets. Even though adding Lafreniere would give them one of the best top-six units in hockey, would anyone really be mad if Winnipeg ended up with number one overall pick? Almost everything good that happens to the Jets seems like a feel good story. They’re the NHL’s version of the little engine that could.

15. Columbus Blue Jackets. It took the Jackets 20 years just to win their first playoff series. If you’re mad about them winning the lottery, you’re just mean.

14. Minnesota Wild. They have some of the best hockey fans outside of Canada, yet they’ve hardly been more successful than their expansion counterparts in Columbus. The Wild have drafted in the top five only twice in franchise history: In 2000 when they selected Marian Gaborik third overall, and in 2005 when they took Benoit Pouliot with the fourth overall selection.

Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

13. Montreal Canadiens. Everything is always under the spotlight in Montreal, and I’m sure some Eastern Conference teams wouldn’t be happy with this scenario. Still, Montreal is the worst team among the 24-teams still in contention, and adding a French Canadian star in Lafreniere would be a neat story.

Meh...

12. Nashville Predators. They’ve always lacked true star power up front. Plus, Lafreniere might give them more playoff games, meaning more playoff shenanigans at the raucous Bridgestone Arena.

11. New York Islanders. Another team that sorely lacks offensive talent. Maybe this time around, the Islanders would actually be able to convince the number one selection to stay with the franchise.

Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images

10. Carolina Hurricanes. Basically the American NHL version of the little engine that could. However, it’s hard to have too much pity for this budding team of stars that just went to the Conference Finals last season.

O-M-G

9. Arizona Coyotes. They might be due for some lottery luck, that’s why they traded for Taylor Hall, right? Still, there are more deserving franchises than one which continuously ranks near the bottom of the league in attendance.

8. Florida Panthers. The Panthers have shakier attendance and more star power than the Coyotes, but the feeling is still the same.

Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images

7. Vancouver Canucks. Of course, we’re biased here in Vancouver, but no one outside of this city wants to see the Canucks succeed. You know our Canadian counterparts would groan about our lottery luck here after we recently drafted Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes.

Let’s be real though, the Canucks have been one of the unluckiest teams in the draft lottery over the past few seasons. They’re probably due for a fortunate bounce.

6. Calgary Flames. They already have star power up front and won the Western Conference title just more than a year ago. Plus, this is a Vancouver-based blog, so fuck the Flames.

5. New York Rangers. They just won the lottery a year ago when they selected Kaapo Kakko with the number two overall selection. You could also argue they won the lottery twice with Artemi Panarin lusting to play for the franchise. One of the biggest markets in the league doesn’t need any more help from the lottery balls.

Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

4. Chicago Blackhawks. I don’t think there’s too many people sympathizing after they won three Cups in a five-year span. Plus, they already had some lottery luck last year when they jumped into the number three spot where they selected Kirby Dach.

3. Pittsburgh Penguins. They’ve won two Stanley Cups in the last four years, and they still have two of the best players in the game. Arguably, they’re the least deserving team for the number one overall pick.

2. Toronto Maple Leafs. Nevermind Canuck hate, there’s nobody in Canada that wants to see the Maple Leafs hoist the Cup, and Lafreniere would really help them climb the ranks as an annual contender.

Photo by Graig Abel/NHLI via Getty Images

1. Edmonton Oilers. Can you imagine the Oilers choking against the Blackhawks, only to win another NHL draft lottery? It would be insanely unfair to have the Oilers win another draft lottery, although it would probably kick ass for Lafreniere.

Which team do you think deserves Lafreniere the most? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter @NucksMisconduct.

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