After enduring one of their worst seasons in franchise history, the Nashville Predators will learn what they got out of it on May 5, when the NHL will hold a lottery to determine which team will select No. 1 overall in the 2025 draft.

With the third-worst record in the league (30-44-8, 68 points), the Predators have an 11.5% chance to win the top pick. Only the San Jose Sharks (25.5%) and Chicago Blackhawks (13.5%) have better odds.

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This season, for the first time, the league will televise the lottery draw live in-studio on ESPN (6 p.m. CT). During the event, the league will draw a series of four numbered balls that correspond with each team to determine who wins the lottery.

How does the NHL’s draft lottery work?

The NHL has a lottery system to determine the draft order of the bottom 16 teams. The league introduced it in 1995 as a way to prevent teams from intentionally losing games to earn the top pick.

In 2021, the league adjusted the rules so that teams can move up a maximum of 10 spots in the draft. In other words, only the bottom 11 teams have a chance at the No. 1 overall pick. If during the lottery draw, a team slotted 12 to 16 gets the top pick, it automatically goes to the team in slot No. 1.

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After the draw for the No. 1 pick, there is a second draw for the No. 2 pick, following the same rules. Any remaining team in the pool can win the No. 2 pick other than teams finishing in slots 13 to 16.

Once the top two picks are determined by lottery, the remaining draft order (No. 3 through No. 16) is determined by order of finish in the season.

How high or low could the Nashville Predators pick in the NHL draft?

Because the Predators have the third-best odds, they could move up or down two slots, depending on how the draw plays out. They could earn the No. 1 or 2 pick by winning either of the two lottery draws. They could drop to No. 4 or 5 if teams other than the Sharks or Blackhawks win the two lottery draws.

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According to Tankathon, the Predators’ odds for their five possible results are as follows:

No. 1 overall — 11.5% chance

No. 2 overall — 11.2% chance

No. 3 overall — 7.8% chance

No. 4 overall — 39.7% chance

No. 5 overall — 29.8% chance

Who could the Predators land with a top pick? What’s at stake

The Predators have a chance to select at No. 1 overall for the first time in franchise history. The highest they’ve ever selected was in 1998, when they took David Legwand at No. 2 overall.

This year’s draft does not feature a generational talent like Connor Bedard (2023) or Connor McDavid (2015). There are several forwards and at least one defenseman who could contend for the top overall pick.

At forward, Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit), James Hagens (Boston College), Porter Martone (Brampton Steelheads), and Roger McQueen (Brandon Wheat Kings) are the top selections from North America. Victor Eklund (Djurgardens) and Anton Frondell (Djurgardens) are the top European skater prospects.

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Among the defensemen, Matthew Schaefer (Erie Otters) is the clear top choice and has the best odds to go No. 1 overall.

No matter what happens during the lottery draw, the Predators will have a selection in the top five for the first time since 2013. That year, they selected defenseman Seth Jones at No. 4 overall.

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Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What’s at stake for the Predators in the 2025 NHL Draft lottery