Well, it could be worse.
The Blue Jackets will have the fifth selection in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, after they remained in the fifth spot during the lottery tonight.
The franchise has never had the fifth pick, but they have picked fourth and sixth three times each. Their fourth overall picks were Rotislav Klesla (2000), Nikolai Zherdev (2003), and Ryan Johansen (2010). At sixth overall, they chose Gilbert Brule (2005), Derick Brassard (2006), and Nikita Filatov (2008).
Some recent, successful fifth overall picks include Elias Petersson (VAN, 2017), Elias Lindholm (CGY, 2013), Morgan Rielly (TOR, 2012), and Ryan Strome (NYI, 2011).
The full results of the lottery were:
- Buffalo Sabres
- Seattle Kraken
- Anaheim Ducks
- New Jersey Devils
- Columbus Blue Jackets
- Detroit Red Wings
- San Jose Sharks
- Los Angeles Kings
- Vancouver Canucks
- Ottawa Senators
- Chicago Blackhawks
- Calgary Flames
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Dallas Stars
- New York Rangers
