Columbus Blue Jackets News: TO HOST 2023 NHL DRAFT LOTTERY WATCH PARTY, MAY 8

APRIL 18, 2023

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets invite fans to come out to Columbus Brewing Company Beer Hall, located at 200 Kelton Ave, Columbus, OH, on Monday, May 8 for the club’s official 2023 NHL Draft Lottery Watch Party. Admission is free and fans of all ages are welcome. Live television coverage of the NHL Draft Lottery on ESPN begins at 7 p.m. ET. with fans encouraged to arrive early.

RSVPs are encouraged by visiting BlueJackets.com/DraftParty.  

Among the activities planned for the evening are:

  • Appearances by Blue Jackets mascot Stinger and In-Arena Host Mike Todd.
  • Interactive games, contests, and photo station opportunities.
  • Pre-and post-lottery coverage from the Blue Jackets broadcast team presented by mike’s Hard Lemonade.
  • Exclusive CBJ prizes will be awarded throughout the night.
  • The Blue Line Team Store will be on-site featuring new products.

The NHL Draft Lottery is a weighted lottery system that determines the order of selection for the first 16 picks of the Draft. Clubs that did not qualify for this season’s Stanley Cup Playoffs will participate in the lottery. The Blue Jackets finished the regular season ranked 31st out of 32 teams, ensuring they will hold one of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th overall selections in this year’s draft. 

The allocation of odds for the first Draft Lottery Draw of the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery are: Anaheim Ducks (18.5%), Columbus Blue Jackets (13.5%), Chicago Blackhawks (11.5%), San Jose Sharks (9.5%), Montreal Canadiens (8.5%), Arizona Coyotes (7.5%), Philadelphia Flyers (6.5%), Washington Capitals (6%), Detroit Red Wings (5%), St. Louis Blues (3.5%), Vancouver Canucks (3%), Ottawa Senators (2.5%), Buffalo Sabres (2.0%), Pittsburgh Penguins (1.5%), Nashville Predators (0.5%) and Calgary Flames (0.5%). 

Only the top 11 teams have a chance to select first overall as no team can move up more than 10 spots in the draft, while no team can move down more than two spots.  The odds for the remaining teams will increase on a proportionate basis for the 2nd Lottery Draw, based on which team wins the 1st Lottery Draw.

COURTESY BLUE JACKETS COMMUNICATIONS