There’s no Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews awaiting the winner of the 2017 NHL Draft lottery, but there is game-changing talent on which teams would love to get first dibs.
The New Jersey Devils, who had just the fifth-best odds of landing the No. 1 pick, won the lottery, which determines the order for the first 15 picks in the 2017 NHL Draft. The lottery was held Saturday, April 29, in Toronto; the draft will be held June 23-24 in Chicago.
MORE: When, how to watch the 2017 NHL Draft
In early mock drafts, Nolan Patrick is considered to be the top pick, but he's far from the consensus top prospect that McDavid and Matthews were.
Here are the 2017 NHL Draft lottery results and a few top prospects who should be lottery picks this summer.
2017 NHL Draft lottery results
Here is the draft order of the first 15 picks in the 2017 NHL Draft. Picks 16-31 will be set following the Stanley Cup playoffs.
| 1. New Jersey Devils |
| 2. Philadelphia Flyers |
| 3. Dallas Stars |
| 4. Colorado Avalanche |
| 5. Vancouver Canucks |
| 6. Vegas Golden Knights |
| 7. Arizona Coyotes |
| 8. Buffalo Sabres |
| 9. Detroit Red Wings |
| 10. Florida Panthers |
| 11. Los Angeles Kings |
| 12. Carolina Hurricanes |
| 13. Winnipeg Jets |
| 14. Tampa Bay Lightning |
| 15. New York Islanders |
MORE: Everything you need to know about the NHL expansion draft
What were the odds to win the 2017 NHL Draft Lottery?
These were the odds for all 15 teams eligible to win the NHL Draft lottery. Despite having the best odds to win the No. 1 pick, the Colorado Avalanche will have the No. 4 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft.
| Colorado Avalanche 18.0 percent |
| Vancouver Canucks 12.1 percent |
| Vegas Golden Knights 10.3 percent |
| Arizona Coyotes 10.3 percent |
| New Jersey Devils 8.5 percent |
| Buffalo Sabres 7.6 percent |
| Detroit Red Wings 6.7 percent |
| Dallas Stars 5.8 percent |
| Florida Panthers 5.4 percent |
| Los Angeles Kings 4.5 percent |
| Carolina Hurricanes 3.2 percent |
| Winnipeg Jets 2.7 percent |
| Philadelphia Flyers 2.2 percent |
| Tampa Bay Lightning 1.8 percent |
| New York Islanders 0.9 percent |
Who won previous NHL Draft lotteries?
All the lottery winners and players drafted since the process was started.
*Team obtained the top pick via trade.
2016 Toronto drafted center Auston Matthews
2015 Edmonton drafted center Connor McDavid
2014 Florida drafted defenseman Aaron Ekblad
2013 Colorado drafted center Nathan MacKinnon
2012 Edmonton drafted right winger Nail Yakupov
2011 New Jersey drafted defenseman Adam Larsson
2010 Edmonton drafted left winger Taylor Hall
2009 NY Islanders drafted center John Tavares
2008 Tampa Bay drafted center Steven Stamkos
2007 Chicago drafted center/right winger Patrick Kane
2006 St. Louis drafted defenseman Erik Johnson
2005 Pittsburgh drafted center Sidney Crosby
2004 Washington drafted left winger Alex Ovechkin
2003 *Pittsburgh drafted goalie Marc-Andre Fleury
2002 *Columbus drafted left winger Rick Nash
2001 Atlanta drafted left winger Ilya Kovalchuk
2000 New York Islanders drafted goalie Rick DiPietro
1999 *New York Rangers drafted right winger Pavel Brendl fourth overall (expansion Atlanta and Vancouver owned the top three picks)
1998 Tampa Bay drafted center Vincent Lecavalier
1997 Boston drafted center Joe Thornton
1996 Ottawa drafted defenseman Chris Phillips
1995 Los Angeles drafted defenseman Aki Berg
Who are the top prospects in the 2017 NHL Draft?
Nolan Patrick is considered by many to be the biggest prize in this year's NHL draft, but he's no lock for the No. 1 pick.
The 2017 NHL Draft crop is loaded at the top with centers. Nico Hischier, a center, is considered the next-best player after Patrick. Casey Mittelstadt, Gabriel Vilardi and Michael Rasmussen are other centers considered top prospects and first-round picks.
For more, check out the NHL prospect rankings compiled by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau.
When is the 2017 NHL Draft?
The first round of the seven-round 2017 NHL Draft will take place Friday, June 23, in Chicago. Rounds 2-7 will be held Saturday, June 24.