New team deliberately going bust for Connor Bedard?!

Looking ahead to the 2023 NHL Draft, Connor Bedard is the projected first overall pick and we get why he is hard to pass up. Before the 2022-23 season started, there was a sense that some teams might be willing to do everything they can to win the Bedard sweepstakes: finishing dead last to get the most chances to win the draft lottery and select him first.

At first, Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek believed both the Arizona Coyotes and Chicago Blackhawks are treating this season as Connor Bedard or bust. However, both clubs haven’t done as bad as we all anticipated so far this season.

On Wednesday, The Athletic’s Sean McIndoe put together a new analysis of teams in the lead to win the Connor Bedard lottery and it looks like there is a new team that might look to tank to get the best chances to draft the talented young forward.

McIndoe believes the Anaheim Ducks are in the best position to win the next Draft lottery.

Here is how he explains it:

“They’re the early leader, sitting dead last out of 32 teams heading into last night, although the margin is thin.”

According to their tank total of 33/40, McIndoe commented “This feels like a mild upset, and it’s still early, but right now everything is lining up brilliantly for the Ducks.”

The Ducks therefore land ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets (31/40), Coyotes (30/40), San Jose Sharks (29/40) and Blackhawks (tied at 29/40 with the Sharks.)

So, will the Ducks win the lottery, you think?