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NHL Draft Tank Powerless Rankings: A chance for the Kings

Josh Cooper

(Welcome to the NHL Draft Tank Powerless Rankings, a weekly look at the race to the bottom in the League for the right to draft Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel.)

If before last week's 'Tank Wars' match up between the Sabres and Coyotes, if I was to tell you Buffalo would get three points to Arizona's two, what would you say? You would believe me? You wouldn't? At very least, Sabres GM Tim Murray is probably slamming his head against a wall.

All draft odds are via the NHL Draft Simulator. 

What does the current race for McEichel look like? Here are this week’s Powerless Rankings…

14. Los Angeles Kings (88 points)

Current Draft Lottery Odds: 1.0 percent

Chances of making the playoffs: 51.7 percent

The Kings went 3-2-0 on their five-game roadtrip. That's actually pretty good ... but not when you're fighting to make the playoffs. If they win the lottery, it'll be like the Spurs getting Tim Duncan after one so-so year and then turning into arguably the greatest NBA franchise of the last 20 years.

13. Ottawa Senators (86 points)

Current Draft Lottery Odds: 2.0 percent

Chances of making the playoffs: 25.2 percent

Ottawa certainly picked a weird time to start tanking. After roaring back into the playoff race the Sens lost to the tanking Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers. But they're still just three points back of Boston to make the playoffs. But if they won't they'll bemoan the chance to have a better chance to get McEichel.

12. Florida Panthers (80 points)

Current Draft Lottery Odds: 2.5  percent

Chances of making playoffs: 6.4  percent (Projected 10th in Eastern Conference at 72 percent)

The Panthers have picked up points in five of their last six games and have an important contest against Boston on Tuesday. So if they beat Boston (Florida is four points behind the Bruins) the tank is off! For now.

11. San Jose Sharks (83 points)

Current Draft Lottery Odds: 3.0 percent

Current projected finish: 10th in the Western Conference (57 percent)

The Sharks picked up points (five of six) in their last three games. Why guys? Why!?!? It's OK, because they have a Tank Wars, April Fools special against the Colorado Avalanche upcoming.

10. Columbus Blue Jackets (76 points)

Current Draft Lottery Odds: 6.0 percent

Current Projected Finish: 11th in Eastern Conference (55 percent)

They've won six straight, ruining our sleeper pick for the Mid-Ohio dynasty for eternity. Again guys, Johansen plus Bobrovksy plus Murray plus McEichel = the greatest team of the next decade.

9. Dallas Stars (84 points)

Current Draft Lottery Odds: 3.5 percent

Current projected finish: 11th in the Western Conference (49 percent)

The Stars finished the month of March, following a 5-3 loss to Calgary, with just five defeats. You idiots. Why did you put yourself in such worse position to land McEichel? Actually lack of tankage by Dallas gives the Stars some hope and confidence for next year, so it's not too terrible.

8. Colorado Avalanche (82 points)

Current Draft Lottery Odds: 5.0 percent

Current Projected Finish: 12th in Western Conference (61 percent)

The Avs run the tank gauntlet down the stretch with games against Nashville, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Chicago and Winnipeg. So there's a very good chance they'll improve in our powerless rankings, whatever that means.

7. Philadelphia Flyers (77 points)

Current Draft Lottery Odds: 6.5 percent

Current Projected Finish: 12th in Eastern Conference (49 percent)

Wayne Simmonds is out for the year. So is Brayden Schenn. The tank is finally on ... since the Flyers have officially been eliminated.

6. New Jersey Devils (74 points)

Current Draft Lottery Odds: 7.5 percent

Current Projected Finish: 13th in Eastern Conference  (77 percent)

The Devils haven't won since beating the Sabres on March 20, which is basically a loss in today's NHL tanking world.

5. Carolina Hurricanes (67 points)

Current Draft Lottery Odds: 8.5 percent

Current Projected Finish: 14th in Eastern Conference (91 percent)

The Hurricanes keep playing backup Anton Khudobin, which means they are indeed tanking. Khudobin played eight games last month. Eight! Unless they're trying to to rest Ward to make a run with the 1-2-3 punch of Eric Staal, Jordan Staal and McEichel down the middle next year.

4. Edmonton Oilers (55 pts.)

Current Draft Lottery Odds: 11.5 percent

Current Projected Finish: 13th in Western Conference (98 percent)

A three game winning streak maybe shows this team isn't as bad as we thought it was? And could also deliver the Oilers the franchise defenseman it actually needs in Noah Hanifin.

3. Toronto Maple Leafs (62 points)

Current Draft Lottery Odds: 9.5 percent

Current Projected Finish: 15th in Eastern Conference (96 percent)

With all the drama sort of over for Toronto, the Leafs are just flat out losing, though they're cool with being a bit of a spoiler, beating the Ottawa Senators in OT on Saturday.

2. Buffalo Sabres (50 pts.)

Current Draft Lottery Odds: 20 percent

Current Projected Finish: 16th in Eastern Conference (100 percent)

It sounds like all the problems with Buffalo have emboldened its players to actually start winning games. Buffalo's win over Arizona shows that while management wants this team to lose, its players still have some pride. 

1. Arizona Coyotes (54 pts.)

Current Draft Lottery Odds: 13.5 percent

Current Projected Finish: 14th in the Western Conference (98 percent)

After Buffalo hit rock bottom (as if they could have gone any lower) against the Coyotes at First Niagara Center last week, Arizona took the Sabres tank job and one-upped them, by getting fewer points in the week  than the Sabres. Good for them. Even though Buffalo started the year tanking all the way, the Coyotes have caught and may be beating the Sabres at their own game.

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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