Better odds than we thought
Credit to Dan for pointing out a mistake in an earlier post about the draft lottery. The No. 30 team has retained the No. 1 pick five times since 1995, not three. That was me not being as precise as I should have at the end of a long season. What I should have said was only three times has the No. 30 team been picked as the draft lottery winner. Two other times, the No. 30 team retained the No. 1 pick even though that team was not "picked'' in the lottery.
So, to set the record straight:
Teams that have retained the No. 1 pick were the Senators in 1995 and 1996, the Bruins in 1997, the Lightning in 1999 and Blues in 2006.
Thank you for your patience.
Follow the Lightning through the season with beat writer Damian Cristodero and the Times sports staff. We invite your participation in the comments area.
olin:
the report was in last weeks' Sports Illustrated.
Posted by: McBain | April 08, 2008 at 09:34 AM
I agree olin. The ownership--whoever it will be--cannot retain a coach whom the team quit on. This is fairly well known around the league.
Posted by: jr | April 07, 2008 at 08:56 PM
Weezer- that may be, but that is what is needed here. Seem's this morning while listening to wdae(I'm lucky, I can listen to sportstalk all day at work) I heard a report by dan sileo or maybe ian and ron about who were the worst coach's player's disliked playing for...Mike Keenan ranked first on the list with John Torterella a close third. Did anyone see this report or where it came from? I believe this coupled with Jay Feaster ranked 30th as league GM's, is a major reason Bolt's finished where they did. Of course a terrible defense was also culprit. PSE- bring in a new Coach-GM, a couple solid all star D-men, Stamkos, and bingo we are back on track.
Posted by: olin | April 07, 2008 at 08:49 PM
The luck is changing for the Lightning. A great start for next season! Go Bolts!
Posted by: Nan | April 07, 2008 at 08:45 PM
They all learn to love Tampa, usually starts when their ProV1 hits a palm tree in January. Unfortunately, the love is tough to learn with a certain head coach.
Posted by: tiny ... | April 07, 2008 at 08:41 PM
Get a grip, olin. It may be what all fans want but management thinks its too expensive to get rid of an incompetent coach.
Posted by: weezer | April 07, 2008 at 08:36 PM
...jippeee- now we change the title from community relation's to COACH of the TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING for DAVE ANDREYCHUK. Way to go Dave. I knew I would get a good birthday present today....GO BOLT's
Posted by: olin | April 07, 2008 at 08:32 PM
I've seen more smiles and enthusiasm in the waiting room at Sloan-Kettering.
Posted by: a lange | April 07, 2008 at 08:23 PM
and with the first pick of the 2008 NHL draft, the Tampa Bay Lightning select.....Steven Stamkos!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Herb | April 07, 2008 at 08:22 PM
Tampa gets #1.
Posted by: Amy | April 07, 2008 at 08:22 PM
Stamkos looked anything but thrilled.
Posted by: pd | April 07, 2008 at 08:20 PM
YEah!!!!!!
Posted by: boltflasher | April 07, 2008 at 08:20 PM
Great going, Andy!!! If Feaster attended, the Bolts would not have gotten the first pick. It's a start unless PSE or Koules f****s up.
Leave it to the NHL not to hold the lottery during intermission of a playoff game. Another Bettman gaffe.
Posted by: Nils | April 07, 2008 at 08:19 PM
y does noone care about this draft right here? This is huge!
Posted by: jim from nj | April 07, 2008 at 07:21 PM
LOL damian u need to grab yourself a coffee bud!
Posted by: jim from nj | April 07, 2008 at 07:19 PM
The odds are slightly less than 50-50 that the Lightning will get the first pick---48.8 percent. That's the meaningful stat, not the history lesson.
Posted by: jr | April 07, 2008 at 05:04 PM
I thought in 1999 they traded it to the Rangers for Dan Cloutier.
Posted by: boltcc | April 07, 2008 at 01:45 PM
Wasn't it the lightning in 1998?
Posted by: Beth | April 07, 2008 at 01:30 PM