Columbus Blue Jackets Have Slim Chance in NHL Draft Lottery

The team has just a 1.5% probability of winning the top pick in the upcoming draft.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 9:07pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented hockey game, with sharp planes of navy, green, and silver overlapping to create a dynamic, abstract composition.The Blue Jackets' long odds in the NHL draft lottery underscore the challenges of rebuilding through the draft.Columbus Today

The Columbus Blue Jackets have a 1.5% chance of winning the NHL draft lottery on May 5, giving them a scant opportunity to pick higher than 14th overall. After missing the playoffs, the Jackets will enter the lottery 14th in the order, with the possibility of moving up to fourth place at best. The NHL lottery is conducted with two draws of numbered balls assigned to 16 non-playoff teams, with odds weighted by reverse league standings.

Why it matters

The draft lottery is a crucial event for the Blue Jackets, who are looking to rebuild their roster and add top talent through the draft. A higher pick could provide the team with a game-changing prospect, but their low odds make it unlikely they'll land a top selection.

The details

Last year, the New York Islanders overcame 3.5% odds to win the first overall pick, while the Utah Mammoth moved up from 14th to 4th. The Blue Jackets, however, have never won the NHL draft lottery and have only selected first overall once, in 2002 when they traded up to select power forward Rick Nash.

  • The NHL draft lottery will take place on May 5, 2026.
  • The Blue Jackets finished the 2025-26 season with a 3-9-1 record, missing the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.

The players

Don Waddell

The general manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Rick Nash

A former first overall pick by the Blue Jackets in 2002, whose number 61 jersey hangs in the rafters at Nationwide Arena. Nash is now part of the Blue Jackets' front office.

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What’s next

The Blue Jackets will find out their draft position on May 5 when the NHL conducts the draft lottery.

The takeaway

The Blue Jackets' slim 1.5% chance of winning the draft lottery highlights the challenges the team faces in rebuilding through the draft. While a higher pick could provide a transformative prospect, the Jackets will likely be selecting in the middle of the first round once again, making it harder to land a franchise-altering talent.