NHL-New Jersey Devils get top pick in draft
April 29 (Reuters) - The New Jersey Devils will own the top selection in the NHL draft for the first time since 1979 after winning the lottery in Toronto on Saturday.
The Devils finished last in the Eastern Conference in the 2016-17 season but will now have the first pick in June 23-24 draft at the United Center in Chicago.
They are expected to choose between two highly touted centers, Nolan Patrick of the Western Hockey League and Nico Hischier of the Quebec Junior Hockey League.
"This is a great day for our franchise, and to pick first overall, to have that for our Devils fans and our organization, is great news," New Jersey general manager Ray Shero told NBC Sports.
The 14 NHL teams that did not qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs, along with the expansion Vegas Golden Knights, participated in the lottery.
The Philadelphia Flyers, who finished 11th in the Eastern Conference, got the second overall pick.
The Dallas Stars got the third followed by the Colorado Avalanche, Vancouver Canucks, Vegas Golden Knights, Arizona Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings and Florida Panthers.
(Reporting by Jahmal Corner)
