OldnotDeadWings
Registered User
- Sep 18, 2013
- 356
- 389
To play devil's advocate, suppose you're a team that's routinely in the bottom half of the league. Even if the league makes it more punitive, what draw is there to fight to stay in the middle, versus shooting for as high a pick as possible? If you're already a below average product, why keep trying to succeed with that quality of incoming talent (statistically speaking), instead of going after a (statistically speaking) much more impactful player?
I think what happened last year, with NJ and Philadelphia going 1-2, demonstrates the value of staying in the middle and how a random lottery can enhance league entertainment. Hischier and Patrick were not sentenced to being young core leaders of bad teams, they've helped make two average teams much more fun to watch. Now, does this one-year shot of talent infusion compromise their long-term ability to win? Maybe, but I don't think Philly or NJ fans are worried about that right now.