The Capitals have a six percent chance at winning the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery.
The Washington Capitals find themselves in a position they haven't been in over the last decade and change, as they enter Monday's NHL Draft Lottery with a shot at winning Connor Bedard.
Here's everything to know going into the draft, where the Capitals will pick in the top 10 for the first time since 2007, the year the team took defenseman Karl Alzner fifth overall.
First off, Washington has the eighth-best odds of winning the lottery. The team can only land one of six selections: the first overall pick, second, third, eighth, ninth or 10th.
The teams with the highest chances at Bedard include the Anaheim Ducks (25.5 percent), Columbus Blue Jackets (13.5 percent) and Chicago Blackhawks (11.5 percent). However, as has been seen, anything can happen, and the Capitals do have a chance, though it's a long shot.
When it comes to winning the lottery, it's a bit of a long shot, as the team has a 6 percent chance of jumping up to first overall. As for No. 2, the team would have a 6.2 percent chance at that selection. Then, there's a .2 percent (yes, .2 percent chance) that the team would get to choose third.
Beyond the top-3, the odds heavily favor Washington staying at eighth, as there's a 54.4 percent chance D.C. will pick there. Then, there's a 30 percent chance the team falls to ninth and a 3.2 percent chance the Capitals will end up choosing 10th.
Obviously, the best scenario for Washington would be winning the lottery and selecting Bedard first overall. No other player is competing for the title of the top pick: Bedard, very much like Connor McDavid back in 2015, brings everything and the potential to turn around a franchise: speed, insane hands, a high hockey IQ, a wicked shot and much more.
As for the second overall selection, there's another unanimous selection: Hobey Baker winner Adam Fantilli. The Michigan forward has great speed, size and skill, and he can work wonders with the puck, make plays and think the game quickly. His high hockey IQ, skating and experience make him an impressive player to have and a strong second to Bedard.
As for the third overall pick, which D.C. is least likely to capture, Örebro HK's Leo Carlsson and SKA winger Matvei Michkov would be top names to watch there. Lower in the top 10 are Kelowna winger Andrew Cristall, AIK center Dalibor Dvorsky and HC Komenta Brno winger Edward Sale.
Overall, Washington is going to get a top player out of this draft, and given the team's future and current depth chart, a forward with a lot of upside is exactly what this team needs as the Capitals look to show that this past year was a one-off and that they can still contend.
The NHL Draft Lottery kicks off at 8 p.m. on Monday on ESPN.