The 2010 NHL Draft Lottery: The Contenders

The NHL Playoffs begin on Wednesday, but for the teams that are now done for the next four months, their Finals matchup will take place Tuesday evening, when the NHL Draft Lottery will be held.

A team only can move up five spots if it wins the Lottery, but can only drop one spot if it doesn't.

With that being said, a lot is on the line for some of the teams that are in contention for the No. 1 pick, as it could turn that team's fortunes around tremendously for the future.

Tavares, Stamkos, Ovechkin, Kane, Crosby....all are names that were taken with the No. 1 pick over the last several years, and either Hall or Seguin will join that list when we discuss this topic for next year.

Let's take a look at the five teams that have a shot at the No. 1 pick.

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Edmonton Oilers

The worst team in the league this season has a chance to get better real quick.

Regardless of whether the Oilers win the Lottery or not, the club cannot drop below second overall, meaning that either Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin will be wearing the oildrop come the NHL Draft.

Unless of course, GM Steve Tambellini decides to trade the pick (wouldn't that be something else).

With Jordan Eberle, Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson, and Sam Gagner already in the fold, either Hall or Seguin would be a welcome addition to a team looking to go young and make an impact in a few years, just like the Blackhawks, Capitals, and Penguins.

Chance of getting the No. 1 pick: 48.2 percent

Boston Bruins (via Toronto Maple Leafs)

Regardless of what he says, it must suck to be Leafs GM Brian Burke right now, thinking that your first rounder is actually in the hands of a division rival, who might just end up with the first overall pick.

Although Toronto added a dynamic player in Phil Kessel, you gotta think that Burke wouldn't have done the deal if he knew his Leafs would have sucked this bad this season.

It's possible that Boston keeps its pick, or moves it for more immediate help, simply because the team is constructed in a "win-now" mould.

If not, either Hall or Seguin would give the club another weapon to help its anemic offense.

Chance of getting the No. 1 pick: 18.8 percent

Florida Panthers

If there is one team in the top five that really could use an offensive weapon like Hall or Seguin, it's the Panthers.

Not since the days of Pavel Bure (or even Olli Jokinen, the Florida version) has the team had a dynamic player up front.

Sure, Nathan Horton, Stephen Weiss, and Michael Frolik are some great building blocks for the future, but wouldn't Taylor Hall be the team's cornerstone going forward?

GM Randy Sexton might completely overhaul the club in the offseason, but getting the top ping-pong ball on Tuesday evening could makes things a whole lot more interesting in the Sunshine State this summer.

Chance of getting the No. 1 pick: 14.2 percent

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets have done a lot of rebuilding in their short time in the league.

Last season, it seemed like the franchise was ready to take a step up the food chain after reaching the playoffs, but this season did not play out that way.

Sophomore netminder Steve Mason struggled, and the team had problems finding consistency from its young players, which ultimately cost Ken Hitchcock his head coaching position.

However, grabbing a true top-line player to play with Rick Nash would be a dream come true for GM Scott Howson, and he wouldn't have to give up any assets to get one.

The club has somewhat of a star in Rick Nash, some veterans in RJ Umberger, Kristian Huselius, and Antoine Vermette that provide secondary scoring, and youngsters that are only going to get better in Jakub Voracek and Derek Brassard.

Adding a Hall or Seguin would only strengthen the club's young core.

Chance of getting the No. 1 pick: 10.7 percent

New York Islanders

Could GM Garth Snow be selecting first overall for the second straight year?

It's definitely not out of the realm of possibility.

After adding John Tavares last year, getting Hall or Seguin would only give the Isles one of the youngest one-two punches in the Eastern Conference.

In a couple of years, it could turn out to be one of the best in the entire league.

With Josh Bailey and Kyle Okposo creating a strong supporting cast, the Islanders could return to the glory years of the early 80s if things can go their way.

Chance of getting the No. 1 pick: 8.1 percent