
Spoelstra: No need to penalize Ball any further
Erik Spoelstra supports no further penalties for LaMelo Ball after flagrant foul.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have finalized their NHL Draft lottery odds and the potential of conveying their first-round pick to the Boston Bruins. Their recent losses have influenced the outcome of this decision.
Maple Leafs finally know their NHL Draft lottery odds, chance of Bruins getting 1st-round pick originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Toronto Maple Leafs finally know their chances.
They've been wondering all season whether they'll keep their first-round pick or convey it to the Boston Bruins. Their NHL Draft lottery odds are now set.
The Leafs "did what they could" by losing five of their last six games in regulation and dropping the other in overtime.
It's the pick that moved in the Brandon Carlo trade during the 2024-25 season. The Leafs sent a first-rounder and Fraser Minten to Boston in exchange for the defenseman Carlo.
That first-round pick for 2026 had a protection on it: If it ends up being a top-five selection, the Maple Leafs keep the pick.
If if ends up anywhere from No. 6 and beyond, the Bruins get to make the pick.
MORE:Maple Leafs' president brought AI trade pitches to deadline meetings
Given the rough season in Toronto, losing a first-round pick in a quality draft class would add insult to injury.
The Maple Leafs' losing finish did put them into the fifth-best lottery odds.
That's 8.5% chance of picking first, 8.6% for second, 0.3% for third and 24.5% for fifth. That leaves it at 56.2% of conveying their pick to the Bruins.
That's not perfect, but given that they spent much of the second half with higher than 80% chance of sending the pick to the Bruins, a nearly 50-50 chance has to feel at least a little bit better.
The Toronto Maple Leafs' NHL Draft lottery odds have now been established following their recent performance.
The Maple Leafs may need to convey their first-round pick to the Bruins due to the terms of the trade involving Brandon Carlo.
The Maple Leafs lost five of their last six games in regulation and one in overtime, impacting their draft lottery odds.

Erik Spoelstra supports no further penalties for LaMelo Ball after flagrant foul.
A look at every first-round pick by Packers GM Brian Gutekunst since 2018.
Alex Ovechkin hints he may not have played his last game with the Capitals
Texas Longhorns welcome top-10 prospects Monshun Sales and John Meredith III this Thursday.
Subaru vs Hyundai: A New Rivalry at the 2026 Nürburgring 24h
Carlos Alcaraz pulls out of Barcelona Open after wrist injury
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.