The Daily: Red Wings Have 5.1% Shot at Drafting No. 2; Demidov Signs

This Red Wings question will sound like the start of a joke, but it’s really not.

How bad is Detroit’s competitive situation this morning? The Red Wings are bad enough to miss the playoffs for a ninth consecutive season. But they aren’t quite bad enough yet to earn a place in the NHL lottery for the No. 1 pick.

According to the NHL rules, only the 11 worst teams have a shot to pick first, and this morning Detroit is the 12th worst team.

According to tankathon.com the Red Wings do have a 5.1% of picking No. 2 overall. They do currently qualify for that lottery.

Considering that the Red Wings have four of their last five on the road, including back-to-back Thursday and Friday against Florida and Tampa Bay, they still have a chance to get into the lottery for the No. 1 pick. Their last two games of the season are back-to-back road contests against New Jersey and Toronto.

This is the fallout from Detroit’s 4-1 loss to Montreal that leaves the team with a mathematical, but unrealistic chance of qualifying for the playoffs.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Detroit prospect Michael Brandsegg-Nygard has stepped up his scoring in the SHL playoffs.

Former Red Wings player Alex Faulkner has died at age 88. He played for Detroit from 1962 to 1964. He was the first Newfoundlander to play in the NHL.

Paywall story: Not everyone loves every movie that Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman, but it’s hard not to believe that the acquisition of Alex DeBrincat wasn’t his best trade since taking over the team.  To subscribe to DHN+ stories, click here:

Red Wings Extra

Detroit captain Dylan Larkin scored the only goal in Detroit’s 4-1 loss to Montreal Tuesday. It was his first goal in nine games. J.T. Compher had been one of the Red Wings’ top crucial offensive contributors in recent games. He was minus-3 against Montreal. Detroit out-shot Montreal 36-21. Detroit’s next game is Thursday in Florida.

Hockey Now Network

Colorado: Aarif Deen weighs in on whether an AHL conditioning stint is possible soon for Gabriel Landeskog. Colorado Avalanche.

New Jersey: Devils botch their first playoff-clinching attempt. New Jersey Devils.

Montreal: Canadiens had another reason to celebrate Tuesday. KHL standout Ivan Demidov signed his entry level contract with the Montreal Canadiens.

Pittsburgh: Rutger McGroarty is injured in Penguins’ shutout against the Chicago Blackhawks. Pittsburgh Penguins.