It would not be stupid if we got first overall
No. As long as the system is how it is, it's still wildly stupid. Let me explain my position. I wouldn't have much of a problem with teams who are at the very bottom winning a lottery spot. So, a team in 30th place winning the 1st over all pick might excusable. I could even go a little further than that. Let's say just the bottom four or eight teams are involved. If it was just those teams competing for a lottery spot, then I'd probably accept it because all those teams are really nowhere near competing for the playoffs. Also, if there was only one, maybe two lottery spots up for grabs, then I'm probably fine. What is wildly stupid is having the bottom 15 to 16 teams involved in the lottery for 3 picks. We've already been bumped twice and the further you fall, the more likely you are to be bumped multiple times. So far, it already means that it could take us years longer to rebuild or that our rebuild wont be as strong as it would have been and all because Bettman wants to punish teams that aren't winning enough. What's most stupid about his system is that it doesn't even work: Teams still tank just like always.
What is tanking anyway? If Bettman can prove that a team threw a game, then he should go after that team or else **** off. If he can prove a team faked an injury to sit a star then he should go after that team or else **** off. I don't remember being presented with evidence for anything approaching that level of wrongdoing bef
Teams at the bottom will always rest vets so they can call-up and take a look at prospects at the end of the season. Teams will always trade away for picks at the deadline. That's what tanking really is if tanking is anything, but if those are things that Bettman wants to punish with his draft lottery system, then he's ridiculous, because those things are not only justified but they also make the NHL more exciting.