Draft Lottery Preview: Sharks Could Land First or Second Overall Pick

The annual draft lottery is set to take place today, and for the San Jose Sharks, it is the first time we will see the team have a chance at the first overall selection since 2015, when the team selected Timo Meier ninth overall. The last time the Sharks selected in the first round with their own selection was in 2018 when San Jose drafted Ryan Merkley 21st overall.
Last season, the Sharks chose Ozzy Wiesblatt 31st overall with Tampa Bay's selection after trading Barclay Goodrow.
So what are the odds that the Sharks can move up?
Well, the team has a 6.7% chance of selecting in the top spot, but this season there will be only two ping pong balls chosen instead of the standard three that we are used to seeing with the new draft rules in place for this year.
The Sharks hold the seventh-best odds in the draft, and can find themselves in one of five draft positions; first or second overall, or seventh, eighth, or ninth.

And remember, the Arizona Coyotes had to forfeit their first overall pick this season, so if they are selected, it will result in a re-draw.
SHARKS LOTTERY HISTORY
San Jose has chosen in the Top-10 spots 11 times in the history of the franchise, with their highest pick being the second overall selection three different times. In their inception in 1991, the Sharks chose Pat Falloon with the second pick and followed with Andrei Zyuzin in 1996 and Patrick Marleau in 1997. The last time San Jose has chosen in the Top-3 was back in 1998 when Brad Stuart was drafted third overall by the Sharks.
A few other high profile names to be selected in the Top 10 by the Sharks were Milan Michalek (2003, sixth), Devin Setoguchi (2005, eighth) through the Atlanta Thrasher's original choice, captain Logan Couture (ninth, 2007) using the St. Louis Blues original selection, and Timo Meier (2015, ninth).
This also will be just the fifth time under General Manager Doug Wilson in which the Sharks will hold a Top-10 selection. Excluding Vegas and Seattle, the Sharks are just one of six teams to not make a selection in the Top-3 since the 2003 NHL Draft through the 2020 draft (Calgary, Detroit, Minnesota, Nashville, Vancouver).
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
The Lottery is set to take place today at 4 p.m. (PT) live on NBCSN at the NHL Network Studio in Secaucus, New Jersey.
There will be two drawings: the first draw will determine the club selecting first overall and the second draw will determine the club selecting second overall. The odds will increase on a proportionate basis for the second draw based on which club wins the first.
The 14 clubs not selected will be assigned selections 3-16 in inverse order of regular-season standings. The Kraken will choose no lower than fifth.
The 2021 NHL Draft will be held virtually from July 23-24, with Round 1 on the first day, followed by 2-7 on the second day. The Sharks currently hold eight selections in this year's draft.