As if it wasn’t enough of a kick to the collective crotch when the Detroit Red Wings were absolutely screwed in the 2020 NHL Draft Lottery, they may end up having to watch a rival team that’s already landed two generational talents land yet another.
With today’s playoff loss, the Pittsburgh Penguins now hold 12.5% odds to land the first overall NHL pick in this year’s edition of the Draft. The top prize, of course, is QMJHL forward Alexis Lafreniere.
Can you imagine if the Penguins iced a team with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Lafrienere on their roster? They’ve already garnered a reputation over the years of being a “favored” team of the NHL – this certainly wouldn’t do anything to quell that look.
BONUS CONTENT: Matthew Boyd says it’s not his place to judge teams with COVID complications
More complications have arisen in Major League Baseball regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, with several teams having had to delay series against their opponents due to outbreaks of the illness in their clubhouse.
Most notably, the Miami Marlins had 21 members of their traveling party test positive; CEO Derek Jeter believes it was the result of players letting their guard down.
Meanwhile, the St. Louis Cardinals had their series delayed against the Detroit Tigers this week after an outbreak; they later denied the genesis of the outbreak was after a few players visited a casino.
However, don’t expect Tigers pitcher Matthew Boyd to point the finger: “To pass judgment on them is not my place,” he said.
“We can’t control what the Cardinals do,” Boyd said. “We can’t control what the Pirates are going to do, but right now we know what we can do. And we’ll do the best at that and continue down that path.”
As Major League Baseball looks for a way for the two teams to make up their series, manager Ron Gardenhire is hoping they’ll have the opportunity to do so – perhaps on their common days off (Sept. 3 and 10).
