While many fans are excited to see if their favorite team will be awarded with the first overall pick in Saturday's NHL Draft Lottery, just as many are simply hoping the Edmonton Oilers don't win the lottery for the fifth time in seven years.
Among that crowd, unsurprisingly, is Calgary Flames president Brian Burke, who gave this response when asked by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman how he would react if the team's Alberta rivals is given the No. 1 pick:
Finish the sentence If the Oilers win the lottery tonight I will... "This is a family show, beat the snot out of anybody" - Brian Burke
— DJ HEER (@JovanHeer) April 30, 2016
Burke went further, adding that it would be a "travesty" if the Boston Bruins won the lottery, according to Andrew Walker of FAN 590. The Bruins have recorded the most points among non-playoff teams for two consecutive seasons.
The Flames, meanwhile, have never selected higher than fourth in an NHL draft. They have an 8.5 percent chance at the first overall pick in Jun, and a 26.3 percent chance at cracking the top three.
Earlier this week, Burke criticized the current lottery system, explaining that a situation where the three best non-playoff teams could win the top three picks is something "no one ever wanted." He also believes teams that win the lottery should not be eligible to win again for a specified time period.
