The lottery rules have been tweaked as recently as the summer of 2014, with changes phased in over two years to give more teams better odds and try to discourage tanking.

This year, the first three picks are decided by separate lotteries, so the 30th-place team could pick as low as fourth if it doesn’t win any of them.

Only this is certain: if the latest Oiler Rule isn’t adopted, the paranoia level will be off the charts until those three balls have been drawn and Edmonton’s isn’t one of them.

-Cam Cole of the Vancouver Sun where you can read more on the NHL draft lottery.