NHL Draft lottery: The actual draw explained

Getty ImagesWith the Rangers in the draft lottery for the second consecutive year, it may be helpful to explain how the actual draw works. Every year, we hear fans complain about it being rigged, but the NHL has developed a process which is fair and tamper-proof. But how does it work?

Commissioner Bettman is in a room with representatives of each team, plus journalists and two representatives of Ernest & Young who will manually verify the combination with the chart they have in front of them. The look-up chart is available to everyone in the room, including the team’s representatives. The people in the room are not allowed any contact with the outside world until the results of the draw are…