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The NHL's 2020 draft lottery explained: Everything you need to know

Editor's note: This story was originally published on May 26. It has been updated.

The NHL will hold its annual draft lottery Friday. Like in previous years, there's a top prospect prize for the team that wins the first overall pick: Alexis Lafrenière, the high-scoring left wing from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

But that's just about where comparisons to previous drafts end. With the NHL's season paused due to the coronavirus pandemic, pending a possible return to play this summer, the draft lottery process will be like nothing teams and fans have seen before.