Devils win lottery with Hughes as prize

TORONTO

Devils general manager Ray Shero has made it clear his team needs to accumulate more talent.

The luck of the draw helped New Jersey take a huge step in that direction Tuesday.

The Devils will pick first at June’s NHL draft after the lottery balls fell in their favor — bumping the franchise up to the top spot from No. 3.

Shero wouldn’t tip his hand after the order was revealed, but presumptive No. 1 pick Jack Hughes was already on everyone’s mind.

The New York Rangers will choose second at the draft — the team’s first top-2 selection since 1966 when they grabbed future Hall of Fame defenseman Brad Park — after moving up from sixth.

The night’s other big winner was the Chicago Blackhawks, who went from No. 12 to No. 3.

Staff/wire report