[CliffFletcher]

Let's be honest. The reason we are facing a long and painful rebuild isn't because of a faulty draft lottery. It's because Flames management has been awful at drafting and developing young players. Chronically among the worst in the NHL.

And personally, I'm finding this season far less painful to watch then the last few years of the Iginla era, when a veteran roster that was clearly not going to contend for a Cup drifted along in mediocrity and gradual decline. The cyclical nature of a league with a draft and a salary cap makes it more interesting for me as a fan. It means management that is patient and far-sighted (and competent) can exchange short-term pain for long-term gain and tilt the odds towards building a contender.

But yeah, I'd be satisfied with a weighted lottery system where a team couldn't pick top-5 three years in a row. All non-playoff teams get three balls. One is removed each time you've drafted in the top-5 in the last two seasons. Win the lottery and you move up five spots. If you've drafted in the top-5 in the last two years, highest you can pick is sixth.