Regardless of whatever the players status is, they are still under contract hence the nhl players paychecks being withheld and players don' get paid for the playoffs . They technically only get paid for the season, , so players still have bonuses to play for ,cash for winning the cup and a good playoffs for ufa and rfa can mean some big bucks come the following season ,
I cant see the nhl having a draft if playoffs are going on , if there is no playoffs , just go by winning % for draft order