NHL Draft Recap of Round One
The NHL Draft kicked off with a big splash last night in Sunrise Florida. There where trades made that surprised the masses. While some teams picked some questionable players that left people scratching their head. Here is a recap of all the picks and who took which players.
1. Edmonton Oilers – C Connor McDavid.
The Edmonton Oilers, their 3rd No. 1 pick in five years drafted the expected number one, great pick. Connor McDavid will do nothing but help this team as they are looking to finish better than they had the prior seasons.
2. Buffalo Sabres – C Jack Eichel
The Sabres recieved Ryan O’Reilly and Jamie McGinn from Colorado. they kept the number two pick and picked Jack Eichel, which was expected. The Sabres also received goaltender, Robin Lehner and forward David Legwand in return for the 21st pick.
3. Arizona Coyotes – C Dylan Strome.
Any signing is a good singing for the Coyotes. The lack depth in many areas. He will likely be able to compete for a spot right away.
4. Toronto Maple Leafs – RW Mitch Marner.
The first draft under the Mike Babcock era for the Leafs. It is the highest draft pick the Leafs have in 26 years. Their pick is pretty underwhelming he is 5’11” 160. Backcock must see something special in him because he isn’t the biggest player in the world.
5. Carolina Hurricanes – D Noah Hanifin.
Great pick by the hurricanes. One of the best players in the draft. The Maple Leafs messed up by not picking him.
Next: 6-10
6. New Jersey Devils – C Pavel Zacha.
GM Ray Shero is in his first year replacing legendary Devils GM , Lou Lamoriello. The pressure was on to see who he was going to pick. He drafted another expected move, Pavel Zacha. Zacha is a physical, player with a good shot and soft hands.
7. Philadelphia Flyers – D Ivan Provorov.
Defense is much-needed for the Flyers. It is a great pick.
8. Columbus Blue Jackets – D Zach Werenski.
The Blue Jackets attempted to trade up, but settled for their No. 8 pick and picked a two-way defenseman, Zach Werenski.
9. San Jose Sharks – RW Timo Meier
Meier, one of the highest scoring prospects in the QMJHL will be a great addition to the Skarks after they missed the playoffs this past year.
10. Colorado Avalanche – RW Mikko Rantanen.
Colorodo traded Ryan O’reilly and Jamie Mcginn to recieve Nikita Zadorov, Mikhail Grigorenko, J.T. Compher and the 31th pick. Even the addition of Carl Soderberg from the Boston Bruins and Mikko Rantanen the team still has given themselves more cap space to work with.
Next: 11-25
11. Florida Panthers – LW Lawson Crouse.
Lawson Crouse is a winger who doesn’t mind a fight or two and scored 29 goals and 22 points in 56 games with the Kingston Frontenacs in the OHL. Great pick for the Panthers.
12. Dallas Stars – RW Denis Gurianov.
A surprise pick by the Stars. Gurianov was predicted to go 28th.The Stars didn’t go with the media hype they went with what they thought and what they needed.
13. Boston Bruins – D Jakub Zboril.
14. Boston Bruins – LW Jake DeBrusk.
15. Boston Bruins – RW Zach Senyshyn
The day after the Bruins lost Carl Soderberg to the Colorado Avalanche in a pre-draft signing in which they recieved a 6th round pick, The Boston Bruins traded defenseman, Dougie Hamilton to the Calgary Flames for the 15th, 45th,and 52nd pick. Then Bruins traded Milan Lucic to the LA Kings for backup goalie, Martin Jones, prospect defenseman, Colin Miller and the 13th pick. In the end the Bruins definitely screwed up their first round.
Next: 16-20
16. New York Islanders – C Matthew Barzal.
The Islanders didn’t have a first round pick coming into the draft. To get their pick, they sent Griffin Reinhart to the Oilers for the 16th and 33rd picks. Barzal was projected as a top ten prospect and the Islanders jumped at the chance to get him it is a great pick.
17. Winnipeg Jets – LW Kyle Connor.
Kyle Connor was projected 13th ranked by NHL Central Scouting coming from the Youngstown Phantoms. Connor won the USHL scoring title with 80 points, on 34 goals and 46 assists, in 56. Good pick.
18. Ottawa Senators – D Thomas Chabot.
Great pick by the Senators. The Senators filled their need for a for a two-way defender in the form of Boston College commit, Thomas Chabot.
19. Detroit Red Wings – LW Evgeni Svechnikov.
Good pick up for the Wings added depth in the position and will likely look to draft defense in the next round.
20. Minnesota Wild – C Joel Eriksson-Ek.
Eriksson Ek was 22nd in European rankings according to the Central Scouting Service, but by the end of the season his final ranking was 4th. Eriksson Ek is a very skilled and hard-working player.
Next: Picks 21-25
21. Ottawa Senators – C Colin White.
Colin White is from the USA National Team Development Program and ranked 16th on Bob Mackenzie’s draft rankings. White scored 63 points in 47 games in USA U17 and 42 points in 45 games in USA U18. He does rack up the penalty minutes so we will see how this pick plays out. Any player that snubbs NHL commisioner, Gary Bettman a handshake on draft day has the respect of just about every hockey fan, but is also very classless at the same time.
22. Washington Capitals – G Ilya Samsonov.
The Russian goalie has earned high praise from many scouts, however they should have used it for other attacking options.
23. Vancouver Canucks – C Brock Boeser.
Adding depth at center, Boeser scored 35 goals and 68 points in 57 games in the USHL. Good pick for the Canucks.
24. Philadelphia Flyers – C Travis Konecny.
Captain of the 67’s in 2014-15. In two seasons Konecney had 55 goals and 138 points in 123 regular-season Ontario Hockey League games.
The Flyers traded their No. 29 and No. 61 picks to Toronto to get the No. 24 pick.
25. Winnipeg Jets – RW Jack Roslovic.
The first Columbus born first rounder, Roslovic is ranked 4th in the USA U18 team and possesses an explosive first step and great puck protection. He has 25 goals and 52 assists this past season for the London Knights. Good pick.
Next: Picks 26-30
26. Montreal Canadiens – D Noah Juulsen.
The Canadiens addressed their need for a defensman. Juulsen isn’t afraid to hit and he has great hands. Good pick.
27. Anaheim Ducks – D Jacob Larsson
The two-way defenseman, Larsson plays for Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League. He also was named top defenseman in Sweden’s Under-18. Good pick.
28. New York Islanders – C Anthony Beauvillier.
Their second pick in the 1st round, he is a described as “versatile.” He had 94 points (42 goals) in 67 games for Shawinigan in 2014-15. Good pick.
29. Columbus Blue Jackets – D Gabriel Carlsson.
The Blue Jackets traded up to 29th pick by trading the 34th and 68th pick for the 29th pick, the Jackets selected Carlesson from Linkoping from the SHL. Carlesson will address the needs for the Blue Jackets. Good pick.
30. Arizona Coyotes – RW Nicholas Merkley.
last, but not least The Coyotes picked Nichoas Merkley. He has 90 points scoring 20 goals and 70 assists in 72 games for the Rockets. He likely only needs one more year before he can be a full-time NHLer. great pick.
Next: Take a look at the newest Red Wings prospect
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