The 2017 NHL Entry Draft is several weeks away but New Jersey Devils GM Ray Shero is already receiving calls for the top pick.
Shero mentioned during a recent interview with TSN that teams have expressed interest and expanded on that a little bit in one with Julie Robenhymer.
Q: What would it take for you to trade the pick?A: I've gotten a couple calls the past week from teams just letting us know they'd be interested if we were to decide to trade it. We even had one get a little more specific about what they'd be willing to offer, and that's helpful and a little more engaging. I'm open to anything right now, I guess, but my focus is picking the best player for our organization and if there's something to think about, we'll definitely think about it, but that's not our focus right now.
It's interesting Shero has a concrete offer on the table so far in advance but it doesn't seem like he's overly interested in moving the pick, nor should he be.
You never say never -- Shero certainly isn't one to rule anything out -- but the Devils are still trying to build up their core and they have a great opportunity to do that on June 23rd.
Teams will call, no doubt, and I'm sure Shero will have some interesting offers tabled but I'd be shocked if he ended up moving the pick.
There's always a lot of talk leading up to the draft but rarely does anything come to fruition. Since the salary cap came into play no 1st overall picks have been dealt -- potential stars playing three seasons for pennies are just too valuable -- and I don't expect that to change this year.