And here we go... the Florida Panthers are on the clock... and Gary Bettman is getting booed...
- The boo birds are out! C'mon Philly...
- The Florida Panthers are going to use the pick. And it is... Aaron Ekblad
- Ekblad is a a solid pick, but I wonder about a defenseman #1... if Seth Jones wasn't a number 1, how is this kid? No disrespect to Ekblad, but this is a big jump for a defenseman. Buffalo is up next...
- Buffalo takes Sam Reinhart. Smart kid, excellent hockey sense, great vision. Not sure if he plays next season, but nice pick. Next up... Edmonton
- Edmonton selects Leon Draisaitl to join the stable of young talent that the Oilers possess. Highest drafted German born player for the NHL.
- Calgary picks Sam Bennett. It is no surprise, but this is a great pick for Calgary. Good two way center, needs to work on his shooting, but will be a good player.
- Islanders on the clock and the boobirds rise up
- The New York Islander select BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
- NYI picks - Michael Del Colle - Really like this player... looks like the complete player. It will take a year or two or three... but this kid will be good.
- Vancouver on the clock. This draft is moving along quickly.
- After a nice shout out to Geno, Vancouver selects Jake Virtanen. Can score, can mix it up, speed to burn. OHL/WHL rotation continues. Carolina on the clock
- Rod Brindamour gets a great ovation from a Philly crowd that still loves him... Carolina selects Hayden Fleury. Second defenseman selected.
- Toronto on the clock and is guaranteed to select a game changer that will bring the cup to Toronto.
- Toronto selects William Nylander... first of the "legacy" picks. Plenty more to come. Fabulous hands, speed to burn, not afraid to shoot or pass, both well. Winnipeg is on the clock.
- James Neal to the Predators??? Stay tuned
- Jets select Nikolai Ehlers... first player from the Q drafted this year. Small, but can skate like the wind. Offense is there... size may be an issue.
Anaheim up next... blog about the Nashville trade coming.
- Anaheim selects Nick Ritchie from Peterborough ... and Nashville is on the clock... more moves coming?
- Nashville selects... Kevin Fiala, playing in Sweden for HV71. A solid two-way center... patience may really pay off with this player.
Suspending this blog for a review/analysis of the trade and pick