NHL Draft: McDavid, Eichel certain to be top picks – Toronto Sun
Heading into the NHL Draft, which takes place June 26-27, we know the following to be truths: The sun will rise in the east, death and taxes are certain and Connor McDavid will be drafted by the Edmonton Oilers with the first overall pick.
Players with McDavid’s skills come around once in a generation. He has been compared to Wayne Gretzky, Sidney Crosby and Mario Lemieux.
Gretzky says McDavid is the best prospect in more than 30 years. And heading into the draft, the 18-year-old center is exactly what the Oilers need to be relevant again.
In any other draft, Boston University center Jack Eichel would be the top pick. But in a draft with McDavid, Eichel will make a great consolation prize for the Buffalo Sabres, who pick second.
This year’s draft is deep and those teams who have done their homework and choose wisely should reap the benefits sooner than later.
Here is a look at where each team picks and their needs.
BOSTON BRUINS
–2015 draft picks: 14, 37, 75, 105, 135, 165, 195
–Draft needs: The Bruins need to add a front-line forward, someone who can inject life into a stagnant offense. That could be tough at No. 14, but several mock drafts have them taking versatile forward Kyle Connor, who can play any of the three forward spots and is committed to go to school at Michigan in the fall. He is ranked higher than this pick, however. As a team that barely missed the playoffs in 2015, this is hardly one that is starting from scratch, with new general manager Don Sweeney heading the draft table. The Bruins could move up or down from 14. “I’m going to look at every option,” said Sweeney. “I’m not really going to turn down anything I think this situation I’m in now, I have to have my ears wide open. … It’s probably going to come down to best player available. That’s not (a sure thing), because we may have things that transpire between now and then that alter that.”
BUFFALO SABRES
–2015 draft picks: 2, 21, 31, 51, 92, 122, 152, 182
–Draft needs: The Sabres have no shortage of needs after finishing with the worst record in the NHL the past two seasons. After losing the draft lottery to the Edmonton Oilers, the Sabres will grab a terrific consolation prize in Boston University product Jack Eichel. Eichel would be chosen first overall most years. It’s possible that the Sabres consider trade offers for the 21st overall pick if an intriguing young NHL player is available. Goaltender is a major need with no set starter and little depth within the Sabres’ system.
DETROIT RED WINGS
–2015 draft picks: 19, 49, 80, 110, 140, 170, 200
–Draft needs: The Red Wings could use more depth in the organization at right wing and on defense. They have only Anthony Mantha and Martin Frk as right wing prospects at AHL Grand Rapids. On defense, one or all of Alexey Marchenko, Xavier Oullette and Nick Jensen could end up playing in Detroit next season, depending on what happens in the offseason and in training camp. They are all at Grand Rapids. Marchenko and Oullette spent time with Red Wings last season.
FLORIDA PANTHERS
–2015 draft picks: 11, 77, 88, 102, 132, 147, 162, 192 and 206
–Draft needs: This is one of the deepest drafts in years, and the Panthers, with the 11th pick, are assured of getting a top prospect. The Panthers have some age on their roster — RW Jaromir Jagr, 43; D Willie Mitchell, 38; LW Shawn Thornton, 37; G Roberto Luongo, 36; D Brian Campbell; C Derek Mackenzie, 34; RW Brad Boyes, 33; and RW Jussi Jokinen, 32. Having ready-made replacements is the goal. Their top prospect already in the system is 2012 first-round pick Mike Matheson, a defenseman capable of creating offense from the blueline.
MONTREAL CANADIENS
–2015 draft picks: 26, 87, 131, 177, 207
–Draft needs: While the Canadiens have long lived by the “best player available” mantra, their top picks in the last three drafts (C/LW Alex Galchenyuk, C/RW Michael McCarron, RW Nikita Scherbak) have also helped fill a longstanding need in Montreal: size and scoring up front. Selecting in the late stages of the first round for the third straight year, more forward depth should be on the Canadiens’ menu, particularly with McCarron and Scherbak — and perhaps a few others in the system — potentially NHL-bound within the next two seasons.
OTTAWA SENATORS
–2015 draft picks: 18, 42, 48, 109, 139, 199
–Draft needs: About all the Senators have said about their intentions with the 18th pick is they probably won’t trade it and they won’t be taking a goaltender. The club is flush at the goaltending position right now. Too flush, in fact. After signing late-season hero Andrew Hammond to a two-year deal, they are trying to trade either veteran Craig Anderson or young Robin Lehner. They also signed college free agent Matt O’Connor to play in Binghamton of the American Hockey League this year. Players projected at the 18th spot could be Swedish defenseman Oliver Kylington, a great skater whose stock has fallen somewhat this season over concerns about his hockey sense. Ottawa 67’s forward Travis Konecny could be attractive. The Senators had good luck with another 67: defenseman Cody Ceci (drafted 15th in 2012).
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
–2015 draft picks: 28, 44, 64, 118, 120, 150, 153, 180, 208
–Draft needs: The Lightning have been active in dealing picks — they have the Rangers’ first-rounder (No. 28) from the Ryan Callahan-Martin St. Louis trade and the Bruins’ second-rounder (No. 44 overall) from trading RW Brett Connolly. They don’t have their own pick until the fourth round (No. 120). The Lightning have young talent throughout their scoring lines, but have also utilized recent picks on the defensive side, so there isn’t a glaring need on either. There won’t be immediacy to getting a first-rounder to the NHL, so the Lightning have the freedom to pick who they feel is the best talent available. With goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy shining as a rookie backup up to starter Ben Bishop, there’s little need to use a high pick on a goalie.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
–2015 draft picks: 4, 24, 65, 95, 107, 125, 155, 185
–Draft needs: Adding sorely needed young talent in the draft is one aspect and showing more patience in developing it than in the past. They will get a good player with the fourth pick overall, perhaps center Mitch Marner from London, Ontario, in the Ontario Hockey League. But their 24th pick could be as important, say center Jansen Harkins of Prince George of the Western Hockey. They also could try to make a predraft trade that could alter the picture.
CAROLINA HURRICANES
–2015 draft picks: 5, 35, 66, 93, 96, 126, 138, 156, 169, 186
–Draft needs: This could be an all-encompassing net covering this category because the Hurricanes have to fix several areas. There will be a penchant to go after a defenseman, perhaps someone such as Russian Ivan Provorov. But there’s also serious desires to upgrade at the offensive end, so that could lead to checking on the opportunity to go with center Dylan Strome, a junior teammate of likely top pick Connor McDavid. The regular shortcomings on the offensive end almost beg for finding offensive punch in the draft even if the fruits of such a decision to go in that direction might not be evident right away. Under former general manager Jim Rutherford, the Hurricanes were prone to make draft-day deals. With Ron Francis calling the shots, there’s certainly the flexibility in place to make some moves with 10 overall selections, including the fifth overall pick. Three extra draft picks became available as part of trades that sent players to contending teams last season.
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
–2015 draft picks, 8, 34, 38, 58, 68, 69, 129, 141, 159, 189
–Draft needs: The Blue Jackets desperately need to stock their organization with a young, elite defenseman or two after spending five of their previous six first-round picks (over five seasons) on forwards. The need for a pipeline blueliner became even more extreme earlier this month, when Mike Reilly — a fourth-round pick in 2011 — opted to become an unrestricted free agent rather than sign with Columbus after a stellar three seasons at the University of Minnesota.
NEW JERSEY DEVILS
–2015 draft picks: 6, 36, 41, 67, 97, 157
–Draft needs: A new day has dawned in Newark. Lou Lamoriello is no longer general manager, opting to focus his efforts on the Devils’ presidency. In Lamoriello’s place is Ray Shero, who was the general manager when the Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup in 2009. Shero’s first personnel decisions were the hirings of John Hynes as head coach, and Geoff Ward and Alain Nasreddine as assistants. However, the start of Shero’s tenure will be at the draft. It will be imperative that Shero acquires young, impact forwards for a franchise that has lacked significant upfront scoring since the departures of Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk. What’s unknown is if Shero will use the sixth overall pick on OHL wingers Mitch Marner (44-82-126) or Lawson Crouse (29-22-51), or trade it for an established NHLer. During a May 9 interview session with reporters at Prudential Center, Devils co-owner Josh Harris suggested trading the pick would not be out of the question. “There are three ways to improve our team: Draft, free agency and trades,” Harris said. “Everything is on the table. I think that the way you set yourself up to win is to be very opportunistic to pick up those players and those people that make themselves available. If you have a direction — or another direction — and you’re tied to that direction, I think you’re foreclosing options. I like the optionality of being able to react. We’re going to be very busy as an organization over the next couple months trying to our best to improve our team. Everything is on the table.”
NEW YORK ISLANDERS
–2015 draft picks: 72, 82, 112, 172, 202
–Draft needs: The Islanders’ sputtering finish magnified the club’s need for at least one more top line scoring threat alongside franchise center John Tavares as well as another veteran defenseman to shore up a back end that featured little experienced depth behind stars Johnny Boychuk, Travis Hamonic and Nick Leddy. Alas, the Islanders have neither the picks (their first- and second-rounders were dealt to the Buffalo Sabres in the ill-fated Thomas Vanek trade in October 2014) nor the time to find and develop a potential young star in this year’s draft. General manager Garth Snow, who needs to win now with new ownership scheduled to take over the franchise following the 2015-16 season, might have to get creative and trade an established player in order to get some immediate help. Newsday reported that multiple NHL sources have indicated right-winger Kyle Okposo, who missed 22 games following emergency eye surgery last season and is entering the final year of his contract, could be available. The Islanders also have three other players entering the final season of their deals: Left-wingers Michael Grabner and Matt Martin and center Frans Nielsen.
NEW YORK RANGERS
–2015 draft picks: 59, 89, 119, 179, 209
–Draft needs: Simply, it was a moment of brutal honesty for a group that was in the midst of incomprehensible heartbreak. A few minutes after the Rangers lost 2-0 to the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final, top pair defenseman Dan Girardi said the Rangers’ window to win the franchise’s fifth Cup “might be closing.” In the last four seasons, the Rangers have qualified for the Eastern Conference Finals three times and reached the Stanley Cup finals once. But the cost has been significant, as the Rangers haven’t had a first-round draft pick since selecting defenseman Brady Skjei with the 28th overall pick in 2012. So it is crucial that Director of Player Personnel Gordie Clark find promising young talent to restore the franchise’s cupboard.
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
–2015 draft picks: 7, 29, 61, 70, 90, 98, 99, 128, 158, 188
–Draft needs: Following a season in which the Flyers were relevant for their off-ice controversies instead of on-ice performance, general manager Ron Hextall can begin to rebuild the franchise at the draft with 10 picks. It seems likely that the Flyers could land a cornerstone piece with the seventh overall pick, potentially having their choice of London (OHL) RW Mitch Marner, Sarnia (OHL) C Pavel Zacha, Kingston (OHL) Lawson Crouse or Brandon (WHL) D Ivan Provorov.
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
–2015 draft picks: 46, 137, 167, 197
–Draft needs: More picks, if general manager Jim Rutherford can swing a trade or two to secure them. Pittsburgh has just one pick, a second-rounder, in the first four rounds. Rutherford sent what ended up being the No. 16 pick to Edmonton in the David Perron trade, the continuation of a win-now trend of the Penguins dealing draft picks for NHL players. Even in what is considered a strong draft class, it is doubtful Pittsburgh could find someone midway through the second round ready to help at the NHL level in the next couple of seasons, so the best approach probably is the tried-and-true route — select the best available talent regardless of position.
WASHINGTON CAPITALS
–2015 draft picks: 22, 62, 113, 143, 173
–Draft needs: The Capitals are in the market for a top-line right-winger and might be willing to trade their top pick to get one. Heading into the draft, rumors are swirling the Caps could be interested in obtaining veteran right wing and three-time Stanley Cup champion Patrick Sharp from the Chicago Blackhawks. But to make that happen, the Caps would need to clear $5.9 million in cap space, Sharp’s salary in each of the next two seasons. If Washington does not use its top pick in a trade look for the club to take a defenseman with the 22nd pick overall. The Caps have taken a forward with their top pick in six of the last seven years and have not taken a defenseman with their first pick since selecting Karl Alzner fifth overall in 2007.
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
–2015 draft picks: 54, 91, 121, 151, 164, 181, 211
–Draft needs: After winning their third Stanley Cup championship in the past six seasons, the Blackhawks possess no glaring holes on the roster. That means the team’s scouting staff can afford to select the best players available, regardless of position. Defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook are north of 30, so the Blackhawks could focus on infusing young blueliners into the system. Skilled forwards always fit into the draft equation for the Blackhawks, who prefer playmakers ahead of physical forwards.
COLORADO AVALANCHE
–2015 draft picks: 10, 40, 71, 101, 161, 191
–Draft needs: The Avalanche have a good young nucleus that had a disappointing season in 2014-15, so they can truly follow the mantra of drafting the best players available. However, bolstering the defensive corps for the future would be a priority. This is considered a deep draft, especially in the top 12 picks, so the Avalanche can count on getting a quality player with their first pick. They will also look into moving up from No. 10 if the opportunity is there, and it could mean packaging C Ryan O’Reilly, who has one year left on his contract. Colorado would want a lot in return for O’Reilly, who was the team’s best two-way player in the second half of the season.
DALLAS STARS
–2015 draft picks: 12, 49, 103, 133, 163, 193
–Draft needs: This is the Stars’ third draft with Jim Nill as general manager. In both 2013 and 2014, Dallas has chosen the best player available with its top pick, taking Russian winger Valeri Nichushkin 10th overall in 2013 and Finnish defenseman Julius Honka 14th overall in 2014. The Stars selected four right wingers in 2013 and five defensemen in 2014, so seeing them go heavy on centers and forwards wouldn’t be a big surprise as they look to further stock their minor league system. Drafting another goaltender is also a strong possibility.
MINNESOTA WILD
–2015 draft picks: 20, 50, 111, 171 and 201
–Draft needs: For the past two seasons, the Wild have needed an unexpected savior to emerge in goal to get them into the playoffs. And with the most recent net hero, Devan Dubnyk, still unsigned, Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher has talked plenty about the number of goalies available in the early rounds this year. If he’s thinking defense or forward, Fletcher looks first for skill and second for size, as is evidenced by recent picks like 6-foot-1 defenseman Matt Dumba and 6-foot-4 forward Alex Tuch.
NASHVILLE PREDATORS
–2015 draft picks: 55, 85, 100, 115, 145, 175, 205
–Draft needs: Seemingly set on defense for years to come, Nashville could use a power forward who can score and play a physical game around the net. How much help the Predators reap from this draft, though, appears problematic as they don’t have a first-round pick thanks to their February trade with Toronto, which netted them defenseman Cody Franson and center Mike Santorelli, both of whom failed to make an impact in the team’s disappointing finish. One possibility in the draft could be Russian forward Evgeny Svechnikov, who scored 32 goals and added 46 assists in 55 games for Cape Breton in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
ST. LOUIS BLUES
–2015 draft picks: 56, 94, 116, 127, 146, 176
–Draft needs: The Blues’ draft will start late and end early, as they don’t have a first-round pick or a seventh-rounder. In fact, they will make just one pick in the first 94, which means general manager Doug Armstrong and his scouting staff must work hard to find players who might be able to contribute one day. St. Louis is about to get younger defensively and could further beef up that process by using its first pick on 17-year-old Brendan Ghule or Alexander Younan, who’s earned comparisons to current Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk.
WINNIPEG JETS
–2015 draft picks: 17, 25, 47
–Draft needs: Already stocked with a deep pool of prospects (LW Nikolaj Ehlers, C Nic Petan, C Andrew Copp, D Josh Morrissey, D Jan Kostalek, G Eric Comrie, G Connor Hellebuyck), the Jets likely won’t need to focus on one area on draft day. They will simply take the best player available when it is their turn to call a name. But with a pair of first-round picks and an abundance of young talent, don’t be shocked if general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff swaps some of that future for a top-six forward to help out now as the Jets, who reached the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time, soar into their fifth season since the franchise relocated from Atlanta.
ANAHEIM DUCKS
–2015 draft picks: 21, 80, 84, 148, 178
–Draft needs: The Ducks have been overflowing with organizational depth for several seasons running and have only thinned slightly in 2015. Their main roster has had seven quality defensemen and 14 formidable forwards on a regular basis. Their AHL affiliate has also been successful despite a forgettable 2014-15 campaign. The Ducks have the luxury of taking the best players available with their selections, but they may have some areas of emphasis. Defenseman Shea Theodore is perhaps their finest prospect, but his offensive-oriented game won’t replace the aging Francois Beauchemin’s toughness down the line. A rugged rear-guard seems like a good bet with at least one of Anaheim’s first three picks. They also find themselves a little short on dynamic forward prospects, so high-risk, high-reward type players will be on their radar up front. With young goalies Frederik Andersen and John Gibson almost certain to be the tandem for the big club, restocking the lower levels of the organization between the pipes seems like an inevitable need if not a pressing one.
ARIZONA COYOTES
–2015 draft picks: 3, 30, 32, 60, 63, 81
–Draft needs: Let’s face it, the Coyotes can use help across the board, although with a plethora of draft picks they are equipped to attack multiple areas. When it became apparent the Coyotes were out of contention last season, they underwent a wholesale deconstruction with the tacit goal to sink low enough in the standings to secure one of two so-called can’t-miss draft prospects, Erie Otters center Connor McDavid and Boston University C Jack Eichel. The Coyotes finished with the second-worst record, but even the best-laid plans … . Edmonton, which had an 11 percent chance of winning the draft lottery, won the top pick, dropping the Coyotes to No. 3 overall. Boston College D Noah Hanifin is a big, strong defender and showed well in the 2015 World Juniors. Erie center Dylan Strome and London center Mitch Marner are among the next group of talented offensive players.
CALGARY FLAMES
–2015 draft picks: 15, 45, 52, 53, 76, 83, 136, 166, 196
–Draft needs: The prospect pool is thinnest at the blueline. It has been addressed somewhat in the past few years with the likes of Brandon Hickey, Keegan Kanzig and a trio of 2012 picks in Patrick Sieloff, Brett Kulak and Ryan Culkin, but of that bunch, Hickey appears the one most capable of being a top-four candidate. The forward depth is most in need of a right-winger, but any legitimate top-six forward is always a need. Don’t be surprised to see the Flames add another goalie into the fold at the draft, even if they are very high on a pair soon to turn pro in Jon Gillies and Mason McDonald.
EDMONTON OILERS
–2015 draft picks: 1, 16, 33, 57, 79, 86, 117, 124, 154, 184
–Draft needs: There is zero mystery surrounding who the Oilers will select first overall. They are taking Connor McDavid, who is considered a generational player who might one day grow into the best player since Wayne Gretzky. The gifted center isn’t just a consensus No.1, he is the unanimous No.1 and he is exactly what the Oilers need — strength, skill and speed down the middle of their lineup. The big question in this year’s draft is what they’ll do with the 16th pick (acquired from Pittsburgh in the David Perron trade). It is a high-value pick that could be used in a package deal to strengthen a very weak defense right now or to pick a prospect that could help a year or two down the road.
LOS ANGELES KINGS
–2015 draft picks: 13, 43, 74, 104, 134, 187, 194
–Draft needs: The Kings have respectable organizational depth with a parent club that has won two of the previous four Stanley Cups and an AHL affiliate that just captured the Calder Cup. Still, defensive depth appears to be a perpetual concern for the Kings, particularly with the retirement of Robyn Regehr, the free agency of two roster defensemen and the uncertain status of Slava Voynov. They also have key free-agent forwards and, despite their success at the AHL level, they do not have any elite-level prospects. Wingers Adrian Kempe and Valentin Zykov appear promising so that might make them less likely to pursue wingers. Centers Nick Shore and Jordan Weal have gained tempered confidence from the organization, but with the murky futures of a pair of veteran pivots, hedged bets at center seem likely. Goalie Jonathan Quick’s job is safe for the foreseeable future and AHL netminder J.F. Berube continues to climb the organizational ladder, but the Kings might take a flyer on a goalie in the later rounds. Look for the Kings to add prospects up the middle — at center, defense and goaltender — as they work to fill in some gaps and add talent to a solid foundation.
SAN JOSE SHARKS
–2015 draft picks: 9, 39, 106, 130, 160, 190, 210
–Draft needs: The Sharks, who abide by taking “the best player available,” need to restock the position of goaltender throughout the organizational depth chart. Last time San Jose drafted among the top 10 was 2007 when the Sharks coincidentally selected current second-line star Logan Couture. All No. 9 selections since Couture through 2013 have not only appeared but established themselves as NHL regulars so the Sharks are confident they can get a good player with this pick.
VANCOUVER CANUCKS
–2015 draft picks: 23, 114, 144, 174
–Draft needs: The Canucks need a two-way center and some help on defense. They would like to move up in the draft, which might result in a trade of goaltender Jacob Markstrom or Eddie Lack. The team could also ask defenseman Kevin Bieksa to waive his no-trade clause for a second-round pick. General manager Jim Benning has said he won’t give up young talent for an earlier draft pick. Among the players the Canucks could look at taking are Jansen Harkins, a center with the Western Hockey league Prince George Cougars, Brandon Carlo, a defenseman with the WHL Tri-City Americans and Swedish defenseman Oliver Kylington.
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