NHL Draft Night
FROM: US U-18 (NTDP)
COMMENTS: Ray Shero's relationship with the Hughes family is no secret, and adding Hughes gives the Devils a formidable lineup down the middle for many years to come along with Nico Hischier. Hughes can score, he's a playmaker, and he showed solid defensive awareness at the IIHF World Championships this season, so Devils fans should be happy with this selection for many years to come.
FROM: TPS (Finland)
COMMENTS: With Hughes off the board, it was a no-brainer who the Rangers would choose at second-overall. The Rangers get an NHL-ready winger who has all sorts of scoring ability, can skate well, and should provide some immediate excitement for David Quinn's squad in the offensive zone.
FROM: Saskatoon (WHL)
COMMENTS: Kirby Dach was a bit of a surprise at #3 by Stan Bowman, but there's no doubt that they looked at his 6'4" frame and his ability to score goals seemingly at will, and made the choose with little hesitation. If there's one thing that Chicago can use up front, it's a big, smart, hard-shooting, agile centerman who can skate with Kane or DeBrincat.
FROM: Vancouver (WHL)
COMMENTS: Apparently Joe Sakic has looked at the Nashville Predators and decided that Colorado will be Nashville west. With Samuel Girard, Cale Makar, and the addition of Bowen Byram, Colorado has three top-pairing defencemen at their disposal. With the success that the Preadtors have had with their blue line, this isn't a bad strategy by the Avalanche.
FROM: US U-18 (NTDP)
COMMENTS: Another slightly surprising pick at this point, Alex Turcotte is a smart pick by the Kings. He plays an effective 200-foot game much like Kopitar, and he scores as well as Kopitar. He's only 5'11" so the comparisons with Kopitar may end there, but Turcotte is a pick that will make the Kings better defensively among their forwards while not sacrificing scoring for one of the lowest scoring teams in the league.
FROM: Mannheim (Germany)
COMMENTS: This pick came out of left-field, but no one has any right to question Steve Yzerman based on his previous work in Tampa Bay. Yzerman repeatedly told media after making this pick that his team liked his hockey IQ, his compete level, and his skills, and that's something that Red Wings fans have to like. Especially if they trust Yzerman.
FROM: Lethbridge (WHL)
COMMENTS: GM Jason Botterill seemed thrilled that Cozens was still available at the seventh pick, and he did well in selecting the Yukon native. Cozens has a great shot, skates well, and finds scoring opportunities. He'll likely see one year of team in the AHL honing his skills at the professional level, but Buffalo fans will love this kid when he gets into Sabres colours.
FROM: AIK (Sweden)
COMMENTS: Ken Holland's first pick for the Oilers went back to a country that he was very successful with when it came to his stint in Detroit. Broberg is a strong-skating, big defender whose first pass is solid and his defensive awareness is high. He'll likely need a little AHL seasoning to get him ready for the NHL level, but Broberg looks like a top-four defender for the Oilers.
FROM: US U-18 (NTDP)
COMMENTS: The consensus highest-rated player still on the board at #9, the Anaheim Ducks grabbed Zegras to add him to a stockpile of incredible young talent that includes Sam Steel, Max Jones, and Maxime Comtois. He will be an Anaheim Duck in the foreseeable future.
FROM: Neva-St.Petersburg (Russia)
COMMENTS: The 6'1" Russian was seen as one of the most NHL-ready players in the draft, and Vancouver took the opportunity to add him to their mix. While his stats don't seem to be there, Podkolzin has the hands and speed to make defenders and goalies miserable. If Vancouver can have him find some consistency, he could be this year's draft steal.
There's your top-ten with a handful of comments from me. Here is the remainder of Round One.
FROM: Brynas (Sweden)
POSITION: Defence
FROM: US U-18 (NTDP)
POSITION: Left wing
FROM: US U-18 (NTDP)
POSITION: Goaltender
FROM: US U-18 (NTDP)
POSITION: Defence
FROM: US U-18 (NTDP)
POSITION: Right wing
FROM: Victoria (BCHL)
POSITION: Center
FROM: Kootenay/Winnipeg (WHL)
POSITION: Center
FROM: Mississauga (OHL)
POSITION: Defence
FROM: Kelowna (WHL)
POSITION: Defence
FROM: Luuko (Finland)
POSITION: Defence
FROM: Sherbrooke (QMJHL)
POSITION: Right wing
FROM: Djurgarden (Sweden)
POSITION: Defence
FROM: HV71 (Sweden)
POSITION: Right wing
FROM: Niagara (OHL)
POSITION: Center
FROM: London (OHL)
POSITION: Center
FROM: Moncton (QMJHL)
POSITION: Left wing
FROM: Kelowna (WHL)
POSITION: Left wing
FROM: Barrie (OHL)
POSITION: Center
FROM: Moose Jaw (WHL)
POSITION: Left wing
FROM: US U-18 (NTDP)
POSITION: Center
FROM: Sioux Falls (USHL)
POSITION: Defence
Some may ask who won and who lost this draft, but with zero trades made on the first night of the event, there are no losers. Everyone who made a pick is a winner because they didn't have to give anything up nor sacrifice on something they may need in the future. While a handful of teams didn't pick, that's their own choosing due to circumstances that happened prior to the draft. As it stands now, 28 teams have more talent in the pipeline, and that's good for everyone.
Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!
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