Official NHL Entry Draft Discussion Thread

[RGM81]

With all the excitement and activity about to emanate from beautiful St. Paul and the Xcel Energy Centre, this is your place to talk about the NHL Entry Draft and the new superstars that will be entering the League this weekend.

Here are the official rankings as of this morning (list will be updated throughout the evening as picks are made & trades are completed):

Round 1

1. Edmonton - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
2. Colorado - Gabriel Landeskog
3. Florida - Jonathan Huberdeau
4. New Jersey - Adam Larsson
5. NY Islanders - Ryan Strome
6. Ottawa - Mika Zibanejad
7. Winnipeg - Mark Scheifele
8. Philadelphia (from CBJ) - Sean Couturier
9. Boston (from TOR) - Dougie Hamilton
10. Minnesota - Jonas Brodin
11. Colorado (from STL) - Duncan Siemens
12. Carolina - Ryan Murphy
13. Calgary - Sven Bartschi
14. Dallas - Jamie Oleksiak
15. NY Rangers - J.T. Miller
16. Buffalo - Joel Armia
17. Montreal - Nathan Beaulieu
18. Chicago - Mark McNeill
19. Edmonton (from LA) - Oscar Klefbom
20. Phoenix - Connor Murphy
21. Ottawa (from NSH) - Stefan Noesen
22. Toronto (from ANH) - Tyler Biggs
23. Pittsburgh - Joe Morrow
24. Ottawa (from DET) - Matt Puempel
25. Toronto (from PHI)
26. Chicago (from WSH)
27. Tampa Bay
28. Minnesota (from SJ)
29. Vancouver
30. Anaheim (from Toronto, from BOS)

[oilfan10]

I'm hoping that the Oilers take Nugent-Hopkins with the first pick, and hopefully be able to move up in the draft to take one of the good defenceman out there. Whether it's Murphy, Hamilton, Beaulieau, etc. they would all be welcome additions. I would love Larsson too, but Tambellini would have to work some unbelievable magic for that to happen...

What do you think the Habs need? I'm guessing they're going to try and go after one of the taller centers: Scheifele, McNeil, or Phillips.

[RGM81]

Funny that you mention Phillips - they're running a contest on canadiens.com to "pick the pick" with the winner receiving a draft day hat. Phillips is my pick!

[oilfan10]

The Oilers had a "Pick the top 20" for $100 000 contest. The Flyers just f'ed up my picks LOL

For each of the Canadien's slots on the entries I made, I had one of those centers. They've been looking for a big center for a long time, so I thought one of them would be a good fit.

[scottkoz20]

If Buffalo holds their pick (which I doubt they will do as I think they will be trading it before 7pm), I would love to see them take Jaime Olesniak.

[lambeauleap87]

Since the Jackets traded away their first rounder (which I'm ecstatic about!), I don't care too much about the draft any more. I'm excited to see where Nugent-Hopkins goes, though!

[oilfan10]

Burkie is mic'ed up for TSN tonight. Hoping for another one of these moments:

[Tivo32]

I really hope Ryan Murphy is available at #9 for the Bruins to take. I would be absolutely thrilled to get a defenseman like him.

[oilfan10]

Anybody want to join us in the chat room to talk about the draft?

[RGM81]

And then Oilers get right to it and pick Nugent-Hopkins.