I Watched This Game: Wrong for Wright

 It's been a trying season for both the Montreal Canadiens and the Arizona Coyotes, as one team was expected to be awful and rebuild a rebuild while the other is experiencing a riches to rags story. Yes, both teams are ahead in the Shane Wright sweepstakes and they squared off this week. I watched this game.

First period

• The Canadiens are starting Cayden Primeau while the Coyotes are starting Karel Vejmelka. This is also where the Canadiens are without Jake Allen and Brendan Gallagher, and are suiting up recent waiver wire pickup Rem Pitlick, who still has his Minnesota Wild bag amongst the Canadiens bags.
• Really good seats were available for this game, you could even see empty seats on the hard camera side.
• At 5:19, the Coyotes see their hard work pay off, as their persistence leads to a Travis Boyd goal from the dots. Nick Schmaltz and Clayton Keller get the assists. 
• Liam O'Brien gets called for holding at 5:38, putting the Canadiens on the power play. Nothing came of it, as has been the case all season long.
• At 8:18, Phil Kessel makes a beautiful pass across the ice to Johan Larsson, who fires from almost the same spot as the Boyd goal past Primeau to make it 2-0. Dysin Mayo gets the other assist.
• Victor Soderstrom makes a terrible pass in his own end to Jonathan Drouin, who finds Pitlick in the slot. He beats a sprawling Vejmelka to cut the lead to 1 at 15:11. That is where the score stands, as the period would end.

This was relatively even, with Arizona doing more with their chances, but also making a major mistake that led to the Canadiens goal.

Second period

• At the 4:27 mark, the Canadiens season in a nutshell occurs, as a rebound finds Janis Moser at the point. He proceeds to skate in, weaving through traffic with little resistance to sneak one past Primeau to make it 3-1. Moser was drafted in 2021 as a 21-year old. I get late bloomer, but the Canadiens made him look like Connor McDavid out there. No wonder there's talk about the Canadiens possibly looking for a new coach.
• O'Brien was interfering with Joel Armia, and now sits for two at the 6:18 mark. The Canadiens still can't score, as their only shots were from the point with no one in front to deflect. 
• As Christian Dvorak chases Moser behind the Coyotes net, Ilya Lyubushkin gets in his way, and setting a pick is seen as interference. He sits at 9:34.
• Oh, look, the Canadiens actually score on the power play, and it took Ryan Poehling being in front of the net to tip in a Drouin shot from the point. Jeff Petry also gets the assist at 11:13.
• A Mike Hoffman slash at 15:41 puts Arizona on the power play. They don't convert, but...
• ...they do score at 18:02, thanks to Nick Schmaltz finding a loose puck in front of the net. Antoine Roussel and Larsson get the assists. Montreal thinks the goalie was being interfered with, but lose the challenge. As a result, they are given two minutes for delay of game and lose their time out. Cole Caufield serves the penalty. 

At the end of two, it is 4-2 Arizona. Montreal had more shots, but fewer quality chances. Arizona plays hard, no one can deny that. The talent level isn't there, and it was evident on a couple of missed chances. 

Third period 

• The Canadiens begin the period by switching out Primeau for Sam Montembeault, and also killing off the remaining two seconds of the Coyotes power play that carried over.
• 4:52 sees Brett Kulak clear the puck over the glass, and he sits for delay of game. No score occurs.
• Hoffman is off at 12:40 for a slash against Keller, and once again, Arizona does not score.
• The Coyotes do score at 18:18, on an empty net by Keller. Schmaltz and Moser get the assists, and that is pretty much game.
• Alex Romanov gets delay of game at 19:41, wrapping up a 5-2 final for the Coyotes.

The Coyotes were the team for much of this game, and the result reflects that. The Canadiens didn't have answers for much of the game, though they do put some distance between themselves and Arizona for best odds to draft first overall. 

2021 NHL Draft: Needs and mock draft, part 4

 

With the deadline for protected players due today, as of the start of this writing, trades were made that will impact draft positions, as well as who goes where. I will get to that AFTER the entry draft, since more trades are likely. In the meantime, let's finish the look at team needs and mock draft. 

24. Toronto Maple Leafs 

Their first round pick belongs to Columbus as part of the Nick Foligno trade, and they only have three picks total this year, with nothing between rounds two and five. They're built to win now, but have nothing to show for it plus impending cap problems. Now, they take on Jared McCann's contract in the Hope's that depth will be less of a problem. 

Projected pick (Columbus): Matt Coronato, LW, Chicago (USHL)

Not a big player, Coronato put up good numbers on the Steel, and he's willing to go into the rough areas to score. He's already fairly established, so it will be interesting if he's maxed out on his development. 

Projected pick (Toronto): Jack Bar, D, Chicago (USHL)

Since Toronto picks late in the second round, they will need to go with someone that needs at least two years before they sign him. Getting a Harvard commit in Bar buys them at least three years for a player whose only major issue is turnovers.

25. Pittsburgh Penguins 

Their first round pick belongs to Minnesota as a result of the Jason Zucker trade, and like Toronto, they also have no picks between rounds two and five. Besides depth, the most pressing need for Pittsburgh will be center, as Crosby and Malkin can't play forever. They would be wise to move a contract or two, as their cap situation is not good.

Projected pick (Minnesota): Xavier Bourgault, RW, Shawinigan (QMJHL)

Very good at creating offense, his caveat appears to be that he needs the right players to succeed. If Kevin Fiala and Kirill Kaprizov both get signed long term, that bodes well for Bourgault, who has the mentality to weather the chaos around him.

Projected pick (Pittsburgh): Red Savage, C, US NTDP 

Along the lines of needing center depth, and in accordance with their draft position, the Penguins go with a safe pick in Red Savage, son of former Canadien Brian. He projects as a fringe second liner with Selke potential. 

26. Carolina Hurricanes 

Two things are on the Hurricanes agenda, and one will be easier to fill via free agency than the other. Dougie Hamilton may have priced himself out of Carolina, so an offensive defender would be nice. Jake Bean could be the first in line to answer that question. The other is in goal, and whether Alex Nedeljkovic is the starter next season. They may look internally to answer that question, but could look to free agency or trade.

Projected pick: Daniil Chayka, D, CSKA

The read on Chayka was complicated when the OHL season was shelved, thus robbing him of more time in Guelph. He went across the pond to Russia, where the reports were incomplete outside of he got to play against older competition on a strong CSKA squad. At worst, he's a shutdown defender. 

27. Colorado Avalanche 

Colorado still has a healthy prospect pool that will likely be used more to fill depth, but goal remains an issue, especially if Phillipp Grubauer leaves in free agency. They only have four picks in this year's draft, but won't need it as badly, since they do have a pick in each of the first three rounds, thanks to trading away Ryan Graves.

Projected pick: Zach Bolduc, C, Rimouski (QMJHL)

Bolduc got attention after last season thanks to Alexis Lafreniere. Without Lafreniere this season, Bolduc got off to a slow start. Once he got going, his skill set was on full display. More of a middle six center, he would make a potent Avalanche offense even better down the line.

28. New York Islanders 

Their first round pick belongs to New Jersey as a result of the Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac trade. Offense remains a thing, as their flaws were exposed by Tampa Bay in the playoffs. The good news is that their core is still young, and their system at least, is good for deep playoff runs. The key will be continuing to replenish the prospect system while remaining competitive. 

Projected pick (New Jersey): William Stromgren, LW, Modo

The Devils have guys ready to graduate to the NHL level, but are likely needing a few veterans to show the way. That means they can afford to draft a raw prospect here, which is what Stromgren is at this point. Two points of contention for him are skating and adding a few pounds to a 6'3" frame. He's got the potential to be a steal here.

Projected pick (NY Islanders): Bryce Montgomery, D, London (OHL)

There's always a need to acquire more defenseman, and with Robin Salo or Bode Wilde likely taking Nick Leddy's spot, that means someone new will need to be developed. Montgomery is big, and has some puck movement skills, but is raw and did not play at all this season. A restarting OHL season on a perennially competitive London squad will help shake off the rust.

29. Vegas Golden Knights 

Another year of coming up short has to weigh on the Golden Knights, and one of the culprits was the lack of a true top center. The problem is that it is more likely to be addressed via free agency or hope that a change in scenery makes Nolan Patrick that guy. Other than that, they are with cap issues, and that could take its toll on blue line depth if Alec Martinez is forced to walk.

Projected pick: Francesco Pinelli, C, Jesenice

Displaced to Slovenia from Kitchener, Pinelli raised his stock this season, becoming a player that could do everything well. The question is whether he's a Jack of all trades player or something more.

30. Montreal Canadiens

One of the best prospect systems figures to be even better, as they're armed with 11 draft picks, though they could use a couple of them to package in order to move a contract such as Jonathan Drouin. Center remains an eternal question, but it's less of a dire need, thanks to the continued development of Nick Suzuki and Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Blue line help is also a possibility, with someone likely taking on a bigger role if Shea Weber heads to LTIR.

Projected pick: Samu Salminen, C, Jokerit Jr.

A strong season back in Finland put Salminen on the map, but it remains to be seen where his actual ceiling is going to end. He is a Denver University commit, so North America will have a better idea how his game will translate to the NHL level.

31. Tampa Bay Lightning 

They don't pick until the third round, as their first is property of Columbus in the David Savard trade and their second round pick is Montreal's as a result of moving up to the second round in last year's draft. They did get an extra pick for trading Barclay Goodrow, but will need to shed a few more contracts, likely Tyler Johnson, but Alex Killorn  and Yanni Gourde are also possibilities. As for needs? A backup goalie on the cheap and more prospects, preferably a top scorer. The latter seems impossible with where they're drafting, but they have found players outside the first round who became elite players (see: Kucherov, Nikita and Point, Brayden).

Projected pick (Columbus): Matthew Knies, LW, Tri-City (USHL)

More of a power forward who figures to hone his game at the University of Minnesota, Knies is at his best when he is around the net using his size to his advantage. Columbus could use another blue collar player if they choose to continue their identity as such, and Knies is perfect for that when he remembers to keep physical. 

Projected pick (Tampa Bay): Jackson Blake, RW, Eden Prairie 

The son of former 40 goal scorer Jason Blake will need time at North Dakota, but has potential to be good, and hockey sense and compete level are solid foundations to start.

2019 NHL mock draft: picks 9-15

Picks 9-15 are up, and like everything after pick three, it's anyone's guess where the teams will go.

9. Anaheim Ducks-Matthew Boldy, LW, US NTDP (USHL)

Skill is not the problem with Boldy, but the consistency in which he shows it is, which is why he is not mentioned among the top five. The Ducks will still need to replace their aging stars up front, particularly since prospects such as Sam Steel, Max Jones, and Isac Lundestrom don't appear to be ready for big roles right away and once they do crack the NHL roster, will need to replenish their pipeline.

10. Vancouver Canucks-Peyton Krebs, C, Kootenay (WHL)

Krebs has played well on an Ice team that has largely struggled in the standings, and given that he has the prerequisite tools and work ethic, it is likely he could be drafted earlier than the tenth spot. As it is, the Canucks need more help up front, especially down the middle, and Krebs fits the bill here as a Bo Horvat clone.

11. Philadelphia Flyers-Raphael Lavoie, RW, Halifax (QMJHL)

The Flyers have built themselves a nice pipeline, but not many of them have had an impact on the NHL thus far. Eventually, some of that talent is going to stick, and when it does, it will need to be refilled. Lavoie helped himself in the QMJHL playoffs and Memorial Cup tournament with Halifax after an okay regular season, and projects to be a power forward.

12. Minnesota Wild-Spencer Knight, G, US NTDP (USHL)

The Wild have little in the way of talent in the pipeline, as they were the only team without a representative in the WJC tournament in January. The other problem is that they need reinforcements everywhere and will likely need to trade out a player to pick up more draft picks. Where the Wild hurt the most in the system is in goal, where there is nothing behind Devan Dubnyk. Knight is the consensus top goalie in the draft, and it is possible that the Wild panic and draft a goalie earlier than they should.

13. Florida Panthers-Trevor Zegras, C, US NTDP (USHL)

If the Wild don't panic and take Knight, it is likely the Panthers will take him here, since their goalie situation is just as big of a mess, with Sam Montembeault not ready for the starting role and Roberto Luongo likely headed to long term IR. Forward depth was tested this season, and it was not good. Zegras is a few years away, but with Henrik Borgstrom ready for the NHL, he will be allowed to develop.

14. Arizona Coyotes-Thomas Harley, D, Mississauga (OHL)

Depth is still an issue on the blueline for the Coyotes, who will eventually see guys like Niklas Hjalmarsson, Alex Goligoski, and Jason Demers fall off a cliff, if they haven't already, from a skill set point of view. Harley is the most well-rounded defensive prospect of the class, and he could be a fringe top defender with definite second defender potential.

15. Montreal Canadiens-Arthur Kaliyev, RW, Hamilton (OHL)

Kaliyev excels at scoring goals, and the Canadiens were the second-worst team on the power play. The rest of his game isn't great, but that should come with experience. As it is, he would give the Canadiens the thing they sorely need: goal scoring.

The Bergevin and the Restless

In something of a surprise move, the Montreal Canadiens chose not to wait to announce their new captain. It is Shea Weber. The same Shea Weber who is expected to be out until December. Why is this development a surprise? I will count the ways and tell why it's not such a great idea to name a captain so soon after trading Max Pacioretty.

The timing of the news was obviously to cut any drama as to who would be fielding the first questions from a Montreal media notorious for being fickle. However, it also comes about two weeks after the Pacioretty trade. There was also thought that the Canadiens would name Brendan Gallagher as captain. While Weber is recovering, it is likely that Gallagher and Paul Byron will be serving as communicators to the referees during the games. That said, the Canadiens are tied to Weber until 2026, when his contract is up, so in some ways, it makes sense to try and make the most of his time in Montreal. Obvious issues such as health and whether his style of play can hold up are things to watch, but he has been captain before, as he was captain in Nashville prior to being traded for PK Subban in 2016. With the trade of Pacioretty a few weeks ago, one would have thought to wait until possibly the first month of the season to name a captain, as it would have given Gallagher and Weber, in however he can contribute while he's recovering, the opportunity to impress the Canadiens brass. Naming a captain this soon is far from the worst move Marc Bergevin has made, but it could have some ramifications, especially if Weber isn't close to the player he has been in his career.

Razing Montreal

MONTREAL CANADIENS

2017-18 record: 29-40-13 (71 points)
Missed the playoffs
Captain: TBA

Look up the phrase "dumpster fire" in the dictionary, and you're likely to see the Montreal Canadiens somewhere in the description. It's apt, as the Canadiens simply haven't been able to do anything right other than find a superstar goaltender. Now, the team that has Carey Price is trying to rebuild...with the same coaching staff and management that got them in this predicament in the first place. Good luck.

The Canadiens were only better than two teams on the offensive side of the ledger, and their inability to find a top line center has been a problem since Saku Koivu last played there, which was a good ten years ago. Their attempts to convert Jonathan Drouin to center didn't pan out, and thus far, neither has the Drouin trade that saw Mikhail Sergachev go to Tampa Bay. Sergachev outscored Drouin, and Sergachev is a defenseman. Their answer this year to the center problem? Bringing back Tomas Plekanec after his brief exodus to Toronto and Jesperi Kotkaniemi, the team's first round pick this year. Regardless of who the top line center is, they now also have the bonus of having no depth on the wings, as Max Pacioretty was traded and Max Domi isn't the offensive source that his trade counterpart Alex Galchenyuk was. Defensively, they ranked 26th. Why did they rank there despite having Carey Price in net? Simple, their unit lacks any kind of foot speed, no one can move the puck except Victor Mete, who should have spent another year in major junior last year, and now, Shea Weber is going to miss the first two months to injury. Where the reinforcements come from is anyone's guess. As for Price, he was rather ordinary, but some of that was injury and some of it was the team in front of him giving him no help. At least Antti Niemi decided to stop letting everything in long enough to get another shot in the NHL with Montreal. Charlie Lindgren will get time in the AHL to get starter's minutes, something he isn't likely to get often backing up Price.

Prediction: 7th in the Atlantic Division

The Canadiens are a directionless team that is likely tanking for Jack Hughes in next year's draft. Knowing that the team has proven to be a destination to stay away from, as evidenced by the John Tavares sweepstakes, the rebuild may be taking longer than expected, even if the regime changes.

The Dismantling of the Canadiens

It was just four years ago that the Montreal Canadiens were on the doorstep of making the Stanley Cup Finals. Sure, it was because Carey Price had been carrying the team and they didn't have much else, but guys like PK Subban, Alex Galchenyuk, Brendan Gallagher, and Max Pacioretty weren't scrubs. Today, only Price and Gallagher remain, as the Canadiens continue their dismantling and further head into laughingstock territory. Today, the Canadiens traded Pacioretty to the Vegas Golden Knights and will get Nick Suzuki, Tomas Tatar, and a 2nd round pick in 2019 for their troubles. How did it come to this? What does the trade mean for both teams? Let's attempt to answer those questions.

First, how did it come to this? To understand how it got to this point, let's look back to the summer of 2016, when Subban was traded to Nashville for Shea Weber. Rumors circulated that Pacioretty and Subban didn't get along, and given that management didn't care for Subban, that was step one. Pacioretty, while he did play well in the 2016-17 regular season, disappeared in the playoffs that year. There was also the matter of Pacioretty's inability to play on a line with Galchenyuk, who also suffered from being moved around a lot by the coaching staff, thus leading to his move to Arizona this summer. As for Pacioretty, he needs a capable center to produce, and Montreal's long standing problem dating back to Saku Koivu's time has been finding a top line center. In short, the losing culture that has been fostered in the last year or so wore on Pacioretty, as did the swarm of locusts known as the Montreal sports media.

What does the trade mean for both teams? For Vegas, they realize that their window of opportunity is wide open, and signing Paul Stastny to a four year deal signifies that. Getting Pacioretty to potentially play alongside only helps their scoring. For some irony, Pacioretty is also going to play alongside a Subban in Vegas, as Malcolm is the backup goalie. Montreal actually did well in this trade, as they get a 20-goal scorer in Tomas Tatar, another good center prospect in Nick Suzuki, and a draft pick. Montreal will need to rebuild, and what they got for Pacioretty was nice...that is, if management, specifically General Manager Marc Bergevin, doesn't mess it up.

2018 NHL mock Draft: Picks 1-8

With the NHL Draft just a little over a week now, the mock drafts are coming together...except for mine. That changes today, as I begin my sixth year doing this, with the actual results hopefully resembling mine a little. Like every year, the mock draft will be broken down into parts. Today, picks 1-8.

1. Buffalo Sabres-Rasmus Dahlin, D, Frolunda (Sweden)

Never has a defenseman received as much hype as Dahlin, who is viewed as a generational talent. His year included a roster spot on the Swedish Olympic team. He has the size and ability to step in right away, something that Buffalo will happily take, as their defense is rather thin after Rasmus Ristolainen.

2. Carolina Hurricanes-Andrei Svechnikov, RW, Barrie (OHL)

Carolina picked a bad time to have the second overall pick, as their needs are where this year's Draft is weak. However, given that everyone except Sebastian Aho is considered tradeable, a pure goal scorer is exactly what the Hurricanes need. Svechnikov is the best player in this regard.

3. Montreal Canadiens-Filip Zadina, LW, Halifax (QMJHL)

Like Carolina, the Canadiens' needs are not highly ranked in this Draft. However, if there is a team that is a prime target to trade down to get more picks, it's Montreal. Should they stay at three, Zadina would be just as good of an option as a scorer, especially if Max Pacioretty gets moved. Zadina is also a little better defensively, which should help the Canadiens, who need to play 2-1 games consistently.

4. Ottawa Senators-Quinn Hughes, D, Michigan (Big 10)

With recent increased rumors of Erik Karlsson maybe on the move, the Senators need a defender that can come close to his talent level down the line. Hughes is the safer pick between him and Adam Boqvist, as Hughes appears to be closer to NHL ready if he leaves Michigan right away.

5. Arizona Coyotes-Noah Dobson, D, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)

Though they picked Pierre Olivier-Joseph last year and Jakob Chychrun the year before, the Coyotes still need to stockpile the blue line, particularly if they let Niklas Hjalmarsson walk and/or buy out either Alex Goligoski or Jason Demers in the next year or so. Dobson may need another year or so before he's ready, but he's got high potential and is already a winner, as he was on the Acadie-Bathurst team that won both the QMJHL title and the Memorial Cup this year.

6. Detroit Red Wings-Adam Boqvist, D, Byrnas Jr. (Sweden)

Detroit hasn't had a great offensive option from the blue line since Nicklas Lidstrom retired. Mike Green is likely gone in free agency, and there's no guarantee Dennis Cholowski will develop. Boqvist has the best offensive potential from the blue line out of all the defensemen in the Draft not named Rasmus Dahlin.

7. Vancouver Canucks-Evan Bouchard, D, London (OHL)

Although depth on the blue line is good, the Canucks lack a true number one defender. Olli Juolevi recently underwent surgery, so the Canucks may want to consider a fall-back option. Bouchard is more well-rounded than many of the defenders in the Draft, and he has the size most don't.

8. Chicago Blackhawks-Oliver Wahlstrom, RW, US NTDP

Though they need defensemen more, the Blackhawks do have the luxury of waiting until the end of the first round thanks to having Nashville's first round pick and the Draft being pretty good on defensemen. Wahlstrom would give the Blackhawks another scorer that could potentially go along with Alex DeBrincat in the future.

The 2017-18 Montreal Canadiens Autopsy Report

This week, the Montreal Canadiens' playoff hopes mercifully came to an end, as they will be sitting at home come April 9. So, what happened? Let's open the coroner's notes and find out.

• The most obvious finger to point here starts at the top, namely General Manager Marc Bergevin. Looking back to even the beginning of his tenure, it seems that his acquisitions and drafting acumen centered around getting big players that either never developed or were just never all that skilled to begin with, and when he did have talented players, he found new ways to bungle it, as the reports will show later.
• Their inability to find a true number one center has come back to bite them in the rear, as no one can score, and their best center in the last five years (the length of Bergevin's tenure thus far) was traded to their rival in Toronto a few weeks ago.
• Their gameplan the entire time almost seemed to center around Carey Price to the point where they signed him to a near-unmovable contract last off-season. He's also missed considerable time in two of the last three seasons.
• Their off-season moves have also failed to pan out, as Karl Alzner wasn't even close to solving their scoring problems and they sure could have used Alex Radulov right about now, though it may not have mattered, since their center problem would have claimed him, too. Their best option from the blue line, Shea Weber, also got hurt.
• The big trade for Jonathan Drouin was a swing and a miss, as Mikhail Sergachev is just one point behind Drouin in scoring. Did I mention Sergachev is a defenseman that plays behind Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman?

The Canadiens' disaster of a 2017-18 season was one that many could see coming, and their recent departure from the playoff race was fait d'accompli. Their possible solution to their center problems appears to be John Tavares when he enters free-agency soon. For their sake, they better hope he doesn't go anywhere else or I could be writing this autopsy report this time next year.

Reaching the Deadline

With the NHL Trade Deadline approaching, teams are already making moves, and many of them made this season are already more impactful than last season's deadline, when very little happened in the way of blockbuster deals. Let's look at the deals made over the weekend and other potential players getting moved.

• The Pittsburgh Penguins announced that they were all in for a shot at a third Stanley Cup in a row when they were part of a three way trade. The basis of the trade is that they get Derick Brassard from Ottawa, Ottawa gets Ian Cole (more on him later) and Filip Gustavsson, and Vegas gets Ryan Reaves, with draft picks also being part of the equation. For Ottawa, they have signaled a rebuild, with the future of Erik Karlsson being an uncertainty past next season. Vegas gets fighter in Reaves who can also score on occasion while Pittsburgh gets the third line center that they had lacked since Nick Bonino defected to Nashville in the off-season.
• Remember Ian Cole? The Senators didn't hang on to him for long, as he was sent to Columbus for Nick Moutrey and a 2020 draft pick. Columbus gets more depth on the blue line, and they would later address the center depth, as in another three way deal, Nashville traded Pontus Aberg to Edmonton for Mark Letestu, and then flipped Letestu for a fourth round pick. Aberg gets a fresh start in Edmonton after he was squeezed out due to forward depth, which gets better with Mike Fisher coming back as of today.
• The New York Rangers are building for the future, sending Michael Grabner to New Jersey for Egor Rykov and a draft pick. Their biggest trade happened a few days later, as they sent Rick Nash to Boston. Ryan Spooner, Ryan Lindgren, Matt Beleskey, and a first round pick this year plus another draft pick were what they got in return. This was the trade the Rangers desperately needed, as Spooner can slot in as a top six forward while Lindgren is a solid prospect. The only hiccup, a necessary one to keep order in the salary cap, is Beleskey's albatross contract.
• Tomas Plekanec is leaving the only team he had ever known...and is heading to their biggest rival. That's right, he is going from Montreal to Toronto. All it cost was Kerby Rychel, Rinat Valiev, and Kyle Baun.
• Evander Kane, Alex Burrows, and Johnny Oduya are names that were either told to wait for trades or were placed on waivers, indicating that they could be on the move by the time the deadline passes in a few hours.

This year's trade deadline has been far busier than last year, when the only big name to get moved was Martin Hanzal. There will be at least a few moves made, many of them minor, but the ticker watching will happen.

Options for the Predators at the deadline

Currently at the top of the Western Conference heap, the Nashville Predators find themselves in this position for the first time since the 2014-15 season, where they would ultimately fall off a little and succumb to the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round that season. In that season, the Preds made trades for both Cody Franson and Mike Santorelli to add secondary pieces for a playoff run. This year, the Preds are in the same spot and are pondering a move or two to build for a deep run. So, what are the options for the Preds?

• They are already deep down the middle, and now they will soon get Mike Fisher out of retirement. That addition means either Calle Jarnkrok or Colton Sissons will be moved to the wing.
• That move brings about the major question that the Predators are trying to solve. Option one is Rick Nash. His contract expires after the season, and he could come at a price. The Rangers may be asking for draft picks and/or a defensive prospect. Michael Grabner is also an option from the Rangers, and he may come cheaper, which may be appetizing for the Preds.
• Evander Kane comes with as many questions as he does answers. Off-ice issues are his biggest problems, but he also comes with 30-goal potential that he has fulfilled a couple of seasons. A big plus is that the Predators have the leadership in place that could keep Kane on the straight and narrow for the season.
• The Detroit Red Wings may look to move Gustav Nyquist or Tomas Tatar. The price may be higher, since the Wings may look to poach a prospect like Dante Fabbro as a means to give up either winger.
• The Montreal Canadiens are considering trading Max Pacioretty. His contract could be an issue, as would the asking price. Given their depth on the blue line, an NHL-ready player could be in play in addition to picks and possibly a prospect.
• Sign Eeli Tolvanen after his KHL season ends. He's already showing his scoring chops in both the KHL and the Olympic stage. He does have an option for a second year in the KHL, but the Preds may look to sign him once he has the ability to become available.

Nashville has many ways to go, and much of it depends on what they feel. Their faith in signing Tolvanen in time for the playoffs may be the biggest factor in everything they do as far as a trade. The cap doesn't figure to be a major issue, and with only Scott Hartnell and Alexei Emelin currently as the only UFAs after the season, their window should be open.

Setting Things Right

MONTREAL CANADIENS

2016-17 record: 47-26-9 (103 points)
Lost to NY Rangers in Conference quarterfinals
Captain: Max Pacioretty

The Montreal Canadiens once again, were reliant on Carey Price to carry the team and once again, that strategy failed, as the Canadiens won the division, but were bounced in a rather weak effort by the New York Rangers in the first round of the playoffs. Now, they may be on the verge of salary cap hell, and there just simply isn't enough bodies to field a Stanley Cup contender. Sure, they'll likely make the playoffs once again, but it may not be long before this version of the Canadiens are talked about in the same breath as the late 90's Buffalo Sabres teams.

Up front, the Canadiens are very strong on the wings, but as always, are weak down the middle. The failure of Alex Galchenyuk to finally claim the top center role only complicates things, as his allergy to playing competent defense is all that holds him back, especially in a Claude Julien system. Max Pacioretty was a 30-goal scorer again, but disappeared in the playoffs, but he was hardly the only one. They really need to find secondary scorers, as Alex Radulov left and Jonathan Drouin is still in prove it mode, and solidify the center spot, and it wouldn't hurt if Phillip Danault takes that next step forward. The blue line was a strength a year ago, but it also lacked speed, something that the Canadiens found out the hard way when they saw what Shea Weber provided as opposed to PK Subban. Weber is still a weapon with the slap shot, but the rest of the supporting cast is changing, as Andrei Markov wasn't tendered an offer and left for the KHL, and Alexei Emelin was plucked in the Expansion Draft. David Schlemko is likely to compete for a spot on the last pairing and Karl Alzner was a nice pickup, but offers nothing that last year's group didn't already have. Price showed no ill effects of injuries that wiped out his 2015-16 season, and as a result, was given an 8-year extension in the off-season. The Canadiens are going to go as he goes once again, and Al Montoya and Charlie Lindgren will see action every once in a while and in the AHL, respectively.

Prediction: 2nd in the Atlantic Division

The Canadiens are still a strong team for as long as Price mans the nets. However, they did little to actually improve their team, as Drouin came at the price of Mikhail Sergachev, who was almost certainly ready for the NHL, and Drouin only merely replaces Radulov, one of the few Canadiens to show up in the playoffs. The Canadiens may be having their last stand as Stanley Cup contenders if they fall well short this season.

NHL Mock Draft: Picks 16-31

With Adidas revealing all 31 teams' new (sort of, for some teams) uniforms, I'm expediting the mock draft.

16-Calgary Flames: Kailer Yamamoto, RW, Spokane (WHL)

The Flames have had success with players like Yamamoto, as they have his contemporary height-wise in Johnny Gaudreau. Super skilled offensively, and Sam Bennett still needs wingers that can score.

17-Toronto Maple Leafs: Cal Foote, D, Kelowna (WHL)

Toronto could always use another defensive prospect, as they remain thin at that unit, a fact exposed by their third pairing of Matt Hunwick and Roman Polak getting repeatedly torched. Foote isn't a game-breaker, but he is reliable in his own end and has a little more offensive than his dad Adam, a former Colorado defender.

18-Boston Bruins: Nic Hague, D, Mississauga (OHL)

The Bruins have tried preparing for the eventuality of Zdeno Chara finally hanging it up, and though Charlie McAvoy, last year's first round pick, looks like a sure thing, the first round pick from 2015 Jakub Zboril is not as certain to be great. Hague has the size and may provide solid two-way play to go along with McAvoy's offensive prowess and Brandon Carlo's stay-at-home abilities.

19-San Jose Sharks: Pierre-Olivier Joseph, D, Charlottetown (QMJHL)

The Sharks need young defenders in the pipeline, especially since they just gave up on Mirco Mueller living up to his potential. Joseph is a puck mover that needs to gain weight, but is checking off the boxes in most other areas.

20-St. Louis Blues: Klim Kostin, RW, Dynamo Moscow (KHL)

St, Louis got pushed around a lot last year, and despite an off-year thanks to injuries and a lack of playing time in the KHL, Kostin showed what he could do when given the time to show. Provides a physical element that was missing last year.

21-New York Rangers: Erik Brannstrom, D, HV71 (Sweden)

The Rangers are getting old on the blue line, and though they just parted ways with Dan Girardi, they still have decent ability there. The future doesn't look too bright beyond that, and Brannstrom would not only be a body on the blue line, but also a puck mover that they haven't had in a while.

22-Edmonton Oilers: Robert Thomas, C, London (OHL)

Though listed as a center Thomas can play anywhere up front, and he's likely the safest pick in the first round. The Oilers would like to have better depth up front, especially when it comes to the third and fourth lines, and Thomas can bring a two-way game to those areas right away if needed.

23-Arizona Coyotes (from Minnesota): Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, G, HPK Jr. (Finland)

I fully expect the Coyotes to take a goaltender either here or with their second round pick. Presuming they do like what they see in that category, it's down to Luukkonen or Jake Oettinger. Luukkonen has the higher upside, and I think he's a little closer to NHL ready.

24-Columbus Blue Jackets: Kole Lind, RW, Kelowna (WHL)

The Blue Jackets are sound defensively, but they didn't have nearly enough firepower to go toe-to-toe with Pittsburgh in the first round. Sadly, this year's draft doesn't have much in the way of offensive talent, but Lind is one of the better options available. Plus, going down the wing, the Blue Jackets could use another guy there.

25-Montreal Canadiens: Urho Vaakanainen, D, JYP (Finland)

The Canadiens just traded away Mikhail Sergachev, leaving their defensive pipeline a little less stocked. Reliability is what he will provide, but he may require a few years to develop his hockey sense a little more.

26-Chicago Blackhawks: Isaac Ratcliffe, LW, Guelph (OHL)

A project, Ratcliffe has the size that Chicago desperately needs, as they've been lacking in that lately and were pushed around by St. Louis and Nashville in recent playoff tilts, teams with at least one physical presence. He can provide a little offense, but once he gets a little more weight, his size will be his greatest asset.

27-St. Louis Blues (from Washington): Jaret Anderson-Dolan, C, Spokane (WHL)

Anderson-Dolan rose up the draft board thanks to his tournament play in the World Under-18s, and he is just now scratching the surface of his potential. With Dan Lambert now coaching Spokane, it will be interesting to see how much offense he can really provide.

28-Ottawa Senators: Jason Robertson, RW, Kingston (OHL)

Robertson could afford to improve his skating, which seems to be a theme with most draft picks this year, but if any team knows about offensive talent that needs improved skating, it's Ottawa, as Robertson draws comparisons to Mark Stone, who's done pretty well in Ottawa. Work ethic is something to watch, but the offensive skill is there.

29-Dallas Stars (from Anaheim): Kristian Vesalainen, LW, Frolunda (Sweden)

The offensive upside is there with Vesalainen, but he also had an up and down season, as he moved quite a bit. Size suggests power forward, but he may be a few years away.

30-Nashville Predators: Ryan Poehling, C, St. Cloud State (NCHC)

Assuming the Predators don't trade this pick in pursuit of a center like Matt Duchene or Tyler Johnson, the Predators go with the draft route, taking Poehling, who could end up a Mike Fisher clone, as in not great offensively, but very good in many areas, and can play a shutdown role if needed.

31-Pittsburgh Penguins: Timothy Liljegren, D, Rogle (Sweden)

Liljegren's stock took a tumble, and with Pittsburgh needing to figure out a plan in case they don't keep Justin Schultz and/or Derrick Pouliot doesn't pan out, Liljegren would fit the Penguins system perfectly, as his offense is way ahead of his defensive game.

Eastern Conference Playoffs Preview

Another NHL season is in the books, and now, the real fun begins with the playoffs beginning Wednesday. First up is the Eastern Conference preview, and there have been a few surprises to go along with some expected results thus far.

(1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (4) New York Rangers

The Canadiens survived a coaching change, which mirrored an earlier change in 2003, to claim the top spot in the Atlantic Division. Carey Price was healthy once again, and as it always seems to be, everything will go through Price. It's not just Price that makes the Canadiens go, as Shea Weber has provided a solid presence on the blue line and while they're still looking for answers up front past Max Pacioretty (think Alex Galchenyuk and his health), the Canadiens are looking to make a deep run.

The Rangers are in this spot thanks to a rather tough Metropolitan Division that sees them get the short straw despite finishing with over 100 points on the season. Sure, Henrik Lundqvist is still in goal, but this is about as offensively driven of a team as you will find, as Mats Zuccarello leads the way. Of course, their defense could be better, as could the consistency of some players such as Michael Grabner, who fell off after a hot start to the season.

Prediction: Canadiens in 5

(2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (3) Columbus Blue Jackets

It was another wild season for Pittsburgh, as Sidney Crosby continues to lead the way, winning the Rocket Richard for most goals in a season, yet missing out on the Art Ross Trophy (more on the winner in the next piece). For the success though, injuries have played a role in their sometime struggles, as they will be without Kris Letang for the playoffs and both Marc-Andre Fleury and Matt Murray have had bouts of either inconsistency, injury, or both.

Columbus rode a hot streak in the middle of the season to the playoffs, and certainly, a healthy Sergei Bobrovsky was a big reason why the Blue Jackets are back in the playoffs. The Blue Jackets have also bought into coach John Tortorella's system, which explains their second best defense ranking. They will need that if they hope to fend off Crosby and company.

Prediction: Blue Jackets in 7

(1) Washington Capitals vs. (4) Toronto Maple Leafs

The Capitals are going all in this year. Stop if you've heard that one before. Goaltending is a major strength, as Braden Holtby and Phillipp Grubauer hold down the fort there, and in spite of Alex Ovechkin having a down year, the rest of the team has picked up the slack.

The surprise entrant of the playoff picture, the Maple Leafs have been as inconsistent as you would envision them to be, particularly since they're led by a bunch of kids who are not quite of drinking age in the U.S. Auston Matthews has been everything as advertised, but he's had help, too, as Mitch Marner led the team in assists. Defensively, the health of Frederik Andersen is one to watch, as he's been what the Leafs have hoped for. Still, this is a young group, so this may be nothing more than an opportunity to experience hockey at its best.

Prediction: Capitals in 5

(2) Ottawa Senators vs. (3) Boston Bruins

The Senators had a fair amount of adversity, from Craig Anderson taking time away to attend to his ailing wife to late-season nagging injuries to captain Erik Karlsson. While the offense struggled, as they ended up a -1 in goal scoring differential, goaltending and defense were strong, as Mike Condon helped keep the Senators afloat until Anderson came back. Now, with two good goaltenders, it will be up to them to help compensate for an offense that still needs work.

The Bruins were left for dead when they changed head coaches mid-season. However, a late-season surge puts them back into the playoffs. They aren't the same Bruins of earlier this decade, but goaltending has been a strong suit once again. When it comes to scoring, it's now David Pastrnak's team now. This Bruins team is more balanced to the point where they don't need to rely on one aspect to carry them.

Prediction: Senators in 7

Groundhog Day, Part Deux

In what can only be described as a remake of Groundhog Day, the Montreal Canadiens have relieved Michel Therrien of the head coaching duties heading into their five-day bye. They have replaced him with Claude Julien. No, this isn't the 2003, when this same move happened the first time. Yes, this is happening again. In what has become an annual swoon for the Canadiens under Therrien's watch, this season finally was the straw that broke the camel's back, and now, the Canadiens are going with another former head coach with the organization. This time, though, Julien brings with him a Stanley Cup from the rival Boston Bruins of 2011.

What can Julien bring this time around? Given that the Bruins were annually mismatched in terms of their lineup the last few seasons, it was a minor miracle that Julien could at worst, get the Bruins within a point or two of a playoff spot at the end of the season. For the Canadiens, the task he'll be given is to get the Canadiens to play with the same determination that his former Bruins squads played with under his watch.

A Guy Like Me

It had been a long, strange year for John Howard Scott, who was suddenly thrusted into the spotlight around this time last year, when he was voted into the NHL All-Star game by fans, only to be traded a few days later and the subsequent chain of  events that followed that would ultimately see him be in the All-Star Game that year and win the game's MVP honors. His autobiography, A Guy Like Me, written with the help of Brian Cazeneuve, tells of a big kid at heart who simply wanted to enjoy the game he loved.

From his early days to his struggle with being the tall guy in pee-wee hockey, he tells of a guy who truly is like any other person, right down to their struggles. His time at Michigan Tech, which had obstacles both on the ice (the team was never any good while he was there) and off the ice (he served time for DWI), is documented, as well as how his relationship with his now-wife evolved from the awkward beginnings to where it is now, are covered. Also included is his relationship with former teammate Derek Boogaard and how he had wished he could have done more, coaches who he loved playing for, and of course, the drama leading up to his All-Star turn. Scott may be retired now, as he announced it a couple months ago, but the mark he left on the game, however small it may be ultimately, won't soon be forgotten.

One of things that makes A Guy Like Me a great read is that everything you read is truly from the heart of Scott. Despite never being comfortable in the spotlight, the reader always got the sense that no matter the situation, he manages to get through, and throughout the book, he gives thanks to his wife. Another positive of the book is that he offers a side of some of hockey's more notorious villains (that does depend on which team or teams you root for) that most fans never get to see, and while he doesn't completely throw a few people under the bus, he does address a few of those critics in a respectful manner. The book may not be as detailed as some would like, but it is one of the most honest autobiographies one will read.

Getting the Pride Back

MONTREAL CANADIENS

2015-16 record: 38-38-6 (82 points)
Missed the playoffs
Captain: Max Pacioretty

The Montreal Canadiens' season began like a house of fire, but injuries to key players such as Carey Price and Brendan Gallagher caused that house of fire to eventually burn to the ground. That colossal failure to make the playoffs forced a number of changes, including swapping franchise defensemen, as PK Subban was sent to Nashville for Shea Weber. The Canadiens' roster is better suited to coach Michel Therrien's style, but as last season proved, they're only going to go as far as Price can carry them.

Contrary to popular belief, the Canadiens don't have as much trouble scoring as you think. Yes, the power play stunk, but the real problem was the lack of scoring depth, as beyond Alex Galchenyuk and Max Pacioretty, no one else scored more than 20 goals (Gallagher missed by one despite missing almost half the season). Out is Lars Eller and in comes Andrew Shaw and Alex Radulov. Shaw provides a bulldog presence that was absent when Gallagher went down, and now, with both in the lineup, the Canadiens should be twice as hard to play against, while Radulov is a one-year gamble in that his previous NHL stints didn't pan out so well. The Canadiens are hoping that his most recent time in the KHL, where he was a three time scoring champion and found happiness off the ice, will help result in a better run this time around. Defensively, injuries were a major problem, as the Canadiens employed enough players to supply two NHL teams a defensive unit. Weber will fit in better with what Therrien wants, but he may very well be the focal point of fan vitriol if he doesn't produce to normal standards, as Subban was a popular player there. In goal, it's all about Carey Price. While Mike Condon held down the fort admirably, there were instances where he was in over his head. To that end, Al Montoya was signed to provide insurance against another Price injury. While the power play was terrible, the penalty kill was just outside the top ten. They figure to be good again, and the power play will benefit from having Weber's shot at the point.

Prediction: 3rd in the Atlantic Division

The Canadiens saw what life without Price was like, and it wasn't very pretty. Of course, a locker room that wasn't on the same page half the time wasn't helpful, either. A new season, and a vote of confidence in Therrien later, the Canadiens are banking on a more harmonious locker room atmosphere, but until proven otherwise, it is about Price and how many games he can play.

Picking Up Stakes

The image you see is that of Université Laval, located in the city of Laval, QC. Why would I be talking about anything from the city of Laval, you may be asking? Today, the Montreal Canadiens announced that they would be moving their AHL affliliate from Saint John's, NL to the suburb of Montreal starting in the 2017-18 season.

The team will begin play that season in the still-under construction Place Bell, and will provide the Canadiens a shorter distance for their prospects to travel, a trend that has been commonplace recently with the Western teams relocating their AHL franchises closer to their respective homes. While the move wasn't entirely expected, it does provide the Canadiens a chance to keep an eye on their key players while avoiding potential travel troubles that normally plague the team during the winter months. Logo and color scheme will likely be sorted out closer to the date.

Free Agency Clean-Up from Day 1

With the biggest name in free agency signed days before the actual period began, it was expected that some of the biggest names remaining would be going on the first day. Though there are still some useful players still available at this point, many of them either found new homes or re-signed with their team from last season. To that end, let's look at who signed and what it means for the team that they signed with:

Loui Eriksson: Signed with Vancouver for six years, and an average of $6 million per year. He provides offense, usually to the tune of 25-30 goals per year, and though the years may be a little high, given that the Sedins will likely retire by the time Eriksson finishes year four of the contract, they could always do worse. I'm okay with this signing, but it will be up to Willie Desjardins to keep a level of consistency that maximizes the talent available (that means not putting Derek Dorsett with the Sedins ever again).

Milan Lucic: Edmonton claims him to the tune of seven years, $6 million per year. Obviously, his familiarity with General Manager Peter Chiarelli was an influence, but it will be the idea that he is likely getting slotted with Connor McDavid and Jordan Eberle that should have Oilers fans excited. It also adds another big, physical presence to a team that is finally figuring out what they really want to do.

Kyle Okposo: Same contract configuration as Lucic, but with the Buffalo Sabres. On the minus side, he may experience a drop off in numbers now that he won't be alongside John Tavares. However, it's not so bad when you realize that Okposo could be on a line with Jack Eichel at best, and Ryan O'Reilly, at worst. Given the uncertainty of Evander Kane's future after another run-in with the law, Okposo is a welcome addition to a maturing Sabres team (minus Kane).

David Backes: Five years, $6 million per year to play in Boston. This wasn't such a great signing, but not because Backes can't play. However, it's a far different thing to play on a team with a superstar in Vladimir Tarasenko than it is to play with unproven talents such as David Pastrnak. Boston needed an NHL body on the blue line worse, and though they may find that player yet, Backes doesn't fill a need in any way, shape, or form for them.

Eric Staal: Three years, $3.5 million is what Minnesota is giving him to center the second line. The days of putting up boffo offensive numbers is long past, but he is still useful. The contract, as a whole, is friendly to both him and the team, so at worst, it beats the deal they (regrettably) handed Thomas Vanek two years ago.

Thomas Vanek: Speaking of Vanek, the recently bought out player didn't have to wait long to find a new home, as Detroit signed him to a $2.6 million deal for one year. 18 goals last season wasn't cutting it for Minnesota, and it's questionable if it cuts it for Detroit. However, one year is not a bad deal, and the Red Wings could still get something out of him.

James Reimer and Jason Demers: Reimer is heading to Florida for five years, and $3.4 million to presumably be the full-time starter when Roberto Luongo finally hangs it up. In the meantime, he will serve as a backup with the possibility of splitting time to start. Also, in recent news, the  Panthers also signed Jason Demers to a five year, $4.5 million deal. He won't put up the numbers recently departed Brian Campbell has, but he's younger and should make up a fair amount of that offensive production. Plus, he's likely first in line to get paired with Aaron Ekblad, who signed an eight-year extension recently.

There's more, but there is one that I will address that caught my eye, and that is...

Alexander Radulov: One year, $5.75 million to play in Montreal. If you remember his first NHL stints with Nashville, it was pretty headache inducing, right down to Radulov being benched for a game due to missing curfew in the 2012 playoffs. From 2012 until now, he had played in the KHL, falling short with CSKA in the last two seasons. Montreal needs offense, but this may be too much of a gamble, as Radulov was never a proven player in the NHL, and few players who spent the majority of their careers in the KHL ever see that success translate to the NHL level.

...And We're Off!

For those that were waiting for the NHL Free Agency period to begin Friday, in earnest, the frenzy began today, as three big pieces came falling off the off-season house.

The first order of business: Steven Stamkos. The big fish in the free agency pool was officially taken out today by the Tampa Bay Lightning, as the Lightning signed him to an 8-year, $68 million dollar deal. That is an $8.5 million cap hit on average for the Lightning, and ends any speculation that the Lightning were going to lose their captain and leading goal scorer to another team. A two-time 50 goal scorer, he missed most of the playoffs this season, but the signing is an indication that the Lightning and Stamkos are both in it for the long run. Ultimately, the Lightning and Stamkos kept their respective words when it came to what the future would hold for the other, even if it took up to the 11th hour to do so.

Second order of business: the Montreal Canadiens and Nashville Predators decided that it would be a good idea to swap their respective top defensemen. That's right, Shea Weber and PK Subban are changing places in a move reminiscient of Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy doing the same thing in the 1983 movie "Trading Places." What does it mean for both teams? For Nashville, they get younger and though they do take on a little more of a cap hit with Subban, they also have five fewer years than with Weber. Translation: by the time Subban's contract is up, which will be in six years, he will be 33 while Weber will be 41 by the time his contract ends in 10 years. That is important for a Nashville team that generally never likes to operate to the salary cap ceiling. Meanwhile, the Canadiens get a leader who still has a menacing shot. The trade should benefit both players, as they're heading to the systems that will benefit each one more.

Third order of business: the Edmonton Oilers were known to be in the market for an NHL-ready defender. You can cross that off the list, as they acquired Adam Larsson from the New Jersey Devils. The cost? Taylor Hall. Like the Predators-Canadiens trade, this was a straight up trade that should, in theory, benefit both teams. The Devils need any and all defense that they can get, and getting Hall, who scored 26 times last season, will help in that regard. As for the Oilers, they unclog the logjam of forwards a little while trading for a defender that is just now beginning to figure it out in Larsson, as evidenced by his increasing ice time the last two seasons while also playing on the top pair last season. For both, who are also former first round picks (Hall in 2010, Larsson in 2011), it's a chance improve their new squads.

NHL Mock Draft Picks 1-10

With the Stanley Cup awarded last night, and with the NHL Draft around the corner, it's time to start thinking about the future of your team. It also means I get to take another crack at figuring out who will go where. For this time around, I will divide it into three sections as opposed to five, so there will be much more to cover in each section. Today, it's picks 1-10.

1. Toronto Maple Leafs-Auston Matthews, C, Zurich (Switzerland)

Much was made of what Auston Matthews was going to do prior to last season, as he had three teams in three leagues vying for his services. While Everett of the WHL is going to forever play the "What if?" game like they did with Seth Jones a few years, back, Zurich was the beneficiary of Matthews' decision, and it worked out well for both the team and for Matthews. The Maple Leafs need a number one center badly, and they will have it with Matthews, who comes NHL-ready after playing with men in Switzerland. Offensive dynamo, he is not, but neither is Jonathan Toews, who would be a better comparison for Matthews, and that's not a bad thing.

2. Winnipeg Jets-Patrik Laine, RW, Tappara (Finland)

In a race to see who would be taken second, Laine and fellow Finn Jesse Puljujarvi are as close as it gets. If you're wanting an offensive dynamo, Laine is it, and the Jets would welcome his scoring touch wherever they decide to put him, whether it is on a line with Mark Scheifele, Bryan Little, or someone else.

3. Columbus Blue Jackets-Jesse Puljujarvi, RW, Karpat (Finland)

The more well-rounded player of the two Finns, Puljujarvi would provide an immediate player that can step in wherever the Blue Jackets need him. Though not as dynamic offensively, he does everything well despite just being draft-eligible.

4. Edmonton Oilers-Olli-Juolevi, D, London (OHL)

I bounced back and forth between Juolevi and Jakob Chychrun as the options defensively for the Oilers. In the end, Juolevi won out, as I see him as the more ready player to step in should the Oilers decide to rush the pick to the NHL next season. The Oilers still need defenders, and of the ones available in the draft, Juolevi is viewed as one that can step in right away regardless of where he goes.

5. Vancouver Canucks-Pierre-Luc Dubois, LW, Cape Breton (QMJHL)

The Canucks filled a need for an NHL-ready defender when they traded for Erik Gudbranson a few weeks back. However, it came at the cost of Jared McCann, a forward capable of offense. Dubois not only would fill the need for offense, but also a power forward that can put people in their place (not to mention, a cheaper alternative to Milan Lucic). Should Dubois be taken by Edmonton (they could always use more physicality up front), look for Matthew Tkachuk to be taken here.

6. Calgary Flames-Matthew Tkachuk, LW, London (OHL)

The Flames need goaltending badly, but it would be a folly to draft one this high, as there isn't a Carey Price-type of player available. So, their next big need would be scoring on the wing, and Tkachuk provides that and more. A slightly less edgy version of his dad on the ice, it would be a mistake to think the younger Tkachuk is soft, as the 107 penalty minutes this season does speak for itself. And yes, he can score, too.

7. Arizona Coyotes-Mikhail Sergachev, D, Windsor (OHL)

Of the defenders available, Sergachev rates as the best offensive defender in the draft. He does have to refine his play in his own end a little, but it's easy to see why scouts are loving this guy, as he has everything you could want, from size to skill, to a high ceiling. The Coyotes need a top defender in the pipeline, and getting a possible clone of Oliver Ekman-Larsson would be a good idea here.

8. Buffalo Sabres-Tyson Jost-C, Penticton (BCHL)

With all of the young talent already on the roster, Jost represents a chance for the Sabres to take it a little slower, allowing him to further develop in North Dakota. Despite playing against lesser competition in the BCHL, the Sabres can take a flier on a player that could pay off handsomely, as he's the highest potential of all the forwards not in the top three.

9. Montreal Canadiens-Alexander Nylander, RW, Mississauga (OHL)

Losing Carey Price for much of the season exposed a long-standing problem for the Canadiens, as in they couldn't score to save their own lives. Though Nylander is marked as more of a playmaker, it is possible that he could unlock the full offensive potential of the likes of Max Pacioretty and Alex Galchenyuk. Anything will help in Montreal, and Nylander could see time in the AHL next season, at least, thanks to the same loophole that saw Dallas rush Julius Honka to the AHL after drafting him.

10. Colorado Avalanche-Jakob Chychrun, D, Sarnia (OHL)

The Avs would have loved to have seen Mikhail Sergachev drop to them, but they will happily settle for Chychrun, who figures to be a solid NHLer, at worst, and a franchise defender, at best. The Avs need it badly, as they were one of the worst blue lines in the NHL, forcing their goaltending to face far too many shots. Chychrun would be one step towards fixing that problem.