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 Playoffs: Eastern Conference preview

Another regular season is in the books, and although the top team was never really in doubt, the rest of the league had some interesting battles. The playoffs are a different time where things are amplified. What does the Eastern Conference bring?

(1) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (4) Columbus Blue Jackets

The Lightning were the best team in the league all season, having clinched the Presidents Trophy long before anyone else ever claimed a playoff spot. Nikita Kucherov leads a high-powered offense and though Steven Stamkos is no longer the offensive focal point, he is still a force, as are Brayden Point, Tyler Johnson, and JT Miller, among others. Defensively, Victor Hedman was the best player there, with Mikhail Sergachev, Ryan McDonagh, and Anton Stralman all playing solid in their roles. Goaltending shouldn't be a question mark, as Andrei Vasilievsky was great and Louis Domingue was good when he had to fill in for a few games. Given that the Lightning wrapped everything up by mid-March, will they find their motivation fast enough?

The Blue Jackets are all in this year, as they chose to hang onto both Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin despite neither having any stated intentions of remaining with the team once their contracts expire after the season. To further amplify that point, they traded for the expiring contracts of Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel while giving up a hefty sum to the Senators in separate trades. The continued development of Pierre-Luc Dubois is going to be important, as will whether or not Bobrovsky can finally shake off the playoff bugaboo that's plagued him in his entire career. Defensively, there should be no problems, as Seth Jones and Zach Werenski lead a very good group while Cam Atkinson also provides offense in addition to Duchene, Dzingel, Panarin, and Dubois.

Prediction: Lightning in 5

(2) Boston Bruins vs. (3) Toronto Maple Leafs

The Bruins were solidly the second best team in the East despite a rash of injuries that took out key players at varying points in the season. Brad Marchand has become the super pest that can both get under players' skin and score 40 goals in a season. He's not alone offensively, as David Pastrnak enjoyed a breakout season while the likes of David Krejci, Patrice Bergeron, and Jake DeBrusk also contributed offensively. Defensively, Zdeno Chara showed no signs of slowing down even as he is going deeper into his 40's. The key defensively, however, will be the youth, as both Brandon Carlo and Charlie MacAvoy both need to be healthy to allow the Bruins a chance at a deep playoff run. In goal, Tuukka Rask doesn't seem to get enough respect with his own hometown team despite putting up solid number this season. Having a seasoned vet in Jaroslav Halak behind him is nice.

The Maple Leafs were the trendy favorite to possibly win it all after a hot start. Then, their defense fell apart, and now things aren't looking as rosy. Still, any team that can boast the likes of John Tavares, Auston Matthews, and Mitch Marner should still be a force to be reckoned with. Where the fate of the Maple Leafs' playoff hopes lie is William Nylander, who has yet to live up to his new contract. Even with the addition of Jake Muzzin, there are still massive holes defensively, as only Morgan Rielly shows any signs of being the defender the team desperately needs. Travis Dermott is good, but nowhere near the level of even Muzzin. In goal, Frederik Andersen was inconsistent, and now that Garrett Sparks is out for the series due to off-ice issues, that puts a lot of pressure on the team.

Prediction: Bruins in 7

(1) Washington Capitals vs. (4) Carolina Hurricanes

The Capitals waited until the final week of the season to once again, reign supreme at the top of the Metropolitan Division. While the Caps weren't dominant at all during the season, it should be noted that they were also not dominant heading into last year's playoffs, and they ended up winning it all then. Any team that begins with Alex Ovechkin should be considered a threat to repeat, and throw in Niklas Backstrom, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Jakub Vrana, and the Capitals are very good in scoring. John Carlson leads the way defensively, and though the Caps are largely unknown behind him, this is still a very good group that can play well as a unit. In goal, Braden Holtby was more consistent during the regular season, and that should bode well for him heading into the playoffs. He'll likely never be the Vezina winning goalie of a few years ago, but he also showed that he does indeed have an extra gear in the playoffs.

The Hurricanes were near the bottom of the division at the end of 2018. Somewhere along the way, the team started to win, and win some more, with PNC Arena becoming more favorable to the team, although the road was also good to them as well, having won 22 games away from PNC. Sebastian Aho is the best scorer on the team, with Teuvo Teravainen and Andrei Svechnikov not far behind. Justin Williams is the leader the team desperately needed, and he still has the reputation of being clutch in the playoffs. Defensively, this is largely a no-name group, but don't discount the contributions of Jaccob Slavin, Brett Pesce, Justin Faulk, and Trevor van Riemsdyk. In goal, it is now Petr Mrazek's team, now, with Curtis McElhinney providing a good backup option. The Hurricanes come into the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the league.

Prediction: Hurricanes in 7

(2) New York Islanders vs. (3) Pittsburgh Penguins

Everything that the Islanders did this regular season compared to last year can be attributed to a team-wide buy into what both Barry Trotz and Lou Lamoriello were selling. This team wasn't supposed to be good with John Tavares leaving for Toronto, but they nearly ended up winning the division thanks to an Anders Lee that was out to prove that his numbers weren't merely a product of playing with Tavares. The likes of Matt Barzal, Anthony Beauvillier, and Brock Nelson were also helpful. Defensively, the personnel didn't really change, but the results did, as a team that was dead last in that category actually finished first in team GAA, as Robin Lehner and Thomas Greiss had bounce back years after being dreadful in Buffalo and the Island, respectively, the year before. It helped that the team in front of them were more committed to team defense. Ryan Pulock, Scott Mayfield, and others helped spearhead a revival there, and with more youth on the way and finally pointed in the right direction, the Islanders could surprise now and in the future.

Pittsburgh mostly sleepwalked through the season, as key players had injuries, and only Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel played anywhere near expectations. Still, the team played well enough to make it again thanks to timely goaltending, and a defense that knows when to turn it on. Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel are going to be important to get untracked, as Malkin had a dreadful +/- despite good point totals while Kessel wasn't the same Kessel of old. Defensively, Kris Letang will need to show that last year's playoff showing isn't a sign that he's losing a step while the rest of the unit will need to step up. In goal, it's still Matt Murray's crease, but how long before his playoff magic finally runs out? It showed signs last season, but was it an aberration or just the beginning?

Prediction: Islanders in 7

A New Hope

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

2017-18 record: 49-26-7 (105 points)
Lost to Boston in Conference quarterfinals
Captain: TBA

The Toronto Maple Leafs were living their version of Groundhog Day, as they had an opportunity to advance to the next round for the first time since 2004. As it was in 2013, however, the Boston Bruins once again ended their hopes. The culprit? A defense that was bad in front of Frederik Andersen. Their solution for this coming season? Scoring more goals, which is exactly where John Tavares comes in. They have the offense if everyone is in camp, but do they have the defense?

The second ranked offense gets better, as Tavares will be there for seven years and join the likes of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and if he can get signed in time, William Nylander. Even with the game seven loss last year, they still scored four goals, so offense should be no problem. The 11th ranked defense is quite deceptive, as Andersen was a big reason for it. He may be inconsistent at times, but he saves a team that has pylons such as Nikita Zaitsev and notorious defensive liability Jake Gardiner as their defensemen. While they add by subtracting Roman Polak, they also lose some sandpaper in Matt Martin and Leo Komarov.

Prediction: 3rd in the Atlantic Division

The Maple Leafs won the big prize of the off-season when John Tavares signed with them. The problem immediately is still that they didn't address their defensive deficiencies, but the long-term problem may be whether they can sign all of Matthews, Marner, and/or Nylander soon.

NHL Free Agency: Burning Money Edition

July 1 is known as a money burning day, as the first day of both NBA and NHL free-agency begins, as well as the New York Mets' tradition of giving long-gone Bobby Bonilla a million plus interest a year until 2035. So, how will the NHL make me laugh this time?

• The big shoe that needed to drop, did, as John Tavares announced that he would be taking the Toronto Maple Leafs' offer of seven years, and an annual amount of 11 million. It's a steep price for Toronto, and it still doesn't solve their defensive woes, but Tavares potentially shoves both Auston Matthews and Nazem Kadri down a slot, which improves their offensive output. The big concern would be what happens next offseason, when both Matthews and Mitch Marner are coming off their ELCs.
• The Maple Leafs' 11 million dollar gamble wasn't actually the worst move made. No, the worst happened this morning, as the Calgary Flames decided to throw five years and an annual cap hit of 5.75 million at James Neal. You might say that's better than what Washington threw at TJ Oshie, but even four years is excessive for a 30-goal scorer that is on the wrong side of 30, has major streaks of production and non-production, and may be headed for a steep decline ala Dany Heatley. The Flames also threw over 3 million to some guy named Derek Grant. Have fun with the RFA contracts of Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin.
• Los Angeles did the expected, and signed Ilya Kovalchuk to a three year deal. The hit carries a 6 million dollar price tag a year, and it had been announced that the Kings intended to make him the focal point of their offense. If you're paying him that much, he better be, and if he can still score 30 goals per year, it's not bad. So, where are the Kings screwed? The eight year extension that will be carrying an 11 million dollar hit that is going to Drew Doughty. The Kings learned nothing from the Dustin Brown and Marian Gaborik sagas. The Kings will be in Cap Hell even after Kovalchuk is gone thanks to the ridiculous contracts being handed out.
• Detroit likes to kick the can down the road, and signing both Jonathan Bernier and Thomas Vanek to deals, as well as re-signing Mike Green to a new two year deal is proof. On a contending team, these signings would actually be praised. However, Detroit is not even close to contending. I know there's the albatross contracts of Justin Abdelkader, Darren Helm, and Jonathan Ericsson, but there is no way they are a Jonathan Bernier away from playoff contention.
• Chicago actually didn't do badly with signing Cam Ward to one year, as he proved that he had something left, although that wasn't necessarily by choice in Carolina, as Scott Darling self-immolated. Brandon Manning is just a warm body on defense while I absolutely don't understand how Chris Kunitz will fit with the team.
• Vegas made moves, as they slightly overpaid for four years Paul Stastny and inexplicably threw 2.75 million a year for two years at Ryan Reaves.
• Pittsburgh signed Jack Johnson. The issue with Johnson isn't money, as about 3 million a year is sensible, but term, as five years is a little long. They also brought back Matt Cullen because I don't know.
• Boston signed Jaroslav Halak for two years and a 2.75 million annual deal. Halak had a bad year, but he should rebound somewhat, since Boston is a stronger defensive team and he won't have to be overextended, as he backs up Tuukka Rask. The Bruins also signed John Moore to the same 2.75 million a year hit, but for five years. I don't know if Moore is worth that much money-wise, but he's still relatively young, and you can do worse than him if you're a Boston team that figures to be led by Charlie MacAvoy and Brandon Carlo in the future.
• Buffalo moved on from the volatile Robin Lehner in favor of an older, but calmer Carter Hutton. Hutton is getting three years, and 2.75 million per year. The bigger news is that they traded Ryan O'Reilly to St. Louis and are getting back Patrik Berglund, Vladimir Sobotka, and two draft picks. The change was needed for both Buffalo and O'Reilly, which showed cracks late season. O'Reilly instantly gives St. Louis a second line center and takes the albatross contracts of both Berglund and Sobotka off the books.
• Speaking of the Blues, they gave David Perron four years and four million per year to make his return for a third time. Inconsistent as he is, it isn't a bad number, and he showed that he has something left. They also gave Tyler Bozak a three year, 5 million a year contract because I don't know. The money is too high for what will amount to a third line center, especially now that Brayden Schenn and O'Reilly will be in front of him. They also picked up a year rental of Chad Johnson for 1.75 million. Again, too high of a price, given his lack of production lately.
• Vancouver continues to want to tread water, as they handed out identical four year, 3 million per year contracts to Jay Beagle and Antoine Roussel. Two years and just under 2 million a year for Tim Schaller and three years and 3.36 million a year to Sven Baertschi were also handed out. None of those are Loui Eriksson bad, which is good, but only the Baertschi signing makes sense, as he can still deliver on some of his offensive upside. Roussel, Beagle, and Schaller do provide a defensive presence up front that had been sorely lacking since Ryan Kesler bolted town.
• If I began with the Maple Leafs, I have to end with the New York Islanders, the team Tavares is leaving behind. I don't think Tavares leaving is a death blow, as Mat Barzal looks like he will be the best player on the Islanders by this time next year, but it certainly hurts. Saying that, the Islanders signed Leo Komarov to four years and 3 million per year. The term may be a little long, and Komarov isn't going to provide major offense, but he will provide leadership and at a reasonable price, the Islanders will have room to move. They also re-signed Thomas Hickey for four years and 2.5 million. Thought to have been a bust after failing to crack the Kings roster in the time after he was drafted in 2007, he's turned out to be a respectable defender with the Islanders, and he was one of the few bright spots on a blue line that was awful last year. The big problem was signing Valtteri Filppula for 2.75 million. It's only one year, but the Islanders did not need Filppula, who clearly has nothing left at this stage of his career.

If I didn't mention your team, it's because there weren't any good or bad moves made. 

NHL mock Draft: picks 24-31

There is big news involving a three way trade that I will get to at some point, as it relates to the clown show known as the Ottawa Senators and the potential impact it may have on its star player. In the meantime, I need to finish this mock draft, which is likely going to be wrong save for maybe the first three picks.

24. Minnesota Wild-Ty Dellandrea, C, Flint (OHL)

The Wild's center spot is getting older and the surest things in the system haven't proven themselves yet, as Joel Eriksson-Ek hasn't been the player they Wild envisioned yet and Luke Kunin has injury issues. Dellandrea already has shown character, playing on a Flint team that had been in turmoil early in his time there, and he has skill that may only be in the beginning stages.

25. Toronto Maple Leafs-Sampo Ranta, LW, Sioux City (USHL)

The Maple Leafs may look to trade out of this spot, given their wealth of prospects. Should they stay, left wing may almost certainly need an infusion, and with the number of prospects, they can afford to take on a project in Ranta, a goal scorer who will likely need two years minimum at Wisconsin.

26. New York Rangers (from Boston)-Martin Kaut, RW, Pardubice (Czech Republic)

The deadline trades strengthened the Rangers' blue line prospect pool, and center looks set if Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil both make the NHL roster next season. The Rangers may look to trade up, since they have another pick at 28. Kaut might be the safest pick, as he doesn't truly excel in one category, but does everything fairly well.

27. Chicago Blackhawks (from Nashville)-Mattias Samuelsson, D, US NTDP

The Blackhawks need defensemen badly. With the scoring need addressed earlier in this mock draft, they get a physical player in Samuelsson, who shows better offensive acumen than his father Kjell, who played in the NHL in the late-80's and early 90's.

28. New York Rangers (from Tampa Bay)-Filip Johansson, D, Leskand Jr. (Sweden)

The Rangers could always use another player on the blue line, especially since there is uncertainty as to who will emerge. Johansson is an all-around player that may have more offense than what he's shown thus far.

29. St. Louis Blues (from Winnipeg)-Ryan McLeod, C, Mississauga (OHL)

The Blues need to close the gap between the first and third lines. With the possibility of either Tage Thompson or Robert Thomas getting regular NHL time next season, that means the Blues need another center to groom. McLeod needs to be more than just a speed guy, but he will have time to develop.

30. Detroit Red Wings (from Vegas)-Jacob Olofsson, C, Timra (Sweden)

The Red Wings need any help they can get, and though it is unknown what Olofsson's offensive upside is, his two-way game already would put him in position to join the NHL next season if he chooses.

31. Washington Capitals-Nicolas Beaudin, D, Drummondville (QMJHL)

The Capitals need to continue to stock the defenseman pipeline, with Madison Bowey already graduating to the NHL and Lucas Johansen potentially close. Beaudin needs to gain weight, but the rest of his game suggests that he can be a quality defender on an NHL roster.

2018 NHL Eastern Conference Playoffs Preview

We've narrowed it down to 16 teams, and there's as always, going to be some exciting times in the hockey world. The playoffs begin Wednesday, and for the first time in a few years, I will not have to tie in my picks with a playoff pool. Saying that, let's begin:

(1) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (4) New Jersey Devils

The Lightning got exactly what they thought they were going to get from Andrei Vasilievsky, as he made the fans forget about Ben Bishop. Despite wearing down a little late in the season, mostly due to injuries to a rotating group of backup goalies, he is still a vital cog to the team's success. The blue line features Victor Hedman and Mikhail Sergachev, but depth worries me a little, as Dan Girardi does not inspire confidence if he's in the lineup. It showed, as the Lightning had a habit of letting teams back in some games. Offensively is where the Lightning can kill you, especially if Steven Stamkos is healthy. The good news is that he isn't even the best offensive player this year on his own team. No, that honor goes to Nikita Kucherov, who had a bigger coming out party this season, becoming the third Lightning player to score over 100 points. The X-factor here is JT Miller, who could be in line to have his own coming out party this postseason.

The New Jersey Devils were a major surprise this season, and much of that is due to Taylor Hall finally staying healthy for a full season and showing the offensive skills that made him the first overall pick in 2010. Beyond Hall however, there isn't much besides Nico Hischier and when healthy, Cory Schneider, although Keith Kinkaid did well when pressed into starting duty. Brian Boyle is the team's inspirational leader this year, and their no-name blue line did fairly well.

Prediction: Lightning in 6

(2) Boston Bruins vs. (3) Toronto Maple Leafs

The good news is that the Boston Bruins have depth up and down the lineup, with four scoring lines and a defensive unit that can go deep. It also helps that their youth is taking major roles on the team, with Jake DeBrusk, Brandon Carlo, Charlie MacAvoy, and Danton Heinen all having a hand in the team's success this year. Tuukka Rask has also returned to form. However, the Bruins did struggle down the stretch, missing out on a potential Atlantic Division crown in the final days, and their depth is being tested in a big way, with MacAvoy, Carlo, and Patrice Bergeron all missing time at varying points in the season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs went over the 100 point barrier despite not having Auston Matthews for a few weeks. Frederik Andersen played his best hockey this season, the offense rallied together to make up for any time Matthews missed, and the blue line held together well. The Leafs will be another year wiser in the playoffs, but will it be enough to mean a deep playoff run?

Prediction: Maple Leafs in 7

(1) Washington Capitals vs. (4) Columbus Blue Jackets

Washington is once again in the playoffs, and once again, it is Cup or Bust. Alex Ovechkin is still the engine that drives the unit, but this is the year where more than any other that depth, or the lack thereof, is going to hurt them. The more alarming thing here is that Braden Holtby had his worst season in a Capitals uniform, and this time around, it was Phillipp Grubauer that bailed them out. There are many questions that will have to be answered here, such as can the Capitals get past the second round, can they even reach the second round, and who starts in net.

The Blue Jackets have made the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history. Like last year, they had to ride a lengthy winning streak to get here, which may make their hopes more of a fool's gold. Sergei Bobrovsky's playoff yips do bear watching, as does a rather alarming lack of scoring depth behind Artemi Panarin. Giving up goals is not a problem here, as any John Tortorella team is usually good at stopping the opposition from scoring.

Prediction: Blue Jackets in 7

(2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (3) Philadelphia Flyers

The Penguins may look ripe for an upset here, but if the last two seasons taught us anything, it is never to count them out. Between problems in goal, namely injuries and inconsistent play, and a blue line that largely spent more time on a milk carton, it's amazing that the Penguins were able to be the second seed in the Metropolitan Division. If you have to find someone to credit for keeping them afloat, it's Evgeni Malkin. He was thought to be a Hart Trophy candidate at some point in the season, and Sidney Crosby still doesn't get the credit he deserves.

If there is ever a team that no one can really pinpoint, it's the Philadelphia Flyers. They can either be really hot or really cold, and worse, all this happened despite another swinging door in goal, as players got hurt. The blue line should be better than what is assembled, but they are also still young at the position. Not having Wayne Simmonds hurts the offense, but having Claude Giroux step up in a big way was a big boon, as he not only topped the 100 point marker for the first time in his career, but did so while amassing his first career NHL hat trick in the process.

Prediction: Penguins in 6

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.

I Watched This Game: Here's to the Next 100 Years

In a rare occurrence, there was a mid-afternoon weekday game that wasn't on a holiday. Why? It marks the first game of the next 100 years of the NHL's existence, as on this day, the first two games of the NHL's existence happened on this date in 1917, as the Montreal Canadiens and original Ottawa Senators squared off, as well as the Montreal Wanderers and the then-Toronto Arenas. The Canadiens and Senators had their Centennial game outdoors at Landsdowne on Saturday, and now, it's the Maple Leafs' turn today. Unfortunately, there is no team that can actually imitate the Wanderers, so the Carolina Hurricanes will have to do. Yes, I watched this game.

• In case you were wondering about the Arenas-Wanderers game, it ended up being a 10-9 affair that went the Wanderers' way. Remember that, as it will be important later.
• The Leafs, who are wearing sweaters similar to what you see above, are once again without Auston Matthews, who has been sidelined for the past few games.
• Despite Matt Martin in the box for holding, the Leafs get on the board first, as Leo Komarov nets a short-hander past Scott Darling to give the Leafs the lead.
• Shortly after Martin gets out of the box, Roman Polak puts a hit on Marcus Kruger. Josh Jooris takes exception, and both he and Polak scrap. Both get five, but Jooris gets the extra two minutes, putting the Leafs on the power play.
• Mitch Marner finally decided to break out of a scoring slump on the ensuing power play, wristing one past Darling after making a few Hurricanes look like pylons.
• Komarov and Justin Williams decide to have a scrap of their own, and both sit for five minutes each.
• Jeff Skinner dangles half the team, and beats Frederik Andersen to cut the lead in half. Andersen should have stopped that one.
• Brett Pesce decides to be a perp and slash. His reward is two minutes in the box.
• A mad scramble in front of the Hurricanes net saw Darling make a pretty good save. Unfortunately for him, James van Riemsdyk was on the other side of him and he found the puck, which he puts past him to make it 3-1.
• Remember when I said Marner picked the perfect time to break out of his slump? Well, he decided to put together the best individual effort of the game, leading the Hurricanes on a merry chase around their own zone before finding Tyler Bozak in the slot. Bozak makes no mistake and makes it 4-1 Leafs.
• That 10-9 score from 100 years ago? The Leafs may very well be matching that total at this rate.
• van Riemsdyk misses a chance to put the Leafs up by four, and breaks his stick on Victor Rask's stick. That's no good, and he sits for two minutes. 
• Shortly after that penalty was killed, Nazem Kadri gets careless with his stick, and has to sit for two minutes for getting his stick too high.
• 4-1 after one period, and the Hurricanes get carry over power play time, but they better find offense fast.
• The second period was uneventful, as nothing happened, and it remains 4-1 Leafs.
• A van Riemsdyk cross check puts the Hurricanes on the power play, but they do jack all and it remains 4-1.
• Leafs' passing gets rewarded with a goal, as Patrick Marleau manages to bank a shot from behind the net off of Justin Faulk and into the net to make it 5-1 Leafs.
• Before I could begin typing that last sentence, the Hurricanes bungle the faceoff, and Kasperi Kapanen takes the puck and lets loose a laser past Darling to make it 6-1.
• William Nylander decides to get in on the scoring, as he too, wrists one past Darling. 7-1 Leafs.
• Sebastian Aho holds, so he is sitting for two minutes.
• Connor Carrick scores with 90 seconds left in the game, making it 8-1 Leafs, and the possibility of them matching the Arenas' score from 100 years ago.
• Game over, and the Maple Leafs have to settle for eight. They needed this game to break out of a recent drought offensively, and Marner's performance was especially needed, as he had his drought broken this game, as well.

The Maple Leafs fans were treated to a great game, and many of the school children took some time off to catch this game. Here's to the next 100 years of the NHL.

Continuing the Celebration

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

2016-17 record: 40-27-15 (95 points)
Lost to Washington in Conference quarterfinals
Captain: TBA

Last season, the Toronto kicked off their centennial year with hope, and as they continue their celebration of 100 years in existence, hope is turning into expectation, and the window looks like it is just now opening. With a generational talent in Auston Matthews, several quality young players, and goaltending that keeps them in games, there is no reason to think that the pain that the Maple Leafs front office has been expecting will continue for much longer.

Sure, the fifth best offense begins with Matthews, but there are other players who made themselves known, as Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and Connor Brown all made impact in their first season in the NHL. Meanwhile, Nazem Kadri established career highs in goals and points while James van Riemsdyk may be playing himself out of Toronto after this season not for his play, but for the fact that Toronto may not be able to afford him. That was why the Leafs hedged their bets that Patrick Marleau has at least three good years left in him. Defense is improving, but there were instances where the Leafs had to try to win 5-4 shootouts because the defense couldn't hold the fort long enough. Another year together plus the addition of Ron Hainsey and the return to health of Morgan Rielly can only help. In goal, Frederik Andersen showed cracks alongside the defense, but for the most part, he was everything the Leafs hoped they were getting and more. The power play reflected the team's offensive efforts and the penalty kill was surprisingly effective, although they will need to figure out a new shutdown tandem.

Prediction: 1st in the Atlantic Division

The Leafs tear down of a few years has already produced a playoff appearance and though they say they're still rebuilding, it's tough to keep that hand for as long as Matthews does his impersonation of Jonathan Toews, as he is a game changer and the rest of the team is likely to follow suit. The Leafs may have finally figured it out and championships are not too far off in the future.

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

I Watched (and Listened to) This Game: Happy 100th

Photo credit: Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP

With the calendar year turning to 2017, that means the NHL, as well as the Toronto Maple Leafs turn 100, both having been established in 1917. So, what does one do to celebrate this occasion? Hand the Leafs their very own outdoor game and against an Original 6 rival in the Detroit Red Wings. Yes, I watched, and as you will read on, later listened to, this game known as the Centennial Classic.

• 30 minute delay as the teams wait out a sun glare issue.
• Ceremonies before the game push the actual start time back to around 2:50 PM CST. The first 28 of the top 100 players were announced, with that group being represented by their family members. Five more were announced, and they made their way out on their own.
• Because of the channel flipping, I only caught the end of "O Canada," and it sounded a little rushed.
• Nothing really doing in the first period, as both teams were rather tentative, although Nazem Kadri drove to the net on one play and drew a penalty on Brendan Smith.
• No score after one. Also, no comment on intermission entertainment, having learned from the debacles of the Winter Classics past.
• Switching over to radio, and the I Listened to This Game portion, 
• Detroit actually had the better chances late in the first period, and they continued their momentum, drawing a penalty on William Nylander for holding the stick.
• They don't score on the power play, but Anthony Mantha puts the team on the board. If Detroit were wise, they'd give him top six forward minutes, as he's a goal scorer and Detroit needs scoring badly.
• Connor Brown goes off for hooking, and the Leafs are down a man again. Again, the Wings don't capitalize.
• Nick Jensen (no, not the Vancouver Canucks draft bust) gets too grabby, and is sent off. However, the Leafs' power play is abruptly halted, as they are caught with too many men on the ice, and Mitch Marner takes one for the team.
• In between the calls, Jake Gardiner nearly ties it up, but gets gonged by the post. Detroit heads into the final frame with a 1-0 lead.
• The beginning of the third period sees Uncle Leo Komarov head to the net and tip in a shot to tie things up and that also wakes up a Toronto crowd that was last seen awake during the baseball playoffs.
• We get a fight, as Steve Ott and Matt Martin have a disagreement and drop gloves. Decision goes to Martin.
• Marner puts the Leafs ahead after carrying the puck from the corner to roof one past Jared Coreau. Those Patrick Kane comparisons aren't off.
• It's raining goals, as Connor Brown doubles the Leafs lead, and a short time later, Auston Matthews makes it 4-1.
• Detroit answers back, as Jonathan Ericksson cuts the lead down to two. A JVR mistake leads to a Dylan Larkin goal that puts the Wings back within one.
• A furious finish sees Mantha tie up the game with 1.1 second left, though there was a wait, as the play was under review.
• Free hockey, as overtime commences and both teams trade chances, but fail to score.
• Before the shootout could happen, Matthews comes through to score the game winner for Toronto. He was on the wrong end of overtime matches in both his debut and the first game against fellow 2016 draftee Patrik Laine, but this may very well be to him what the Winter Classic in Buffalo was to Sidney Crosby.

The game got off to an excruciatingly slow start, but from the third period on, it was one of the more exciting tilts of the season. The Leafs need to figure out how not to blow three goal leads in the third period, and that will come with experience, but there is much to like here with the roster as constituted. As for the Wings, they have a lot of work to do, as the only guy who stood out was Mantha, who needs to be a top six forward. Remember, he was drafted to be a goal scorer, and the Wings would be wise to put him in a spot that best suits his skill set. That means letting him learn on the job in the NHL, as he's been more than ready this season.

Take it Outdoors

Now, that all of the teams participating in the outdoor games have their uniforms sorted out, it would be fair to assess each one, beginning with the Centennial Classic.

The designs you see for both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings are what they will be wearing for the Centennial Classic at BMO Field, home to both Toronto FC and the Toronto Argonauts. The Maple Leafs went with elements of their past incarnations for their uniform design. The stripe that runs through the middle was previously on the Pats sweaters while the Arenas' T will be found on the breezers. Meanwhile, the Red Wings kept it rather simple, with only a silver stripe on the arms that also features the years they won the Stanley Cup. Though Toronto has the better sweater design, both teams earn high marks for going in different directions when it comes to the collar.

Up next is the Winter Classic match between the St. Louis Blues and the Chicago Blackhawks slated for January 2 at Busch Stadium. Of the teams participating in the outdoor games, the Blues have the best looking sweaters, edging out Toronto for that distinction. It's as close to a throwback as it gets, as much of the design was inspired by the team's first years in the NHL. If the Blues' design was the best, then the Blackhawks would be on the opposite spectrum. Clearly, playing in as many outdoor games as they have has shown that the idea well has run dry for them. If there was ever a case for limiting how many outdoor games you can play in a specific time period, you can point to the Blackhawks for that.

Last up is the Stadium Series, and the participants in that matchup are the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers. The Penguins unveiled their look a few weeks ago, and certainly, going gold was a wise decision, as was the idea of having the triangle encircle the captaincy or alternate designation. The patch on the left is a nod to the team's four Stanley Cups, and the side numbers are on the shoulders. The sweater loses points for the numbering, though, as it rips off the World Cup North American team template.

A few days ago, the Flyers unveiled their design, and going black on their sweaters isn't the worst idea, but having black numbers and lettering is a bad idea, even with the orange nameplate and white outlining on the numbers. The Flyers would have been better served with white numbering and lettering.

I Watched This Game: The Auston Matthews Edition

"I Watched This Game" makes a return this season, and what a better way to kick it off than the NHL debut of the 2016 first overall pick Auston Matthews. The Toronto Maple Leafs traveled to Ottawa to take on provincial rival Senators, and it was certainly an entertaining game.

The highlights, as written from the Senators fan perspective, since I opted for the 2006 red Senators sweater and ended up getting paired with a couple of Maple Leafs fans in a sea of Blues and Blackhawks fans.

• The Sens' intro was pretty creepy, as the players' faces were on the back screen as they were being introduced one-by-one.
• That didn't take long, as Matthews scored his first goal on a nice behind the goal pass by Zach Hyman found Matthews in front, and he didn't miss.
• The Sens tie it up after Erik Karlsson's shot gets knocked down by Bobby Ryan in front, who finds the puck quickly and deposits it past Frederik Andersen. If the Sens can get 30 goals from Ryan, they will finally be getting the player that they thought they were getting.
• The Sens take the lead on a laser from the blue line by Karlsson. In case you forgot, he was the team's leading scorer for a reason.
• Matthews scores number two on a nice drive to the net after pick-pocketing a Sens player in the neutral zone.
• DAMN YOU, AUSTON MATTHEWS! A hat trick in the second period puts the Leafs back up by one.
• Derick Brassard ties things back up after another Leafs relapse defensively. Remember this, as it will be important later.
• DAMN YOU, AUSTON MATTHEWS...AGAIN! A give and go with William Nylander sees Matthews put the Leafs back up by one.
• Kyle Turris sends the game to overtime as he scores, and in the process, is showing that the injury issues of last season are behind him.
• Turris scores the game winner in overtime after Matthews fails to cover Turris in time.

The Leafs-Sens match-up was nothing short of exciting on both ends. While Matthews was a dynamic force offensively, he also has a few things to clean up before he can be the player he wants to be, though he did own up to the mistake in overtime that sent the Leafs home with just the one point. Also, you do have to play defense, and the Leafs far too often, had some trouble with that, as for every goal they scored, the Senators had an answer. Similarly, the same could be said for the Sens, though Craig Anderson did bail them out a handful of times, stopping Mitch Marner on a shot.

More Pain Ahead

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

2015-16 record: 29-42-11 (69 points)
Missed the playoffs
Captain: TBA

Entering their 100th year since they formed, the Toronto Maple Leafs are in the midst of a painful, to put in coach Mike Babcock's words, process of rebuilding. That pain last season resulted in being dead last in the standings, yet brought them a sense of hope, as the lottery went their way and they were able to draft Auston Matthews. The pain will continue, but with a youthful core learning on the job, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Offensively, when your leading scorer only amasses 45 points as Nazem Kadri did, you know your offense is terrible. Of course, they also let their only 20-goal scorer from last season leave, as P.A. Parenteau went back to the New York Islanders. For better or for worse, any success of the youth movement will largely hinge on Matthews, who draws comparisons to Jonathan Toews. If true, the Leafs will have their true number one center not seen since Mats Sundin last played there. There are other young players ready to make an impact, as Mitch Marner, William Nylander, among others, will vie for spots, but having a healthy James van Riemsdyk, as well as an improved Kadri will be key. To ensure that opposing players don't take too many liberties with the group, the Leafs signed Matt Martin, and along with Leo Komarov, will be just as important to the development. Defensively, they were still bad going by rankings, but shaving 17 goals off the total was a sign that the blue line is getting better. The problem is that only Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner qualify as top four defenders at the moment. There's a lot of bodies competing for the next four spots, but no true standouts, though Martin Marincin showed his worth on the penalty kill. In goal, the Leafs are hoping newcomer Frederik Andersen will be able to replicate his numbers with Anaheim, but this will also be his first true starting job, as he's always split with John Gibson. Jhonas Enroth was signed to buy Garret Sparks a little more time with the Marlies. Predictably, the power play was awful, and it will probably be that way again until it is known just how much of an impact the kids will make. The penalty kill was middle of the pack, which was a by-product of the team buying what Babcock was selling.

Prediction: 8th in the Atlantic Division

It'll be another long year for the Maple Leafs, yet it appears that fans are willing to buy into pain now for sustained success later. After years of short fixes and trading away draft picks, getting a player like Matthews may very well be the thing that changes their fortunes...in a few years.

Leaders Wanted

The NHL season is less than two months away, and there are vacancies as far as who the captains will be, as well as potential changes with a couple of teams and one team already pulling the trigger on the change. Let's look at the teams that are or could be entering the season with a new captain:

Buffalo Sabres: Currently, Brian Gionta is the captain, but with just one year left on his current deal and the fact that his skills have been in decline for some time, it may be wise for the Sabres to think about a new captain. Ryan O'Reilly is the favorite to be the next captain, the only question is when he will inherit that role.

Carolina Hurricanes: The mid-season trade of Eric Staal means the Hurricanes will have a new captain. However, there is no clear cut leader in the clubhouse, as Jordan Staal is the closest they have, and he hasn't put up the numbers the elder Staal did when he was at the top of his game. Going with four alternate captains would be the best way to go, though if Justin Faulk shows something, he could swoop in and take the captaincy.

Colorado Avalanche: Gabriel Landeskog is currently the captain, but there have been rumors of him being on the move to acquire an NHL-ready defender. However, with Patrick Roy's unexpected resignation, that could mean Landeskog isn't going anywhere in the near future.

Edmonton Oilers: They went without a captain last year, as Andrew Ference was stripped of the C, and it is likely that the Oilers will once again, go with four alternate captains. The favored bet here is that they're going to wait until Connor McDavid is ready to inherit the role.

Florida Panthers: With Willie Mitchell likely to retire, the Panthers will need a new captain. However, picking from Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, and Jonathan Huberdeau will not be an easy task. Expect the Panthers to go with four alternate captains, with Jaromir Jagr likely occupying one of those A's in a mentor role.

Los Angeles Kings: Dustin Brown had the captaincy handed to Anze Kopitar, and it was the right time to make this move, as Brown hasn't produced to his current deal, and perhaps not being burdened with added responsibility means an uptick in on-ice production. As for Kopitar, he's proven as a productive player and as one of the leaders of the Kings.

Nashville Predators: The Shea Weber-PK Subban trade sent shockwaves through the NHL, and in the process, left Nashville looking for a new captain. If they're looking to fill the gap in the interim, Mike Fisher would be the logical choice. Roman Josi doesn't appear to be ready for the role yet, but he was also the better defender last year. Subban has embraced the trade to Nashville, and it is not out of the question that he could be the guy that replaces Weber, both on the ice and with the captain's C.

St. Louis Blues: David Backes changed addresses in the off-season, and while Vladimir Tarasenko may appear to be the logical choice to be captain, it would be a folly to do so if it causes a decrease in goal scoring. Alex Pietrangelo would be the safer, and more likely pick.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Morgan Rielly has been a name kicked around as the next Maple Leafs captain. The front office appears to be leaning towards a player with more experience, which means Leo Komarov may be the guy they pick until Rielly is ready.

Winnipeg Jets: Andrew Ladd's trade mid-season left the Jets without a captain for part of last season. There are at least two options the Jets can go towards, as Dustin Byfuglien and Blake Wheeler are favorites to inherit the role. If they want to go bold, Mark Scheifele would be the answer.

Meet the 2016 Hockey Hall of Fame Class

This year's Hockey Hall of Fame class didn't have an obvious player entering their first year of eligibility, which meant that many of the players who have waited their turn to enter as one of the best to ever play had as good of a shot as anyone. Yesterday, three players and a head coach got the call to join the Hall of Fame in November.

Eric Lindros headlines the foursome, and while it has been wildly debated as to whether or not he deserves the nod, what is certain is that he dominated the game for a time in the mid to late 90's. Winning the Hart Trophy in the lockout shortened 1995 season, he also barely lost out on the Art Ross Trophy by tie-breaker and led the Flyers to a Stanley Cup Final in 1997. Injuries, namely concussions, curtailed what could have been a great career, but he still managed over a point a game.

Sergei Makarov spent the majority of his hockey career with the Red Army team in the old USSR, where he put up dynamic numbers alongside linemates Vladimir Krutov and fellow Hall of Famer Igor Larionov. He joined the NHL in the 1989-90 season, where he won the Calder Trophy at the age of 32, which forced the NHL to change the eligibility rules to cap at 26 years old for rookies. He amassed 384 points in 424 NHL games, and was on the winning teams for eight World Championships, two Olympics, and two World Juniors.

Rogie Vachon spent time with Montreal, Los Angeles, Detroit, and Boston, winning the Stanley Cup with Montreal twice. However, it was in Los Angeles that he earned his greatest recognition, setting many of the team's goalie records along the way. Only Jonathan Quick and Kelly Hrudey have put up great seasons in a Kings uniform alongside Vachon.

Pat Quinn will be posthumously honored. A player for nine seasons, he gained great recognition as coach of the Flyers, Kings, Canucks, Maple Leafs, and Oilers, making the Finals with the Flyers and Canucks one time each. He also held a managing position with Team Canada, and was Chair of the Hockey Hall of Fame at the time of his death in November 2014.

The induction ceremony will take place in November.

NHL Mock Draft: Picks 21-30

With something coming up yesterday, the last third of the first round mock draft was pushed back to today. With the actual Draft eight days away, let's get to the last third.

21. Carolina Hurricanes (from Los Angeles)-Julien Gauthier, RW, Val D'Or (QMJHL)

The Hurricanes need a big body that won't get pushed around. Too often, that's been an issue, and now that they filled the needs on the blue line, as well as a skilled scorer earlier in the draft, they can focus here. Gauthier scores, and he has the body to be a power forward.

22. Winnipeg Jets (from Chicago)-Libor Hajek, D, Saskatoon (WHL)

A shutdown defender that won't put his team in a bind offensively, Hajek played well for a terrible Saskatoon team. The Jets may look for an eventual replacement for Mark Stuart, and Hajek is a perfect fit here.

23. Florida Panthers-Alex DeBrincat, RW, Erie (OHL)

Questions about his size will undoubtedly be abound. However, he did post 51 goals in consecutive seasons, and though much of them came as linemates of superior players such as Connor McDavid and Dylan Strome, he is willing to play wherever he is placed.

24. Anaheim Ducks-Markus Niemelainen, D, Saginaw (OHL)

The Ducks are still without a top-tier defender, instead relying on numbers to get their point across. The potential move of Cam Fowler to possibly open a spot for Shea Theodore means the Ducks may want to get another top defender prospect. Niemelainen has the size that few others currently on the Ducks have, and they can take their time, as usual.

25. Dallas Stars-German Rubstov, C, Russia

The Stars have often gone for high risk, high reward players in the first round under General Manager Jim Nill's watch. Rubstov's question marks are obviously the Russian factor and not nearly as many eyes were on him. What he does bring is solid two-way play and the ability to play on any line.

26. Washington Capitals-Dennis Cholowski, D, Chilliwack (BCHL)

The blue line prospects may be in need of newer talent soon, and picking the St. Cloud State commit would give them time to develop him while everyone else is still in the NHL. He has the ability to be the offensive firestarter from the blue line that the Caps need.

27. Tampa Bay Lightning-Brett Howden, C, Moose Jaw (WHL)

The potential loss of Steven Stamkos means that the Lightning will need to fill a hole in center at some point, if not sooner. While Howden is still a few years away, he does have a high ceiling and will have a bigger role on a Warriors team that will be missing Dryden Hunt and Brayden Point, the latter also being a Lightning prospect.

28. St. Louis Blues-Pascal Laberge, C, Victoriaville (QMJHL)

Like the Lightning, the Blues also need to brace for a possible loss, though it's not necessarily the same losing David Backes. Laberge does need to gain a little more weight and strength, but in time, he could be like Backes in some regard, but with more offense.

29. Boston Bruins (from San Jose)-Nathan Bastian, RW, Mississauga (OHL)

Losing Milan Lucic made Boston a little easier to push around this season. While he isn't going to light up scoresheets, he will open space for players like David Krejci and David Pastrnak while making life easier on Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand.

30. Toronto Maple Leafs (from Pittsburgh)-Lucas Johansen, D, Kelowna (WHL)

The Maple Leafs could use a few more bodies in front of the goalie, and one way to do that is to pick up someone of Johansen's caliber. Expected to be more of a two-way defender, he can provide both offense and defense with the same level of proficiency. He won't be rushed to the NHL too soon like the last Rocket to be taken by the Leafs in the first round, Luke Schenn in 2008.

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.

Restocking Needs

With the NHL Draft less than three weeks away, it's time for teams to figure out how to replenish their systems with the best possible players. This week, I will take the time to look at what each team needs to do and how they can best address those needs with the picks they do have. The needs section will be divided into three, which means ten teams get a look each day this week, and the list will go according to order in which they are supposed to draft.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Number of picks: 12
Picks in first round: 1st and 29th/30th overall (from PIT)

The Maple Leafs are almost certain to draft Auston Matthews with the first overall pick. That will fill a major need down the middle, as Nazem Kadri is the only center that will be on the roster next season that scares anyone on the opposing team. With the pick they got from the Phil Kessel trade, they can address the back end, be it on the blue line or in the blue paint. While the blue line options are plenty, it only seems that the Leafs would have to go with Carter Hart if they decide on a goalie. Either way, the Leafs can take their time in developing the other first round pick.

Winnipeg Jets

Number of picks: 7
Picks in first round: 2nd and 22nd overall

The Jets will take one of the highly regarded Finns, whether it is Patrik Laine or Jesse Puljujarvi. Whoever they get will add size and offensive flair. With the 22nd overall pick, picking up a center or a defender would be a sound strategy for the Jets, as they don't have the depth down the middle that they would like nor do they have a sure thing on the blue line. Given the Jets' prospect pool, they don't necessarily have to rush either pick.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Number of picks: 5
Picks in first round: 3rd overall

The Blue Jackets are most likely taking whoever the Jets don't pick between Laine or Puljujarvi. Adding size and scoring up front is paramount for a team that now needs it badly. However, they do need to be accurate with the rest of their picks, as they only pick four other times in the draft, and none in the middle rounds. Forwards that can handle the puck are a need, with a goaltender being a possible need late in the draft, given Sergei Bobrovsky's annual injury issues.

Edmonton Oilers

Number of picks: 9
Picks in first round: 4th overall

The Oilers have a lot of picks to make, and possibly more if they decide to move any of their prized forwards not named Connor McDavid. As for the first round pick, picking a defenseman would be a wise move, as they are still lacking. Olli Juolevi is regarded as the safest and best pick of the bunch, but don't be surprised if the Oilers decide on size, whether it is Jakob Chychrun on defense or Pierre Luc-Dubois up front. An important thing for the Oilers to do is develop whoever they pick,as that's been a problem the last few years.

Vancouver Canucks

Number of picks: 6
Picks in first round: 5th overall

The Canucks just lost their second and fourth round picks, but gained a fifth rounder in the recent Erik Gudbranson deal. Having picked up a blue liner that can step in right away, the Canucks can focus on size and offensive ability up front. Dubois or Matthew Tkachuk would go a long way in answering that question. However, given their only other higher round pick is in the third round, they would need to hit on that, as the last four picks are sure to be developmental projects. Scoring could be addressed again, but so could goaltending depth.

Calgary Flames

Number of picks: 8 or 9
Picks in the first round: 6th overall

Getting a winger that can score is a must for Calgary, as is a goalie that can stop the puck. Since the latter is a major reach this early in the draft, the Flames could pick either Tkachuk or Dubois if either or both fall to them. It would not be surprising if they simply take the best player available at the sixth overall spot. As for goalie, Zach Sawchenko in the middle rounds makes sense.

Arizona Coyotes

Number of picks: 7
Picks in the first round: 7th and 20th overall

The Keith Yandle deal is the gift that keeps on giving for the Coyotes, as they have another first round pick from the Rangers. The Coyotes will most likely look to defenseman with the first of their two first round picks, which means Mikhail Sergachev, Olli Juolevi, and Jakob Chychrun will be looked at by the Coyotes. With the other first round pick, it is possible that they could either continue to build up the blue line or pick up scoring. Looking to goal late in the draft would be wise.

Buffalo Sabres

Number of picks: 10 or 11
Picks in the first round: 8th overall

The Sabres' climb to respectability enters another year, and it is possible they could take the best player available with the first rounder they have. It is also an ideal spot to take a player with a high ceiling but not as proven competition wise such as Tyson Jost. Continuing to address depth everywhere, particularly in goal, will be the Sabres' goal this off-season.

Montreal Canadiens

Number of picks: 7
Picks in the first round: 9th overall

Offense suddenly became a problem when Carey Price went out because he covered so many of the holes that plagued Montreal the previous two seasons. Scoring, any scoring would be welcome, particularly if they can step in within a year or two. Getting their big bodied players to stick with the NHL club wouldn't hurt, either, but they could always draft another one just in case.

Colorado Avalanche

Number of picks: 6
Picks in the first round: 10th overall

Defensemen, defensemen, defensemen. The Avalanche need it badly, as they continue to get torched there, and no amount of offensive talent up front is going to mask that fact. They cannot afford to whiff like they did with Duncan Siemens in 2011, but they also cannot continue to ignore the need. If they decide to go up front again, getting a winger with size would be a place to go.