There’s not much drama with the top-3 selections with Toronto expected to make American youngster Auston Matthews the number one overall pick later this moth. The Maple Leafs won’t be finished there as they hold the rights to the Penguins first round selection and then have the top pick in round two.
Rumors have circulated on what prospects the team are eyeing with those two choices and the latest speculation from Draft Site has the front office looking at goalie Filip Gustavsson, despite Craig Button reporting on Twitter that Carter Hart is the top net minding prospect available.
NESN has suggested the team could look at adding a big winger, making Cameron Morrison a young player the team could have their eye on, especially with the emphasis of adding some size to the front line and creating a more physical brand of hockey in Toronto.
Most experts have Patrik Laine headed to Winnipeg and Jesse Puljujärvi becoming a member of Columbus, but then things should get interesting as reports have surfaced that Edmonton could look to trade the fourth overall pick, moving down in the opening round, but adding a veteran defender that can help this young group finally breakthrough and start winning more games than they lose.
If the Oilers keep the pick, look for them to add a physical style of player. Pierre-Luc Dubois is a big center that uses his size to dominate opponents and Mikhail Sergachyov is a solid NHL prospect on the back line with his 6’2″ 220 pound frame, but no matter what decision the front office makes, this club needs to start playing to the potential of all the top-5 picks they have on the roster or jobs will be lost and another rebuild will be in order.
