SUNRISE, US — Connor McDavid, considered by many a Wayne Gretzky-level center, and US college star Jack Eichel are expected to be the top selections when the National Hockey League Draft begins Friday. McDavid scored 44 goals in 47 games for the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League last season and set up 76 other tallies to earn OHL Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors.He also netted 21 goals in 20 playoff games to claim the playoff MVP award as well.
He also helped Canada claim this year's world junior title, sharing the tournament scoring lead.
The Edmonton Oilers are expected to select McDavid with the number one pick, the fourth time in six years the Oilers will select first in the annual allocation of new talent where teams with poorer record pick first in a bid to promote parity.
Former Edmonton star Gretzky has backed McDavid as “the best player to come into the league in the last 30 years” and laughs off the notion the Oilers would trade the pick or select anyone else, comparing McDavid to retired legends Guy Lafleur and Mario Lemieux as well as current Pittsburgh star Sidney Crosby, whose golden goal gave Canada the 2010 Olympic gold on home ice.
“You don't trade guys like that,” Gretzky said.
Edmonton, however, have yet to find a formula for success despite prior top draft picks Taylor Hall from 2010, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of 2011 and Nail Yakupov from 2012.
The Oilers have not made the playoffs since 2006 and they finished second-worst in the NHL last season to the Buffalo Sabres, who select second and are likely to grab Eichel, who scored 24 goals and set up 43 more for Boston University last season, becoming only the second freshman ever to win the Hobey Baker award as the top US collegiate player.
Owners approve evaluating possible expansion teams
National Hockey League team owners authorized officials Wednesday to begin evaluating prospective ownership groups and cities for potential expansion clubs with an August 10 deadline for applications.
The move comes as several cities and groups have been mentioned as possible expansion sites, but also with a few of the NHL's 30 teams in troubled states in their current cities.
Quebec City has an NHL-standard arena built and an ownership group hopeful of satisfying the hunger for the return of a team at the highest level.
Las Vegas has an arena under construction and an ownership group was given the extraordinary approval to test season ticket interest. Seattle, and Portland are two northwest US markets also mentioned as prime contenders for expansion or relocation.
Any groups seeking an expansion team will be able to obtain applications from the NHL starting on July 6 with a deadline to file them with the league of August 10. — Agencies
