Canadian teams eyeing talent
OILERS
Top picks: No. 3 overall, and then no pick until No. 91, first pick in round four. Traded second-round pick for David Perron last summer, and third-rounder for Ben Scrivens this past January. GM Craig MacTavish didn’t think the pick for Perron would be so good, No. 33 this June. Needs: Took abrasive defenceman Darnell Nurse last year at No. 7. Need big centre to complement their top gun, Ryan NugentHopkins. Player to Watch: German-born centre Leon Draisaitl, who has size and playmaking ability. Some say the pivot has some Anze Kopitar traits.
Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal
FLAMES
Top picks: Fourth overall, 34th and 54th (from Colorado for G Reto Berra). Needs: Jay Feaster looked like a genius when he selected Sean Monahan sixth overall in 2013. In Year 2 of a rebuild — and with Feaster gone — Brad Treliving gets to put his stamp on the squad. From goaltender out, Calgary has many needs, but could use some added depth at centre. Player to watch: The Flames brought in LW Sam Bennett, C Sam Reinhart, and D Aaron Ekblad for private visits but will any of those top prospects be available when they select fourth? Expect the Flames to pick Ekblad if he’s still available.
Kristen Odland, Calgary Herald
CANUCKS
Top picks: Sixth overall, 36th overall. Needs: With Ryan Kesler likely to be traded and an aging core, the Canucks need more forwards, and especially centres. With the sixth pick, there is expected to be an abundance of wingers available. So while GM Jim Benning talks to teams about trades, he is also talking to them about moving up in the draft. Or down. Player to watch: The Canucks reportedly are smitten with North Vancouver centre Sam Reinhart, but they would happily take Sam Bennett or Leon Draisaitl, expected to go in the top four. If they pick sixth, centre William Nylander and winger Jake Virtanen are candidates.
Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun
MAPLE LEAFS
Top picks: The Leafs have the eighth-overall pick in the first round but traded their secondround pick to Anaheim. Needs: The Leafs have found their goaltender in Jonathan Bernier, but they made life tough for him by allowing a league-high 35.9 shots a game. They need help on the back end, but they also need a power forward and there are a couple of candidates in the first round. Player to watch: There are questions about Nick Ritchie’s consistency, but the 6-foot-3, 225-pounder has the potential to be a top-six power forward.
Pat Hickey, Montreal Gazette
JETS
Top picks: Ninth overall, traded second-rounder to Minnesota for Devin Setoguchi. Needs: After selecting defencemen with their first-round pick from the last two draft classes (Jacob Trouba in 2012 and Josh Morrissey in 2013), you’d have to think they’ll go with a forward this year. They are in need of another top-six forward prospect in their system. Player to watch: The characteristics of Calgary Hitmen winger Jake Virtanen could be of value to the Jets. A dynamic player with the strength of a grown man, Virtanen is an explosive skater and could make the transition to the pros sooner than later.
Kristen Odland, Calgary Herald
CANADIENS
Top picks: The Canadiens had four of the first 55 picks last June; this time they have the 26th pick in the first round and then don’t pick again until No. 87 in the third round. Needs: Size. The Canadiens have a philosophy of selecting the best player available, but the selection of 6-foot-5 Michael McCarron last season was a sign the team is committed to getting bigger. Player to watch: Defenceman Jack Glover is projected as a big, mobile defenceman who could be ready to step in after a few seasons at the University of Minnesota.
Pat Hickey, Montreal Gazette
SENATORS
Top picks: At this point, the Senators don’t even need to bother showing up for the first round of the NHL draft Friday. Their first selection is scheduled to come 40th overall — well into Saturday afternoon. Ottawa traded its first-round choice to the Anaheim Ducks last summer (10th overall) for Bobby Ryan. Needs: Nothing that can be helped in this draft. The Senators do believe they’ll find a future NHL player at No. 40, but they’re realistic about the short-term hope. As for the chances of that pick playing in the NHL next season, assistant general manager Pierre Dorion said “it would be, probably, a one-per-cent chance of that happening.” Player to watch: Who knows? It all could change in a hurry if the Senators regain a first-round pick in a trade for Jason Spezza. While Anaheim is unlikely to part with the 10th-overall pick, they could deal their 24th selection. The St. Louis Blues own the 21st overall choice.
Ken Warren, Ottawa Citizen