Since the beginning of the 2018-19 campaign, rankings have shown a strong class of talent up front worthy of single-digit selection, but one name has consistently stood out: defenceman Bowen Byram.
The Nashville Predators have traded P.K. Subban to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Steven Santini, Jeremy Davies and two second-round draft picks.
When he was running the Detroit Red Wings, Ken Holland used to kid about how having the best defenceman in the game — Nicklas Lidstrom — helped make him a smart general manager. It was one of the jokes that was really only funny because it was true.
The Vancouver Canucks haven't had the greatest history of drafting players out of Russia, but Vasily Podkolzin could end up being a steal a few years down the road. With Round 1 out of the way, all eyes now turn towards the trade market and the possibility of landing Tyson Barrie.
Trade rumours thrive around the NHL Draft and often this is when big moved are made. Calgary's Brad Treliving is usually one of the more active GMs this time of year, but he believes the strong class of unsigned RFAs could throw a wrench into any trade plans.
Vancouver hasn't had much lottery luck in recent years, but they have found luck at the draft where great players have fallen to them. Hosting the draft later this week, all eyes are on the Canucks. Trade up? Trade down? Take the best player available? GM Jim Benning says he's considering anything.
With the USNTDP set to dominate the 2019 NHL Draft, team netminder Spencer Knight seems a sure thing to become just the 20th goaltender selected in the first round over the past 15 years. Here's a look back at how the first 19 of those selections panned out for their draft clubs, as Knight gets set to join the list.