Share this Story: NHL Draft 2018 Review: No surprise at No. 1 but draft boards go haywire with Montreal, Arizona selections NHL Draft 2018 Review: No surprise at No. 1 but draft boards go haywire with Montreal, Arizona selections The Canadiens, Senators, Canucks, Oilers and Maple Leafs had first-round picks but an expected rash of trades never materialized Photo by Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Article content The 2018 NHL draft begins in Dallas Friday night at 7 p.m. ET. Follow along here for all the first-round picks. Refresh throughout the evening to see the latest information. There are also plenty of veteran players on the trading block. In fact, the betting site Bodog placed the over-under on trades during the first round at what seems like a lofty 8.5. Four Canadian team have selections in the top 10: Montreal at No. 3; Ottawa at No. 4; Vancouver at No. 7 and Edmonton at No. 10. The Senators have a second first-round pick at No. 22. Toronto selects at No. 25. Calgary and Winnipeg do not currently have picks in the first round. They will have to wait until Saturday to start taking players in the later rounds. Before the picks began, the Washington Capitals made a big cap-clearing trade, sending aging defenceman Brooks Orpik (one more season at $5.5 million) and restricted free-agent goalie Philipp Grubauer to Colorado for the 47th overall pick. TRADE | The Washington Capitals have acquired a second round pick, 47th-overall from the Colorado Avalanche in the 2018 NHL Draft in exchange for defenseman Brooks Orpik and Philipp Grubauer. #ALLCAPS https://t.co/xUUHHVPQfu — Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 22, 2018 Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content COL is going to see if it can help Orpik land in a preferred spot. Whether it is a trade or a buyout, they are prepared to facilitate. By including him in the deal, they only had to give up one pick. — Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 22, 2018 Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content 7:40 p.m. ET Still waiting for the selections to begin. The broadcasts completely distort the whole draft process, creating a separate echelon for the first round that is a complete fiction. Much more fair and accurate would be to broadcast 3 quick rounds. — Jack Todd (@jacktodd46) June 22, 2018 Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content The Humboldt Broncos are being honoured before the draft begins. The two young sons of Humboldt’s late head coach Darcy Haugan are at the draft helping out the Calgary Flames. We’re proud to welcome Carson and Jackson Haugan as our runners for the #NHLDraft! pic.twitter.com/Oj6gJkDtsF — Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) June 22, 2018 Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content 1. Buffalo Sabres The Sabres announced today they will not give goalie Robin Lehner a qualifying offer in order to maintain his rights as a restricted free agent on July 1. AP reports that 24-year-old Linus Ullmark will get a chance to win the job after three seasons in the AHL. He was the Sabres’ sixth-round pick in 2012. The Sabres have twice had the No. 1 pick in the draft — in 1970, when they took Gilbert Perreault, and in 1987 when they selected Pierre Turgeon. Perreault is, arguably, the greatest player in Sabres history. Turgeon only lasted a little more than four seasons in Buffalo before being traded to the Islanders in the big Pat LaFontaine trade in October 1991. This is the sixth straight season the Sabres have picked in the top eight in the first round. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content The pick (7:49 p.m. ET): Rasmus Dahlin, of course. The Finnish defenceman has been tabbed as the top pick for several months. From the AP: “(Sabres GM Jason) Botterill says he’s as impressed with the Swedish defenceman’s analysis of his game as his dynamic playmaking skills on the ice.” The only other Swede taken No. 1 overall was Mats Sundin by the Quebec Nordiques in 1989. Related:No surprise; NHL draft sticks to script, at least for the first two picks2. Carolina Hurricanes Carolina had only a 3.3 per cent change of moving up to this pick via the draft lottery. This is the fourth time the Hurricanes franchise has had the No. 2 pick. In the Hartford days, they selected Sylvain Turgeon (Pierre’s brother) in 1983, and took Chris Pronger in 1993. In 2003, the Hurricanes picked Eric Staal at No. 2. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content The pick (7:55 p.m. ET): Russian forward Andrei Svechnikov, who played this season with Barrie in the OHL. 3. Montreal Canadiens Montreal had a 9.7 per cent chance of moving up to this pick through the draft lottery. The Canadiens rarely get to pick this high — they have only five top-10 selections since 2000. They got Carey Price at No. 5 in 2005. When they picked at No. 3 in 2012, they chose Alex Galchenyuk, whose tenure of unfulfilled promise ended this month when he was traded to Arizona for Max Domi. The Canadiens enter the draft with 10 picks, all in the first five rounds. They have four picks in the second round on Saturday. The pick (8:02 p.m. ET): Finnish centre Jesperi Kotkaniemi. He had been rising on draft boards since the NHL Scouting Combine but had not been projected to be a top-five pick. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content “I’m mostly a playmaker, I think. I love to find the passing lanes,” he told reporters. “That’s my thing, but I also have a good shot. I need to use it a little bit more I think, but yeah, I’m a big guy. I love to go in the corners and battle hard. That’s my thing.” He said he still has two years left on his contract in Finland, where he is coached by his father at Assat. Photo by Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Related:Montreal Canadiens plug hole, selecting Finn Jesperi Kotkaniemi No. 3 overall at NHL draft 4. Ottawa Senators The Senators had a choice to send their first-round pick in either 2018 or 2019 to Colorado as part of the Matt Duchene trade in November. By keeping this year’s pick, Ottawa now relinquishes their 2019 first-round pick to Colorado. Ottawa, which had the second worst record last season, was the biggest loser in the draft lottery, getting bumped down to No. 4 because Carolina and Montreal drew into the higher spots. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Ottawa has never picked at No. 4. The Senators have had three No. 1 picks (Alexandre Daigle, 1993; Bryan Berard, 1995; and Chris Phillips, 1996); two No. 2 picks (Alexei Yashin, 1992; Jason Spezza, 2001); and one No. 3 pick (Radek Bonk, 1994). The Senators also own the No. 22 pick. The pick (8:08 p.m. ET): Brady Tkachuk, the Boston University power forward. Brady Tkachuk goes fourth overall to Ottawa, giving official bragging rights in the family. First potential Tkachuk vs. Tkachuk battle Feb. 24 at Ottawa. Second (potentially) at Scotiabank Saddledome March 21. — Kristen Anderson (@KdotAnderson) June 23, 2018 Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Photo by Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Tkachuk has not made a decision about whether he will leave school to turn pro yet. “We didn’t really talk about that on the visit” with the Senators, he told reporters. “Just kind of taking it day by day and just kind of cherish this moment right now. But we’ll probably discuss that the next night or so, but I’m going to talk to them and talk to my parents and see what’s best moving forward.” Related:Ottawa Senators select Brady Tkachuk with fourth overall pick in NHL draft 5. Arizona Coyotes The Coyotes franchise has twice picked at No. 5, although it has never had that player in uniform. In 1991, while still the Winnipeg Jets, the franchise selected defenceman Aaron Ward, who was later traded to Detroit. In 2004, the Coyotes took Blake Wheeler, who didn’t sign with the team after leaving the University of Minnesota. He later signed with Boston as a free agent but has ultimately become a star with the second incarnation of the Winnipeg Jets. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content The Coyotes got a compensatory pick in 2008 for not signing Wheeler, the No. 35 pick, which they packaged to move up to the No. 28 pick, where they took Viktor Tikhonov, who also became a draft bust. The pick (8:14 p.m. ET): Centre Barrett Hayton from the Soo Greyhounds. He came into the draft as the ninth-ranked North American skater in the final NHL Central Scouting ranking. Related:Arizona Coyotes make Barrett Hayton the top Canadian selected at 2018 NHL Draft 6. Detroit Red Wings The Red Wings picked in the top 10 last year, taking Michael Rasmussen at No. 9, but you have to go back to 1990 for the last time they have picked higher than that. In 1990, Detroit took Keith Primeau at No. 3. There was little chance that Andrei Svechnikov was going to fall to Detroit at No. 6. It would have been interesting though, since the Red Wings drafted his brother Evgeny with the 19th pick in 2015. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Detroit comes into the draft with 11 picks over the two days. They also have Vegas’ pick at No. 30. The Wings announced today they have hired Dan Bylsma, the former head coach in Pittsburgh and Buffalo, to be an assistant on Jeff Blashill’s staff next season. The pick (8:20 p.m. ET): Filip Zadina, the Czech winger who played last season with Halifax in the Quebec junior league. Wings get a gift with a dumb Arizona pick and Zadina falls into their laps. — Jack Todd (@jacktodd46) June 23, 2018 Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content 7. Vancouver Canucks This is the fifth time in the last six years the Canucks will pick in the top 10. Yet it is the other pick, Brock Boeser, who has become the face of the franchise in the last year. Boeser was taken 23rd overall in 2015. The Canucks have picked at No. 7 three times, although none of them set the world on fire: Rick Lanz in 1980; Dan Woodley in 1986; and Alek Stojanov in 1991. This is the team’s first draft pick in the post-Sedin era. The brothers, who were drafted No. 2 (Daniel) and No. 3 (Henrik) in 1999, retired in April after 17 seasons. Vancouver announced today that forward Markus Granlund has been re-signed to a one-year, US$1.475-million deal for next season. The pick (8:26 p.m. ET): Quintin Hughes, the University of Michigan defenceman. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Photo by Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Related:Quinn Hughes happy to be a Canuck, wants to be in NHL ‘as fast as possible’ 8. Chicago Blackhawks This is Chicago’s first time picking in the top 10 since they used the No. 1 overall pick in 2007 to take Patrick Kane. The Blackhawks have had the No. 8 pick three other times, getting Massachusetts high schooler Jeremy Roenick in this slot in 1988. In 1987 they picked goalie Jimmy Waite, and in 1998 they selected forward Mark Bell. Chicago also owns the No. 27 pick. The pick (8:32 p.m. ET): Adam Boqvist. The Swedish defenceman was the No. 2-ranked European skater by NHL Central Scouting. 9.<doc-sep>Tonight is the first round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft in Chicago. It will start shortly after 7:00 p.m. Eastern. Keep updated here as we will update the draft picks (and the draft order, if there are any more trades) in real time. While the very top of the draft is suspense-free, there is nothing known beyond the first pick. Round 1 1. Buffalo: D Rasmus Dahlin 2. Carolina: F Andrei Svechnikov 3. Montreal Canadiens: F Jesperi Kotkaniemi 4. Ottawa: F Brady Tkachuk 5. Arizona: F Barrett Hayton 6. Detroit: F Filip Zadina 7. Vancouver: D Quinn Hughes 8. Chicago: D Adam Boqvist 9. NY Rangers: F Vitali Kravtsov 10. Edmonton: D Evan Bouchard 11. NY Islanders: F Oliver Wahlstrom 12. NY Islanders (from CGY): D Noah Dobson 13. Dallas: F Ty Dellandrea 14. Philadelphia (from STL): F Joel Farabee 15. Florida: F Grigori Denisenko 16. Colorado: F Martin Kaut 17. New Jersey: D Ty Smith 18. Columbus: F Liam Foudy 19. Philadelphia: F Jay O’Brien 20. Los Angeles: F Rasmus Kupari 21. San Jose: D Ryan Merkley 22. NY Rangers (from PIT via OTT): D K’Andre Miller 23. Anaheim: F Isac Lundestrom 24. Minnesota: D Filip Johansson 25. St. Louis (from TOR): F Dominik Bokk 26. Ottawa (from BOS via NYR): D Jacob Bernard-Docker 27. Chicago (from NSH): D Nicolas Beaudin 28. NY Rangers (from TBL): D Nils Lundkvist 29. Toronto (from WPG via STL): D Rasmus Sandin 30. Detroit (from VGK): F Joe Veleno 31. Washington: D Alexander Alexeyev<doc-sep>
Rasmus Dahlin, D: Obviously. Dahlin is considered a generational talent on the blue line and he was always going to go No. 1. He'll immediately step in and become a difference-maker for Buffalo, who desperately need an impact defenseman. | Story Andrei Svechnikov, RW: Another no-brainer at No. 2. Svechnikov is the best forward prospect of the class thanks to his lethal offensive skill set. He's got flash in the offensive end, but he also plays a strong two-way game and -- at 6-foot-2 -- is a big body who can bring physicality and drive the net. | Story Jesperi Kotkaniemi, C: It appears the Canadiens made their selection based on immediate need over best available player. Kotkaniemi is considered by many to be the best center in this class thanks to his two-way play-making ability. He's a smart, responsible player, but the No. 3 spot might be a little bit high for him. Brady Tkachuk, LW: Tkachuk going at No. 4 is a bit generous, but he's a good player with a valuable combination of size and skill. He plays with a high motor, plenty of physicality, and is relentless on the puck. He's a solid 200-foot player. Barrett Hayton, C: Hayton going in this spot is a major surprise. He's considered a good two-way prospect who has a lot of intangibles and can do a lot of things on the ice. However, there are some concerns about his goal-scoring ability and many scouts had him outside of the Top 10. Filip Zadina, RW: Zadina is arguably the second-best goal scorer in this draft, so the Wings are pretty lucky to get him in this spot. The Czech winger is a dynamic offensive force with a deadly scoring touch. He's got great puck control and a phenomenal release on his shot. But he's also a two-way player with a high hockey IQ both on and off the puck. Quinn Hughes, D: This is a great pick for Vancouver, who need an impact defenseman. Hughes is a bit undersized at 5-foot-10, but he's a great player. He's smart and skilled on both ends of the ice. He's got good speed, handles and puck-moving ability to help push play up ice, making him an exciting two-way threat. Adam Boqvist, D: Bovqist is an exciting offensive-minded defenseman with the skill set of a forward. He's a great skater and can create plenty of opportunities for his teammates in the offensive end. He's got some work to do to develop his defensive game. Vitali Kravtsov, RW: Kravtsov is a dynamic winger with fantastic scoring ability. The Russian brings a mix of speed, size, skill, and grit and he should be a decent offensive piece for the Rangers to add to their long-term rebuilding effort. Evan Bouchard, D: I really like this pick for Edmonton. They address a need while also taking one of the best players on the board. Bouchard is has an all-around game on the blue line. He has excellent hockey IQ and situational awareness. He's a strong skater and dynamic two-way player that is almost as good at shutting down opportunities in his own end as he is at creating them at the other end. Oliver Wahlstrom, RW: Wahlstrom is an explosive offensive force that has an incredible shot and could be a prolific goal-scorer in this league for years to come. He's an excellent skater and puck protector, but he's got to work on the defensive side of his game. Noah Dobson, D: The Islanders get really good value here. Dobson is a big, strong two-way player that projects to be a reliable and productive presence on the blue line. He's got a big shot that could make him a power-play force. He's smart, has good defensive awareness and can play in all situations. Ty Dellandrea, C: Well, this is surprising. Dallas clearly liked Dellandrea, who is a solid two-way hockey player that brings intangibles and leadership, but this is a generous spot for him. Dellandrea was ranked outside of the top 20 by just about everyone. Joel Farabee, LW: Farabee is a 200-foot player that brings skill, smarts and instincts to the wing. He's a good skater with nice finishing ability. He'll need to get stronger, but he's got potential to be a very good all-around player. Grigori Denisenko, LW: Denisenko is a great skater with the ability to make plays and snipe.