The 2016 NHL Entry Draft will be held on June 24-25 in Buffalo, N.Y.
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Will the addition of American center Matthews boost the team’s chance to rise as quickly as possible from the bottom during the 2015-16 regular season? The new format provided three separate lottery drawings for the top three slots, and representatives for all 14 participating clubs were present, with John Davidson representing Columbus.
Prior to the lottery, it was assumed the Sabres would be able to land one of two left-handed defensemen at No. 8-Olli Juolevi and Jakob Chychurn, who are considered the best two d-prospects in the draft.
One suggestion that has been made over the years is “The Gold Plan” that awards the top pick to the team that collects the most points in the standings after they have been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention during the season. The Winnipeg Jets earned the second overall selection, with the Columbus Blue Jackets receiving the rights to pick third.
Hooray. The Jackets (sort of) snapped an oh-for-13 lottery streak and moved up one spot. He should help change the fortunes of the Maple Leafs.
After all, it was a process that will have a profound impact not just on the Toronto Maple Leafs – who ended up with the first overall pick – but on Matthews and his family, assuming the Leafs call Matthews’ name at the draft in Buffalo on June 24. The Oilers won the lottery a year ago and selected center Connor McDavid.
Cautiously optimistic. The last four years the 30th-place team has not won the Draft Lottery; six times in the 21 previous lottery drawings has the first pick gone to the team with the fewest points. However, there is different feel to the draft lottery this time round, and here’s why.
It’s not impossible for a player to jump to the National Hockey League without being a top pick – Patrice Bergeron made the Boston Bruins roster in 2003 after being drafted in the second round (45th overall) – but the Canadiens aren’t known for rushing players. He also helped the United States win the bronze medal at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship, and was the first player named to the USA for the 2016 IIHF World Championship. As his former coach in Switzerland, Crawford believed Matthews’ speed and drive to the net is likened to Anze Kopitar, and his rebound-knocking skills around the crease is no different than Jamie Benn’s touch. No. 2 on Central Scouting’s final ranking of global skaters. “If Laine played center it would be a 50-50 split”.
At No. 4, the Oilers have several choices. Chychrun has the size, strength, speed and maturity required of a top-end prospect at his position. The Avalanche, finishing just outside the playoffs, will now have three chances to move into a high lottery pick.
‘The top end of this draft class is deep, ‘ NHL Director of Central Scouting Dan Marr said.
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For the first time in league history, the NHL will draw for not just the top draft spot, but the top three. Adding a player like Matthews would only intensify the competition for employment. Vancouver, which dropped from No. 3 to No. 5, is arguably the team that needs a transformative player more than any in the lottery.
