The 2016 NHL Entry Draft gets underway tonight and one of the top picks appears to be in play. Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch spoke with Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen who noted that the team has received at least ten offers for the third overall pick.
Kekalainen is telling teams that he is willing to move the pick but would not slide out of the top ten in any trade. He also has informed them that no trade would be made until they’re on the draft floor after the top two selections are made.
Other draft day rumblings:
- The Nashville Predators could be targeting a defenseman with their first pick in the draft (17th overall), writes Adam Vingan of The Tennessean. While the team does have several strong blueliners already, they did move Seth Jones to Columbus midseason and they have only picked one defender with a first round pick in the last five years. In the same piece, GM David Poile acknowledged that he doesn’t have much interest in moving up or down from pick 17.
- Minnesota holds just two picks in the first six rounds which could make it difficult for the Wild to move up, writes The Star Tribune’s Michael Russo. GM Chuck Fletcher wouldn’t be opposed to trading down from their 15th overall selection to acquire more picks but only if there are a number of players left on their draft board at that time.
- The Winnipeg Jets have put the 22nd overall pick in play, ESPN’s Craig Custance reports. The Jets acquired the selection prior to the trade deadline as part of the Andrew Ladd to Chicago deal. Winnipeg is believed to be seeking a left shot defenseman and a top nine forward.