Eastern Notes: No. 1 pick, Neuvirth, Okposo

The New Jersey Devils have an interesting decision to make in the next three weeks when they have to make the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Not only must they decide whether to choose Nolan Patrick or Nico Hischier at that spot, the team is under extra pressure not to get the pick wrong, since the next pick goes to divisional rival Philadelphia.

However, did anyone learn much from this weekend’ scouting combine? The Record’s Andrew Gross spoke to Devils Director of Amateur Scouting Paul Castron who said the team learned very little they didn’t already know about the two players. “I don’t know. You try to get a little read on a personality, confidence,” Castron said. “Still, it comes down to a majority of what they do on the ice. It’s great if a kid is developed physically and they’ve put in the time. But take a step back. They’re still only 17. They’re not even scratching the surface of what they’re going to be physically.”

Early indications are that the Devils are likely to take Patrick, who is bigger and a better two-way player. Hischier is considered the faster and better offensive player.

The Flyers, have the easiest decision to make – pick the players the Devils didn’t. Most believe that the Flyers are hoping to get Hischier, who they believe has a higher upside, according to Sam Carchidi of philly.com. Hischier’s speed and creativity would be welcome on a straight-line team such as the Flyers who struggle to score points. The team may also need their second overall pick to play on the wing for a year until Valterri Filppula’s contract expires. That is an advantage to Hischier who has the speed to make that transition, something Patrick might struggle to do.

• Speaking of the Flyers, Carchidi spoke to Las Vegas Golden Knights general manager George McPhee, about expansion draft candidate Michal Neuvirth, who McPhee drafted in the second round in the 2006 draft when he was with the Washington Capitals. While the Golden Knights are looking at other goaltenders such as Washington’s Philipp Grubauer or New York Rangers’ Antti Raanta, they will be drafting more than one goaltender, which means Neuvirth is a possibility if the team exposes him. Current starter Steve Mason is an unrestricted free agent, however. “As a goaltender, we always described Michal as a guy who was technically perfect,” McPhee said at the NHL scouting combine Saturday. “He certainly has a great physique and body composition for the position.” Neuvirth struggled last year with a 2.82 GAA in 28 games, but had a career best 2.27 GAA in 2015-16.
• Buffalo Sabres Kyle Okposo visited the Buffalo Sabres facility for the first time in two months since he was hospitalized for an undisclosed illness. According to the Associated Press, the star forward was in good spirits at the unannounced visit and, according to anonymous source with direct knowledge of the situation, is improving, but has not been cleared to skate yet. Okposo spent a week at Buffalo General Hospital’s neurosurgical intensive care unit in early April. The 29-year-old wing just started a long-term deal with the Sabres at $6MM a year until the 2022-23 season.