With the NHL expected to announce plans to expand to Las Vegas, and existing franchises scrambling to determine exactly what it means for their puzzles, NHL draft weekend in Buffalo has taken on an added dynamic.
For this, and with the hustle and bustle in advance of the most anticipated weekend on the NHL calendar, pundits are calling for a flurry of activity on the draft floor, in hotel lobbies, and throughout one of the rare stretches of days when the NHL's decision-makers come together.
Here are nine bold predictions for draft weekend:
Red Wings find a home for Datsyuk's contract
Ken Holland may not be "overly optimistic" he can move Datsyuk's $7.5-million contract, but the opportunity for a non-contender to net assets for simply housing money is too good to pass up. The Red Wings are in a major jam, and thus without leverage. Because of this, a wise taker will swoop in, and benefit in the long run.
Blue Jackets balk at trade offers for No. 3
There's been speculation that Jarmo Kekalainen is drumming up interest in the No. 3 overall selection and the rights to Jesse Puljujarvi. His motivation, to an extent, may involve attaching an unwanted contract to the towering Finnish winger in a package deal. Does this sound nuts to anyone else? Kekalainen will ultimately realize there are other means to shed a body, and select Puljujarvi.
Someone steps in to save Chychrun
The consensus may be that Jakob Chychrun will fall from his preseason rank as the No. 2 overall rated prospect and out of the top 10. But all 30 teams aren't working off the same spreadsheet. There'll be an organization, one that hasn't deviated far from its initial evaluation, that will trade up to stop the Florida-born defenseman's slide so it can nab a player who'll contribute in a top four.
Blues make out well on Shattenkirk deal
As Alex Goligoski and Keith Yandle's traded negotiation rights proved, transition defenders are now at a premium. So, sitting pretty are the Blues who, in apparently being willing to move Kevin Shattenkirk, can sit back and let the offers flow in. Doug Armstrong apparently already has one on the table involving a first-round pick, which in itself would be a coup with Shattenkirk scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent.
Flames don't solve goaltending woes
There are more teams at risk of losing a quality netminder in expansion than there are teams - or a team - without a single viable option. So in theory, the situation presents itself well for the Flames, right? Well, with teams still making decisions on working protection parameters, and information still to gain before making a call, it's on Brad Treliving - who needs a goaltender in camp - to act first. A trade this weekend would likely be an overpay.
Oilers can't resist Tkachuk
Desperate for a top-end blue-liner who can contribute right now - rather than aiding a penniless prospect system - Edmonton will pass on its pick of the 2016 defensive class and choose a winger who possesses the traits required to flank Connor McDavid for the better part of the next decade.
Islanders replace Okposo
Back to the scene of some of his greatest successes, Garth Snow will be a draft-night darling again. The Islanders architect will find a top-flight winger to replace Kyle Okposo on the draft floor and serve as a capable linemate for John Tavares without overspending on the open market.
Leafs load up on netminders
In trading for, and promptly agreeing to a lucrative long-term contract with Frederik Andersen, Toronto's need for goaltending was magnified. At their price points, Jonathan Bernier doesn't fit in tandem with Andersen, while the other prominent goalies in the system - Garret Sparks and Antoine Bibeau - haven't shown they're poised to make contributions at the next level. The Maple Leafs will inject multiple goaltending prospects into the system in an effort to push Andersen down the road.
Duchene is dealt
All signs indicate the Avalanche are looking to make a major amendment to their roster this summer. At the same time, however, Joe Sakic has secured the futures of Nathan MacKinnon and Tyson Barrie, only recently extended Erik Johnson, and doesn't appear to be wavering on Gabriel Landeskog. This leaves Duchene, who endures as the whipping boy, as the only trade piece who could fulfill such promise.
