The NHL Draft begins at 7:00pm ET Friday at BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla., highlighted by a "pair of can't miss prospects" in presumptive No. 1 pick Connor McDavid (Oilers) and No. 2 Jack Eichel (Sabres). Fans of the two franchises are "already hailing McDavid and Eichel as their respective saviors" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 6/26). Though the "entire hockey world knows" the first two picks, that "hardly means the next couple of days ... won't be full of intrigue" (BUFFALONEWS.com, 6/25). The Draft "could be overtaken by ... trades, with the rumour mill overheating" (SPORTSNET.ca, 6/26).
The Oilers will hold a Draft party at Rexall Place, where fans "will be joined by a number of Oilers personalities." Tickets are C$5 in advance and C$10 at the door, "with net proceeds benefiting the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation" (EDMONTONSUN.com, 6/24). The Sabres' Draft party at First Niagara Center is free to fans, with the first 3,000 in attendance receiving a Sabres-themed giveaway. A section of the arena floor will concurrently host the Buffalo Sabres Junior Combine (Sabres).
The Draft will serve as a "big coming out party" for new Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli, who "has already started working on overhauling both the amateur and pro scouting departments" (THEHOCKEYWRITERS.com, 6/26).
