Oilers win the draft lottery

[Zjack38 46]

Hopefully they don't find a way to screw this up.

[IPv6Freely 2082]

What a cruel joke.

[stick9 881]

Any chance they trade the pick? Look how the Lindros thing worked out for Quebec/Colorado.

[RadioGaGa 162]

This was the face CMcD made when Edmonton was announced?? Looks thrilled.

This may explain why: https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/jrhockey-buzzing-the-net/erie-otters-go-into-bankruptcy--as-sherry-bassin-tries-to-facilitate-sale-135759537.html

[chippa13 1844]

Maybe he was hoping to live on a golf course in Arizona. He knew he was going to a terrible team no matter what happened.

[RadioGaGa 162]

Apparently he is very close with Sherry Bassin, and he is a Southern Ontario boy...so Toronto or Buffalo would have been his ideal choice. It would have been interesting to see if that face accompanied San Jose, Phoenix or LA coming up #1...and if this is a geographic thing or an Otters/Katz thing.

Wouldn't it be a helluva thing if he went all Lindros on them??

[shooter27 116]

I watched his reaction last night and was immediately convinced that he's going to pull a Lindros. I know he doesn't have the history, but he did not look happy at all. I have a hunch that this is not over. I know MacTavish said there's no way they're trading the pick, but his tune might change if CM forces their hand. If you're a GM and the kid says he doesn't want to come there and you look at how the Lindros trade worked out for Quebec/Colorado I think that makes it easier to swallow the trade idea. Of course, that's only if he forces their hand. There is no indication that he's that type of kid, but there was a noticeable difference in his demeanor before and after the picks were announced.

[fcalog 58]

He will not pull a Lindros if history and and his pops is correct. I am sure he is overwhelmed by all of this crap and hoopla, he's a kid

[Cavs019 702]

Jack Eichel is the real winner here. Between Hall, McDavid, RNH, Eberle, and Yakupov i still don't see anyone who can:

1. Play defense.

2. Make a breakout pass.

3. Throw a body check.

[oldtrainerguy28 478]

Jack Eichel is the real winner here. Between Hall, McDavid, RNH, Eberle, and Yakupov i still don't see anyone who can:

1. Play defense.

2. Make a breakout pass.

3. Throw a body check.

Darnell Nurse!

I predict that Edmonton trades with someone and takes Nurse Eichel goes to Buffalo and Toronto gets McD.

[althoma1 574]

The oilers already own the rights to Darnell Nurse. He was taken 7th overall by them in 2013. He's a good defensive prospect, but they need more than one good D-man. I think they'll keep the first pick, draft McDavid and trade one or two other forwards for some help on D and in net.

[Meader 0]

#PrayForMcDavid

[Hills 709]

If Hockey Gods existed they wouldn't have rewarded Edmonton with a possibility of a franchise player after what Katz has done to Edmonton and the in ineptitude of the Oilers management.

If the NHL had their way Arizona or another struggling team would've gotten the 1 overall. Kings have a fanbase now, Arizona still doesn't and Florida and Carolina are still bleeding. Nothing better to save a franchise than a generational talent *cough Pittsburgh.

[Zjack38 46]

I feel if the hockey gods had there way the Bluejackets would have won it

[chippa13 1844]

I don't think Eichel cares one lick about what his future has said or is saying. There are 2 certainties for Eichel; 1. he will be playing in the NHL next season and; 2. he is going to cash in big time 3 years later when he gets out of his rookie deal. I daresay, had Edmonton landed the #2 pick, there is the outside chance that Eichel may have decided to spend another season or more at BU having seen the debacle that Edmonton has made of developing their top picks in recent years.

[IPv6Freely 2082]

Yea, that was mostly the point I was making with the "cruel joke" comment. The team that has mismanaged numerous top draft picks is somehow gifted yet another one to screw up.

I admit it also hurts that after the first three numbers were chosen it was my team who actually had the highest % chance of winning on the final number, but that's neither here nor there.

[chk hrd 164]

Buffalo is so bad they couldn't even win the draft lottery...

[chippa13 1844]

Buffalo will be fine. They signed Rodriguez to give Eichel even more push to leave school after the draft.

[Neal 41]

It would be a mistake for Eichel not to leave school. Why risk injury and the loss of guaranteed millions? Just because your feelings are hurt because your GM had an uncomfortable crush on the guy above you?

And while Buffalo might be historically bad and not exactly the Rangers in terms of history and prestige they are one of the bigger American markets from a TV viewer perspective. And they are on the east coast, where media attention is easier to get. That makes for a decent place for a player expected to be the next great American player since Modano or maybe Roenick.

[chippa13 1844]

Eichel's feelings aren't hurt and I'm sure he'll definitely leave school but it doesn't hurt to have one of his linemates signed and waiting for him in Buffalo.