Trading to dominate the draft this year as franchises look to rebuild and renew line-ups –NHL Update
With the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft looming in, teams that could not make a significant run for the playoffs during the regular season are certainly gearing up for a wild month of June to reorganise and refresh their line-ups.
While there is not much expectations that the draft will bring some big talent like previous years in which we saw players like Taylor Hall, Tyler Seguin, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Gabriel Landeskog appear, teams are planning to focus more on trading.
Edmonton Oilers were awarded the top draft pick for the third straight year, but there is a lot of talk going around that they might use it to acquire some big players instead of actually using it to pick a player.
"There usually are trades made at the Draft … the teams try hard at doing it and you examine each team and what their needs are and what yours' are," Montreal assistant GM, Larry Carriere, said. "At the end of the day, if you can pull off a deal on draft
day, that's as good a place as any to do it in the summer."
There are a number of players that are not only headed into test the free agency market but also wanting a trade from their original teams. Rick Nash is one of the big names that will be expected to be hot during the trade season as he hopes to move on from
Columbus Blue Jackets and join a club to satisfy his hunger for a Stanley Cup.
Blue Jackets needed a top pick being the lowest ranked team in the league but were disappointed when Edmonton won for the third straight time despite having only a 20 percent chance.
"We're disappointed, but this draft is challenging," Blue Jackets general manager, Scott Howson, said. "I know we're going to get a really good player at No. 2. ... It's really a good chance for us to move our franchise forward in a positive direction."
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager, Brian Burke, has also hinted at his team being a major player in the trading but only time will tell what goes on and who will be going where.
Tags: