Happy Draft Day to all who celebrate! The first round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft gets underway tonight in Las Vegas. Here’s how you can tune in:
Time: Coverage starts at 7:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN
Stream: ESPN+
Where: The Sphere, Las Vegas
Coverage of rounds 2-7 starts at 11 AM ET Saturday on ESPN+ and NHL Network
Red Wings Rumblings
As of this morning, the Wings hold the 15th pick in the first round. The Jake Walman trade has kinda thrown the fanbase for a loop, and not much news has surfaced since then, though there is a ton of speculation. Elliotte Friedman believes Steve Yzerman has “something cooking” after the Walman trade. Friedge speculated that Yzerman is having a good look at the goalie market — including names like John Gibson and perhaps Tristan Jarry.
Detroit has eight picks in this Draft right now, here’s the order:
15th overall (1st rd)
47th overall (2nd rd)
80th overall (3rd rd)
126th overall (4th rd, via Dallas)
144th overall (5th rd)
176th overall (6th rd)
203rd overall (7th rd, via NJD+SJS)
208th overall (7th rd)
What are the odds Steve Yzerman moves up in this Draft?
Meanwhile, word is that LA Kings defenseman and Michigan native Matt Roy will test the market. I kinda feel like Steve Yzerman has an iron in this fire.
It will be a busy weekend, but don’t forget, free agency officially opens on Monday. It’s going to be a BUSY week ahead.
NHL News
Holland out
Former Red Wings GM Ken Holland is leaving his post in Edmonton, after losing in the Stanley Cup Final. Not clear where the hall-of-fame executive will go next, but it sounds like he won’t be assuming a general manager role. We’ll see, but Edmonton seemed like his best chance at winning another ring. Maybe it’s time for retirement?
Suter to hit the market
I remember a day where the aforementioned Red Wings GM was making a big push to get this guy on a monster contract. I do wonder if Steve Yzerman is kicking tires on Ryan Suter. He can still play in a limited role, but the guy is 39 years old after all…
San Jose keeping busy
The San Jose Sharks continue to be busy ahead of the Draft. This was an interesting move yesterday — moving up four spots at the cost of two picks. Just speculating here — why would they make this trade ahead of the Draft and not on the draft floor? Part of me thinks that San Jose won’t be holding onto this pick. We’ll see.
Saros staying put
Juuse Saros will be sticking with the Nashville Predators for the long haul. That leads me to the next question — what is to come of 22-year-old Yaroslav Askarov?
