Today, the speculation ends. We will find out who will go where in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Profiles were written. Mocks were looked at. Opinions were given out about limited knowledge about 17-19 year old players and how they may project in several years with respect to the greatest league in the world: the National Hockey League. The 2018 NHL Entry Draft is split up over two days. This is the first one, devoted entirely to the first round. The New Jersey Devils will be involved.
The Time: 7:30 PM ET
The Broadcast: TV - NBC SN, SportsNet, TVA Sports. Failing that, go to NHL.com.
The Location: Dallas, Texas. Where one of the greatest Cup winning goals was ever scored. Poor Cote and Hatcher; you got Elias-to-Arnott’ed.
The Devils’ Pick Tonight: The Devils are drafting 17th overall. Right by the middle of the first round.
The AAtJ Prospect Profiles for 2018: All of them are here.
The AAtJ Mock Draft Pick: Surprising to us, Barrett Hayton fell to New Jersey in the SBN NHL Mock Draft, so we went with him.
Other Mocks: While several have come out since Monday, there is not a consensus pick among mock drafts. There is not even a consensus that the Devils will pick a defenseman.
The Needs: Brian wrote up the Devils’ needs among prospects on Tuesday. Check that out because Brian knows things and you should know what Brian knows.
The Possibility of a Deal?: Gerard wrote yesterday about Ray Shero’s deals around the draft. Shero has not been shy about making significant moves. But, as he should, he has not tipped his hand as to what he could do. Expect the Devils to make their pick if only because the Devils do not pick again until the fourth round. That said, don’t be terribly surprised if the Devils are suddenly involved in a deal. If they move back, they could pick up extra picks in between rounds one and four; but that requires someone wanting to move up to 17. That’s not at all a guarantee.
A Song for the Night: Sure, why not? This is the title track by And So I Watch You From Afar from their 2013 album, “All Hail Bright Futures.” It’s a fitting theme for the event.
The Rules: As always, keep your comments clean & respectful to others, relevant to the Devils and/or the NHL draft as a whole, and do not post illegal streams. I will try to get a post up specific for the draft pick (and any other moves made tonight). So please bear with me throughout the night. You can and should comment, react, praise, and jeer the picks made throughout the first round. Thank you for spending a part of your Friday evening with us as the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft takes place.