4:10 PM: Lead up to the Draft Lottery
Alright we are just two hours away from the 2016 Draft Lottery. There’s a lot of people saying Edmonton will win based on spite. That makes me a bit uncomfortable.
I want Edmonton to win for no other reason for the salty tears that will flow.
— Kris (@WildcardKH) April 30, 2016
Well that’s a bit awkward. I’m a liar. I totally want the Edmonton Oilers to win it. It’s not like last year where I figured the Oilers had no chance of winning the Draft Lottery. I had either Toronto or Arizona winning the Draft Lottery, but then thought it would be hilarious if the Oilers won. Which they did. And it was.
It’s not so much that I want to the Edmonton Oilers to win the shot at drafting Auston Matthews but rather not having any other Canadian team (save for the Senators) to win it. Toronto winning it? Does the centre of the universe need to rub it in how they won this year in Toronto? How it’s their divine right to win things?
Jim Benning is running the Canucks into the ground: lets keep it that way. The Montreal Canadiens? Maybe their media/management can target Matthews as a problem if he doesn’t produce like they usually do, because they sure love making their best players their whipping boy because it makes sense. The Jets? It wouldn’t be as bad as the other Canadian teams.
The Flames? After Brian Burke declaring how the draft lottery is bad and rewards losers? There’d be a tinge of irony but not worth it.
I think the main thing, is while it’s exciting to see who wins and while I’d love Edmonton to win, I’m not sure if that pick stays an Oiler. It’s probably a really good trade chip for a bonafide stud defenceman. The Oilers don’t exactly need a stud centre here and make no mistake, Auston Matthews would be tremendous to have. However, I feel good with Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
Regardless, I’m excited to see what happens. I’ll be updating this blog up to the lottery in less than two hours.
4:36 PM Canucks Draft Party
TSN showed a shot at a Vancouver Bar that had like five people cheering for the draft lottery.
PLEASE Vancouver. We have the best lottery parties.
5:03 Bill Daly
Bill Daly has been our man lately. He’s explaining the format. Bill Daly finds no joy in this. What a beauty.
We will see him in just over an hour….and now Damien Cox is on. URG.
Damien Cox is easily my least favorite Hockey “analyst”.
5:07 John Davidson is one of the most famous figures in Hockey History.
You sure about that Strombo? It’s pretty cool to hear how a fan gave him a good luck charm and how he won’t reveal it.
5:15 A shot at all these GMs in a room eating and talking
They look like they are having a swell time. Sure hope the Oilers don’t win because Brian Burke will punch someone in the face.
Scratch that, I want to see that happen.
5:17 Behind the Scenes Auston Matthews
Being born and raised out of Arizona, Auston Matthews was a big Coyotes fan. It’s funny: as a kid I loved the Coyotes because of Jeremy Roenick and their sweet jerseys.
Matthews definitely took an interesting route to the NHL by going to Switzerland instead of the NCAA or the CHL. He did not look out of place. He’s been a consensus number one and while there are rumblings some have Laine over him, I do not. He’s a big player and is just good all around.
Make no mistake, he’s no Connor McDavid. Still, he’s a pretty special player. That’s why I would be alright if Arizona draft him.
5:20 Patrik Laine
My goodness, his flow is so nice. Millard is chatting with him via Skype. If the Oilers do not win, I hope they finish second and draft Laine because I think he would look amazing on McDavid’s wing. I’ve been a fan of his all year. Laine had an amazing season. Has some amazing one timers.
Would that not look amazing with McDavid? Drool worthy.
5:43 TJ Oshie is good at hockey.
Not much needs to be said here. Need to find a way to fill up the time!
5:58 Burke and Linden
Talking about the Sedins and Burke is adament that the Sedins are nothing like Puljujarvi and Laine.
Thanks Burke. Being so grumpy.
Strombo is rubbing the salt in the wound about losing Crosby. Burke thought he was going to win Sidney Crosby. More death threats from Burke.
Bobby Ryan is a good player but no Sidney Crosby. Burke had better things to do than run the lottery simulator. Shanahan has ran it only once, Leafs won the first pick and he left. Linden hasn’t run it but we know Jim Benning has done it multiple times for multiple hours .
Seriously Vancouver, keep Jim Benning forever. It’s great for the Pacific Division.
6:06: FINALLY. Family is here.
Family is here and I’m sitting here watching the draft lottery. The picks are supposed to take place in 7 minutes.
Interviewing Auston Matthews right now. Will he follow McDavid’s advice and smile more so we do not have that stupid body language analysis?
6:10! ITS STARTING
Alright Boston chooses 14th again. No shocker.
The Hurricanes go 13th No change.
12 is Ottawa, the lowest seed. Are they still 12?
Yes. Yes they are.
11th, the New Jersey Devils….remain 11.
NO CHANGES. NO CHAAAAANGES.
Please god no, not Colorado. Ha! They are still at 10. Good. Take that Sakic and Roy.
Uh…First Canadian Club at 9? Umm Ottawa is in Canada….Sportsnet.
Buffalo is at 8. And they stay there.
Coyotes have the 7th pick. No Matthews for you.
The Jets. I have a Jets friend. True story. OH NO
THE FLAMES HAVE THE SIXTH SPOT.
WINNIPEG WON SOMETHING.
The Canucks are fifth. They slid TWO SPOTS.
Columbus has won a second draw. Whoa.
The Oilers did not win. They are fourth Overall.
6:15 Finishing Fourth.
I’m a bit bummed out that they landed at the four spot. I think either Toronto probably won it and man that’s going to be insufferable.
At this point, let’s go Columbus.
If anything, I think that 4th overall pick will not be an Oiler on draft day.
6:17 Lumbus chooses third
Damn it!
Who wins the First Overall pick? Toronto.
6:19 PM Congrats Toronto….
I guess the Leafs got their first overall pick. Good luck to Auston Matthews in Leafs Land.
It’s funny I did NHL 16 and The Leafs drafted Matthews and the Jets drafted Laine.
Voodoo I tell you.
9:00 AM Clearer Head
I’m not even salty about the loss because it’s a lottery. The Oilers have had plenty of riches (mostly) from the first overall pick. Still have McDavid! I know I would much rather have Connor McDavid over Auston Matthews because Connor McDavid is the better player. Nothing against Matthews and it’s not being bitter: The Oilers have had enough first overall picks and got the mother load in 97.
In a way, I’m happy for Maple Leafs fans and I follow some really sensible ones on Twitter that aren’t proclaiming that it was divine right to win the lottery. They have suffered a lot. Their management is pretty stable and while they were awful this season (finished dead last) they were able to move huge contracts (Dion Phaneuf) without retaining salary or trading pending UFAs ( James Reimer, Daniel Winnik for a second time) for some assets while using that cap space to take on un wanted salary (Brooks Laich). The Maple Leafs should feel excited: with a promising young core featuring William Nylander, a Mitch Marner who’s tearing the OHL up and now soon to be Maple Leaf Auston Matthews, can’t blame them one bit.
Good for you Maple Leafs fans. Now just don’t get too arrogant (looking at you Toronto Media).
That said, it’s now time for the Oilers to do something with that draft pick and I strongly believe it will be to trade down. There are a wide variety of options, off the top of my head, I think Tyson Barrie makes the most sense.
Hamonic can be acquired with other assets (like Jordan Eberle), while PK Subban is a twisted NHL 16 dream that is not likely to happen (unless Montreal is actually that inept. No way they can be right?).
Either way, June 24th will be an interesting day. We are only 7 weeks away from the draft. Time flies.
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