NHL Draft: Five questions everyone is asking as the first round approaches

After weeks, if not months, of speculation, the NHL Draft is finally upon us with the first round taking place Friday night at the Sphere in Las Vegas.

And when we say speculation, we say lingering questions. Here are five big ones that will be answered in the coming days.

1. What about the Chicago Blackhawks?

That’s the biggest question right now, since the Blackhawks’ decision will completely influence what happens next. If several well-connected journalists believe that the chances are good that Chicago will opt for right-handed defender Artyom Levshunov, the name of Ivan Demidov continues to be talked about. This will be a very important decision for the CH since if the Hawks go with a defender, the chances are good that a top forward, Demidov or Cayden Lindstrom mainly, will be available in fifth place.

2. Will the Canadian opt for a striker?

That’s what everyone thinks, but we won’t know until the CH has announced the name of its very first choice. There are many possible scenarios – including one where forwards Ivan Demidov and Cayden Lindstrom are selected before the CH’s choice – and some could force the CH to turn to a defenseman if they judge that he is the best player available. A name that we’ve been hearing a lot in recent weeks is that of University of Denver Pioneers offensive defenseman Zeev Buium.

3. Will the QMJHL have a player selected in the first round?

That wasn’t the case last year and it’s not impossible that it won’t be the case this year, again. Chicoutimi Saguenéens forward Maxim Massé and Rimouski Océanic defenseman Spencer Gill are the two top prospects in the Cecchini circuit but are projected more as late first-round or early second-round picks.

4. Will there be any trades (and will Kent Hughes trade on the 26th?)^e choice)?

Rumours are rife at the moment and the names of star players are often mentioned, including Mitch Marner and Martin Necas. It also seems that a few teams that draft in the top 10 are interested in getting rid of their choice, including Utah and the Ottawa Senators. At the Canadiens, many expect Kent Hughes to use 26^e overall pick as a bargaining chip. Will it be to acquire immediate help or to move up and select a player like Cole Eiserman? Will it be a damp squib or will we be treated to a draft full of twists and turns? To be continued. Remember that last year, a grand total of zero transactions were made in the first round.

5. Is this really the last year under the current format?

We may not have a definitive answer on this by the end of the draft, but all indications are that this will be the last presentation of the event under the current format, which is the one where all the teams are gathered in one place. Starting next year, all indications are that the majority of the teams’ personnel will remain in their respective markets and that they will make their selections remotely, as is the case in the NFL or NBA.