Getty Images
Getty Images

The 2014 NHL Entry Draft kicked off tonight-in Philadelphia with first round selections. It was interesting, but went exactly as predicted. The Florida Panthers are hoping that their first overall selection of Aaron Ekblad pays off big for them. With defense being so important in todays NHL, the Panthers are hoping that Ekblad is the future franchise defenseman that they have not had since selecting Ed Jovanovski back in 1994.

 

The Panthers had many opportunities to trade their first round pick, but chose to retain that pick. Florida’s General Manager Dale Tallon spoke of more than one opportunity to trade the pick, but felt like it was in the best interest of the organization to forgoes a trade and select Ekblad first overall.

 

Ekblad is a big and strong defenseman that is NHL ready now. He was far and away the best defenseman in this years draft. He is the complete defenseman that every team is looking for: big, strong, physical, leader, with offensive capabilities. The defense in Florida took a big step today by adding a true cornerstone defenseman.

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The second pick of the draft went to the Buffalo Sabers. They selected center Sam Reinhart of the Kootenay Ice (Western Hockey League). Reinhart is said to have the best hockey sense of any player in the draft. This amazing hockey sense makes up for any deficiencies that he has, albeit they are few. He is an average skater, but has an amazing ability to set up his teammates for goals. He is a true playmaker. He had 105 points in 60 games last season. He will be a great two-way center for the Buffalo Sabers.

 

Once again the Edmonton Oilers had a high pick in this years entry draft. This year they quietly took German star Leon Draisaitl. Draisaitl is a complete player. He is a playmaking center that has good size. Many scouts have compared him to Anze Kopitar. He has great hockey awareness, and anticipates the play very well. He is projected to be a top-line center in the NHL.

 

The first round of the draft went pretty much as predicted. I did think that there would be more trades, but that did not happen. Round 2-7 will take place Saturday morning.

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