With just four days before the 2016 NHL draft, trade talk continues to escalate around the league. Several first round picks are rumoured to be in play, with teams looking to move up, down or completely out of the first round.
Here are a few picks with a lot of buzz surrounding them:
1. Toronto Maple Leafs
This one is a given. The Leafs will select Auston Matthews first overall. The Coyotes are rumoured to have at least made a call to the Leafs regarding the pick, but there's almost no chance deal comes together.
3. Columbus Blue Jackets
This is where it gets complicated. Rumours have emerged that the Jackets are interested in moving down a few spots to take a center rather than a winger like Jesse Puljujarvi. Their rumoured targets: centers Clayton Keller and Logan Brown, winger Matthew Tkachuk, and defenseman Jake Bean. If the Jackets can't trade down, assume they take Puljujarvi.
4. Edmonton Oilers
You'll hear a lot different things in the rumour mill regarding this pick. Some believe it's a given the Oilers trade #4 for a defenseman or trade down to get one of the top two defensemen, Olli Juolevi and Mikhail Sergachev, while others suggest they will take Tkachuk and trade wingers such as Nail Yakupov, Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall.
5. Vancouver Canucks
This is another pick that is potentially in play, as the Canucks have made clear their willingness to trade assets for players that help now. If they stand pat, the 'Nucks have been linked to Pierre Luc-Dubois and Logan Brown at this pick.
6. Calgary Flames
The Flames are rumoured to be aggressively pursuing their options to move up in the draft. The Oilers and Blue Jackets are two teams looking to move down a few spots, so the Flames would likely be looking to target Puljujarvi or Tkatchuk at those spots. If the Flames stay at 6, speculation points to Pierre-Luc Dubois or Alex Nylander as potential options.
7. Arizona Coyotes
The Coyotes obviously would love to draft Auston Matthews, but the chances of them moving that far up are remote. Instead, a player like defenseman Olli Juolevi might interest them at this slot.
8. Buffalo Sabres
Rumours have linked the Sabres to wingers Alex Nylander and Jesse Puljujarvi. They'll likely have to move up a few spots if they want the latter. They'll also entertain offers on the pick if it helps them improve the team now.
9. Montreal Canadiens
The Habs would like to get their hands on Pierre-Luc Dubois, who probably won't be available at this slot. They could move up, but at what cost? If they stay put, some believe they have their eye on Clayton Keller.
14. Boston Bruins
Don Sweeney has made it clear the Bruins will entertain any and all possibilities with this pick, including trading it outright for help. The Bruins have been linked to defenseman Jake Bean, although they will likely have to move up to get him. Bean in Beantown? Sounds pretty good.
18. Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers are rumoured to be looking at forwards in this slot.
19. New York Islanders
Decent chance this pick gets moved. The Islanders are in win-now mode and would like to grab an established player for the pick. The Isles would also consider moving down in the draft to get more picks in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.
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