Just like that, the 2016 NHL Draft is a thing of the past.But before we turn our attention to free agency, and what will be a fascinating, if not fierce, courtship of Steven Stamkos, we need to dish out some grades.

Face it: Every team's draft can be summed up in a 140 characters, in a tweet. But after a Stanley Cup Playoffs devoid of Canadian teams, we're shining a light on the north's clubs as they look to right their respective ships.Let's go, in alphabetical order.Calgary FlamesBrian Burke wants more "pains in the ass" on his roster. If Brad Treliving keeps this up, he'll be just that to 29 of his fellow general managers.Edmonton OilersThe Oilers were forced to take one of the consensus top-three forwards in the draft. One day, things will go Edmonton's way.Montreal CanadiensSergachev's going to look great with Subban, and just the thought of Gallagher and Shaw playing together is enough to make one go crazy.Ottawa SenatorsThe Maple Leafs weren't the only Ontario-based team to land their future No. 1 center, and the Dahlen bloodlines appear strong.Toronto Maple LeafsToronto drafted 11 players over the weekend, as many as it did in 2013 and 2014 combined. The Shanaplan is real. Lamoriello said it himself.Vancouver CanucksJim Benning has a plan. He will tell you all about it. No, really, he'll tell you everything.Winnipeg JetsThe chip on Patrik Laine's shoulder is exactly what Winnipeg needs, and the city treats its Finns the best. This is going to be fun.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Doug Wilson is leaning toward parting with the pending unrestricted free agents he added during the season.The San Jose Sharks general manager told reporters at the NHL draft Saturday that he'll probably let goaltender James Reimer, forwards Nick Spaling and Dainus Zubrus, and defenseman Roman Polak reach the open market on July 1, according to Curtis Pashelka of The Mercury News."We have a lot of guys internally that will be knocking on the door,” Wilson said, adding that he'll likely be in the market for a new backup netminder if and when Reimer signs elsewhere.The Sharks acquired Reimer, Spaling, and Polak in two separate trades with the Toronto Maple Leafs in a five-day span before the trade deadline in February. San Jose signed Zubrus in November.Polak and Spaling played every game for the Sharks during their playoff run, and Zubrus took part in 14 postseason contests.Reimer only appeared in one playoff game behind Martin Jones, but he went 6-2-0 with a 1.62 GAA and .938 save percentage in eight contests for San Jose following the trade.ESPN's Pierre LeBrun reported Thursday that the Sharks were open to trading the goalie's rights over the weekend if another team expressed interest in him.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2016 NHL Draft concluded Saturday with teams flying through Rounds 2-7.With most of the elite talent being scooped up Friday, Saturday saw its share of diamonds in the rough.Some were just on the cusp of being named first-round selections, while others fell by the wayside. Here are three of the best players taken on Day 2 of the draft:Alex DeBrincatAlex DeBrincat entered the 2016 NHL draft with more goals this season than any draftee in the Canadian Hockey League. He hit the 51-goal mark for the second straight season, despite battling injuries.The biggest knock on DeBrincat - and likely the biggest factor in his fall to 39th - is his size, as he stands just 5-foot-7. Still, he remains an offensive dynamo with 102 goals and 205 career points in two seasons with the Erie Otters.He isn't afraid to get in the dirty spots and with the ability to finish, he's an ideal fit with the Chicago Blackhawks.Kale ClagueWith the likes of Olli Juolevi, Mikhail Sergachev, and Jakob Chychrun going in the first round, it is safe to say that the Los Angeles Kings may have grabbed the next best defensive talent outside of the first round with Kale Clague.The Brandon Wheat Kings defender played his first full-season in the Western Hockey League in 2015-16, where he finished with six goals and 43 points in 71 games while playing behind Flyers defensive prospect Ivan Provorov.Clague was a monster for the Wheat Kings en route to their WHL Championship, leading the team's defense with six goals and 14 points in 21 playoff games.The 6-foot D-man is a smooth skater with fantastic vision and a comfort while carrying the puck. With more consistent playing time and a couple years of development, he has the tools to be a top-end offensive blue-liner in the league.Tyler BensonDespite a season that was plagued by injury, Tyler Benson still managed nearly a point per game.He was limited to just 30 games with the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League, but manged nine goals and 28 points. He impressed enough, as the winger was picked up by his hometown Edmonton Oilers after slipping just outside of the first round at 32.

Vitaly Abramov, selected 65th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets, has one of the more unique backstories of the 2016 NHL draft class.On Feb. 15, 2013, Abramov was attending school in his hometown of Chelyabinsk, Russia when a meteor exploded above the city. The estimated energy released by the explosion was between 300-500 kilotons, roughly 20 times the amount released by the nuclear bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan in 1945, according to Adam Kimelman of NHL.com."I was in school and all the windows in my class crashed," Abramov said. "All windows in the city was gone. ... It was like big panic because it was something none of us had ever seen. But after that it was fine when everyone said it was a meteorite and we're still alive."Normal school day and a meteor came down."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL draft is complete, so it's time to hand out some grades.We're going team by team in alphabetical order below, listing each club's picks and acquisitions, and evaluating its weekend.

The Ottawa Senators are hoping history doesn't repeat itself.One year after the team took forward Mike Hoffman to arbitration, the club is hoping they won't have to repeat the process with the 26-year-old - who will once again become a restricted free agent on July 1 - general manager Pierre Dorion said, according to Chris Stevenson of TSN 1200.Both sides continue to work on a deal and Dorion is willing to discuss various terms in order to avoid an arbitrator's decision.After leading the Senators with 27 goals during the 2014-15 season, Hoffman was awarded a one-year, $2-million deal in arbitration last offseason.Hoffman would have a stronger case this time around after leading the club for a second-straight season, with 29 goals in 2015-16.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For the second time in less than a year, the Buffalo Sabres are addressing potential legal troubles involving winger Evander Kane.As the NHL Draft was about to get started at the Sabres' home rink Friday, a report emerged that Kane is being investigated for physically harassing two women at a Buffalo bar. Head coach Dan Bylsma and general manager Tim Murray didn't have all the relevant information as the draft wrapped up Saturday, and will wait to see what emerges from the investigation."I'm not pleased to see the headline," Bylsma admitted, according to John Vogl of The Buffalo News."I've heard the stories," Murray said. "The very first part of it that came out didn't sound very good."The police will investigate. There'll be evidence or there won't be evidence, and they'll either go forward or they'll go away."Kane was the subject of an investigation into a possible sexual assault back in December, but no charges were laid.Murray alluded to the fact the team will sit down and deal with Kane either way."If it's true, then we have to deal with it the way we have to deal with it. If it's false again, then I guess we have to come up with a different plan of attack on how to make sure that these accusations that may not be true, how we stop them."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It happens every year.For a variety of reasons, a few once-prized prospects find themselves squirming in the stands at the NHL draft as teams make selections that have them falling down the board.Hindsight is indeed 20/20, but shortly after the final picks are made, there are names that jump out as potentially regrettable misses for the clubs that elected not to call them.Here are three players that teams will regret passing on at the 2016 NHL DraftJakob ChychrunPrior to the 2015-16 season, International Scouting Services listed defenseman Jakob Chychrun as the second-ranked draft-eligible prospect, behind only Auston Matthews.Possessing all the tools to succeed at both ends of the ice, his stock tumbled after an underwhelming season with the OHL's Sarnia Sting, a failure to be named to Canada's World Junior Championship squad, and questions about his mental makeup.So when the dust from the opening round of the NHL draft had settled, Chychrun found himself a member of the Arizona Coyotes as the 16th overall pick - the fifth defenseman to be selected.While Olli Juolevi (selected by the Vancouver Canucks) and Mikhail Sergachev (Montreal Canadiens) distinguished themselves as high-end defensive prospects worthy of going in the top 10, it was the Carolina Hurricanes and Boston Bruins who decided to pass on Chychrun in favor of other options on the blue line, namely Jake Bean and Charlie McAvoy.With the Bruins in need of elite defensive talent as Zdeno Chara nears the end of his career, the decision to go with McAvoy - who plays for Boston University - over Chychrun could very well come back to bite them.And Boston likely won't be alone in tending that wound.Alex DeBrincatSpeaking of the Bruins, they had a shot at selecting a skilled and speedy scorer in Alex DeBrincat of the OHL's Erie Otters with the 29th overall pick, a selection acquired by way of the San Jose Sharks in the Martin Jones trade.Instead of going with the 26th-ranked skater (according to International Scouting's final rankings), who had recorded back-to-back 51-goal and 100-plus-point seasons, they went way - and we mean way - off the board in selecting Trent Frederic from the USA Under-18 team.DeBrincat fell all the way to 38 and into the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks, a team that didn't own a first-round pick and that's not averse to adding skill whenever possible.

With rumors linking Kevin Shattenkirk to the Edmonton Oilers and Boston Bruins during the NHL draft, it appeared the St. Louis Blues defenseman would be dealt by Saturday.However, a trade never came to be - much to the surprise of the blue-liner's agent, Jordan Neumann."Based on the conversations we had leading into this weekend with St. Louis, we did expect Kevin to have been traded this weekend," Neumann told ESPN's Craig Custance. "We are a bit surprised to be leaving here without having a deal done."The Blues were reportedly seeking Taylor Hall or Jordan Eberle from the Oilers, while hoping to pry David Pastrnak from the Bruins.Shattenkirk is owed $4.25 million in the final year of his contract. The 27-year-old cracked the 40-point mark for a third consecutive season in 2015-16, with 14 goals and 30 assists in 72 games.The Blues are fairly set on the blue line, with Alex Pietrangelo, Jay Bouwmeester, and Carl Gunnarsson all locked up through 2019, while 23-year-old Colton Parayko will hit restricted free agency next summer.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Rangers have acquired defenseman Nick Holden from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2017.Holden is coming off his third full season with the Avalanche after signing as a free agent ahead of the 2013-14 season.The 29-year-old contributed six goals and 16 assists while playing in all 82 games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired forward Kerby Rychel from the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday in exchange for defenseman Scott Harrington and a conditional draft pick, the club announced.

The Boston Bruins appear to be in on the Steven Stamkos sweepstakes.Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said Saturday his club will inquire about the Tampa Bay Lightning forward, according to ESPN's Joe McDonald.Stamkos is set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1, but the negotiating period for teams to talk with pending UFAs began Saturday.Meanwhile, Sweeney also noted the team could revisit the idea of bringing back forward Milan Lucic.The 28-year-old spent the first eight years of his career with the Bruins, but was traded to the Los Angeles Kings for goaltender Martin Jones.The Kings gave permission to the rest of the NHL's 29 teams to negotiate a contract with Lucic earlier in the week.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Sabres are going fishing in free agency.Following the NHL draft on Saturday, general manager Tim Murray said he'll reach out to Steven Stamkos and his representatives to see if the star forward has any interest in signing with the club."We're going to chase the big fish (in free agency)," Murray added.

The Los Angeles Kings locked up pending unrestricted free agent Trevor Lewis on a four-year contract extension, general manager Dean Lombardi announced Saturday.The 29-year-old has spent his entire eight-year NHL career with the Kings, winning two Stanley Cups. He recorded eight goals and eight assists last season in 75 games.Lewis' contract is reportedly worth $2 million per season, according to TSN's Darren Dreger, a slight raise on his $1.55 million salary from last year.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A versatile, impact winger with front-line potential, there's so much to like about Matthew Tkachuk, a prospect the Calgary Flames were delighted to have fall to No. 6 in the NHL draft.But there's a specific trait, one not mentioned on the broadcast and apparently lacking in the Flames' system, that a stubborn mind high up on the chain of command, is still swooning over."He's kind of a pain in the ass," Brian Burke said of Tkachuk, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli. "We don't have enough pains in the asses. Way I like to play, we need pains in the asses."There are some players that might fit that bill, though that's certainly open for interpretation. But none are on a direct line to skate opposite Johnny Gaudreau on a top line down the road.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Marc Bergevin felt Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning "crossed the line" with his comments Thursday about defenseman P.K. Subban, and the NHL apparently agrees.Benning will be fined for his comments about Subban and Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos - both under contract with other teams - TSN's Darren Dreger reports, though Benning's intent "wasn't malicious."Benning violated a league by-law that strictly states team employees can't discuss players under contract with other franchises. The Canucks' GM may now speak to Stamkos, a pending unrestricted free agent, because the offseason's interview window opened Saturday.The Canucks will be the first team charged with tampering since 2009, when the Toronto Maple Leafs were fined after expressing interest in the Sedin twins when they were under contract with the Canucks.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill is content staying the course with the team's goaltending duo.Despite the club's questionable goaltending performances from both Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi - especially during the postseason - Nill said he's comfortable starting the 2016-17 campaign with the two, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.Despite the vote of confidence, rumors surfaced Saturday that the Stars could be kicking the tires on Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop.

Finally, Brian Elliott is the unquestioned No. 1 goalie on his team.The veteran netminder, who's been stuck in tandem situations despite excellent personal numbers in recent seasons, took to Twitter on Saturday to address being traded to the Calgary Flames, a team he's clearly excited to join.

Andrew Shaw could soon devote what remains of his prime seasons to Marc Bergevin and the Montreal Canadiens.Contract negotiations between the restricted free agent and Montreal remain ongoing, and could soon result in a five- to seven-year pact, reports TSN's Darren Dreger.He was close to an extension to stay with the Chicago Blackhawks, Dreger reported previously, but was priced out when the salary cap was established below the projected $75-million ceiling.Shaw was traded to Montreal for two second-round draft picks in a move general manager Stan Bowman said alleviated the team's salary cap concerns.The 24-year-old has been tight-lipped since the trade, but offered this bit of insight on contract talks:

The St. Louis Blues acquired the 144th selection in this year's draft from the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, and used it to select former first-round pick Conner Bleackley.The Blues gave up a 2017 fifth-round pick for the selection.Bleackley was originally drafted 23rd overall by the Colorado Avalanche in 2014. In February, the Avalanche traded him to the Arizona Coyotes as part of the deal that saw Mikkel Boedker swapped for Alex Tanguay.The 20-year-old reentered this year's draft after the Coyotes announced they wouldn't sign him. He's coming off his third full season with the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League, where he had 13 goals and 46 points in 55 games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If there was even an ounce of doubt, Jim Rutherford is putting it to rest.Speaking on the NHL Network during the later rounds of the draft Saturday, the Pittsburgh Penguins general manager debunked any notion that Evgeni Malkin isn't in the team's plans moving forward."Let me make this easy on everybody - we're not trading Malkin," Rutherford said."We've never talked about it. We don't want to do it," he added.Malkin, who's set to turn 30 in July, remains under contract through the 2021-22 season at a salary cap hit of $9.5 million and with a no-move clause to boot.The Russian superstar recorded six goals and 12 assists during the team's recent Stanley Cup run while playing with a significant elbow injury.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Marc-Andre Fleury's safe for the summer.Jim Rutherford told Sportsnet's John Shannon on Saturday at the NHL draft that the goaltender will start the season with the Pittsburgh Penguins.The veteran Fleury was usurped by rookie upstart Matt Murray for the club's title run after suffering his second concussion of the season in late March.In the time since lifting his second Stanley Cup, the former No. 1 overall draft selection was linked to Calgary, but, after apparently exploring that option, Flames GM Brad Treliving has since supplemented his crease with Brian Elliott.The only other team truly in the market for a No. 1 goaltender was the Toronto Maple Leafs, who jumped at the opportunity to land Frederik Andersen from the Anaheim Ducks.Though it appears he'll return, the impending expansion draft will continue to cast Fleury's future with the Penguins in doubt. With a full no-movement clause in his contract, Pittsburgh must rescue him - not Murray - when the time comes for teams to submit their protected rosters.In keeping Fleury, the organization will be afforded more time to appropriately evaluate Murray, who has just 13 regular-season starts to his credit.Rutherford also told the NHL Network that Evgeni Malkin won't be dealt either.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Kings announced Saturday the trade of defenseman Nick Ebert to the Dallas Stars for goaltender Jack Campbell.Campbell was drafted 11th overall in 2010, but has failed to make a splash in the NHL.The 24-year-old played just one game for the Stars - in the 2013-14 season - and after spending time with the AHL's Texas Stars. He was demoted to the ECHL where he spent the majority of the 2015-16 campaign.In Ebert, the Stars get a 2012 seventh-round pick who's spent the last two seasons in the AHL. He finished this year with two goals and 12 points in 44 games with the Ontario Reign.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kyle Okposo will have no shortage of options as an unrestricted free agent.With the free-agent contact window now open, at least five teams have already expressed interest in the winger's services, a source told Arthur Staple of Newsday.That list of clubs reportedly includes the Winnipeg Jets, St. Louis Blues, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, and Detroit Red Wings.Okposo is set to officially hit the open market July 1 after eight seasons with the New York Islanders, who drafted him seventh overall in 2007.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have cut bait on former first-round draft selection Beau Bennett.General manager Jim Rutherford dealt Bennett to the New Jersey Devils for the 77th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, a selection the club would use on Kitchener Rangers defenseman Connor Hall.Bennett, who was drafted by Devils general manager Ray Shero in 2010, dealt with myriad injuries in his four seasons with the Penguins organization. He made 129 appearances, including 33 last season, totaling 16 goals and 45 points.He requires a contract this summer in restricted free agency.For the Penguins, Hall is a 6-foot-2, 192-pound defenseman who has split time between the Canadian Junior A and Major Junior ranks over the last two seasons.He represented Canada in U-18 competition.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tyson Jost was selected 10th overall by the Colorado Avalanche and nobody was more proud than his grandfather.After watching the teenager fulfill his NHL dream, Jost's grandfather was seen sobbing as he embraced his family after the announcement.Last season, Jost recorded 104 points in 48 games with the BCHL's Penticton Vees.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Flyers made Carter Hart the first goaltender chosen at the 2016 NHL Draft, using their 48th overall pick - and their second selection of the round - to land the Everett Silvertips starter.It's the longest an NHL draft has gone without a goalie selected since 1986.Carter HartPosition: Goalie

The Arizona Coyotes have added another talented young defenseman to the pipeline.General manager John Chayka has traded the 37th overall pick at the 2016 NHL Draft to the Tampa Bay Lightning for defenseman Anthony DeAngelo, the 19th overall pick in 2014.The move comes the morning after the Coyotes traded up in the first round to select Jakob Chychrun, taking on Pavel Datsyuk's contract from the Detroit Red Wings in the process.DeAngelo and Chychrun, as it turns out, were OHL teammates with the Sarnia Sting during part of the 2014-15 season.DeAngelo, 20, recorded six goals and 37 assists in 69 games for the AHL's Syracuse Crunch last season, his first as a pro.The Lightning used the 37th pick to select defenseman Libor Hajek from the WHL's Saskatoon Blades.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Chicago Blackhawks used their first selection at the 2016 NHL Draft on forward Alex DeBrincat on Saturday.The 39th overall pick used to land the volume scorer was acquired from the Montreal Canadiens in the Andrew Shaw deal.Alex DeBrincatPosition: Center

The Boston Bruins weren't about to part ways with David Pastrnak in their search for help on the blue line.Believed to be well in the mix for St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, general manager Don Sweeney ultimately wasn't willing to meet the exorbitant asking price, which could have included both first-round picks (14th and 29th), as well as the talented young winger."I wasn't trading David Pastrnak," Sweeney said, according to Joe Haggerty of CSN. "We've been criticized, and rightfully so at times, for being impatient with our younger, skilled players. This represents a good opportunity that we don't want to do that.""In all honesty it would have taken both first-rounders and then some ... the acquisition cost was high," Sweeney added of the asking price for Shattenkirk. "We've taken a position where we're going to build this the right way. We want to be competitive and improve our team, and we'll be active in the free-agent market to fill holes while allowing our young players to push through."The Bruins did select defenseman Charles McAvoy at 14, but will continue to look for a defenseman who can step in and help the NHL roster next season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Florida Panthers have traded defenseman Dmitry Kulikov and the 33rd pick in the draft to the Buffalo Sabres for defenseman Mark Pysyk and the 38th and 39th picks, the Panthers announced.Kulikov is coming off his seventh season with the Panthers since being selected 14th overall in 2009. While he only managed one goal and 17 points in 74 games during the regular season, his production was elevated in the playoffs, as he contributed four points in six games against the New York Islanders.Pysyk, meanwhile, enjoyed his longest stretch in the NHL this season since being drafted in the first round in 2010. The 24-year-old dressed in 55 contests, tallying one goal and 10 assists.The deal frees up cap space for the Panthers, who will save roughly $3 million. Psysyk has one more year left on his contract before he hits restricted free agency, while Kulikov will become a UFA at the conclusion of next season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jesse Puljujarvi dropped the mic after dropping to fourth overall at the NHL draft.Expected to be selected third by the Blue Jackets, the Finnish forward is now property of the Edmonton Oilers after Columbus decided instead to pick Pierre-Luc Dubois, who they had tabbed all along as their man.Puljujarvi's reaction?

The Minnesota Wild made qualifying offers to seven players before the NHL draft's second round began Saturday.Defenseman and former first-round pick Matt Dumba headlines the group after a career-best 26-point campaign last season, while goaltender Darcy Kuemper was also qualified despite being the subject of trade rumors.Forwards Jason Zucker, Zac Dalpe, Jordan Schroeder, and Tyler Graovac, and defenseman Zach Palmquist were also qualified.Meanwhile, the Wild announced five players who did not receive qualifying offers: goaltender Brody Hoffman and forwards Brett Bulmer, Raphael Bussieres, Jared Knight, and Scott Sabourin.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Jose Sharks have begun the process of locking up their star defenseman.The team's in the preliminary phase of discussions with Brent Burns on a contract extension, TSN's Bob McKenzie reported during Saturday's "Insider Trading" segment.The Sharks have also started contract negotiations with forward Tomas Hertl, according to McKenzie.Burns has one year remaining on his contract before he becomes an unrestricted free agent, while Hertl will become a restricted free agent on July 1.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

As the first round of the NHL draft took place Friday, the entire league watched as the newest crop of hockey players donned their new jerseys, and many players took to Twitter to give their take on the night's proceedings:Toronto Maple Leafs forward James van Riemsdyk was one of many to rave about his team's new jerseys, revealed as Auston Matthews went No. 1:

The Ottawa Senators are looking to deal in Buffalo.With the hockey world gathered at First Niagara Center for the NHL draft, general manager Pierre Dorion will try to trade winger Alex Chiasson before heading home, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.A few teams are believed to have expressed interest in the 25-year-old, who has recorded 19 goals and 21 assists in 153 games since being acquired from the Dallas Stars in the Jason Spezza trade.Chiasson, a restricted free agent, made $1.2 million on a one-year contract in 2016-17.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Columbus Blue Jackets stuck to their script.While it was widely expected that general manager Jarmo Kekalainen would call the name of Finnish forward Jesse Puljujarvi when announcing the third overall selection at the NHL draft on Friday, the Blue Jackets instead decided to pick Pierre-Luc Dubois, the top-ranked North American skater.Apparently, though, that was the plan all along."(Dubois) is the guy we had our eye on all year," Kekalainen said of the selection, according to Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Post-Dispatch. "He was No. 3 on our list. He's everything that we're looking for: smart, skilled, big, a player with a lot of character and leadership qualities."Very seldom do you get a player where everything checks, where you're excited about him on the ice, but you go through the testing, through the psychological testing, through the interviews, and everything just screams that, yes, this is our guy."Dubois, who began last season on the wing before switching to center in late December, recorded 42 goals and 57 assists in 62 games with Cape Breton of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.In time, the hope is Dubois can fill the void left at center upon this past season's trade of Ryan Johansen."I think I can play center in the NHL," Dubois said. "It was a new position, but I learned fast."I want to be the guy you can count on, whether it's power play, penalty kill, whether you're winning 1-0 and losing 1-0, and I think in a couple of years I can be that guy."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning revealed he was exploring a trade to acquire defenseman P.K. Subban, Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin wasn't going to let that go without consequences."I was not happy and I’m still not happy about that," Bergevin said Friday, per Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Sun.Bergevin filed a complaint with the league regarding Benning's radio interview. "The league is looking into it," he said.Related: NHL looking into tampering complaint after Benning's commentsBenning also said he planned to call Steven Stamkos' agent when the free agent interview period begins Saturday. After the NHL spoke with Benning about the tampering allegations, he refused to discuss any players that belonged to other organizations."He crossed the line," Bergevin said. "I don't know where the line was crossed but he definitely crossed the line. It can't happen."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It wasn't very different than your typical drive down the Queen Elizabeth Way to see the Toronto Maple Leafs in Buffalo. The First Niagara Center venue was the same, except this time, the trip wasn't to play the Sabres, but to pick up the future of the franchise.Auston Matthews got a full dose of what it was like to be a Maple Leaf on Friday night. The Buffalo fans were hostile when Toronto took the podium to select its first overall selection, while Maple Leafs fans were passionate - especially a row of them wearing "Auston 20:16" t-shirts.Change is goodToronto's management team has been hard at work over the last two years putting the right pieces together to transform its team. First, Brendan Shanahan became team president. After gutting the front office and hiring new bodies, Toronto lured Mike Babcock out of Detroit in May 2015. The team was filled out when Lou Lamoriello was named general manager in July of last year.On Friday, once Lamoriello passed the microphone to director of player personnel Mark Hunter to announce Toronto's first No. 1 pick since 1985, it was finally official. Matthews was a Toronto Maple Leaf. He embraced his family and friends, who got him to this point. The kid from Arizona, who made a stop in Switzerland, will now ply his trade in the pressure cooker that is Toronto."It’s going to be an adjustment for sure, but I think it's something that I can handle well," Matthews said. "Over time, I'll get better at it."On stage, Matthews became the first player to wear the new Maple Leafs' jersey emblazoned with the club's new logo. The moment was symbolic of the transformation the franchise has gone through over the past year.Pain and patienceJudging by fan sentiment during the 2015-16 rebuilding season in which Toronto finished last, Matthews should have a lot of rope to get acquainted with the NHL. However, given recent moves the Maple Leafs have made, the need to produce wins will be significantly higher than last season.But Matthews can't do it alone."Hockey is a team game, there really is no savior," Matthews said. "I want to be an impact player. A centerman, a No. 1 centerman in the NHL, that's my ultimate goal."The Maple Leafs have ensured a crop of young talent will surround Matthews as he adjusts. Skilled forwards William Nylander and Nikita Soshnikov will likely play full seasons with the big club. Mitch Marner is also a candidate to join the Maple Leafs, since the American Hockey League isn't an option."Those young guys, Marner and Nylander, are two very special players," Matthews said. "It's definitely exciting and I'm looking forward," he added.Later in the draft, the Sabres selected Nylander’s brother Alexander, adding another wrinkle to the Buffalo-Toronto rivalry.Fast forwardThe cadence by which the Maple Leafs have built their team has seemingly accelerated, and it all stems from the night of April 30, when Toronto won the draft lottery. Immediately, the franchise saw what could be possible with something it hasn't had in 31 years - first dibs.Last week, Toronto made a move to solidify its goaltending, acquiring Frederik Andersen from the Anaheim Ducks for a pair of draft picks. The club immediately locked him up to a five-year contract, giving him the title of No. 1 goaltender.It appeared to be a decision that resembled Toronto goaltending trades of the past, but management was quick to caution."Please, be assured that the thought process of the plan is in place, we're not pushing it forward," Lamoriello said in a conference call with reporters after acquiring Andersen. "We've said all along that if we were able to put ourselves in a position to get better and not interrupt what we are doing, we would do it. And I believe that's what we tried to do today."Comparing Matthews to center Connor McDavid, last year's No. 1 pick, may be a bit unfair, but Shanahan's comments prior to the lottery were quite telling."It would certainly speed things up" Shanahan said when asked about drafting first overall would mean. Before he could answer the next question, he added, "I’m sorry, I'm still smiling at that last one."Shanahan's comments were reaffirmed when Lamoriello looked back on Friday night."Today was twofold. This draft gave us the ability to come out of here better up front as far as getting a talented young man who can play center. And also getting a goaltender," the 73-year-old said. "It was because of this draft, we were able to get a goaltender."Looking aheadToronto has clearly been licking its chops since realizing it would be adding Matthews. Now, the focus shifts to free agency, with the window to talk to potential additions opening Saturday."Everyone has always told me when (Toronto's) winning, it's the best place to be in the league," Matthews said. "That’s something I'm looking forward to."With the good comes the bad, but Toronto hasn't given any indication it's deviating too much from the master plan, even if it has accelerated quite a bit since that fateful night in late April.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Auston Matthews is indeed in blue, and Patrik Laine a darker shade, but what followed the first two picks in the first round of the NHL Draft on Friday night in Buffalo, N.Y. was completely unpredictable.Here are the winners and losers for the first round of the NHL Draft.Winner: Red WingsMoving Pavel Datsyuk's contract opens up a world of possibilities for the Red Wings this summer. His hands no longer tied, Ken Holland can now target a No. 1 center, (there's a pretty decent one now free to negotiate, by the way), instead of paying the price to have one play elsewhere.This single transaction, and one that really didn't come at a significant cost, could be the difference in not just extending one of the more remarkable streaks in sport for one season, but for many more to come.Loser: BruinsDon Sweeney's made five picks during the first round in two drafts in charge of the Bruins, and he's infuriated fans with pretty well each one.Winner: John ChaykaThe Arizona Coyotes rookie GM's first foray into the executive playground was a successful one.Chayka made his intentions known with the seventh overall pick, surprising some with a lottery selection spent on Clayton Keller - a slight, exceedingly dynamic and inventive forward. Keller now joins what could be the greatest assembly of attacking prospects in the game. But it wasn't until a few picks later that Chayka made his biggest statement. He, of course, volunteered to house Datsyuk's contract on his payroll to slot another big-name prospect under the Arizona banner in Jakob Chychrun.Loser: Jakob ChychrunNot a single player was displaced more than Chychrun, who required Chayka to step in at No. 16 to stop a slide that began all the way back when he was ranked second among North American prospects at the start of the season.Winner: CalgaryThe acquisition of Brian Elliott could be the difference in fielding a competitive or a non-competitive roster next season, and the Flames are not yet locked into a long-term commitment. But adding this player, maintaining the No. 6 pick, and having Matthew Tkachuk fall into that slot, makes for quite a favorable night.Loser: SenatorsLogan Brown could very well turn out to be the class of the 2016 NHL Draft, but there's no need to flatter him right now. New Jersey's willingness to move down one spot really should've been all the intel Pierre Dorion required.Winner: St. LouisThere were a record 12 American-born players taken in the first-round of the NHL Draft, most of which were outsourced from an unlikely hockey hotbed in the Midwest.Five Missouri-bred prospects were chosen in the first round, including four in the front half of the round.Loser: BluesIt's not that the Blues traded one of the NHL's best statistical goaltenders from a season ago - and truly one of the best values at all positions in terms of production on the dollar - in Elliott. It's that they ceded far too easily to a team quickly becoming desperate for a capable body in net for such a ho-hum return.Winner: OilersAnd c'mon, it wouldn't be a draft without a little fortune for Oil Country. Jesse Puljujarvi is an absolute coup, and a prospect that makes Edmonton's top six (or is it now nine?) laughably talented.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman has once again wiggled his way out of a salary-cap bind.Related: Blackhawks trade Shaw to Canadiens for 2 draft picksThe Blackhawks dealt forward Andrew Shaw to the Montreal Canadiens for two second-round picks, and with the restricted free-agent reportedly asking for at least $4.5 million per season in contract negotiations, the team no longer has salary cap problems, according to Bowman.

Jim Nill knew where he was Friday night.The Dallas Stars general manager let head coach Lindy Ruff make the club's first-round pick at the NHL Draft in Buffalo, and the fans at First Niagara Center showed their appreciation for the former Sabres bench boss.Ruff coached the Sabres for nearly 15 seasons from 1997 to 2013, guiding them to eight playoff appearances and a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 1999.He won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's top head coach with Buffalo in 2006 and earned a nomination as a finalist this season with Dallas.Credit Nill for being aware of the moment, and to the Buffalo fans, who took a break from booing many of the other clubs to pay Ruff respect.(Video courtesy: Dallas Stars)Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Montreal Canadiens made a splash at Friday's draft well before they picked defenseman Mikhail Sergachev with the ninth overall pick, as general manager Marc Bergevin crafted a trade to land Chicago Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw.The Canadiens also dealt forward Lars Eller to the Washington Capitals, but in adding Shaw, Montreal sent two second-round picks to Chicago for a player Bergevin thinks can have an immediate impact.

It's safe to say the Arizona Coyotes got their man in Jakob Chychrun.The club, spearheaded by general manager John Chayka, made a splash on Friday in acquiring both the No. 16 pick and the contract to forward Pavel Datsyuk - who has taken his talents to Russia.Related: Red Wings trade Datsyuk's contract to Coyotes, retain no salaryWith the No. 16 pick, the club picked Chychrun, a player Chayka admits he debated picking with the No. 7 selection he eventually used to select forward Clayton Keller, according to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun.

Auston Matthews was selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs to be a franchise-altering centerman, and though it was a formality he'd be selected at the top of the draft, the Arizona native admitted it was a relief to hear his name finally called."Once they called my name, it was definitely a sigh of relief," Matthews said, according to Sarah McLellan of Azcentralsports. "A lot of excitement."However, in a market rabid for sustained success, there are high expectations for the 18-year-old to carry the load going forward, and Matthews believes he's ready for it."I want to be an impact player," Matthews said. "I believe I can be a franchise centerman, a No. 1 centerman in the NHL."Matthews' new boss, Leafs' head coach Mike Babcock, believes Toronto has found a winner."Obviously we got a lot better," Babcock said, according to Jonas Siegel of the Canadian Press. "He's an elite player with an elite drive-train, big body guy, makes players better."He'll develop into a top, top center in the National Hockey League."Matthews is the latest factor in the Maple Leafs' ongoing rebuild, but if everything goes to plan, he could be the most important piece in the puzzle.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After dealing Brian Elliott to the Calgary Flames on Friday, the St. Louis Blues now have their eyes set on Jake Allen.With Elliott no longer in the picture, Allen appears to be the club's No. 1 goaltender going forward, but with just one year remaining on his contract, the club plans to get him locked up."He wants to be here, he wants to be the guy," general manager Doug Armstrong said, according to Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Dispatch. "I believe that before the start of next season we'll have something done."Despite Elliott getting all put two starts this postseason, Allen had more regular season starts with 44. In all he posted a .920 save percentage and a 2.35 in 47 games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The first round of the NHL Draft had a distinct American flavor.A record 12 players from the United States were chosen in the opening round, USA Hockey confirmed Friday night.Auston Matthews went first overall to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Boston Bruins took Trent Frederic with the 29th overall pick to set the new mark.Here's the full list from Friday night:

Pavel Datsyuk's gone home to Russia, but his contract remains in the NHL.The Detroit Red Wings got out from under the center's contract Friday night, trading it the Arizona Coyotes in a deal made on the draft-room floor. And Detroit retained no salary in the process, meaning the club's cleared $7.5 million in cap space.After the deal, general manager Ken Holland said he wants to use that money to replace Datsyuk's offense with an impact forward, according to ESPN's Craig Custance.The Red Wings were the lowest-scoring playoff team in the NHL last season. They've been linked to soon-to-be free agent Steven Stamkos. Holland's comments will only add fuel to that fire.Asked what he wants to do with the money, Holland was unequivocal: "Spend it."Holland will be in touch with free agents Saturday when the discussion window opens, according to The Detroit News' Ted Kulfan.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It shouldn't be long before Patrik Laine takes the ice in the NHL.The Winnipeg Jets selected the Finn with the second overall pick in the draft Friday, and general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff expects Laine to crack the team's roster right away next season, Cheveldayoff said, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.Laine is coming off a stellar season after capturing gold at the World Junior Championship, the Liiga championship, while also being named MVP at the World Championship.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.