Welcome to draft day! Is your fax machine working? Laptop charged and backup drive on hand? Do you know the names of the prospects (correct pronunciation optional)? Do you know what Griffin Reinhart is actually worth? Then you could be ready.

NHL Draft 2017: Report indicates Devils might want Cale Makar, not Nico Hischier or Nolan Patrick, at No. 1 - Broad Street Hockey
If Corey Pronman’s right, nobody’s ready.

Breaking: Reports Suggest Eeli Tolvanen Will Not Attend Boston College - BC Interruption
Seriously, this draft is turning weird.

Presumably many exciting things will happen throughout the day, culminating in the teenage meat market  2017 NHL Entry Draft tonight at 7PM. If you’re not sure how to watch, Seldo will have instructions for you later today.

ICYMI

Complete 2017 NHL Entry Draft order - Pension Plan Puppets
All 217 picks and their current owners

Put down the defenceman brochure and look at some centres - Pension Plan Puppets
There is still a real and genuine need for at least one centre on this team.

SBN Mock Draft final installment: Vote in the poll on who will go first overall - Pension Plan Puppets
The last teams have picked and you can see the full list of 31 names taken.

Maple Leafs 2017-2018 schedule is out - Pension Plan Puppets
This year, they start on the road in Winnipeg.

Tradez

Sadly Lou is still holding all his cards close to the chest. Fortunately, there are 30 other GMs to entertain us.

Post NHL Expansion Draft: roster unfreeze Trade Tracker - Die By The Blade
DBTB is keeping everyone up to date.

Oilers trade forward Jordan Eberle to Islanders for centre Ryan Strome - The Globe and Mail
Air Jordan: Islanders acquire Eberle in one-for-one swap with Oilers - Lighthouse Hockey
The Islanders have finally freed poor Jordan Eberle from the clutches of Edmonton. Hopefully under the guidance of John Tavares and with proximity to his BFF Taylor Hall, he’ll stop looking quite so dead inside when he’s on the ice. (Dear Chiarelli: Travis Hamonic, the defender who wanted to be traded to a Western Canada team was right there. No?)

Trevor van Riemsdyk traded to Hurricanes - Second City Hockey
Trips to Vegas should be brief, anyway.

Montreal Canadiens acquire David Schlemko from Vegas Golden Knights - Eyes On The Prize
Some extra defensive depth for Marc Bergevin, one day after losing Alexei Emelin

News from the Bobfather

Bob McKenzie brings us the expected (Oil gonna Oil):

Front office moves

Coyotes part ways with Head Coach Dave Tippett - Five For Howling
The changes continue to come fast and furious for the Coyotes organization.

Florida Panthers hire former NHLer Chris Pronger to front office | Toronto Star
The former NHL MVP and Hall of Famer has expressed interest in one day being a general manager.

All about the money

Could Connor McDavid’s Cap Hit Reach $14 Million A Season? - The Copper & Blue
If they’re giving 4x4 to Russell, it might reach $14 Million on some other team, sure.

Report: Alex Radulov seeking $7M per season over six years - Eyes On The Prize
Uhhhh, okay Alex  you do you.

Some teams had some minor signings or extensions and others confirmed they weren’t signing some of their UFAs but really by this point none of you are reading anyway. May the day be exciting, bringing us helpful players, and a shiny new teenager or two.  And may Jim Benning please do something hilarious.

From The Branches