Fans who bet on NHL will be paying close attention to the first round of the 2016 NHL draft on June 24th. Several Pacific Division teams will have a chance to cover some gaps in their roster if they choose wisely.
Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks have centers Ryan Kesler and Ryan Getzlaf, and right wing Corey Perry under contract until 2019-20, and their current top prospect at forward is left wing Nick Ritchie, who scored two goals and had four points in 33 games last season. A few of their five picks – including a 1st round selection – could go to Kieffer Bellows, Max Jones, or Riley Tufte.
Arizona Coyotes. GM John Chayka has expressed his desire to strengthen the Coyotes’ defense, something which hockey betting fans think he might accomplish by selecting Jakob Chychrun, Olli Juolevi, or Mikhail Sergachev. Elsewhere, Arizona is not lacking in talent with rookies Max Domi, Anthony Duclair, and Jordan Martinook, as well as goalkeeper Louie Domingue, and centers Dylan Strome and Christian Dvorak.
Calgary Flames. The Flames have many talented young players like Jon Gillies, Emile Poirier, Mark Jankowski, Rasmus Andersson, Oliver Kylington, and Dougie Hamilton. However, they couldn’t keep the team from starting last season 2-8-1 and finishing 26th in the league. They might attempt to avoid another disappointing campaign with Matthew Tkachuk, Pierre-Luc Dubois, or Alexander Nylander.
Edmonton Oilers. Edmonton has selected four number 1 picks in the last 6 years – Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Nail Yakupov, and Connor McDavid – plus 1st round selections Jordan Eberle, Leon Draisaitl, Oscar Klefbom, and Darnell Nurse. Yet, the Oilers have failed to finish higher than 24th in the league in the last 7 years. GM Peter Chiarelli is expected to reorganize the team. Something which he might start doing by selecting Matthew Tkachuk, Olli Juolevi, or Jakob Chychrun.
LA Kings. As people who bet on NHL know, the Kings have little cap space to play with, barring them from making big free-agency plays, and only one pick in the first three rounds. That pick could go to Cam Dineen, Filip Gustavsson, or Evan Fitzpatrick.
San Jose Sharks. Hockey betting fans may expect the Sharks to be looking to sign a few shutdown defensemen and add depth on left wing with Markus Niemelainen, Adam Fox, or Cliff Pu. The Sharks have been fortunate when it comes to future prospects like Mirco Mueller, Nikolay Goldobin, Timo Meier, and Jeremy Roy.
Vancouver Canucks. Fans who bet on NHL point out that there may be some strong choices along the back end when the Canucks turn to choose in the first round comes, such as Olli Juolevi, Pierre-Luc Dubois, or Alexander Nylander.
