The NFL Draft is legendary.

The NBA Draft has become electric.

The NHL Draft is about be dwarfed by the Trade Board

A most interesting 72-hours ahead of us for hockey fans across the US and Canada.

Headlines worth paying attention to:

MAPLE LEAFS…They have the number one pick, with new leadership in the front office.  Welcome Gavin McKenna, a big shot left winger, who had 41-goals in Medicine Hat in junior hockey, then went to Penn State and had 15-goals as an 18-year old.

SAN JOSE…They pick second and they are about to arrive as a power.  This year they add Finnish teenage goal scoring star Ivan Stenburg, who will join Mac Celebrini and Will Smith in a collection of great draft picks.

VANCOUVER..They begin what will be a long rebuild with junior goal scoring star Caleb Maholtra, the son of new coach Manny Maholtra.

BUFFALO…Despite a very good season, a bit of a roster shakeup, and the Sabres land a high pick to take top D-Chase Reid from Sault Ste-Marie.

But this year’s draft has been passed by a wild week of trades.  As of Thursday evening, there already had been 15-trades, including some blockbusters.  Teams moving unhappy stars; teams dealing guys they cannot sign to extensions.  Teams dealing to get better.

OTTAWA..What a shocking way to start the week, shipping off unhappy C-Brady Tkachuk for 3-first round picks.

SAN JOSE..Shipping young goal scorer William Eklund to the Senators.

TORONTO..Dealing a pick for stay at home D-Dave Raddysh-Tampa Bay..

BUFFALO..Rocked the world trading 33-goal scorer Alex Tuch but getting just a 3rd round pick out of Washington.  They also sent D-Bowen Byram in a package to Chicago for the 4th pick in the opening round.

WASHINGTON..Sure there is a message in all their deals, getting goal scorer Jordan Kyron from St Louis to go with Alex Tuch of Buffalo, meaning they are adding firepower around Alexander Ovechkin.

COLORADO..Moved highly productive winger Valeri Nichushkin to Columbus for 3-picks

CALGARY…A long rebuild but getting 2-young veterans from the Devils helps

But that’s not all.  Still on the trading block are these names in Neon Lights around the NHL:

WINNIPEG..Wanting to deal G-Connor Hellebuyck but need goal scoring for him

DALLAS..That is former 40-goal scorer Jason Robertson available.

RANGERS..The housecleaning to continue, with C-Vincent Trochek the next to go

DETROIT..Dylan Larkin, the captain wants out, and has lots of takers

EDMONTON..Darnell Nurse plays big minutes, has big contract, will be moved.

DUCKS..Mason McTavish, the young center, may be the next to be moved out

VANCOUVER..Huge chemistry problems with Elias Pettersson-but who wants (11M) salary

PENGUINS..Rikard Rikell could be a veteran value pick

LEAFS..Lots of miles on D-Morgan Reilly-but he can still play, despite years left on his deal.

So the draft is Friday, but everything either side of the draft bears watching.  Alot of new faces may be on new teams by Monday.

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