The NHL Draft begins on Friday, and will most likely begin with the Edmonton Oilers selecting Nail Yakupov. The right winger out of the Sarnia Sting is considered widely to be the best player in the draft, and will either be going to Edmonton or a team that trades up to the first overall selection.
There might be another chance for a trade right after that, with the Columbus Blue Jackets holding the second overall pick. It's considered to be a very deep draft this year, so the Jackets may look to stockpile more than one first round pick, even if it's lower in the round. Trade rumors have been swirling about Columbus' pick for weeks now with no real front runner for the pick if the Jackets keep it.
They do need help all over the ice though, so more picks could be a better idea in the long run for the Blue Jackets.
Here's the details of the 2012 draft:
Date: Friday, June 22 (first round) and Saturday, June 23 (second through seventh rounds)
Where: Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Time: Friday - 7:00 p.m. ET, Saturday - 10:00 a.m. ET
TV: Friday - NBC Sports Network, TSN (Canada), Saturday - NHL Network
Radio: NHL Home Ice SiriusXM: Ch. 92 (Sirius 207)
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