LIVE Chat from 2018 NHL Draft

Hello all from the media riser in Dallas.

Use the comments to post a question. We have our first trade–Philip Grubauer, the Washington Capitals backup goaltender was dealt to the Colorado Avalanche for a #2 (47th overall).

Sources are nearly unanimous, the Pens are going to have a quiet night. It looks like Jeff Skinner is headed west. I’m not sure who first reported that, but I’m told a deal is nearly complete.

9:01 p.m: Media scrum with Mike Sullivan in the hallway. Sullivan and Rutherford were involved in a lengthy chat prior.

I asked Sullivan if we “media” make it more difficult to maintain relationships with players. Got a good, thoutghtful answer. Coming up as a separate story. Sullivan also STRESSED–STRESSED he has a good relationship with Kessel. And always has.

This is the final post of the evening. Sullivan-Kessel-Media story coming.

8:29 p.m. Question from Melissa: Are you wearing a loud plaid suit? Seriously, AZ goes off the board to get a center. Could this guy be like the CBJ pick of DuBois from last year?

Answer: The ‘Yotes certainly hope so, though his game more resembles a responsible player with good offensive contributions. NBC Sports compared him to Patrice Bergeron.

8:20 p.m–Question from Jack: Anybody even talking at Pens table ?

Answer: To each other. Not much else. As reported below, sources reported the Penguins would have a quiet night.

8:19 p.m: Have been doing actual reporter work for the past hour. Not that I don’t enjoy chowing on Fritos and Diet Pepsi chatting away. Please see the new video content on PHN Extra, Rasmus Dahlin and Andrei Svechnikov.

7:02 p.m.: Montreal drafts Finnish center, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, third overall. Montreal finally gets a center. By the way, Max Pacioretty is still a Hab.

6:57 p.m: Rasmus Dahlin goes #1. Andrei Svechnikov to Carolina at #2. Watch Svechnikov. If Carolina can get their hands on a dynamic center, either Aho or Svechnikov could go crazy on the stat sheet.

Check out Wampum’s Stephen Johns talking about his new three-year, $7 million contract (PHN Extra).

6:22 p.m.: When Dallas first arrived (Sorry again, North Stars faithful), there were less than 150 skaters in the area. There are now over 7000. Not great, but that’s a big improvement.

Some great Twitter comments regarding Jim Rutherford keeping the draft table in smiles

“So I told Phil… have another hot dog!!”

— Jon Joseph (@JJ_7_84) June 22, 2018

“This one time, at PF Chang’s…”

— Bill Citro (@billcitro) June 22, 2018

6:17 p.m.: Pittsburgh got the second loudest Booo’s behind Chicago. Must be a lot of transplanted North Star fans? Vegas got cheers. So did Washington.

6:15 p.m.: Not a huge crowd here but the noise is big. Looks like the upper deck has a good crowd.

6:08 p.m.: Question from Chucky: Can you rank the following as the being the best for the pens trading for Skinner or Pacioretty or trading away Kessel or Brassard

Answer: Take Skinner off the table. Pens seem to have let that ship sail. A Kessel trade is unlikely or a no-go tonight / this weekend. A heck, the Pens probably aren’t doing anything tonight so they are all equal, with the Skinner deal even less than not-likely.

Telia says Pierre McGuire is being given credit for the Skinner scoop. Credit where it’s due. And by the way–Pittsburgh fans should appreciate him a little more. He’s an amazing hockey mind and loves the game. So what if he knows more than the rest of us about a kid’s background? That’s his job.