NHL Draft Starts with Big Moves from Oilers, Wild, Jets

The NHL draft had a noteworthy opening day. To start the draft, the Oilers selected 18-year-old center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins as they try to get back to the top of the NHL. In addition, several teams made significant deals to go along with their first round picks, including the hometown Minnesota Wild. To cap it off, the evening included the first official move from the new Winnipeg Jets as well.

The Oilers were in this position in 2010, having selected Taylor Hall at No. 1. But it didn't stop Edmonton from landing right back where it started in 2011, with another No. 1 pick and another lost season. So now the Oilers will count on Hall and Nugent-Hopkins to help lead them back to their glory days in the NHL -- or at least lead them back to the playoffs.

After being one win from another Stanley Cup title in 2007, Edmonton has sunk to some rather low depths. To help revive the franchise, the Oilers are putting their trust in Nugent-Hopkins, who lead the Western Hockey League with 75 assists last year.

Yet the biggest buzz of the first day came from the Minnesota Wild and the Winnipeg Jets. Since the draft was held in St. Paul, the Wild got a lot of cheers after making a deal with the San Jose Sharks. Although Minnesota gave up All-Star defenseman Brent Burns, it got Devin Steoguchi and top prospect Charlie Coyle in return.

Minnesota needs an overhaul, after finishing in 12th place in the Western Conference last season. But even its changes seemed mild compared to others in the NHL. A day earlier, the Flyers traded stars Mike Richards and Jeff Carter to make room for goalie Ilya Bryzgalov. Philadelphia also acquired the No. 8 slot from Columbus for Carter, and got former No. 1 pick contender Sean Couturier from Quebec.

But even the changes for the Flyers and Wild have little on the Atlanta Thrashers, who are now in place as the new Winnipeg Jets. For the first time in 16 years, the Jets were on the clock on Friday, as they took Mark Scheifele from the OHL's Barrie Colts.

Although the NHL draft isn't too highly publicized, at least compared to the NBA and NFL drafts, it serves as a welcome anomaly. Unlike the NBA just days earlier, and the NFL two months ago, the NHL selections weren't made under the threat of an upcoming lockout. In fact, hockey is one of the few major sports with no labor problems right now, although it lost an entire season years ago.

As such, the 2011 draft picks can get right to work trying to make the big leagues. But first, the teams have to finishing making more picks in round 2-7 on Saturday afternoon.

Sources

Yahoo Sports- "Swedes, centers dominate top of NHL draft"

Northland's News Center- "Wild's Blockbuster Trade Highlights 2011 NHL Entry Draft"

NHL.com- "NHL Entry Draft"