Jack Lambert
Hall of Famer
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2009
- Messages
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As most of you know, the NHL will be going to 31 teams next season with the addition of the Las Vegas Golden Knights. I actually like the choice of Vegas; it's the city's first pro sports franchise, and I think the city deserves a chance. Hopefully people will take a liking to the new team. I also like the choice of their mascot and logo as well.
The Expansion Draft, during which Vegas will get to select one player from the other 30 teams, is set to take place from June 18-20, with the results announced on the 21st. There are certain protection rules involving different players and how many defensemen, forwards, and goalies the Golden Knights can take.
The NHL Entry Draft is June 23rd and 24th, just days after the expansion draft. The top two prospects are considered to be center Nolan Patrick and center/RW Nico Hischier. Both of them have some great skills, but neither are considered "slam dunk" prospects like Auston Mathews or Connor McDavid. Regardless, they'll be the top two picks for the Devils and Flyers.
The only minority that I've seen lately in 1st round mock drafts is Asian Nicholas Suzuki. Kailer Yamamoto has some Japanese ancestry, but it looks like he's at least 3/4 white, and isn't exactly going to help the powers that be bring any underprivileged "people of color" into hockey.
Other than Suzuki, there's one black player who may go in the first, and that is Oliver Pierre-Joseph, a lanky defensemen. I've seen him going to Toronto at 17, to falling out of the first round. I imagine there's more, but those are the ones that I've seen. The draft should be a nearly all-white affair this year!
![thumb.aspx](http://nhl.frgimages.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_2631000/ff_2631838_full.jpg&w=340)
The Expansion Draft, during which Vegas will get to select one player from the other 30 teams, is set to take place from June 18-20, with the results announced on the 21st. There are certain protection rules involving different players and how many defensemen, forwards, and goalies the Golden Knights can take.
The NHL Entry Draft is June 23rd and 24th, just days after the expansion draft. The top two prospects are considered to be center Nolan Patrick and center/RW Nico Hischier. Both of them have some great skills, but neither are considered "slam dunk" prospects like Auston Mathews or Connor McDavid. Regardless, they'll be the top two picks for the Devils and Flyers.
The only minority that I've seen lately in 1st round mock drafts is Asian Nicholas Suzuki. Kailer Yamamoto has some Japanese ancestry, but it looks like he's at least 3/4 white, and isn't exactly going to help the powers that be bring any underprivileged "people of color" into hockey.
![Yamamoto.jpg](http://assets.ngin.com/attachments/profiles/6818/5295/Yamamoto.jpg)
Other than Suzuki, there's one black player who may go in the first, and that is Oliver Pierre-Joseph, a lanky defensemen. I've seen him going to Toronto at 17, to falling out of the first round. I imagine there's more, but those are the ones that I've seen. The draft should be a nearly all-white affair this year!