>>NHL Draft Kicks Off Tonight In Nashville
(Nashville, TN) — The future stars of the NHL will hear their names called at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville tonight for the 2023 Entry Draft. The Chicago Blackhawks hold the top overall selection and are expected to select Connor Bedard. The 17-year-old scored 71 goals and had 143 points in 57 games for the WHL’s Regina Pats. Analysts say he’s the most hyped prospect coming into the league since Connor McDavid in 2015. The Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets, San Jose Sharks and Montreal Canadiens round out the top five selections. The Predators select at 15th and 24th overall in the first round. Rounds two-through-seven take place tomorrow.
>>Kings Acquire Pierre-Luc Dubois In Trade With Jets
(Undated) — The Kings are swinging a blockbuster trade ahead of this week’s NHL Draft. Los Angeles acquired forward Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for forwards Alex Iafallo, Rasmus Kupari and Gabriel Vilardi, and a 2024 second-round draft pick. Dubois went on to agree to an eight-year, 68-million dollar contract with the Kings. The 25-year-old tallied 27 goals and 63 points last season. Dubois had reportedly requested a trade from the Jets earlier this month.
>>Stars Sign Evgenii Dadonov To Two-Year Extension
(Dallas, TX) — The Stars are keeping a late-season addition in the Lone Star state. Dallas is signing forward Evgenii Dadonov to a two-year, 4.5-million dollar contract extension. The 34-year-old finished last season in Dallas after being acquired in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens in late February. Dadonov totaled 25 points in 39 games played with the Stars on the way to the Western Conference Final. General manager Jim Nill said Dadonov “was a key player for us down the stretch” and that re-signing the nine-year veteran was “high on our priority list.”
>>Sharks Acquire Blackwood From Devils
(Undated) — The Sharks are adding depth between the pipes. On Tuesday, San Jose agreed to send a sixth-round pick in this year’s draft to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for restricted free agent goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood. The 26-year-old went 10-6-and-2 for the Devils last season with a 3.20 goals against average and an .893 save percentage. The Sharks will have to sign Blackwood to a new deal, as Kaapo Kahkonen is currently the only NHL goaltender they have under contract. James Reimer is set to hit the open market as a pending unrestricted free agent after playing for a San Jose team that finished with the worst team save percentage in the NHL in five-on-five play.