NHL Entry Draft: Round 1 goes well for PHN

SUNRISE, FLA: OK, all, it’s 2 AM after the big show so I’m just shooting from the hip here.

There were plenty of memorable moments that this article won’t have time to explore, like the inflatable Panther collapsing and burying a guy in front of the BB&T Center in plastic – or the grandma in skin tight green spandex.

We’ll also leave it up to our draft experts at PHN who worked very hard (and did an amazing job) to talk about the science of what was predictable about last night – and what was not.

After arriving at the center to the tune of some missing press credentials, our fortune eventually turned around and put us right next to the floor. To say there was a nervous air of excitement sounds passe, but when you hear Peter Chiarelli thank the great city of Florida for our warm welcome you realize it might be a good fit.

The night got off to its official start with the booing of commissioner Gary Bettman, who managed to make an entire speech without stumbling over a word just as he had done at the Stanley Cup presentation. He must have one heck of a happy place.

McDavid – Edmonton. Eichel – Buffalo. Everything was kind of smoothing out, then the announcement hit the overhead that Colorado had traded Ryan O’Reilly to the Buffalo Sabres for Nikita Zadorov, Mikael Grigorenko and their 21st pick. The place errupted, but not like when Lawson Crouse’s name was announced at the number 11 slot for the Florida Panthers. It was like the Panthers had just won a home game for a moment. PHN had picked Kyle Connor for that honor but he went to Winnipeg instead. Sorry Kyle, you would have loved the weather much better here in the city of Florida.

Kyle Connor

Maybe the most interesting story from a first hand perspective was Colin White. Surrounded by his friends and family, they got really excited as it came near the number 20 pick for the Minnesota Wild. When asked about his prospects of going there, they seemed very confident it was about to happen. They got very quiet when Minnesota announced their choice of Joel Erikkson Ek instead. Many experts had picked White for the Minnesota spot, but he landed in the next slot at 21 and the excitement behind us burst out . Buffalo had traded out their pick, and the Ottawa Senators (our pick for White) put a jersey on him (albeit not at number 18).

“It’s great to have them here,” Colin told PHN in a press room interview. “They came from all over to be here.” White looked excited, bewildered, and relieved all at the time. “I’m just glad it all worked out,” he replied when asked if he saw this coming. “I knew this could be a possibility; I’m just glad to be a part of them and look forward to a great season.”

It’s a birthday this reporter won’t ever forget.