The frenzy of the first round of the NHL Entry Draft is over. And there were surprises on the day before the official draft kicked off.
The Arizona Coyotes and New York Rangers pulled off a trade shortly after the Coyotes 
fired head coach Dave Tippett; though the reports suggested a mutual parting of ways after Tippett was over-ruled on recent player moves including Mike Smith being shipped off to Calgary.
The trade sent Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta from the Rangers to the desert and importantly for the rangers they picked up a seventh pick in the first round.
That gave the Rangers two picks in the first round. With the seventh selection, the took Lias Andersson whom Pro Hockey News had seen going to the Boston Bruins.
Andersson was asked who patterned his game after.
“I mean, I love watching those good centermen, (Jonathan) Toews. I love watching Claude Giroux for the Flyers,” Andedrsson said. “I think they can play a little bit tough and score big goals. And, yeah, I think they’re game changers. And Toews is a big winner. He’s won everything, and I want to win everything, too.”
The Buffalo Sabres selected Casey Mittelstadt with the eighth pick
Mittelstadt was asked how much attention he has paid to the young forwards on the Sabres roster.
“Yeah, being American, I like to watch Eichel. I think he’s one of the best Americans in the league, and a lot of Americans like to look up to him, so I definitely have watched them before,” he said. “Like I said, I love watching Eichel. I’ve seen a lot of him throughout the years. It’s definitely, like I said, an honor to be there and an honor to one day play with those guys.”
When Entry Draft talent is so high in quality and so close in level, the top few picks can always be a toss up and this year year was different.
The New Jersey Devils selected Nico Hischier as their number one draftee and the Philadelphia Flyers went with Nolan Patrick as their number one in the second spot.
Pro Hockey News had them reversed in our own mock draft but it was a clear even decision but both clubs.
Hischier was a bit tongue tied from the thrill of being the top draft selection of 2017.
“Oh, I didn’t — I was just like — I can’t describe it,” he said. “I can’t describe it. I just was happy. I hugged my mom first, and I think she was a little bit crying. There was a lot of emotion. But there are no words to describe this feeling.”
The Flyers are certainly pleased to have been able to select Patrick and he was excited to have the potential of playing in Philly as well.
“A little excitement. I didn’t know where I was going to go, but I kind of had a feeling I was going to end up in Philly, and that’s a place I’d be really excited if I had a chance to go there,” Patrick said. “It’s tough to put into words right now, but it’s a special day for me and my family.”
Now the task begins to bring the draftees into development camps this summer and determine where they will play next season, in their current home leagues and teams or promoted to minor league programs.
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