As expected – the New York Rangers selected Alexis LaFreniere with the first pick of the NHL Draft last night. He was the first Canadien to be selected #1 since Connor McDavid was taken by Edmonton in 2015. LaFreniere is the first to win MVP honors in the Canadian Hockey League and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in consecutive seasons since Sidney Crosby in 2004 and 2005.
The Penguins will have the 77th overall selection today – in the third round. They will have four total picks in this year’s draft.
Prior to the start of the draft – NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced the league is going to target January 1st as the start of play for the next season.