James Duthie: Welcome back to TSN’s coverage of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Before we go down to the floor Bob has some news. Bob?
Bob McKenzie: I’m hearing Vancouver has made a trade and it is a big one for the future of the Canucks. I can’t confirm this, but my source is saying Jacob Markstrom has been traded in a package along with two of Vancouver’s first round picks. I do not know yet who is coming back to Vancouver.
James Duthie: Gary Bettman has just hit the stage. Without further ado, let’s begin the draft.
Gary Bettman: Good afternoon and welcome to the 2015 NHL Entry draft here in beautiful Sunnydale, Florida. First, congratulations to the entire Tampa Bay Lightning organization on their second Stanley Cup victory. Second, I have a trade to announce: the Vancouver Canucks have traded Jacob Markstrom, the 17th overall pick and the 21st overall pick to the New Jersey Devils for Cory Schnieder.
Darren Dreger: Wow, so Vancouver has brought Cory Schnieder home. I guess Vancouver didn’t believe Roy or Hasek would be available when they picked. This is a huge move for the Canucks, as goaltending is a big reason for their failure this year.
James Duthie: Pittsburgh’s GM has reached the podium.
Jim Rutherford: Good afternoon Florida. I want to thank the Florida Panthers and the community for their hospitality this week. I would like to thank all those attending the draft party today. With the first overall pick in the 2015 Entry Draft the Pittsburgh Penguins are proud to select, from the Medicine Hat Tigers, Wayne Gretzky.
James Duthie: There you go, Wayne Gretzky is a Penguin. Instead of seeing what it was like to see Gretzky play against Crosby, we will get to see Gretzky play WITH Crosby.
Craig Button: Pittsburgh just became a juggernaut with one pick. They now have three elite game-breaking centers. The road to the Stanley Cup in the east goes through Pittsburgh.
James Duthie: Philly up on the stage now.
Ron Hextall: The Flyers are excited to select Mario Lemieux.
James Duthie: The battle of Pennsylvania is going to be epic. Lemieux vs Gretzky several times a year. It is going to be a good time to be a fan of the NHL.
Bob McKenzie: This was more or less expected. Now is where it gets interesting. Vancouver has the third pick and is accepting offers. You can see GM DCantheDman working the phones right now.
James Duthie: No, he is standing up and has grabbed a jersey. No-one was willing to pay the price for this pick. The Canucks will make their selection.
DCantheDman: I would like to thank our fans who have stuck with us through a tough season. The Vancouver Canucks are ecstatic to be able to select, once again, Pavel Bure.
Pierre McGuire: This is huge. What a day for Vancouver. I cannot wait to watch this kid next to the Sedins. He has speed, he has skills and man can he shoot the puck. The Canucks are going to love having another Bure in their lineup.
James Duthie: We will have Pavel and DCan with us shortly. Here is how the top 10 shook out:
1. Pittsburgh – Wayne Gretzky
2. Philidelphia – Mario Lemieux
3. Vancouver – Pavel Bure
4. Buffalo – Patrick Roy
5. Nashville – Dominik Hasek
6. Buffalo – Joe Sakic
7. Vancouver – Ray Bourque
8. Florida – Eric Lindros
9. New Jersey – Nick Lidstrom
10. Dallas – Jarri Kurri
Darren Dreger: It reads like a who is who of hockey. Buffalo make out like bandits picking Roy and Sakic. Vancouver picks up the #1 defenceman their franchise has always needed. Canucks fans are going to love watching Bourque passing it to Bure for a breakaway game after game.
Bob McKenzie: Those two teams hold the next two picks as well. I cannot believe teams gave up their first rounders in a draft such as this. This is a fireable offence in my opinion. Winnipeg expected to be competing for a playoff spot, but now they have Ryan Miller instead of Ray Bourque. What a terrible trade in hindsight.
James Duthie: We are here now with DCantheDman, Pavel Bure and Ray Bourque. DCan, lets first talk about the trade. Giving up two mid first rounders and a future star goaltender for Cory Schnieder. Why not pick Roy or Hasek?
DCan: Honestly, James, we love Cory and I think the ownership regrets trading him. We desperately wanted him back in the organization and with the number and locations of our other firsts, felt this was a deal we could make. We really wanted to get Pavel with the third pick and knew that Roy and Hasek would be gone by seventh.
James Duthie: Well, you grabbed two fantastic players in the first round so far. Pavel, tell us what it is like to be selected by the same team as your father.
Pavel Bure: It is very exciting. His number was retired by this organization and I know he was loved by the fans. I just hope I can live up to the hype and excite the fans here. I want to do what he never did and bring a cup to Vancouver.
James Duthie: Ray, your dad is forever a Bruin, a team that is currently despised in Vancouver. How are you feeling right now?
Ray Bourque: Honestly, I am overwhelmed. I am just excited to be drafted and I am very happy to be a Canuck. I hope that Pavel and I can help bring this team to the next level.
James Duthie: Alright, thanks guys, DCan, I believe the Canucks will be selecting in a few moments.
Tim Murray: Buffalo selects Mike Modano
Craig Button: Another huge selection by Buffalo. This team picked up so much leadership and skill today. In three years, Buffalo will be one of the top teams in the league. This is just a great day for Tim Murray.
James Duthie: And the Canucks are back up for their third selection of the day.
DCantheDman: With the 12th overall selection in the 2015 entry draft the Canucks select, from the Erie Otters, Connor McDavid.
Pierre McGuire: What a bold selection. He doesn’t have the current talent of some of the guys left on the board like Doug Gilmour, but he has so much potential. In two years, I expect he will be challenging Gretzky and Crosby for the crown of top center in the game.
James Duthie: We will be back shortly for a wrap up of the first round.