It looks like the Winnipeg Jets are cleared for landing.
The team, which is expected to officially announce their name before making the 7th overall pick in tonight's NHL Entry Draft, is reportedly going to go with the very popular Jets nickname.
You can watch the Draft live on TSN, TSN.ca and TSN Mobile TV tonight at 7pm et/4pm pt. Make sure to check out TSN.ca for a live hockey blog with TSN Analyst Craig Button, beginning at 6:30 pm et/3:30 pm pt.
After an explosive Thursday that watched big name players get moved, Friday could be just as volatile as the NHL Entry Draft goes tonight in Minnesota.
The Edmonton Oilers hold the first overall pick, and the consensus choice is Red Deer Rebels centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Nugent-Hopkins ranked first on every major scouting report, as the highly-skilled centre had 31 goals and 106 points with Red Deer last season. The Oilers have another pick in the first round at 19.
But much of the draft talk was overshadowed Thursday by major trades by the Philadelphia Flyers, who dealt two of their cornerstones within an hour of each other.
They first sent centre Jeff Carter to Columbus in exchange for Jakub Voracek, plus first round (8th overall) and third round draft picks. Then it was captain Mike Richards being moved to L.A. in exchange for Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmonds.
The Flyers shed nearly $100 million in salary, some of which was used to sign goalie Ilya Bryzgalov to a nine-year, $51 million deal.
Colorado, Florida, New Jersey and the New York Islanders round out the top five slots in the draft, before another Canadian team gets a pick.
The Ottawa Senators will choose sixth. They also have a second first-rounder at 21 – courtesy of the deal that sent Mike Fisher to Nashville.
The Flames will choose 13th, while the Montreal Canadiens will pick 17th. The Toronto Maple Leafs will choose 25th and 30th, while the Vancouver Canucks will pick 29th.
