Dreger: Three of the top five picks in the draft 'could definitely be in play.'

One of hockey's best insiders believes big moves could come at the draft.

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HockeyFeed
Published 7 years ago
Dreger: Three of the top five picks in the draft 'could definitely be in play.'

The rumors around the National Hockey League Entry Draft just got a lot more credible.

TSN insider Darren Dreger revealed in a recent interview with TSN's 1290 that he believes three of the top five picks in the draft could be in play.

“I don’t see any way the Toronto Maple Leafs flip first overall," said Dreger as per Nichols on Hockey. "And I think it would be next to extraordinary for the Winnipeg Jets to consider moving second overall. I’m not going to say the same thing, though, about 3, 4, and 5, and that’s Columbus, Edmonton, and the Vancouver Canucks."

Dreger made it clear that it would take a monumental offer to get the Columbus Blue Jackets to move out of the number three spot, his feeling was that both the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks are more willing to deal their picks.

“Edmonton is more eager to move. They’re not shopping the fourth pick overall, but certainly willing to listen. And obviously they would want a defenseman in return, whoever that might be."

As for the Canucks, Dreger believes an offer that could give the team a chance to make a run at the post season could motivate the Canucks general manager to pull the trigger.

“Vancouver is similar. Vancouver likes fifth overall. They know they’re getting a very, very good player, but Jim Benning did not like being part of the non-playoff picture in the National Hockey League. He’s going to do whatever it takes to make sure that doesn’t happen again.

It doesn't sound like he would be shocked at all if any of these three picks were moved.

“So 3, 4, and 5 could definitely be in play.”

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