Talk of overpaid players, financially-strapped owners and a potential lockout will give way to debate over the game's next superstar at the annual entry draft this weekend in Raleigh, N.C.
Barring a last-minute trade, the Washington Capitals are expected to select highly-touted Russian left-winger Alexander Ovechkin with the first overall pick.
The Washington Capitals are expected to pick Russian forward Alexander Ovechkin first overall at this weekend's NHL Entry Draft. (CP File Photo)
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"To date, probably three teams made some really solid offers, and there may be more," Capitals general manager George McPhee said Friday. "But I've been telling teams that it's unlikely we're going to [trade the No. 1 pick]."
The Chicago Blackhawks, who hold the third overall pick, and the Columbus Blue Jackets, who pick fourth, are among the suitors.
"I definitely had interest in the first pick and made them an offer," Jackets GM Doug MacLean said. "And I hope we're still in the mix."
After Ovechkin and fellow Russian forward Evgeni Malkin, many hockey insiders feel the draft pool falls off to a group that is very wide open.
The Capitals are in rebuilding mode after a dismal 59-point season saw them unload star forwards Jaromir Jagr, Peter Bondra and Robert Lang along with defenceman Sergei Gonchar.
Washington holds four of the first 33 selections.
Ovechkin, the consensus No. 1 pick, had 13 goals and 23 points in 53 games for Moscow Dynamo this past season.
Many believe the six-foot-two-inch, 212-pounder would have succeeded in the NHL last season. A superb skater with excellent acceleration, Ovechkin has been compared to countryman Ilya Kovalchuk, who tied for the NHL lead in goals in 2003-04 with 41.
Before he plays an NHL game, Ovechkin will represent Russia at the World Cup of Hockey later this summer.
There are some who feel Malkin, a centre, is even better than Ovechkin. The Pittsburgh Penguins, who finished with the league's worst record last season, could select the 18-year-old with the second overall pick.
Malkin isn't the goal-scorer Ovechkin is, but he is a superb puckhandler and playmaker. While he isn't quite ready for NHL stardom right now, he showed what he could do against his peers with a terrific performance for gold medal-winning Russia at the under-18 world hockey championship.
Chicago, which would have had the second pick if the draft order was set purely by finish as opposed to a lottery, likely will lose out on one of the two Russian blue-chippers.
The top-rated defenceman available is six-foot-three-inch, 214-pound Cam Barker, who played for Medicine Hat of the Western Hockey League.
In addition to possessing an NHL frame and the defensive skills to go with it, Barker has some offensive talent as well – 21 goals in 69 games this past season. He quarterbacked the Tigers' power play and likes to lead the rush and gain the offensive zone.
The Winnipeg native has drawn comparisons to Eric Brewer of the Edmonton Oilers.
In goal, there isn't a sure thing like 2003 top pick Marc-Andre Fleury, but there are still future No. 1 goalies out there.
Alvaro Montoya of the University of Michigan is the top-rated North American netminder by the NHL's Central Scouting Bureau.
Montoya, 18, outplayed Fleury in backstopping the United States to the gold medal at last year's world junior championship in Finland.
He also topped all NCAA goalies in 2002-03 – his freshman year – in games played (43) and remained steady this past season. Montoya plays a flashy style and likes making the highlight-reel saves.
Czech Marek Schwartz is the highest-ranked European goalie in this year's crop. A pure butterfly-style netminder, Schwartz enjoyed a solid season in the Czech Extraleague this past campaign, and performed well for his country at the world juniors despite an overall dismal showing by the team.
Rounds 1 through 3 will be held Saturday beginning at noon EST, while 4 through 9 will take place Sunday.
with files from Sports Network and Canadian Press
