NHL Draft, the before

Each year, the NHL Draft is one of the events I anticipate the most. With the Leafs holding the fifth pick overall, this year will be no exception. The intrigue starts four picks higher, at the top of the board with the Edmonton Oilers. The consensus top prospect in this year's draft is Nail Yakupov, a dynamic right winger. The Oilers, however, are loaded to the gills with exciting young forwards and have a glaring need for defensemen with any discernible skill. Don't be at all surprised if Edmonton takes a pass on Yakupov to take a defenseman in a defense-rich draft; most feel they are sweet on Ryan Murray.

Columbus picks second and would be a great landing spot for Yakupov, especially with the impending departure of Rick Nash via trade. Having watched both Yakupov's evident skills and Columbus' lack thereof, it would seem a match made in heaven. However, Columbus may be swayed to trade down a few spots, not only by a good offer from another team, but because of past experiences with the stereotypically enigmatic Russians Nikolai Zherdev and Nikita Filatov. Both were selected high in the draft and had big time talent, but couldn't find success in the NHL. The Blue Jackets are in need of talent in every position and may be tempted to accrue a few extra picks, move down and still get a talented prospect.

The Leafs are in dire need of a center, and there are a few who could fit that bill, just not for the upcoming season. The name most associated with Toronto in mock drafts and insiders has been Alex Galchenyuk, but there is no guarantee he would get past Montreal at three or the Islanders at four. Brian Burke has said he usually drafts the best available athlete, but this time around he is tempted to pick by positional need. Given how talentless Toronto has been down the middle, I expect Burke will go for a center, but he will be tempted by some of this year's crop of defensemen.

Other guys I'll be watching further down the board

Tom Wilson has caught a lot of eyes with his physical play with Plymouth in the OHL. Projected to go sometime mid to late first round.

Cristoval "Boo" Nieves might squeak into the late first, but should go in the second round and is headed to the University of Michigan for this upcoming season.

Jujhar Khaira will go sometime on Saturday, and this fall, he will join Blake Pietila as a Michigan Tech draftee.

It'll be interesting to see how a down season in the OHL will affect Gianluca Curcuruto. He didn't have a great season on the blueline for the Soo Greyhounds, but he wasn't alone in that category. Curcuruto is rumored to want a trade, and one may be imminent with the recent arrival of fellow draft eligible defenseman Alex Gudbranson.