The NHL draft begins Friday in Buffalo, New York, and a U.S.-born player is widely expected to be the No. 1 pick -- something that has happened only six times before.
Below are the top things to know about the two-day draft.
Maple Leafs have top pick -- and can expect immediate dividends
The Toronto Maple Leafs hold the No. 1 pick. The only previous time the Maple Leafs made the No. 1 draft pick was in 1985, when they selected Wendel Clark.
Center Auston Matthews, who grew up in Arizona and played last season with Zurich in Switzerland’s top professional league, is considered the favorite to be selected with the first pick.