CHICAGO - Just 12 months ago, all seven Canadian teams made selections in the top 11 picks of the NHL entry draft.
Come Friday night at the United Center, only one — the Vancouver Canucks — will do the same.
Maybe there won’t be another Patrik Laine or Auston Matthews coming north of the border as a result, but there still should be some quality talent available throughout the first round.
Here’s a look at the needs of each Canadian team, along with potential first-round candidates to be plucked.
MONTREAL CANADIENS
THE PICKS: 25th, 56th, 58th, 68th, 87th, 149th
THE NEEDS: Centre, centre, centre.