Maple Leafs select Arizona-born Matthews No. 1 in NHL draft
Maple Leafs select Arizona-born Matthews No. 1 in NHL draft
On the heels of the NHL expanding into Las Vegas, the Toronto Maple Leafs are pinning their future on Arizona-born center Auston Matthews.
Amid chants of “Go Leafs, Go!” the 18-year-old from Scottsdale was selected by Toronto with the first pick in the NHL draft Friday night in Buffalo, N.Y. Though the Maple Leafs had kept their decision under wraps since winning the draft lottery in April, Matthews was the expected choice.
NHL Central Scouting ranked the 6-foot-2, 210-pound playmaker as its top draft-eligible project, and he’s also a natural center, a top-line position that’s difficult to fill.
“He’s an elite player with an elite drive train,” Toronto coach Mike Babcock said.
Matthews, who grew up a Coyotes fan, became the seventh American selected at No. 1 and first since the Chicago Blackhawks chose Patrick Kane with the top pick in 2007.
Calgary acquired goalie Brian Elliott from St. Louis for a second-round draft pick.
Vanek’s disappointing two-year stint with the Stars ended with 39 goals and 54 assists in 154 games with a minus-15 rating.
Dallas re-signed defenseman Jordie Benn to a three-year, $3.3 million contract.