“Ekblad is a pillar type defenceman. You just don’t find players like that very often.” @CraigJButton on Oilers Now. — Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer (@OilersNow) March 14, 2014

The Exceptional Ekblad becomes first defenseman drafted first overall since Erik Johnson by the Blues in 2006, and just the third in 18 years.Panthers get immediate help on the blueline.

2. Buffalo Sabres

Sam Reinhart

Ht/Wt: 6′ 1″/185 lbs

Position: C

Team: Kootenay (WHL)

Reinhart is in a different stratosphere when it comes to hockey IQ and hockey sense. He’ll make all Sabres he plays with better.

3. Edmonton Oilers

Leon Draisaitl

Ht/Wt: 6′ 1″/208 lbs

Position:C/LW

Team: Prince Albert (WHL)

Oilers heavily shop this pick as they see Ekblad go off the board. Draisaitl, the Deutschland Dangler, becomes highest German born player ever selected in NHL draft.

Peter Sullivn of @NHLCentralScout on Draisaitl: "You want to talk about a mini Jaromir Jagr, you got him right here." http://t.co/U4ZkVkXcz2 — Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) March 13, 2014

4. Calgary Flames

Sam Bennett

Ht/Wt: 6′ 0″/178 lbs

Position: C/LW

Team: Kingston (OHL)

Flames dream scenario – Jonathan Toews-like prosect fall to them in the 4th overall similar. One can’t help but conjure up images of Dougie “Killer” Gilmour when you see this kid play.

Just talked to Sam Bennett, sounds like groin injury is healed. He'll start training with Andy O'Brien (Tavares, Crosby) next week — Ryan Kennedy (@THNRyanKennedy) April 23, 2014

5. New York Islanders

Nikolaj Ehlers

Ht/Wt: 5’11″/165 lbs

Position:LW

Team: Halifax (QMJHL)

I don’t think any player impressed me more than Ehlers by midseason, and then he just seemed to get even better. His stickhandling ability is off the charts. For some unknown reason, maybe inspired by Patrick Kane incredible stickhandling videos, I envisaged Nikolaj putting on a puckhandling clinic, stickhandling through downtown Shanghai in rush hour – if you can imagine that, this young gun could pull it off.

Islanders consider Michael Nylander, but have visions have Robert Nilsson and can’t pull the trigger.