We are one week away from a big part of the future of the Maple Leafs -- and of course, 29 other teams, being decided.

The first round of the draft is Friday, June 26. And we know who's going No. 1 and No. 2.

The team that holds the key is the Arizona Coyotes, picking third, and -- like the Maple Leafs -- in need of everything.

You've got to feel just a little sorry for Coyotes GM Don Maloney. While the first-round has some outstanding talent, the drop-off after Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel is pretty stunning.

Given all the bad news around the Coyotes -- their arena deal and future in Glendale, Ariz., are in doubt -- the draft lottery probably hurt them harder than any other team.

The Sabres grumbled about dropping from No. 1 to No. 2. But to go to No. 3? Wow.

But don't feel too bad for the Yotes, who are in an otherwise enviable position.

This draft they have two first-rounders, two second-rounders and two third-rounders. And next year they already have two first-rounders.

Maloney is ready to draft and he's ready to deal. The one thing about the Coyotes: they have to spend $19 million this summer just to get to the salary cap floor.

EICHEL-MANIA

The Sabres meanwhile seem to have rebounded nicely from the disappointment of not being able to get McDavid. And Eichel Fever has swept the city, such is the optimism there.

The team announced it is selling tickets -- yes, selling tickets, $10 each -- to the Red vs Gold scrimmage of their summer development camp on Friday, July 10, 7 p.m.

I'm going to rephrase that in a different way to let it sink in: Players who have never played a game in the NHL will scrimmage in a camp in the summer. Fans will pay $10 to watch.

Why? Well the news release doesn't explicitly say but one reason: Eichel.

The Sabres could just about fill their stadium for this.

A new hockey revenue stream has opened up. Typically, summer development camp is more about the coaches getting to know the players, the players getting to know each other, and getting advice on finances, nutrition and health.

TO THE MAILBAG

QUESTION: Are players such as Brandon Kozun, Richard Panik, Tim Erixon, and kind-of-getting-up-in-years Zach Sill legitimate rebuild possibilities, or are they just placeholders until younger players develop? You mentioned re-signing Eric Brewer, sounds reasonable, how likely is it to happen? And other than saying anything is possible, would Steven Stamkos ever come to Toronto as a UFA, and if so, what would that do to the cap as they rebuild?

Nick Martin

Winnipeg

ANSWER: Very good Qs, all around. My take on Kozun and Sill is that they are close to being -- as you put it -- placeholders. They don't make a lot of other NHL rosters. Panik, however, is legitimate. He's an original Triplet, replaced by Nikita Kucherov on the Lightning roster. The Leafs will have a lot of time for him. As for Erixon, he's a reclamation project. If it works, he could be Anton Stralman-good. If not, so be it. Like Stralman, Erixon is not particularly physical and he's not particularly offensively gifted. Defenceman are usually one or the other. But NHL teams are finding room for 'tweeners. Guys who play mistake-free minutes. (That said, Erixon made a lot of mistakes, but much of that I think was a lack of confidence).

I doubt Eric Brewer will be re-signed. As for Stamkos, stop it. Stop it now.

QUESTION: The Leafs players are saying things like 'being excited' about playing for Babcock but what does a new coach with a sound reputation really mean? Other than Babcock can enforce his will without anyone questioning him, what will be different for the players?

And since I haven't had a twofer in at least a week, a GM question. Shanahan said he's pleased with the relationships his assistant GM's have been building. How important is that? Do more/better deals get made because a GM has had conversations with another GM in the past?

Barry P

ANSWER: I've talked to a handful of Leafs since the Babcock hiring, and heard some interviews with others, and there's a sense of optimism with them regarding Babcock, as if they think they're happy to prove themselves worthy of the new coach. I think they all feel a new era is upon them, and they're glad to be part of it. None believe the team will be as bad as last year.

And I hope the Leafs assistant GMs are building good relationships. I'm sure other GMs see Mark Hunter and Kyle Dubas -- even Shanahan himself -- as green and ready for the taking. I'm not a big fan of so many inexperienced (at the NHL team level) voices running the club.

QUESTION: (Regarding declining NHL ratings in Canada). How about the cold winter and people are happy to be outdoors - how many have weaned themselves off TV (Netflix etc) - changing tastes?

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Do you have numbers for viewership on the women's soccer games? I read somewhere that stadium attendance is greater for MLS than the NHL for North America.

Ron K

ANSWER: All those factor in to ratings, for sure, especially when people consume TV in different ways. But sports is supposed to be appointment-viewing and NHL ratings are up in the United States, down in Canada. And all the same splintered viewing habits are the same in both countries.

As for soccer, I don't have FIFA's ratings, but one billion are expected to watch worldwide, according to the BBC.

And MLS average attendance is 20,000, according to ESPN, which is about the tops an NHL team can have. So yes, MLS -- in 40,000-to-60,000-seat stadiums - outdraws hockey in 19,000-seat stadiums. And apples are redder than oranges.

QUESTION: Wondering your thoughts on the new look HNIC?

Personally I don't like it. I don't understand why Rogers felt they needed to change anything.

The tradition a lot of Canadian hockey fans have is tuning into HNIC starting with the opening Montage that would give you goosebumps and get you excited for the game. The new opening was like listening to the trailer for a new action movie with the creepy voiceover.

People love Ron and Don because they have been apart of the show for as long as most of us have been watching HNIC and we want to hear what they have to say.

As far as the new host goes, he just doesn't seem like a hockey guy. Ron was able to make keen observations and was able to keep the panel focused. We watched the intermission because they had unique and insightful analysis.

And it seemed like Kipper was always annoyed with Strombo. Haha.

I also feel like Rogers gave up on a living legend in putting Bob Cole on the backburner. In my opinion he can make the most boring game seem exciting.

Sure he missed a play here or there and called the wrong players name. Who cares??

Anyways, good article man. Sorry for the rant Just my two cents and I was wondering your thoughts.

Neil S

ANSWER: Neil, as well as Lincoln C, Bobscry and others. Lots of you wanted to know what I thought about Rogers and Hockey Night In Canada.

Truth is, I don't watch it that much. I'm usually at the game that HNIC is covering as well. I've heard a lot of criticism about Rogers. But the experts in the industry tell want to remind everyone it's Year 1 of a 12-year deal. Rogers will get better at this.

That said, I do miss the pre-game montages. I could watch them over and over again on YouTube.