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2015 NHL Entry Draft – LBC’s Annual First Round Open Thread

Talented wingers… The 2015 NHL Draft is chock full of them and we need one, so this could work out really well. Whether it’s Mikko Rantanen, Lawson Crouse, Kyle Connor or maybe Timo Meier (among others), the Florida Panthers should come away with yet another prize prospect when they make their selection with pick number eleven.

This is the first time since 2001 that the draft has been held in our own backyard and it should be a doozy. Generational talents Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel will go one and two to Edmonton and Buffalo, respectively. After that, things will start to get interesting as there are lots of really talented players to choose from with specific team needs and perhaps some trades conspiring to really shake up things up as the night progresses. The rebuilding Sabres have already dealt the 21st pick to Ottawa for goalie Robin Lehner and veteran center David Legwand.

There are at least several other notable veteran NHLers reportedly on the block which could really up the ante from an excitement standpoint. Phil Kessel, Patrick Sharp, Ryan O’Reilly, Kevin Bieksa, Jeff Skinner, Cam Talbot.. Any of those guys made your toes tingle? Maybe by the end of the night one of them will be coming south to don a Panthers sweater.

Tonight’s festivities kick off at 7 p.m. If you can’t attend in person, tune it to NBCSN to watch things unfold. Coverage starts there at 6:30 with a pre-draft show.

As always, your comments below are most welcome and appreciated. You can also follow the LBC crew in attendance at the BB&T Center on twitter.

Donny @LitterBoxCats Todd @toddlittle827 Shane @shane1342o

Strap yourselves in folks! Should be a wild night.

Talking Points