The 2018 NHL Draft begins Friday in Dallas. Due to a trade with Ottawa, the Penguins do not have a pick in the first round. Barring a trade, they will not pick until the 53rd overall selection in the second round on Saturday. They will also have picks in the third round (64th overall), two picks in the fifth, and single picks in the sixth and seventh rounds. General Manager Jim Rutherford is thought to be considering several trades to move up in the draft.
Buffalo has the first overall selection.
The Ottawa Senators traded winger Mike Hoffman yesterday, hoping to solve an ugly off-ice issue involving star defenseman Erik Karlsson and his wife. Melinda Karlsson recently filed an order of protection against Hoffman’s fiancee alleging harassment and cyberbullying in the form of hundreds of derogatory online messages aimed at her and her husband, whose first child was stillborn in March.
The Senators sent Hoffman to the San Jose Sharks, who then dealt him to the Florida Panthers. All told, the two transactions involved four players and six draft picks.
