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. 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-inch, 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. Matthews already has pro experience after spending last season with Zurich in the Swiss Elite League.
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.
For Toronto, Matthews represents a significant piece in general manager Lou Lamoriello’s extensive rebuilding plans to restore relevance to one of the league’s most high-profile franchises. The Maple Leafs have missed the playoffs in 10 of the past 11 years, and spent last season purging high-priced contracts and veteran talent with a focus on rebuilding through youth.
Matthews arrives at a time when the Maple Leafs usher in the 100th year of professional hockey being played in Canada’s largest city.
The Winnipeg Jets selected Finnish forward Patrik Laine with the second pick, before the draft took a slight turn.
The Columbus Blue Jackets passed over Finnish forward Jesse Puljujarvi to take Quebec-born forward Pierre-Luc Dubois. Puljujarvi was regarded the third-best prospect, just ahead of Dubois in the Central Scouting rankings.
And the Blue Jackets’ selection came a day after general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said he was considering trading the pick. Kekalainen, who is from Finland, also noted he wouldn’t take a player based on his nationality.
Puljujarvi was selected fourth by Edmonton, which was shopping the selection in an effort to acquire a top defenseman for a team stocked with forwards.
Laine, regarded as a pure goal-scorer, has the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of fellow countryman, Teemu Selanne, who began his career in Winnipeg in 1992.
The Vancouver Canucks completed what became a run on Finns by selecting defenseman Olli Juolevi at No. 5.
It marked the first time three Finnish-born players were selected among the top five picks. And it reflected how the nation has begun to dominate on the world state.
Finland won the 2015 world championship and the 2016 world junior championships, and lost to Canada in the world championship final last month.
Matt Tkakchuk, the 18-year-old son of former Malden Catholic and BU star Keith Tkakchuk, went to the Flames with the sixth pick.
The 6-2, 200-pound power forward racked up 30 goals, and 107 total points with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. His father went No. 19 overall to Winnipeg in 1990.
At No. 7, the Coyotes continued the BU connection, selecting slick center Clayton Keller, an incoming Terrier freshman, from the US development program.
He had 107 points in 62 games for the USDP.
“Incredible imagination and creativity,’’ said Craig Button, TSN’s director of scouting.
The Sabres went with Swedish winger Alex Nylanderwith the the eighth pick. At No. 9, Montreal took defenseman Mikhail Sergachev from the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL. The Avalanche wrapped up the top 10 with University of North Dakota-bound center Tyson Jost from Penticton of the BCHL. The Senators moved up one pick to take Windsor center Logan Brown, the son of 1984 draftee and 14-year NHL defenseman Jeff Brown, at No. 11, while the Devils, took OHL center Michael McLeod of Mississauga. One pick before the Bruins, the Hurricanes selected defenseman Jake Bean, who led Western Hockey League blue liners with 24 goals while skating for the Calgary Hitmen . . . BU-bound defenseman Dante Fabbro went No. 17 to Nashville. The 6-foot, 192-pound rearguard had 67 points for Penticton of the OHL . . . And yet another Terrier commit, Kieffer Bellows — the son of former No. 2 overall pick Brian Bellows (North Stars, 1982) — a 50-goal scorer for the US U-18 squad, went No. 19 to the New York Islanders. . . . UConn forward Tage Thompson went No. 26 to the Blues, the program’s inaugural No. 1 pick.
Draft day dealingsWith the Blackhawks unable to come to agreement with restricted free agent Andrew Shaw on a new deal, the Canadiens acquired the 24-year-old forward for two second-round picks (No. 39 and 45) in this year’s draft. Shaw had 14 goals and 20 assists in Chicago last season. Montreal also shipped 27-year-old forward Lars Ellers (13 goals, 13 assists last season) to the Capitals for a pair of second-round picks in 2017 and 2018 . . . Addressing their biggest need, the Flames acquired 31-year-old goalie Brian Elliott from the Blues for a second-round pick this year (No. 35 overall) and a conditional third-round pick in 2017 . . . The Red Wings gained salary-cap relief by trading the contract of Russian League-bound Pavel Datysyuk, along with the 16th pick (defenseman Jakob Chychrun), to the Coyotes in exchange for picks No. 20, No. 53, and forward Joseph Vitale.
Wild cut Vanek
The Wild bought out the final year of Thomas Vanek’s three-year, $19.5 million deal, ending a disappointing 39-goal, 54-assist, two-year stint for the 32-year-old left wing. Vanek was scoreless with four assists in 10 playoff games for Minnesota last year, and he sat out the postseason this year because of a rib injury.
He hasn’t topped 30 goals in a season since 2010-11. the 11-year veteran has 316 goals and 333 assists in 817 career games . . .
Buffalo police are investigating an allegation that Sabres forward Evander Kane physically harassed two women at a downtown Buffalo bar. A person spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity on Friday because police have not revealed any details of their investigation.
This is Kane’s second run-in with trouble in six months. In March, a three-month investigation led prosecutors to rule Kane would not face a sexual assault charge because there was no evidence to support the allegation . . .
The Stars inked 28-year-old defenseman Jordie Benn to a three-year extension. The older brother of team captain Jamie Benn, he blocked 94 shots last season while compiling three goals and nine assists . . .
