[Cali Panthers Fan]

Okay, here's my stab at a draft. I'll try to provide some reasoning throughout. Cap hit was right around $74 million, so about $7 million to spare for a good free agent signing. I only have 3 players over 30 years old in this draft.

Forwards: I started by focusing on the center ice position and then filled in the wingers based on the best fit, whether it be an offensive player or role player. It was surprisingly hard to find a halfway decent center, so it seemed like Ryan Johansson was the best option for a de facto #1 center. Yeah, it's a risk, but there is almost nothing else out there to build around, even for a free agent. I like Gourde as a possible 2nd line center, interchangeable with Domi if he plays center again. I think Kerfoot is a great #3 who could be #2 if the other guys don't work out. Tierney is a perfect #4 center. Here is my lineup with cap hits and drafted team included.

Domi-Johansson-Eberle
(CLB-$5.3-1yr)-(NSH-$8-4yrs)-(NYI-$5.5-3yrs)
Ritchie-Gourde-Donskoi
(BOS-RFA)-(TBL-$5.17-4yrs)-(COL-$3.9-2yrs)
Hathaway-Kerfoot-Appleton
(WSH-$1.5-2yrs)-(TOR-$3.5-2yrs)-(WPG-$900K-1yr)
Nieto-Tierney-Merkley
(SJS-$850K-2yrs)-(OTT-$3.5-1yr)-(NJD-RFA)

Extras: Lemieux (LAK-$1.55-1yr), Gauthier (NYR-$775K-1yr)

Defense: I couldn't pass up on Giordano as a captain and anchor on defense. They'd be stupid not to take him. This was the group that I worked on after I picked the goalies and centers. Lots to choose from, but I wanted to balance experience and talent with youth and potential. I think De Haan is a solid defender, as is Miller, and I added Gostisbehere for the necessary offense from the back end.

Giordano-De Haan
(CGY-$6.75-1yr)-(CHI-$4.55-1yr)
Gostisbehere-Miller
(PHI-$4.5-2yr)-(BUF-$3.875-1yr)
Kulak-Stecher
(MTL-$1.85-1yr)-(DET-$1.7-1yr)

Extra: Lyubushkin (ARI-$1.35-1yr) or Fleury (ANA-$1.35-1yr)

Goalies: This was the first position I settled on. I started with the assumption of drafting Driedger and signing him based on solid rumors. Then I wanted a veteran to play in tandem just in case Driedger didn't work out, so I took Bishop who hopefully will be fully recovered, but if not? I have DeSmith as another veteran option.

Driedger (FLA-UFA)
Bishop (DAL-$4.9-2yrs)
DeSmith (PIT-$1.25-1yr)

Farm: I wanted to go for some of the highest possible talent available for the farm system to start with. Lind jumped out to me, as did Bean, and yeah, even Tyler Benson from Edmonton seemed like a good prospect to pick up, but also because I thought it would be fun to take the only decent forward in their system (lol). Also, the Oilers have almost nothing of value on their roster to take, so I had to go with that (same thing with Vancouver).

Forwards: Kole Lind (VAN-RFA), Tyler Benson (EDM-RFA)
Defense: Jake Bean (CAR-RFA), Vince Dunn (STL-RFA)
Goalie: Kaapo Kahkonen (MIN-$725K-1yr)

Here's the best thing about this roster...there's very few players signed beyond this year. Most of the top 6 will be around for a couple years, which will allow the younger prospects or draft picks to have time to develop in to top players. Defense is a concern beyond this year, but there are some good young players to build around, and maybe you re-sign 1 or 2 vets for a year or two to fill out the lineup. Goalie is very well set with Driedger as a starter and Kahkonen developing behind him.

Basically, see what players work and get rid of the rest and develop from within. More importantly, trade a bunch of veteran expiring contracts at the trade deadline next year for more futures and draft picks.

That's what I would do anyway. Bear in mind, this doesn't take into consideration any trades or side deals that could emerge. This was a straight exercise in just the draft.