For the fourth time since 2010, the Edmonton Oilers own the 1st overall selection in the upcoming NHL draft. 

Defying the NHL Lottery system and jumping from the 3rd selection to the 1st overall pick has given the Oilers a chance to draft the heavily-favored no. one prospect Connor McDavid (C, Erie Otters/OHL).

The Buffalo Sabres, who were favored to win the lottery with a 20% chance, have fallen to the 2nd overall pick where they are expected to select Boston University blue-chip prospect Jack Eichel.

After those two picks, the draft experts are at a toss-up with prospects such as Noah Hannifan, Dylan Strome, Lawson Crouse, and Mitchell Marner expected to fall anywhere between the third and seventh picks.

Recent reports and rumors have linked the Columbus Blue Jackets looking to make a move up the draft board from their current position with the 8th selection.

Other rumors that are picking up wind before the 1st overall selection is announced on Friday night is that the Washington Capitals are looking to aquire either T.J. Oshie of the St. Louis Blues or Patrick Sharp of the recent Stanley Cup champions Chicago Blackhawks to help boost their top-six forward rotation.

Both rumored trades could involve any of the Capitals' five picks in this years seven-round draft, most notably with the Oshie rumor involving the Caps' 22nd overall pick as part of the deal.

Round 1 Projections
1. Edmonton Oilers- Connor McDavid C, Erie (OHL)
2. Buffalo Sabres- Jack Eichel C, Boston Univ. (NCAA)
3. Arizona Coyotes- Dylan Strome C, Erie (OHL)
4. Toronto Maple Leafs- Noah Hanifin D, Boston College (NCAA)
5. Carolina Hurricanes- Mitchell Marner C, London (OHL)
6. New Jersey Devils- Pavel Zacha  C, Sarnia (OHL)
7. Philadelphia Flyers- Mikko Rantanen RW, Finland
8. Columbus Blue Jackets- Ivan Provorov D, Brandon (WHL)
9. San Jose Sharks- Lawson Crouse LW, Kingston (OHL) 
10. Colorado Avalanche- Timo Meier RW, Halifax (QMJHL)
11. Florida Panthers- Mathew Barzal C, Seattle (WHL)
12. Dallas Stars- Kyle Connor LW, Younstown (USHL)
13. Los Angeles Kings- Zachary Werenski D, Michigan (NCAA)
14. Boston Bruins- Travis Konecny C, Ottawa (OHL)
15. Calgary Flames- Evgeny Svechnikov RW, Cape Breton (QMJHL)
16. Edmonton Oilers (from PIT)- Jakub Zboril D, Saint John (QMJHL)
17. Winnipeg Jets- Thomas Chabot D, Saint John (QMJHL)
18. Ottawa Senators- Oliver Kylington D, Sweden
19. Detroit Red Wings- Jake DeBrusk LW, Swift Current (WHL)
20. Minnesota Wild- Filip Chlapik C, Charlottetown (QMJHL)
21. Buffalo Sabres (from NYI)- Jeremy Roy D, Sherbrooke (QMJHL)
22. Washington Capitals- Ryan Pilon D, Brandon (WHL)
23. Vancouver Canucks- Nick Merkley RW, Kelowna (WHL)
24. Toronto Maple Leafs (from NSH)- Colin White C, USA U-18 (USHL)
25. Winnipeg Jets (from STL via BUF)- Gabriel Carlsson D, Sweden
26. Montreal Canadiens- Joel Eriksson Ek, C, Sweeden
27. Anaheim Ducks- Jansen Harkins C, Prince George (WHL)
28. Tampa Bay Lightning (from NYR)- Noah Juulsen D, Everett (WHL)
29. Philadelphia Flyers (from TBL)- Brandon Carlo  D, Tri-City (WHL)
30. Arizona Coyotes (from CHI)- Daniel Sprong RW, Charlottetown (QMJHL)