As a longtime NHL scout and general manager, George McPhee has had a hand in providing opportunities to countless prospects at the NHL draft.
It wasn’t until Saturday, when McPhee fully appreciated how significant that moment felt as a father.
McPhee was in the stands with his family in Buffalo when his son Graham was drafted in the fifth round, 149th overall, by the Edmonton Oilers.
“Even though you’ve been in the business a long time, it blows you away,” said McPhee, the former Washington Capitals general manager who is serving as a special adviser to the New York Islanders.
“It’s an emotional thing. I was hoping it wouldn’t be this emotional,” he added, with his voice cracking. “Got the lump in the throat.”
McPhee spoke as the draft drew to a close with rounds 2 through 7, and a day after Arizona-born center Auston Matthews was selected No. 1 by Toronto to spark a record run of 12 Americans taken in the first round.
The host Sabres made the biggest splash early in the second round, addressing a key need by acquiring veteran defenseman Dmitri Kulikov in a trade with the Florida Panthers. Besides swapping second-round picks that had Buffalo moving up to No. 33 from No. 38, the Panthers acquired defenseman Mark Pysyk and the Sabres’ third-round pick, 89th overall.
“We have a need for a left-shot D. He had an outstanding playoff for them,” Sabres general manager Tim Murray said of the Russian-born player.
Murray also addressed another topic that loomed over the draft by confirming his interest in making an offer to sign Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, should he enter the free agent market on July 1.
The interest in Stamkos ramped up Saturday because it was the first day all NHL teams were allowed to contact pending free agents.
Kings: Forward Trevor Lewis has agreed to a four-year contract extension with Los Angeles. Lewis, 29, has been a key player on the Kings’ depth lines for the past six seasons, playing a defensive game during Los Angeles’ run to Stanley Cup championships in 2012 and 2014.
Canucks: The NHL is reviewing whether to penalize Vancouver for tampering after general manager Jim Benning expressed interest in acquiring players under contract, including Tampa Bay’s Stamkos.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the severity of punishment will be based on how “damaging” the comments might have been. The potential discipline would range from a fine or Vancouver losing a draft pick.
Arrest: Former Boston Bruins star Ray Bourque was arrested on a drunken driving charge after his Mercedes-Benz rear-ended a minivan in a construction zone in Andover, Massachusetts. No injuries were reported. Bourque, 55, was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol and following too closely. He posted bail and was released.