(UPDATE 9:12 )- After a first round full of surprises, the Ottawa Senators have grabbed Ottawa 67s star Cody Ceci with the 15th overall selection . Bizarre sequence of events in the opening fourteen picks so you have to think Bryan Murray and his staff are thrilled with this selection.
(UPDATE 5:50 PM)- About an hour to go till the draft and people seem to be opening up to the idea of a Nash deal not happening today. Really doesn't sound like either Murray or Howson is desperate for a resolution. Both Lebrun and Dreger suggest that Ottawa remains in the mix but his desire to play here remains in question.
(UPDATE 5:21 PM)- On to the third thread of the day. Incredible. There was a bit of a scare around 5:00 PM when a fake twitter account suggested a deal was done but obviously that is not the case. The real Darren Dreger suggested this Nash Saga could drag on into July and Murray suggested he hasn't even talked to Howson today.
(UPDATE 1:23 PM)- On to the second thread of the day as we surpass the 300 comment mark. Scott Howson spoke with the media at the draft and suggested that there is still a ways to go on any deal involving Rick Nash. Stress again the importance of not always taking the words of a GM on Draft Day at face value. So much posturing going on right now.
(UPDATE 1:11 PM)- Greg Thomson from Sportsnet has suggested on Twitter that the San Jose Sharks are now out of the Nash sweepstakes. Long believed to be one of the favourites, word is they weren't willing to meet the asking price set by Howson. Interesting.
(UPDATE 11:56 AM)- Bryan Murray addressed the media in Pittsburgh this morning and indicated that the Sens are still involved in talks on Rick Nash and that the 15th pick has not been part of the discussions.
(UPDATE 11:50 AM)- Renaud Lavoie, who previously indicated the Sens were out of the Nash Sweepstakes, now suggests that conversations are continuing and that budget may the issue for Ottawa. He also tweeted that the Senators have had no discussions on Jordan Staal. No surprise there.
(UPDATE 11:34 AM)- The biggest issue on the Rick Nash front is whether or not he has any interest in playing in Ottawa. Teams like San Jose and New York are on his list but have yet to meet the Jackets asking price. Ottawa remains in the mix though.
