Alexandre Daigle was the first pick by the Ottawa Senators at today's NHL entry draft - and quickly came to terms with his new team.
The 18-year-old center was the first No. 1 pick from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League since Pierre Turgeon was made the top choice by Buffalo in 1987 and only the third in 22 years.For the past two years, the 6-foot, 170-pound Daigle has been the star of the QMJHL, compiling 78 goals and 247 points for the Victoriaville Tigres.
Pierre Lacroix, Daigle's agent, said the contract agreement for his client had already been reached with the Senators. He did not specify the terms, but it reportedly was a multiyear deal, worth between $10 million and $20 million.
Daigle, a native of nearby Laval, Quebec, is expected to be a big drawing attraction for the Senators, with his flashy style and charismatic personality.
"When Alexandre walks into a room, everybody knows it," Lacroix said. "People react to him in a way I've haven't seen since Guy Lafleur."
Daigle has breakaway speed and the creative genius to be an NHL impact player, scouts believe.
Chris Pronger, considered the top defenseman in this year's draft, was the second pick by the Hartford Whalers. The Whalers, who were originally scheduled to pick sixth, took over the No. 2 spot in a last-minute position switch with the San Jose Sharks.
Pronger is a 6-foot-6, 190-pounder who is considered a gifted puck-handler by NHL scouts.
Chris Gratton, a forward from Kingston of the OHL, was picked No. 3 by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Gratton, who scored 55 goals and 109 points in 58 OHL games this season, is known for his tough play and work ethic.
The No. 4 pick was Paul Kariya, a forward from the University of Maine, by the new Anaheim Mighty Ducks.
Rob Neidermeyer, one of the quickest forwards in the draft, was the fifth pick by the Florida Panthers. The 6-2, 200-pounder starred with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League.
Viktor Kozlov, a big Russian right wing, was taken next by San Jose as the NHL's most recent expansion teams completed their first-round picks. Kozlov, a 6-5, 220-pounder, was the highest-rated European in this year's draft.
Jason Arnott, a center from Oshawa of the OHL, was picked No. 7 by the Edmonton Oilers. Niklas Sundstrom, a versatile forward from Sweden, went to the New York Rangers as the No. 8 pick.
Dallas then selected Todd Harvey, another product of Canadian juniors. Harvey, a center, played for the Detroit Junior Red Wings of the OHL.
Jocelyn Thibault, another product of the QMJHL, was the first goaltender picked in the draft. The Sherbrooke goalie went No. 10 to the Quebec Nordiques, who traded up to get Philadelphia's pick.
Brendan Witt, a defenseman from the WHL, went to Washington; Toronto took Swedish defenseman Kenny Jonsson; New Jersey selected Denis Pederson, a center from the WHL; Quebec picked center Adam Deadmarsh from the WHL, and Winnipeg's overall No. 15 pick was Swedish center Mats Lindgren.
After that, Edmonton selected defenseman Nick Stajduhar of the OHL; Washington took center Jason Allison of the OHL; Calgary piked Swedish forward Jesper Mattsson; Buffalo went for U.S. junior Landon Wilson; Vancouver selected OHL defenseman Mike Wilson and Montreal took Finnish center Saku Koivu.
Also, Detroit picked Swedish defenseman Anders Eriksson; the New York Islanders selected OHL forward Todd Bertuzzi; Chicago chose forward Eric Lecompte from the QMJHL; Boston picked center Kevin Adams from the University of Miami and Pittsburgh selected Swedish defenseman Stefan Bergqvist.
The New Jersey Devils acquired two forwards in separate deals during the draft. The Devils acquired forward Corey Millen from the Los Angeles Kings for a fifth-round draft pick, then got Mike Peluso from Ottawa to complete an earlier trade for goaltender Craig Billington.
Two other players changed teams on a day of relatively light trading.
Forward Craig Berube went from Calgary to Washington for a fifth-round pick and San Jose forward Dean Evason was traded to Dallas for a sixth-rounder from a previous trade.