One of the best clichés of NHL draft week is, "best player available." Each GM will tell the media they will select whoever is highest on their board regardless of the organizational depth chart. The statement is usually true considering the nature of the league: Players are rarely ready for the NHL right away and success rates outside the top five drop sharply -- vastly different from the NFL, where rookies are expected to make an impact immediately.
But if teams did focus mostly on their needs, who would they pick? Below are the top needs for each NHL team, in order of the 2015 NHL draft.
1. Edmonton Oilers
Need: Franchise player
The Oilers have drafted No. 1 overall three times since 2010 and have still not landed their version of Sidney Crosby or Jonathan Toews. In a market that struggles to bring in quality free agents, the only way to regain relevance is behind a truly elite player. It may also be the only way to get the most out of the super-talented 2010 top pick Taylor Hall.
Pick: