With each passing minute, Steven Stamkos gets that much closer to unrestricted free agency.

Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman was asked about negotiations with his star player Friday night at the NHL Draft in Buffalo, N.Y., and said that he'd consider a sign-and-trade scenario if he can't get Stamkos' signature on a new deal, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.

Yzerman added that "all avenues remain open" with respect to Stamkos' situation, even as the free-agent dialogue window opens Saturday, according to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun.

Stamkos, 26, is the marquee free agent set to hit the market. He's spent his entire career with Tampa Bay, and has 312 goals and 562 career points in 569 games.

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Pittsburgh Penguins general manager could care less that his club has no selection in the first round of the 2016 Draft.

The club's lone selection this season was part of a package that was sent to the Toronto Maple Leafs last offseason for sniper Phil Kessel, and Rutherford regrets nothing.

"Of course we’d like to have a first round, but not at the expense of Phil Kessel," said Rutherford. "We’re okay with what is going on tonight."

The Maple Leafs ultimately used the pick - 30th overall - to acquire goaltender Frederik Andersen from the Anaheim Ducks.

Meanwhile Kessel led the Penguins in scoring with 22 points in 24 games en route to their club's Stanley Cup victory.

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The Arizona Coyotes selected defenseman Jakob Chychrun with the 16th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft after stomaching Pavel Datsyuk's contract in a deal with the Detroit Red Wings.

Jakob Chychrun

Position: Left Defense
Height: 6-2
Weight: 194 pounds
Age: 18
Club: Sarnia Sting
Nationality: Canadian-American

(Even-strength stats courtesy: prospect-stats.com)

The top-ranked North American defenseman and fourth-ranked skater overall on this side of the Atlantic, Chychrun has long worn the label of an elite next-level prospect.

With top-end skating skills and above-average hands, he's an extremely competent puck carrier, handler, and mover, possessing the transition skills required among top-pairing defensemen in the NHL today. That said, he doesn't necessarily possess the tools needed to run a highly successful power play.

Imposing in his own end, Chychrun employs a tough brand, but also has strong control over his own physicality. He'll have to refine his positioning, as he's too often forced to compensate with his effective, lengthy stride.

Chychrun was one of the more notable omissions on Team Canada's World Junior roster.

He was the first overall selection of the Sarnia Sting in the Ontario Hockey League's Priority Selection in 2014. He's the son of Jeff Chychrun, the former 37th-overall selection and a veteran of 262 NHL games over his nine-year professional career.

Despite sliding out of lottery position, Chychrun was clearly coveted. Arizona has made a considerable financial investment in order to acquire a prospect that immediately jumps to the front of the line among defensemen in the system.

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The Detroit Red Wings have found a taker for the final year of Pavel Datsyuk's contract.

The Red Wings traded Datsyuk and the 16th overall pick in Friday's draft to the Arizona Coyotes for the 20th and 53rd selections, as well as forward Joe Vitale.

None of Datsyuk's $7.5-million cap hit will be retained by the Red Wings, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports.

Detroit now has about $19 million in cap space, while Arizona has about $26.7 million even after absorbing Datsyuk's deal.

Last weekend, the 37-year-old announced his intent to play in the KHL next season.

His cap figure remains on the books under CBA rules because he signed a three-year extension after turning 35.

The Coyotes drafted defenseman Jakob Chychrun with the 16th overall pick.

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While this year's draft will likely be remembered as a turning point in the fortunes of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Finland will remember it for another reason.

Three Finns - Patrik Laine, Jesse Puljujarvi, and Olli Juolevi - were drafted in the top five, marking the first time that's ever happened.

Meanwhile, only two born-and-raised Canadian players were taken in the top 10, the fewest ever, tweeted broadcaster Mike Kelly.

The Canadians selected were Pierre-Luc Dubois (third overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets), and Tyson Jost (10th overall by the Colorado Avalanche).

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The Ottawa Senators traded up one spot with the New Jersey Devils and selected Windsor Spitfires forward Logan Brown with the 11th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft.

Logan Brown

Position: Center
Height: 6-6
Weight: 218 pounds
Age: 18
Club: Windsor (OHL)
Nationality: American

(Even-strength stats courtesy: prospect-stats.com)

Brown ranks seventh among North American skaters on the NHL's Central Scouting rankings, having jumped up seven spots since the midterm rankings. Brown is also the highest ranking center in North America.

The 18-year-old is coming off his second season with the Spitfires where he finished second in scoring with 74 points.

He is a reliable two-way-center who has an NHL-ready shot and great creativity in the offensive zone. He is sound on both sides of the puck, but despite his towering frame is not overly physical, according to Elite Prospects.

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The Montreal Canadiens selected defenseman Mikhail Sergachev with the ninth overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft on Friday.

Mikhail Sergachev

Position: Defense
Height: 6-2
Weight: 205 pounds
Age: 17
Club: Windsor (OHL)
Nationality: Russian

(Even-strength stats courtesy: prospect-stats.com)

Sergachev entered the draft as the fourth-highest-ranked defenseman in North America, according to NHL Central Scouting, and the eighth-ranked skater overall.

The 17-year-old is coming off his first season in North America. He had a stellar campaign, leading all OHL defensemen with 17 goals and finishing third with 57 points in 67 games. His incredible play saw him awarded the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the league's most outstanding defenseman.

Sergachev is a two-way defender who, according to Elite Prospects, "plays with a poise and confidence that facilitates his creativity with the puck." He's a speedy and fluid skater with an incredibly strong shot, with the lone knock against him being his defensive-zone coverage.

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The Calgary Flames will field a goaltender next season.

Calgary has acquired veteran Brian Elliott from the St. Louis Blues from the 35th overall pick at the 2016 NHL Draft, as first reported by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

St. Louis will also get a conditional third round pick in 2018 if the Flames re-sign Elliott, who is scheduled for unrestricted free agency next summer. He will earn just $2.5 million for this upcoming season.

Elliott posted sparkling numbers in split duties with Jake Allen last season, finishing with a .930 save percentage and 2.07 goals-against average in 42 games. He was banged up for portions of the season, but was able to win the starting job for the postseason and lead the Blues past the Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars, and into the Western Conference Final.

The 31-year-old likely will not have to compete for the crease in Calgary, being the only Flames netminder on an NHL contract.

Allen, who also posted strong numbers in 47 appearances last season, will be the starter moving forward for St. Louis at a $2.35-million cap hit.

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The Arizona Coyotes have selected center Clayton Keller with the seventh overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft on Friday.

Clayton Keller

Position: Center
Height: 5-10
Weight: 178 lbs
Age: 17
Club: U.S. National Development Program (U-18)
Nationality: American

(Even-strength stats courtesy: prospect-stats.com)

Keller won't turn 18 until July 29, but the young centerman already has the look of an impact player.

Ranked ninth among North American skaters in advance of the draft, Keller has put up big offensive numbers at every level to date, and while some teams may be turned off by his size, his game belies his under 6-foot frame.

From Future Considerations:

A small but highly dynamic playmaker that is not afraid to go to the greasy areas for a scoring chance. He skates well with the ability to rocket down the ice and add a quick lateral burst to get through a hole when required. Has very impressive vision and ability to pick up options all over the ice all while maintaining possession and protecting the puck. Is a 100% effort player who rarely takes a shift off. Also possesses a pin-point shot that he hits his mark with when in a position to score. A very dangerous offensive player who has definite top six NHL potential ...

He may be a couple years away, but the harvest of this pick down the line could be plentiful.

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The Calgary Flames drafted London Knights forward Matthew Tkachuk with the sixth overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft on Friday.

Matthew Tkachuk

Position: Left Wing
Height: 6-1
Weight: 194 lbs
Age: 17
Club: London Knights (OHL)
Nationality: American

(Even-strength stats courtesy: prospect-stats.com)

The son of longtime-NHLer Keith, Tkachuk was the second-ranked North American skater in this year's draft thanks to an outstanding season with the Knights. He formed a dynamic trio with 2015 fourth overall pick Mitch Marner and 2014 second-rounder Christian Dvorak, leading London to the OHL final. Tkachuk finished fifth in the league in scoring, racking up 107 points in 57 regular-season games.

A "multi-dimensional energy winger," according to Elite Prospects, Tkachuk has a unique combination of grit and skill. He has no problems getting to the front of the net, and is also coveted for his ability to create scoring chances for his linemates. Despite a difference in size, many believe his game is similar to his father's - who scored 538 goals over his career.

Though he possesses incredibly smooth strides, Tkachuk must work on his foot speed to make an immediate impact in the NHL, but his skill set makes him a surefire top prospect for.

Tkachuk fits perfectly into the Brian Burke mold. A player with size who can score, hit, and play a 200-foot game is exactly what Calgary was looking for. He should fit in well with the core of Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau, and Sam Bennett for years to come.

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