NEW YORK -- Sundays NHL draft promises to be a boon for some bad teams. There is plenty of quality, with a few players ready for prime time next season. Prying away one of those top picks will be costly. There is rich cream at the top of this crop. "Youve suffered so greatly to end up picking first or second, it better be a heck of deal to have to move that pick, to go back or even to move forward," said Florida GM Dale Tallon, who holds the second overall pick after finishing runner-up to Colorado in the draft lottery. How deep is the Panthers hole? The worst team in the league last season is offering season tickets for US$7 a game, complete with a free jersey and parking. Defenceman Seth Jones, winger Jonathan Drouin and centres Nathan MacKinnon and Aleksander Barkov are seen as the top prospects available Sunday at the Prudential Centre in Newark, N.J. In an unusual turn of events, the Avalanche have said publicly that they are leaning towards the 17-year-old MacKinnon. If thats the case, Florida has first crack at Jones, rated the top North American skater by NHL Central Scouting. But Tallon says Colorados transparency hasnt made their decision any easier. "Were still talking about it," Tallon said Saturday after attending a USA Hockey news conference. "Before I came here this morning, we were still having heavy discussions on it. "Were very fortunate, were going to get a good player. At whatever position and whoever it is, its going to be someone thats really going to fit in with whatever we have coming as far as our prospects are concerned." Nashville president and GM David Poile, whose team picks fourth after Tampa Bay, sees difference-makers on the board. "Were real excited to find out who we get (Sunday)," said Poile. "Because if all goes well, theres about six players that could be what I call franchise players. And theyre the guys that are going to take us to the promised land for the next several years." "This is a great draft," said Tallon. "Were happy that at (No.) 31 (the first pick in the second round), were going to get a really good player too." Carolina picks fifth. Calgary, at No. 6, holds the highest pick among Canadian teams. The Flames also pick 22nd (St. Louis) and 28th (Pittsburgh) in the first round. Edmonton selects seventh followed by Winnipeg at No. 13, Ottawa at No. 17, Toronto at No. 21, Vancouver at No. 24 and Montreal at No. 25. Some have compared this draft to that of 2003, a talent-laden year that produced the likes of Patrice Bergeron, Dustin Brown, Jeff Carter, Marc-Andre Fleury, Ryan Getzlaf, Nathan Horton, Ryan Kesler, Zach Parise, Corey Perry, Dion Phaneuf, Eric Staal, Ryan Suter and Shea Weber. Ottawa assistant GM Tim Murray sees it as a good year, but not 2003 good. "I dont buy into the 2003 talk and that type of thing. But certainly the first round we like. ... I think theres a drop-off. Whether thats the second round or the third round, I think theres a drop-off that in the best drafts we havent seen. What makes a draft great is the depth obviously. "But theres a lot of talent in this draft," he added. "Teams picking high are going to get if not franchise players, impact players." Ottawa director of scouting Pierre Dorion is also less bullish than some. "It is a good draft," he said. "I think a lot of people that dont really scout have built it up to something that its not. I think were going to get a good player in the first round." Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff says its a draft that has something for everyone. "I was talking to one director of amateur scouting yesterday and hes really bullish about deep into the first round and bullish about a lot of different type of players, too," said Cheveldayoff. "I know what our thoughts are, and obviously its interesting to hear his take on what he thought. We didnt talk specific players but you could just tell that universally the people that are making the decisions or at least are recommending the decisions feel very good about it." Jones, who stands close to six foot four and weighs 205 pounds, is seen as NHL-ready, despite only having spent one year in the WHL. "Seth is one of those guys that just comes along every once in a while, when you look at the big defencemen in the league like the Charas and the Prongers," said Dan Marr, director of NHL Central Scouting. "Hes made for todays game under todays rules." Jones, the 18-year-old son of former Toronto Raptor and current Brooklyn Nets assistant coach Popeye Jones, collected 56 points (14 goals and 42 assists) and a plus-46 rating in 61 games, helping Portland to the Memorial Cup final. "Any time theres been a challenge put in front of him, hes met it and hes succeeded," said Marr. The six-foot, 182-pound MacKinnon, like Jones, is a player who rises to the occasion. His ability to accelerate is also remarkable. "Hes got a quickness to pull away with his speed that I havent seen in a number of years," said Marr. The five-foot-10, 186-pound Drouin, another Moosehead, is compared to a young Joe Sakic. "His intuition in the game, his quick read and react, its excellent," said Marr. "Theres not too many players available that read the game and see the ice and can make the play. And he can deliver, offensively and defensively." Other prospects worth watching are defenceman Darnell Nurse, whom Marr compares to Shea Weber, and goalie Zachary Fucale, touted as being cool as ice under pressure. The Avs willingness to discuss their preference with the top pick has drawn a variety of responses. Poile calls it "rather refreshing." "Good on them that they know what they do," he said. Tallon said it makes sense given the character of Sakic, Colorados executive vice-president of hockey operations, and coach Patrick Roy. "Theyre classy guys; theyre very honest guys. Theyre new, they want to have fun. Theyre invigorating, enthusiastic guys and thats the way they are," said Tallon. Ottawa GM Bryan Murray sounded a little more skeptical. "I dont know whether theyre following through with what they said totally or its just easier for them to say this is what were doing and go about doing it." There is no shortage of family ties to this draft. Forward Max Domi, son of Tie, has drawn kudos for his offensive skills. But teams can also get nostalgic and pick up a Bertuzzi, Brodeur, Comrie, LaFontaine, Mantha, Quenneville, Rychel, Subban, or Tambellini. NOTES -- Some 211 players from 12 countries were taken during last years draft. Canada led the way with 99 followed by the U.S. (56 ), Sweden (22), Russia (11), Finland (9), Czech Republic (6), Denmark (2), Latvia (2), Belarus (1), Germany (1), Switzerland (1) and United Kingdom (1) ... Top prospect Seth Jones goes by his second name. He prefers Seth over his first name Jared. Pete Maravich Jazz Jersey . -- The Sacramento Kings and guard Jimmer Fredette have completed a buyout of his contract, clearing the way for the former BYU sensation to become a free agent. Dante Exum Jazz Jersey . -- Canadian womens amateur golf champion Brooke Henderson is a little less starstruck as she prepares for her second career appearance at an LPGA Tour major event. http://www.jazzauthentic.com/customized/ . The Toronto Argonauts (11-7) look for an opportunity to repeat as CFL champions when they host the surging Hamilton Tiger-Cats (10-8) on Sunday. Rudy Gobert Jazz Jersey . A quick first step to get to the hoop for a layup. A rousing dunk on the break off a high outlet pass saved by teammate Ramon Sessions. Pete Maravich Jersey . But when it was all over they had wasted another lead, seen another pitcher flame out on the mound and lost their fourth straight at home.BARCELONA, Spain -- Lionel Messi missed a late penalty attempt before Barcelona won the Spanish Super Cup with a 0-0 draw against 10-man Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night. Messi had a chance to put the result beyond doubt in the 89th minute, but fired his penalty kick off the crossbar to finish a forgettable night for the Argentine star. Barcelona eventually claimed the trophy on away goals following the 1-1 draw in the opening leg last week. Atleticos disciplined defence stifled a Barcelonas attack featuring Neymar, making his first starting appearance for his new club. And the visitors enjoyed the best scoring opportunities -- other than Messis penalty attempt -- but werent able to get the critical goal, mainly because of Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes. Atleticos chances were hurt in the 81st when Filipe Luis was given a red card for apparently hitting Dani Alves. The scoreless draw meant Neymars first-leg goal was the difference. "Im happy with the title. Whenever there is a title in play what counts is winning it," Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino said. "But as far as the team goes, I want to see more. Above all in these types of games, we need to find more precision and the ability to create more spaces." Messi was back for Barcelona after missing one game due to a left thigh injury sustained in the opening Super Cup match last week. But the four-time world player of the year wasnt his usual dynamic self, lacking his spark and finishing touch. He uncharaacteristically scuffed a close-range shot off a pass from Sergio Busquets to start his off night.dddddddddddd Martino gave Neymar his first start in his fourth official game for Barcelona since his move from Santos in June. Messi and Neymar had only previously been on the pitch together for 7 minutes because Martino said he wanted to ease the 21-year-old Brazil striker into his new team. But those eager to see the two together were disappointed. While Messi was below par, Neymar wasnt able to exploit his speed and dribbling against Atleticos physical defence. "I think that individually they both played well," Martino said. "Its true they didnt find one another or combine much. With Neymar playing on the left and Messi tending to move out to the right, they are far away. But I dont doubt they will find each other." Barcelona increased its record of Spanish Super Cups contested between the league and Copa del Rey champions to 11, but its performance over both legs raised questions about its transition under Martino since July. Atletico, meanwhile, kept building on its good start to the Spanish league and its preparations for a return to the Champions League. "We played both games very well," said Atletico coach Diego Simeone, who guided his team to the Copa last May. "We had more chances than they did. I am very proud of my players because we were competitive across both legs with Barcelona, which is the best team in the world." ' ' '