Each June, NHL prospects experts Corey Pronman and Scott Wheeler hold an internal pre-draft news conference of sorts, fielding questions from The Athletic’s team of beat writers.This year, questions from 14 different teams were submitted. Here are their answers to the biggest questions facing those teams ahead of the draft.Toronto Maple LeafsI was convinced for the longest time that the Leafs should trade the No. 1 pick to the Canucks and take Chase Reid. Drafting for position, I get it. But: the Leafs haven’t had a true No. 1 defenseman since, like, Börje Salming. They’ve seen year after year, the best playoff teams have that type of defenseman. These types of defensemen are so hard (impossible?) to find on the trade market. Now they have the chance to land and develop one. Isn’t this the perfect time to try to land that blueliner? How wrong am I with this belief? — Joshua KlokePronman: Not wrong. I think both choices are perfectly reasonable. Reid isn’t a No. 1 defenseman in all likelihood, but he could be a strong No. 2 if he hits. Gavin McKenna isn’t Connor Bedard, but he could be an 80-90 point winger. Both are excellent pieces. I prefer Reid, but I get why some would prefer McKenna.Wheeler: I think you’re wrong. I see some separation between the two wingers and the D in this class, and while Reid is my No. 3-ranked prospect and No. 1-ranked D, I don’t think he or any of the other D in this class have shown enough to warrant a first-overall selection. You chase that if there’s a Rasmus Dahlin or Matthew Schaefer there. These D aren’t that. And while it’s true that the Leafs haven’t had a top-end defenseman since Salming, you can only deal with the decision in front of you, and I think there are bright flashing arrows pointing at McKenna.Is Chase Reid the next Drew Doughty?Corey Pronman, Scott Wheeler and moreSan Jose SharksAs a team on the rise, the Sharks have an obvious need to upgrade their defense. Chase Reid is this year’s top D prospect, and he’s a righty as well. Should they use the No. 2 pick on Reid and try to get more immediate D help through other means (free agency?) while Reid develops into a potential No. 1 in time? Or should they take Ivar Stenberg and use a forward to get a proven RHD, preferably younger with some cost-controlled term? — Eric StephensPronman: See my answer for Toronto.Wheeler: If they decide to sit tight at No. 2, I’d take Stenberg. If you don’t want to take Stenberg, I’d move back if there’s a deal there, accrue something, and take one of the D. I think you can do that and still take a second D at No. 27, too.Vancouver CanucksBig picture, what factors would you suggest a team like the Canucks, who are rebuilding and need essentially everything, should prioritize at the NHL Draft, both with their top pick at No. 3 and throughout the draft? — Thomas DrancePronman: I can tell where Drance is going with this. Yes, Vancouver needs everything. It should take the best player available. Is a dynamic first-line winger or a good second-line center considered better? That’s the question the Canucks need to answer. It would be close for me.Wheeler: Let’s be honest: They played it relatively safe with the Braeden Cootes and Tom Willander picks. They’re going to need to take some bigger swings if they want to find the kind of guys that raise a ceiling instead of a floor.New York RangersIf you’re the Rangers, who have a glaring need for high-end forwards in their prospect pool but have holes all over, do you think it’s worth it to surrender the assets necessary to try to trade up for Caleb Malhotra or Ivar Stenberg? Or do you think, given the depth of this defensemen class, it makes more sense to stick at No. 5 and take the best player available regardless of position? — Vincent Z. MercoglianoPronman: I would just take Viggo Björck at 5.Wheeler: Seconding Corey on this one. I think you have to consider the D there (Alberts Šmits, Keaton Verhoeff, Carson Carels, if he’s there), and frankly, they need a stud D prospect too, but if you feel the greater need is at forward, then Björck belongs in that group for me anyway.Calgary FlamesThe Flames desperately need top-tier talent for their rebuild. Is there a world where they package their Nos. 6 and 30 picks to enter this year’s top five? — Julian McKenziePronman: I don’t think there’s a need to do that. Their biggest need is a center, and I’m pretty sure Björck will be there at six, as well as plenty of great defensemen who are as good as the defensemen who will go 2-5.