2015 NHL Draft: Andong Song, Jeremy Bracco lead notable Day 2 picks – CBSSports.com
Andong Song and the Islanders made history at the NHL Draft. (Getty Images)
SUNRISE, Fla. — Day 2 of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft was more about trades than picks, but the second round was loaded with intriguing prospects, which is what helped trigger some of the significant movement we saw early. (You can catch up with all the moves in our Day 2 live blog recap)
As important as it is to hit with first-round picks, teams can often significantly improve their franchise with a few solid Day 2 picks. Think about players like Ryan O’Reilly and Brandon Saad, second-rounders in more recent years and have made a huge impact in their careers so far.
There was also some history made in the sixth round this year as the New York Islanders made Andong Song the first Chinese-born player to be drafted into the NHL. More on him below.
Here’s a look at some of the more notable picks, both in terms of the value they brought to their teams and intrigue.
No. 31 Jeremy Roy, San Jose Sharks: The Sharks traded up to get the intriguing offensive defenseman, who many believed would be a late first-round pick. In a draft with this depth, getting the 31st is pretty close to picking up a first-rounder. Roy was near a point per game last season with Sherbrooke in the QMJHL and has been highly regarded by Hockey Canada, having already played multiple times for his country internationally. He could make Canada’s World Junior team next season as well. He was worth the trade up.
Picks 36-39: There was a run on size early in the second round. Picks 36-39 were used on players 6-foot-3 or taller, beginning with right winger Gabriel Gagne to Ottawa. The Boston Bruins also picked up one of the biggest blueliners in the draft in Brandon Carlo, who plays a style right up Boston’s alley. Paul Bittner went 38th to Columbus and he was a player many believed could be a first-rounder thanks to his big frame and production at Portland of the WHL last season. Finally, Colorado selected Jack Eichel’s Boston University teammate A.J. Greer, who comes in at 6-3 and 204 pounds. Those are the kinds of players that used to sneak into the first round based on their physical attributes, but they provide better value in Round 2.
No. 49 Roope Hintz, Dallas Stars: On top of being incredibly fun to say, Roope Hintz is actually a pretty interesting prospect. At 6-3, 191, he played in Finland’s top pro league and managed to make Finland’s World Junior team as an under-ager. He had 17 points in 42 games for Ilves and looks to have some tremendous upside.
Jeremy Bracco could bring great value to Maple Leafs at No. 61. (Getty Images)
No. 61 Jeremy Bracco, Toronto Maple Leafs: Having traded out of their second of two first-round picks, the Maple Leafs managed to nab one of the more skilled players in the draft with the very last pick in the second round. Bracco was downgraded due to size, but there’s no denying his production. He broke Patrick Kane’s single-season and career assists record at the US National Team Development Program. Now he has a decision to make. He can go to Boston College, where he is committed, or head to the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers. Considering the Maple Leafs’ entire front office essentially is OHL alumni, it appears likely he’s headed north of the border.
No. 85 Thomas Novak, Nashville Predators: The Preds might have picked up a real steal here in Novak, who received some first-round buzz throughout the year. He started the season with a bang. He had 11 points at the Ivan Hlinka tournament to lead Team USA, then posted better than a point per game in the USHL with the Waterloo Black Hawks alongside teammate and Canucks first-rounder Brock Boeser. He is headed to the University of Minnesota next year and will definitely be a player to watch going forward.
No. 90 Matej Tomek, Philadelphia Flyers: One of the more intriguing goalie prospects in this draft, it will be interesting to find out if head coach Dave Hakstol had a role in this pick. Tomek is committed to the University of North Dakota and was recruited there by Hakstol. He’s a 6-2, 180-pound Slovakian who had a great year in the NAHL with the Topeka Roadrunners. Philly also drafted top goalie prospect Anthony Stolarz out of the NAHL three years ago.
No. 102 Denis Malgin, Florida Panthers: This is one of those picks to keep in the back of your mind. Malgin is undersized, but a dynamic talent. A dual Russia-Switzerland citizen, he represents the Swiss internationally. He had seven points at the World Juniors as an under-ager and played in Switzerland’s top pro league last season. He has some electric skills.
No. 123 Conor Garland, Arizona Coyotes: Despite leading the QMJHL in scoring last season with a stunning 129 points, Garland lasted all the way to the fifth round. At 5-8, 163 pounds, size is a big concern, but his production is undeniable. He’s a long-range prospect, but watching what he did last year makes him a tremendous value pick at 123 for the rebuilding Coyotes.
No. 172 Andong Song, New York Islanders: History was made in the sixth round when the Islanders selected Song with the 172nd pick. He is the first Chinese-born player to be drafted into the NHL. The Beijing native played high school hockey in New Jersey last year at Lawrenceville. Song moved to Canada at 9 or 10 years old, but captained China at the 2015 U18 World Championship DII. He plays forward and defense. It’s hard to know what kind of prospect he is, but he’ll forever be remembered for having his name called on the NHL Draft floor.
No. 185 Nikita Korostelev, Toronto Maple Leafs: The Leafs nabbed another highly skilled player way later than you would think he would have gone. Korostelev missed a month of the season with injury, but still put up 24 goals and 53 points in 55 games. In terms of value, you can’t get much better in the seventh round as the new front office in Toronto had itself a nice draft.
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