2016 NHL Draft: Alex DeBrincat, Pascal Laberge highlight Day 2 picks
Rounds 2-7 should feature plenty of talent for NHL teams to replenish their prospect systems
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After a thrilling first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft Friday night, the picks were flying fast on Day 2. Rounds 2-7 helped some teams replenish their prospect system, while others found great value. There was also a little more trade activity to speak of.
For the NHL's complete list of picks from the 2016 Entry Draft, click here.
There were many interesting picks throughout the day Saturday. Here's a look at some that could be of particular interest:
Alex DeBrincat (CHI, 2nd Rd., 39th overall): The Blackhawks probably couldn't believe their good fortune to see a former projected first-rounder fall into their lap at 39th. This seems to happen often for Chicago, like when they managed to nab Brandon Saad at 43rd overall in the second round back in 2011. DeBrincat is a smaller forward at just 5-foot-7, but the size didn't prevent him from producing back-to-back seasons of 51 goals with the Erie Otters. The Blackhawks have plenty of skill in their system, but they just got better with this pick.
Pascal Laberge (PHI, 2nd Rd., 36th overall): When the Flyers traded down from the No. 18 pick to No. 22, I thought they might be doing it to select Laberge. That turned out not to be the case as they went with highly-touted Russian German Rubtsov instead. However, the other pick they got from Winnipeg was No. 36. They managed to still get Laberge, who just seems like the Flyers' type of player. He had 68 points in 56 games for Victoriaville in the QMJHL and has a little bit of an edge to his game.
Vitaly Abramov (CBJ, 3rd Rd., 65th overall): Another player that seemed to take a big draft slide was Abramov, who is a dynamic player. Another undersized guy, he lit up the QMJHL with 93 points last season. The Blue Jackets really couldn't have had an easier decision to make there and added a boatload of skill with their No. 3 pick Pierre-Luc Dubois and Abramov on Day 2.
Sean Day (NYR, 3rd Rd., 81st overall): Sean Day has the distinction of being one of the few players to be granted "exceptional status" by the Ontario Hockey League, allowing him to play a year earlier than normal. He hasn't quite lived up to those expectations and started the year out of shape. While others that have gone before him as "exceptional" in the OHL ended up as No. 1 picks, Day tumbled to 81. The big defenseman still has the physical tools to be a good player, so the Rangers could be getting good value here.
And as we noted, there were a few trades made on the draft floor Saturday. The biggest of them was actually completed just before the draft resumed. Here's a look at the trades of note:
The Buffalo Sabres acquired Dmitry Kulikov and the No. 33 overall pick from the Florida Panthers for defenseman Mark Pysyk and the No. 38 and No. 89 pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. The Panthers cleared cap space and the Sabres upgraded their defense in what appears to be a win for both parties.
The Pittsburgh Penguins traded Beau Bennett to the New Jersey Devils for the No. 77 pick. Oft-injured, Bennett had trouble finding his game while with the Penguins. A change of scenery might help, but only if he can stay healthy. That's not something that is completely within his control, of course. He'll be reunited with ex-Penguins GM Ray Shero, who drafted him to the Penguins, in Jersey.
The Arizona Coyotes acquired Anthony DeAngelo from the Tampa Bay Lightning for the No. 37 pick in the second round. DeAngelo is a gifted offensive defenseman and a former first-round pick by Tampa. Only two years removed from that selection at 19th overall, it appears the Lightning felt more strongly about Libor Hajek, whom they used the draft pick acquired in the trade on.
The Dallas Stars traded former No. 11 pick Jack Campbell to the Los Angeles Kings for defenseman Nick Ebert. The Stars finally cut bait on their former goalie of the future. Campbell's post-draft development appeared to stall out. Perhaps a change of scenery will help him find his game as he formerly starred for Team USA at various international events just a few short years ago.
For a recap of all of Day 2's action, including analysis on notable picks, trades and trade rumors, check out the Day 2 live blog here:







