{allcanada} With Day 2 of NHL draft in the books, five big weekend winners emerge

 

Over two days of drafting, the NHL selected 214 players from 14 countries, including the league's first draft pick ever born in China.

Andong Song, born in Bejing, moved to the United States when he was nine. He currently plays at Lawrenceville High School in New Jersey. The New York Islanders drafted him 172nd

NHL teams claimed 79 Canadians, 55 Americans, 19 Swedes, 17 Russians and 13 Finns, among others.

Here are the five big winners over the two-day event.

1. Buffalo Sabres: Owning the No. 2 pick, the Sabres drafted Boston University freshman Jack Eichel, a powerful-skating 6-2 center who has the potential to develop into the best American player in the game within a few years.

Eichel could do for the Sabres what Steve Yzerman did for the Detroit Red Wings during his heyday.

In addition, Buffalo GM Tim Murray traded for goalie Robin Lehner, 23, who could be the Sabres' No. 1 goalie for years to come. He also acquired 60-point forward Ryan O'Reilly and veteran forward Jamie McGinn from the Colorado Avalanche.

After this weekend, the Sabres are not the same team that won only 23 of 82 games in 2014-15.

2. Calgary Flames: The Flames acquired defenseman Dougie Hamilton from the Boston Bruins without giving up a single player off their roster.

That's an impressive accomplishment. The Flames gave up a first-round pick and two seconds to land a player who could be the foundation of their defense for the next dozen season. Hamilton had 10 goals and 42 points this season. When his development is complete, he should be a 50-point defenseman.

The Flames' first-round pick they sent to Boston was No. 15, just outside the dividing line that separated the top draft prospects from the next group. In other words, the Flames weren't going to land a can't-miss prospect at No. 15. Instead, they got an established blue chip defenseman.

The Flames followed up with a decent draft, led by the selections of Swedish defensemen Rasmus Andersson and Oliver Kylington. Andersson is the son of former NHL player Peter Andersson (New York Rangers and Florida Panthers), while Kylington is a skilled defenseman who was ranked in the first round at the start of the season.

3. Winnipeg Jets: At No. 17, the Jets landed Kyle Connor of the Youngstown (Ohio) Phantoms who was ranked in the top 10 on some team's lists.

They also used a first-round pick to select Jack Roslovic, a member of USA's Under-18 team. He played on a top line with Auston Matthews and Matt Tkachuk. Both of those players could go in the top five of next year's draft.

In the second round, the Jets took Prince George Cougars center Jansen Harkins who had 79 points in 70 games. He was projected as a first rounder on many lists. In the third round, the Jets claimed United States Hockey League standout Erik Foley, who is considered a potential "sleeper."

4. Philadelphia Flyers: In addition to landing prize defenseman Ivan Provorov with the No. 7 pick, the Flyers traded up to land Travis Konecny, considered a Pat Verbeek-style forward, in that he's feisty and can contribute offensively.

Plus, the Flyers managed to rid themselves of Chris Pronger's $4.9 million cap hit. The Flyers gave the Arizona Coyotes defenseman Nicklas Grossman to accept Pronger's contract. The Flyers are picking up part of Grossman's contract and will take back Sam Gagner's contract. They can buy out Gagner's contract to free up more space.

This creative move by general manager Ron Hextall is designed simply to give the Flyers more salary cap maneuverability.

"It was a benefit to Philly to lose the cap charge," said Arizona general manager Don Maloney in a video released by the team. "We have plenty of cap room, so it made sense."

5. Edmonton Oilers: Owning the No. 1 pick, the Oilers landed super prospect Connor McDavid, who has Sidney Crosby-like potential.

The Oilers have missed the playoffs for nine consecutive seasons, but the city is now alive with the excitement generated by the hope the franchise now has with McDavid coming in to be the flag carrier.

New general manager Peter Chiarelli also traded some draft picks to the New York Rangers to land goaltender Cam Talbot who could become the Oilers' new No. 1 guy. Chiarelli also acquired Griffin Reinhart, a New York Islanders prospect defenseman who should step into Edmonton's lineup next season.

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