The Boston Bruins were the talk of the NHL on Friday by making two blockbuster trades involving Dougie Hamilton and Milan Lucic, and then using all three of their picks in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft.
Boston should be busy on Saturday, too. The Original Six club has eight picks in rounds two through seven, including three in the second round. The Bruins’ first selection is No. 37, which was the best draft pick they acquired in the Johnny Boychuk trade with the New York Islanders last season.
Keep it right here for instant analysis and highlights of all the Bruins draft picks on Day 2, including any trades that might be made. The second round begins at 10 a.m. ET.
Round 2, No. 37 (from NYI via PHI): Brandon Carlo, Defenseman, Tri-City (WHL)
Stats: 63 GP, 4 G, 21 A, 25 P
Height, Weight: 6-5, 196 pounds
Analysis: This is a good value pick for the Bruins because a lot of people thought Carlo would go in the first round. He has tremendous size and makes the smart, simple plays in his own end. He’s more of a defensive defenseman, but he’s a quality skater and moves the puck quickly and accurately in transition.
[tweet https://twitter.com/BJaffe/status/614803347971907584 align=”center”]
Round 2, No. 45 (from CGY): Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson, Center, Omaha (USHL)
Stats: 50 GP, 15 G, 38 A, 53 P
Height, Weight: 6-1, 190
Analysis: Forsbacka-Karlsson is a very good defensive center who consistently back checks, wins faceoffs and kills penalties. He could turn into a really good pick for the Bruins if he continues to improve his offensive game. He’s committed to Boston University, so Bruins fans won’t have to travel far to watch his development.
Round 2, No. 52 (from CGY via WSH): Jeremy Lauzon, Defenseman, Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)
Stats: 60 GP, 15 G, 21 A, 36 P
Height, Weight: 6-2, 193
Analysis: Lauzon’s 15 goals were two less than the league leader in the QMJHL. One of his best skills is his skating. He’s a mobile defenseman who can skate out of trouble and help the transition game by carrying the puck through the neutral zone and executing a successful offensive-zone entry. He’s more of an offensive defenseman than Carlo, who the B’s picked earlier in Round 2.
[tweet https://twitter.com/kluedeke29/status/614809099402899458 align=”center”]
Round 3, No. 75: Daniel Vladar, Goaltender, HC Kladno (Czech2)
Stats: 8 GP, 1.97 GAA, .933 SV%
Height, Weight: 6-5, 185
Analysis: Vladar is an athletic goaltender with tremendous size. He’s expected to play for the Chicago Steel of the USHL next season. The following tweet from Greg Bolloch of InGoalMedia provides an excellent analysis of Vladar’s game.
[tweet https://twitter.com/GregBalloch/status/614818500419284992 align=”center”]
Round 4, No. 105: Jesse Gabrielle, Left Wing, Regina (WHL)
Stats: 33 GP, 10 G, 9 A, 19 P
Height, Weight: 5-11, 205
Analysis: Gabrielle is a hard-working, gritty player, and that’s not a surprise because his favorite player is Bruins forward Brad Marchand. He also had 14 fighting majors over the last two seasons in the WHL.
Round 5, No. 135: The Bruins have traded this pick to Minnesota for the Wild’s 2016 fifth-round selection.
Round 6, No. 165: Cameron Hughes, Center, Wisconsin
Stats: 34 GP, 3 G, 10 A, 13 P
Height, Weight: 5-11, 161
Analysis: Hughes had a tough first season at Wisconsin, but he’s only 18 years old and provides valuable versatility as someone who can play center or left wing. This is a good value pick for the Bruins because Hughes came to Wisconsin as an exciting recruit and still has the talent to be an NHL player someday.
Round 7, No. 195: Jack Becker, Center, Mahtomedi High (also Sioux Falls/USHL)
Stats: 23 GP, 22 G, 25 A, 47 P
Height, Weight: 6-3, 190
Analysis: Becker is an American forward who has committed to the University of Wisconsin for the 2016-17 season.
Analysis, Highlights Of Bruins’ First-Round Picks >>
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@985TheSportsHub
