Los Angeles Kings go big on Day 2 of NHL Draft (VIDEO)
.@DarylEvans15, @lakingsinsider recap the #LAKings' 2015 NHL Draft! https://t.co/12oFRiEWBN
— LA Kings (@LAKings) June 27, 2015
The Los Angeles Kings were busy on Day 1 of the NHL Draft, trading away the 13th overall pick to the Boston Bruins in exchange for 6-3, 235-pound winger Milan Lucic.
A trend developed on Day 2 -- the Kings went big. All five of the Kings' Day 2 selections stand 6-0 or taller. Go big or go home, it seems.
The Kings have found success on Day 2 in recent years. Tyler Toffoli, Nick Shore, Alec Martinez, Dwight King, all of whom are on the Kings' active roster, were Day 2 selections.
Let's recap the picks:
Third round, 74th overall -- center Alexander Dergachyov
Dergachyov, 6-4, 201 pounds, comes to the Kings from SKA St. Petersburg of the Russian Junior League. The 18 year old helped his team win its first-ever Kharlamov Cup. In 19 playoff games, Dergachyov tallied 18 points, 11 goals and seven helpers, for a plus-11 rating.
Fourth round, 99th overall -- left wing Austin Wagner
Wagner, 6-1, 178 pounds, spent last season with the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League. The 18-year-old left wing finished the year tied for third in both goals, 20, and total points, 39.
Unbelievable experience getting drafted. Excited to be apart of the @LAKings organization
— Austin Wagner (@AWagner_27) June 27, 2015
Fifth round, 134th overall -- right wing Matt Schmalz
Schmalz, 6-6, 209 pounds, comes to the Kings from the Sidbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey Legaue. The 19-year-old physical winger racked up 68 penalty minutes, 24 goals and 16 assists in 66 regular-season games.
Seventh round -- defenseman Chaz Reddekopp
Reddekopp, 6-3, 219 pounds, played last season with the Victoria Royals of the Western Hockey Legaue. The 18-year-old defenseman finished the year with 21 points, five goals, 16 assists and 53 penalty minutes in 72 regular-season games.
Newly acquired Milan Lucic fits @LAKings' mold of power forwards, writes @AbbeyMastracco. http://t.co/Isxx7JH3dV #NHL pic.twitter.com/TpxgwygtNF
— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) June 27, 2015
Seventh round, 194th overall -- defenseman Matt Roy
Roy, 6-0, 200 pounds, is the lone Kings' draft pick from the collegiate ranks. The 20-year-old defenseman spent his freshman season at Michigan Tech, finishing the 36-game season with zero goals, nine assists and 14 penalty minutes.
