Weapons of choice

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This article was published 26/06/2016 (3419 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Though their 2016 NHL Draft was always going to be about what went down Friday night — two picks in the first round that brought left-winger Patrik Laine and defenceman Logan Stanley on board — the Winnipeg Jets added four more selections Saturday in Rounds 2 through 7.

Laine, the 18-year-old Finn phenom, was more than a prize at No. 2. His knack for shooting and scoring is compared by many scouts to that of Brett Hull or Alex Ovechkin.

The additions on Day 2 are more diamonds in the rough, a diverse group the organization hopes one day will boost the depth chart.

Without a second-round choice (the Jets used it in a package to Philadelphia to move up to choose Stanley), Winnipeg began Saturday with the Flyers’ third pick.

There, the Jets selected swift defenceman Luke Green from the Saint John Seadogs of the QMJHL.

In Round 4, Winnipeg chose hulking defenceman Jacob Cederholm from HV71 in Sweden. In the fifth round, the Jets called out the name of Brandon’s Jordan Stallard, a centre who played for the Calgary Hitmen this year.

With a sixth-round pick, the team chose Russian goalie Mikhail Berdin from the country’s Under-18 team, then the Jets essentially took a pass in the seventh round, sending that choice to Montreal for the Canadiens’ seventh-rounder next year.

In all, six players were chosen this weekend: three defencemen, two forwards and one goalie.

Green and Cederholm were the only ones present at First Niagara Center on Saturday to meet their new team. Both smiled from start to finish in their engagement with reporters.

“I really didn’t know when or where I’d go, but any team in the NHL is definitely a great spot,” Green said. “To be selected by Winnipeg, I’m overwhelmed and I couldn’t be happier.

“I talked to them at the combine a little bit and I thought my interview went well. But it’s a draft and anything can happen. I’m just happy they selected me.”

Green was the first overall pick of the 2014 QMJHL draft. He and twin brother Matthew played for the Seadogs this season, where Luke had 10 goals and 34 points.

“It was more like a learning season, I’d say, getting better defensively so I could make the jump to the NHL someday,” he said.

“He’s a great skater,” said Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff. “Good puck-mover. I had the opportunity to see him play when I was watching (first-rounder Pierre Luc) Dubois at the higher end. When you have a bit of familiarity, you can put the name to the face.”

The Jets are quietly enthused about what they might have in Cederholm, a hefty 6-3 Swede who has captained nearly every team he has played for.

He has signed a two-year deal already with Sweden’s HV71

“I can’t describe the feeling right now,” he said after being picked by the Jets. “I’m just trying to soak it in but it’s hard. I got a little emotional there with my family. I mean, I’m so excited for this opportunity.”

There’s nothing flashy about Cederholm, a stay-at-home type, but his basics are good, he’s a gamer, and he seems to be a natural leader.

“I want to win every game,” Cederholm said. “Every practice I want to win. I’m a competitive guy. If you’re going to win, you need the whole team.”

He recalled his combine interview with the Jets as a positive experience.

“It felt really good,” he smiled. “There were some great men there. I liked to speak with them. They were kind with good questions and pretty welcoming.”

Cheveldayoff certainly threw some position hints into the mix on Cederholm.

“A bit of a different player,” the GM said. “Though he’s a big player, he can skate well and he has tremendous leadership qualities. He’s been the captain of his teams all the way through his history. And he has a real pro body already.

“He’s maybe not going to be the flashiest guy, but already has a lot of pro aspects.”

Many players express pain or aggravation for the wait into the later rounds. Cederholm said he was happy to have done it.

“I was here yesterday as well, looking at the first round,” he said. “To see all the guys get drafted, I’m so happy for them. It’s an unbelievable experience, just to look at them. And for me as well. Today, I’m just trying not to get too nervous and just hoping to get drafted.”

With their fifth- and sixth-round choices, the Jets went looking for value.

In Stallard, they found a 6-2 kid who had 21 goals and 49 points for the Hitmen this season. He missed eligibility for last year’s draft by three days, born Sept., 18, 1997.

“A bigger player, good skill… so good local kid and had a good opportunity to talk with him on the phone and he’s extremely excited to be drafted by the Jets,” Cheveldayoff said. “A player we’ll look to continue to develop.”

Berdin is a bit of a flyer given his passport, but he was outstanding and an all-star at last season’s World Junior A challenge, a tournament where first-rounder Tyson Jost of Penticton, B.C., was an all-star forward.

“When you get into the later rounds and see something sticking out at you and glaring at you, you have to take notice.”

“The guys (scouts) that stepped up were passionate about him,” Cheveldayoff said. “I think we got a good value pick there.”

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca