Washington Capitals #22: RW/LW Denis Gurianov (Ladia Togliatti – KHL)
Original Pick #22: G Ilya Samsonov (Magnitogorsk – KHL)
There are few things the Washington Capitals love more than Russian players on their team and in the 2015 NHL Re-Draft, they take Denis Gurianov who falls from 12th overall.
Playing a mere eight games for his hometown, Ladia Togliatti’s KHL team, was enough to see Gurianov had the potential to play in the NHL as he possessed great speed and hands. Headed into the draft, scouts recognized Denis Gurianov as having “one of the highest ceilings” (Curtis Joe – EP) among forwards in his class.
The Russian sniper is now 24-years old and apart from a solid playoff performance in the 2019-20 season, he has yet to uncork his potential. Worst case scenario, Gurianov is an elite goal scorer on the third-line and powerplay specialist or he becomes an average second-line winger.
Vancouver Canucks #23: C Dylan Strome (Erie Otters – OHL)
Original Pick #23: RW Brock Boeser (Waterloo Black Hawks – USHL)
Originally taken at number three overall in the 2015 NHL Draft, Dylan Strome was considered one of the biggest draft busts in recent memory as he could never crack the lineup on the Arizona Coyotes. Unsurprisingly, when Strome was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks, he found his game and has since proven to be a reliable second line forward.
Playing on the same team as Connor McDavid and Alex DeBrincat in the OHL is the easiest way to boost your draft stock. In the 2014-15 season with the Erie Otters, Dylan Strome tallied 129 total points in 68-games played.
Philadelphia Flyers #24: LW/C Andrew Mangiapane (Barrie Colts – OHL)
Original Pick #24: RW/LW Travis Konecny (Ottawa 67’s – OHL)
Andrew Mangiapane has emerged this season as an absolute buzz saw for the Calgary Flames, and these are the exact types of players the Philadelphia Flyers love. If they can’t draft Konecny here at No. 24 overall, they’ll take Mangiapane instead.
In his draft year season with the Barrie Colts, Andrew Mangiapane broke the triple-digit point mark scoring 43 goals and 61 assists in a full 68-game season. Two reasons that made him the perfect prospect are he was consistent and he was healthy, always having his foot on the gas. This chip on his shoulder has led him to be one of the biggest causes for success that Calgary is having this season.