Ten years later, this can be a review of the biggest steals in the 2015 NHL Draft. We will be the one who stands out in rounds 2 to 6 in one of the best draft courses in modern history.
Round 2: Sebastian Aho, Vince Dunn, Roope Hintz
Sebastian Aho, who ranked 35th overall in the Carolina Hurricanes, quickly became one of the smartest young Finnish stars in the NHL, bursting out with 29 goals and 36 assists in the 2017-18 season. The career high was 89 points, which is no surprise, with the Hurricane paying him $9.75 million a year for the next seven seasons.
Vince Dunn is ranked 56th by St. Louis Blues, a powerful offensive defender, Niagara Icdogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). In his second NHL season, he helped Bruce win the 2019 Stanley Cup, contributing eight points in 20 playoff games. His real breakthrough was claimed by Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft. In 2022-23, Dunn posted 14 goals and 64 points in 81 games, making himself one of the league’s premier offensive defenders.
It took Roope Hintz more than three seasons to finally make his NHL debut, but once he did, he quickly became the cornerstone of the Dallas Star. Sinz set a career high with his first 49 selections from Finland, with 37 goals, 38 assists and 75 points in 2022-23. His elite two-way match won him a $8.45 million contract in the 2030-31 season.
Honors: Brandon Carlo, Rasmus Andersson, Daniel
Round 3: Anthony Cialelli
Anthony Cirelli, a two-time Stanley Cup winner, has been a key part of their success. He selected the 72nd place from OHL’s Oshawa, who was a high-profile career last season with 59 points, and also proved himself a reliable playoff performer, recording 43 points in 108 professional playoff games. His importance to lightning is reflected in his $6.25 million contract, which runs throughout the 2030-31 season.
Dear mentions: Adin Hill, Keegan Colsell, Sam Montmet
Round 4: Nicholas Roy, Matthew Joseph
Nicolas Roy, the Stanley Cup champion, joined the Vegas Golden Knights, scoring 11 points in 22 games in the championship game. Roy’s career high of 41 points is a great six-point option, and Toronto Maple Leafs clearly valued him. Maple Leafs was acquired to acquire Mitch Marner’s rights, believing that the 96th pick in the Hurricane could be an important thing to move forward.
Mathieu Joseph is the 2021 Stanley Cup champion, and he is a quick, defensively responsible winger with a solid NHL career. Joseph’s career high was 35 points. While not a high-end scorer, the No. 120 draft pick brings energy, versatility and reliable two-way play, which makes him a useful depth for a useful team.
Dear mentions: Alexandre Carrier, Will Pogan
Related: The biggest steal at the 2014 NHL Draft
Round 5: Kirill Kaprizov, Conor Garland, Troy Terry
2020-21 Calder Trophy Winner. Best of career 47 goals and 108 points. $9 million was paid. Yes, Kirill Kaprizov ranked 135th overall and was a steal in the draft.
Conor Garland is a solid organizer, ranked 123rd in the Moncton Wildcats in the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Garland’s best season is more passers than the Snipers, who scored 52 points against the Vancouver Canucks in 2021-22. Garland traded from the Arizona Coyotes (now the Utah Mammoth), who played the role of a reliable second-tier winger.
Troy Terry became a stable 50-plus scorer for the Anaheim Ducks with 37 goals and 67 points in the 2020-21 breakthrough season. The No. 148th place selected from the US National Team Development Program (USNTDP), Terry is a great second-tier choice and also provides leadership for the Ducks’ young prospects. There is no doubt Terry was a steal in the draft.
Honorary mention: Niko Mikkola, Adam Gaudette
Round 6: Andrew Mangiapane, Mason Appleton, Vladislav Gavrikov
OHL’s Barrie Colts Andrew Mangiapane’s 166th pick was 55 points in the 2021-22 breakout season. Although his work has been cool, he is still a valuable work for any NHL team. Now in the Washington Capitals after a deal from the Calgary Flames, he signed for $3.6 million over the next two seasons.
Mason Appleton scored 36 points with a career-best finish, becoming the role of a reliable third-tier player in the Winnipeg Jets. Appleton picked 168th from the US Hockey League’s Tri-City Storm (USHL), a stable two-way center with a contract of $2.9 million until 2027.
Vladislav Gavrikov signed a seven-year, $7 million contract with the New York Rangers, earning him his reputation as one of the top NHL defensive guards. Gavrikov, who scored 33 points in his career-high 2021-22 season, ranked 159th in Columbus Blue Jacket, proved that he could contribute on the offensive end while keeping the rock fixed in his own area.
Honorable mention: John Marino
Round 7: Joey Daccord, Matt Roy
Joey Daccord, one of the best goalkeepers to win at the 2015 draft, was elected in 199 by the Senators in general. Daccord was claimed by Kraken in the expansion draft as the starting goalkeeper two seasons ago. With a 0.906 percentage savings of 57 games last season, he firmly established Seattle’s top pick for net progress.
Matt Roy received a rare example of the Michigan Tech selection from the NCAA, which has developed into a reliable deep defender for the capital. Roy started out as the 194th place for the Los Angeles Kings, a Blueliner who lives at home, had a career-high 26 points in the 2022-23 season.
The 2015 NHL Draft is full of talent
With some of the best players in the league coming from the 2015 NHL Draft, it’s clear that this class has already produced a lot of elite talent. From Kaprizov to Aho, many of the rear wheel gems and early choices are scattered on the stars, making the 2015 draft one of the most successful and comprehensive drafts in recent memory.
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