3 best players taken on Day 2 of the NHL draft
The 2016 NHL Draft concluded Saturday with teams flying through Rounds 2-7.
With most of the elite talent being scooped up Friday, Saturday saw its share of diamonds in the rough.
Some were just on the cusp of being named first-round selections, while others fell by the wayside. Here are three of the best players taken on Day 2 of the draft:
Alex DeBrincat
Alex DeBrincat entered the 2016 NHL draft with more goals this season than any draftee in the Canadian Hockey League. He hit the 51-goal mark for the second straight season, despite battling injuries.
The biggest knock on DeBrincat - and likely the biggest factor in his fall to 39th - is his size, as he stands just 5-foot-7. Still, he remains an offensive dynamo with 102 goals and 205 career points in two seasons with the Erie Otters.
He isn't afraid to get in the dirty spots and with the ability to finish, he's an ideal fit with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Kale Clague
With the likes of Olli Juolevi, Mikhail Sergachev, and Jakob Chychrun going in the first round, it is safe to say that the Los Angeles Kings may have grabbed the next best defensive talent outside of the first round with Kale Clague.
The Brandon Wheat Kings defender played his first full-season in the Western Hockey League in 2015-16, where he finished with six goals and 43 points in 71 games while playing behind Flyers defensive prospect Ivan Provorov.
Clague was a monster for the Wheat Kings en route to their WHL Championship, leading the team's defense with six goals and 14 points in 21 playoff games.
The 6-foot D-man is a smooth skater with fantastic vision and a comfort while carrying the puck. With more consistent playing time and a couple years of development, he has the tools to be a top-end offensive blue-liner in the league.
Tyler Benson
Despite a season that was plagued by injury, Tyler Benson still managed nearly a point per game.
He was limited to just 30 games with the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League, but manged nine goals and 28 points. He impressed enough, as the winger was picked up by his hometown Edmonton Oilers after slipping just outside of the first round at 32.
EDM takes Tyler Benson at No. 32. Injury-riddled season. Likely would have been 1st rder if not for injuries. Ranked No. 39 on TSN list.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 25, 2016
His skill has never been overlooked, as he's suited up for Canada internationally on several occasions, including most recently at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, where his six points in five games helped lead Canada to gold.
He models his game after John Tavares, which should gel perfectly with the Oilers.